Comparison

VAPolyTZFM vs Ancient Drums

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

VAPolyTZFM

This app is a polyphonic synthesizer that utilizes Through Zero FM for musical sound generation. It offers a standalone mode with Ableton Link and MIDI support, as well as an AudioUnit Extension for use with other music software. Built-in effects and iCloud Drive integration enhance its creative capabilities.

Highlights
  • Through Zero FM synthesis
  • AudioUnit Extension (AUv3) support
  • Ableton Link and MIDI connectivity
  • Built-in effects suite
  • iCloud Drive project sharing
  • Analog style step sequencer
  • Up to 8 voice polyphony
Features
Read full description

VAPolyTZFM is polyphonic synthesizer featuring Through Zero FM, which is a type of linear frequency modulation and it is capable to maintain the pitch therefore it can deliver more musical results. VAPolyTZFM operates as a stand alone or as an AudioUnit Extension (AUv3) for iPhone, iPad and Mac. Stand Alone supports Ableton Link, MIDI and audio file export. Built-in Effects include delay, chorus, flanger, reverb, eq and compressor. Project files can be saved in iCloud Drive, so that the project can be accessed from iPhone, iPad or Mac. Main Features Through Zero FM Analog Style Step Sequencer. Eight Assignable Controllers. Maximum 8 voice polyphony. it depends on performance of the device it is running. Built-in effects and piano roll sequencer. Audio Export. Linear PCM format (AIFF, WAV and CAF) and compressed format (AAC) Support Audio Unit Extension (AUv3). Support MIDI 2.0. Support Foot Pedal and Per Note Control. Support Ableton Link, Bluetooth MIDI, MIDI In / Out. Works on iPhone, iPad and Mac. Support iCloud Drive to share project files between the platforms. Include 256 Factory Presets. Improvements Support MIDI Foot Pedal (CC#11, CC#64) Support MIDI2.0 Per Note Control Messages MIDI CC Settings are saved. It will be recovered when the app launched in the next time. System Requirements iOS 17.0 or later Devices with Apple Silicon are recommended. A13 Fusion or above is highly recommended. if sound is distorted when using a device with less CPU power, reduce number of voices. AudioUnit Extension (AUv3) requires host application which support AudioUnit Extension. AudioUnit Extension is supported by Apple Logic and Apple Garage Band on iOS and macOS. For any other DAW, it depends on the application and some of them don’t support AudioUnit Extension.

About

Ancient Drums

Explore a diverse collection of 32 authentic world percussion instruments with concert-quality sound and zero latency. Create rhythms with loop recording, adjustable BPM, and multiple time signatures. Features a random beat generator and haptic feedback for an immersive experience.

Highlights
  • 32 authentic world percussion instruments
  • Concert-quality audio samples
  • Zero-latency response
  • Loop recording with adjustable BPM
  • Multiple time signatures
  • Random beat generator
  • Haptic feedback
Features
Read full description

Ancient Drums puts 32 authentic percussion instruments from around the world at your fingertips. From West African djembes to Japanese taiko, Middle Eastern darbukas to Brazilian surdo — every drum delivers concert-quality sound with zero latency, making it a real instrument you can perform with live. FEATURES: 32 Drum Pads across 2 pages featuring traditional percussion from West Africa, Japan, India, Middle East, Ireland, Native America, Brazil, Cuba, Peru, Central Asia, and North Africa Concert-quality CC0 audio samples recorded from real instruments Zero-latency response — feels like playing a real drum Loop Recording with adjustable BPM (40-200) and bar length (1-8 bars) Quantize mode for tight, on-beat recordings 5 Time Signatures: 4/4, 3/4, 6/8, 7/8, and 5/4 Random Beat Generator with culturally authentic rhythm patterns 3 Complexity Levels: Simple, Medium, and Complex Drum Selection Filter to choose which drums participate in generated beats Per-drum volume control for balanced playback Haptic feedback for tactile response Beautiful forest-themed atmospheric design DRUMS INCLUDED: West Africa: Djembe Bass, Djembe Tone, Djembe Slap, Dundun, Talking Drum, Shekere Japan: Taiko, Taiko Deep Middle East: Darbuka, Doumbek Tek, Doumbek Bass, Bendir, Frame Drum Ireland: Bodhrán India: Dholak, Tabla Native America: Pow-wow, Hand Drum, Hoop Drum, Rattle Brazil: Cajon, Surdo, Pandeiro, Repinique, Tambor Cuba: Bongo Hi, Bongo Lo, Conga, Tumba Africa: Udu, Log Drum Central Asia: Nagara Whether you're a musician exploring world rhythms, a producer looking for authentic percussion, or someone who just loves drums — Ancient Drums is your portable percussion studio. Made with care by Coyote Song Productions LLC.

Screenshots

VAPolyTZFM4 screens
Ancient Drums2 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: VAPolyTZFM at 50% against Ancient Drums's 0%. VAPolyTZFM also leads on rating (5.0 vs 1.0) and ratings volume (3 vs 1). Ancient Drums's advantage is price ($4.99 vs $14.99) and update cadence (every 5 days vs every 9 months). On ads, in-app purchases, monetization model and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

VAPolyTZFM costs $14.99 and Ancient Drums $4.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

VAPolyTZFM holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 1.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 3 and 1 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 50% of VAPolyTZFM's written reviews are positive against 0% of Ancient Drums's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

VAPolyTZFM ships an update every 9 months, Ancient Drums every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on November 5, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
VAPolyTZFM versus Ancient Drums: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterVAPolyTZFMAncient Drums
Price$14.99$4.99 — better
Rating5.0 (3 ratings) — better1.0 (1 ratings)
Positive reviews50.0% of reviews — better0.0% of reviews
Number of ratings3 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 9 monthsEvery 5 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPad, MaciPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS16.615.1 — better
Further details — not scored
Size17 MB43 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperRyo TogawaCoyote Song Productions LLC

Customer experience

VAPolyTZFM

All ratings3 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%

Ancient Drums

All ratings1 ratings
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%

In-app purchases

None

VAPolyTZFM

No in-app purchases

None

Ancient Drums

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is VAPolyTZFM free?
VAPolyTZFM costs $14.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Ancient Drums free?
Ancient Drums costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, VAPolyTZFM or Ancient Drums?
VAPolyTZFM is rated higher. VAPolyTZFM averages 5.0 out of 5 from 3 ratings, while Ancient Drums averages 1.0 from 1 ratings.
Do VAPolyTZFM or Ancient Drums have ads?
Neither VAPolyTZFM nor Ancient Drums shows ads.
Which is updated more often, VAPolyTZFM or Ancient Drums?
VAPolyTZFM ships an update every 9 months, and Ancient Drums every 5 days. Most recently, VAPolyTZFM was updated on November 5, 2026 and Ancient Drums on October 31, 2026.

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