Comparison

pOus vs Chord Borrower

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

Head to head
About

pOus

This app emulates analog drum machine bass drums with adjustable tuning and decay. It offers MIDI OUT functionality for envelope follower data and a scale mode for playing musical scales. Designed for musicians using AUv3 hosts.

Highlights
  • BassDrum emulation
  • Adjustable tune and decay
  • MIDI OUT envelope follower
  • Scale mode for musical notes
  • AUv3 instrument
  • MIDI CC routing
Read full description

Concept: The app is an AUv3 instrument that emulates the so-called “BassDrum” of analog drum machine. In addition it features MIDI OUT functionality of Envelop Follower, that is, the user can send out this instrument's unique envelop via midi CC for modulating external plugins. Also there is "scale mode" where the user can play "pOus" with musical scale like Bass. System Requirements: AUv3 host that has a flexible capability of MIDI routing (AUM, apeMatrix, etc) Usage: There are 9 sliders & one button. Tune: BassDrum’s fundamental frequency (30hz - 160hz). text-editable. Decay: determines its duration. Amp: audio’s decibel representation. MIDI OUT: whether the functionality of envelop follower is turned on or off (default: off) MIDI Gain: gain amount of MIDI out Offset: balances the output parameter’s value Channel: determines MIDI channel MIDI CC: determines the destination MIDI CC number. text-editable Scale Mode: This is a sort of Bass mode, that is, it can play musical scale in response to incoming MIDI notes. Button: triggers the instrument. Recommended Scheme: drum machine (MIDI out) -> “pOus” -> audio effect (compressor, saturator etc)

About

Chord Borrower

Features
Read full description

Chord Borrower — Modal Chord Progressions Borrow chords from any mode. Build progressions that sound nothing like everyone else's. Chord Borrower turns your phone into a modal chord instrument. Pick a key, and instantly play the seven diatonic chords of that scale — then stack on chords borrowed from Dorian, Phrygian, Lydian, harmonic minor, melodic minor, and every other mode hiding inside your key. Tap through rows of chord buttons to hear how a single root note sounds across completely different modal colors, and build progressions no ordinary chord app could give you. Play in any key, any mode Choose a major or minor key, and your primary row lights up with its seven diatonic triads. Add up to six more rows, each pulled from a different mode built on that same root — the full set of major-scale modes, plus the modes of harmonic and melodic minor. Compare Ionian against Mixolydian, or drop into Phrygian dominant, all without changing key. Shape every chord your way Tap a chord button, then dial in its quality — 7th, 9th, 11th, 13th, sus2, or sus4. Each button remembers its own setting, so you can build a progression where every chord has its own color and extension, exactly as you shaped it. Choose your voice Play everything through piano, kalimba, acoustic guitar, or synth — warm, musical presets that make every chord (and every borrowed mode) sound great. Designed to inspire A single clean screen, pastel colors, soft rounded buttons, and a friendly, uncluttered layout keep the focus on your ears, not the interface. Whether you're a songwriter chasing a fresh progression, a music student exploring modal theory, or just someone who loves the sound of an unexpected chord, Chord Borrower makes modal harmony playable, visual, and fun.

Screenshots

pOus2 screens
Chord Borrower2 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is iOS requirement: pOus at 12.0 against Chord Borrower's 15.1. On price, ads, in-app purchases 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

pOus costs $2.99 and Chord Borrower $2.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Scorecard1 real difference · 8 level
pOus versus Chord Borrower: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterpOusChord Borrower
Price$2.99$2.99
Rating5.0 (1 ratings) — better—
Number of ratings1 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 4 months—
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaid—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS12.0 — better15.1
Further details — not scored
Size15 MB186 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSatoshi KajiiAaron Wilford

In-app purchases

None

pOus

No in-app purchases

None

Chord Borrower

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is pOus free?
pOus costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Chord Borrower free?
Chord Borrower costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.
Do pOus or Chord Borrower have ads?
Neither pOus nor Chord Borrower shows ads.

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