Comparison

RedNova vs VAPolyMk4

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

Head to head
About

RedNova

This audio plugin offers intelligent compression and spatial positioning for professional sound design. It adapts to your audio, allowing you to control dynamics and place sounds forward for presence or back for warmth. Transform recordings into spatially positioned compositions with intuitive controls.

Highlights
  • Intelligent adaptive compression
  • VCA compressor with analog saturation
  • Forward/back spatial positioning
  • Visual position orb feedback
  • Advanced sidechain control
  • AUv3 plugin format
Features
Read full description

RedNova: Intelligent Compressor + Spatial Positioning Welcome to a new genre of professional audio plugins. RedNova is the first of the Nova series of plugins by Simon Alexander that combines unique and musical audio effects with intuitive forward/back spatial positioning. Intelligent processing adapts to your audio while giving you complete control over effect dynamics and mix placement. From punchy upfront compression to warm distant textures, discover how one brilliantly designed plugin transforms flat or unruly recordings into professionally processed, spatially positioned compositions! Instantly Transform Your Dynamics & Depth: * Intelligent compression that adapts to your source material automatically * Professional VCA compressor with musical saturation and life-like analog circuitry dynamics * Move sounds forward for clarity and presence or back for warmth and space * Watch the position orb grow larger as sounds move forward, smaller as they recede * Advanced sidechain control over compression AND spatial positioning Made for Everyone: * Producers: Get broadcast and album-quality compression with professional spatial control * Beatmakers: Compress drums while positioning elements in mix depth * Singer-Songwriters: Gentle vocal compression to driving saturation with forward positioning for presence * Podcasters: Broadcast-safe compression with spatial separation for voice and music * Beginners: Set-and-forget intelligent processing with simple visual controls * Experts: Advanced sidechain routing with multi-parameter control Professional Features, Intelligently Simple: Intelligent Compressor: 1. Adaptive Processing - Content-aware compression that automatically adjusts to your source material 2. Safety-First Design - Multi-stage limiting ensures broadcast-safe output 3. Musical Response - Professional VCA style compressor with enhanced musical saturation 4. Thread-Safe Architecture - Lock-free processing prevents audio dropouts in demanding sessions SuperSitter Positioning: 1. Forward - Brings sounds closer with intelligent EQ and transient enhancement 2. Back - Creates warm distance with spatial processing and controlled filtering 3. Center - Complete transparency when positioning isn't needed 4. Visual Feedback - Dynamic orb scaling shows exact spatial position Advanced Sidechain Control: 1. Multi-Target Control - Route sidechain to compression threshold, ratio, AND forward/back position 2. Global or Individual - Control all parameters together or individually 3. Self-Signal Mode - Use the track's own signal for dynamic control (DAW dependent) 4. LED Indicators - Color-coded feedback shows which parameters are under sidechain control Technical Excellence: * AUv3 Plugin Format for all iOS/iPadOS DAWs that utilize them * Real-time intelligent content analysis with adaptive processing * CPU-efficient design allows multiple instances without performance issues * Zero-latency processing with automatic phase alignment * Broadcast-safe output limiting with extended dynamic range * Full parameter automation support with smooth transitions * Touch-optimized interface with floating value displays * 20 professionally crafted presets to get you started on any kind of track RedNova represents a new genre of audio plugins combining unique and intelligent audio effects with easy and intuitive spatial positioning. Download RedNova now and hear professional results in seconds! RedNova's intelligent design makes studio and broadcast-quality compression and spatial positioning accessible to everyone.

About

VAPolyMk4

This app is a powerful bi-timbral polyphonic synthesizer with advanced features like output morphing and a ring modulator. It offers extensive sound design capabilities with multiple oscillators, filters, and envelopes, and can be used standalone or as an AudioUnit Extension.

Highlights
  • Bi-timbral polyphonic synthesis
  • Output morphing and ring modulator
  • Multiple oscillators, filters, and envelopes
  • Standalone and AudioUnit Extension (AUv3) support
  • Built-in effects and piano roll sequencer
  • MIDI 2.0 and Ableton Link support
  • iCloud Drive for project sharing
Features
Read full description

VAPolyMk4 is bi-timbral polyphonic synthesizer, which features output morphing, classic ring modulator and global offset parameter control. Each synthesizer consists of three oscillators, resonant low pass and hight pass filter, amplifier, three envelope generators and two LFO. Two synthesizers can be configured as layer or split. VAPolyMk4 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 Bi-timbral Polyphonic Synthesizer. Output morphing. Classic Ring Modulator. Global Offset Parameter Control. Three oscillators featuring hard sync and through zero FM. 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. Full Factory Preset: 230, Synth CH: 160, Effect: 40 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. UI Color can be selected from black, navy or gray. 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.

Screenshots

RedNova3 screens
VAPolyMk44 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: RedNova at $9.99 against VAPolyMk4's $14.99. RedNova also leads on update cadence (every 4 weeks vs every 2 months) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 16.6). On rating, ratings volume, ads and in-app purchases 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

RedNova costs $9.99 and VAPolyMk4 $14.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for RedNova against 5.0 for VAPolyMk4. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1 and 2 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

RedNova ships an update every 4 weeks, VAPolyMk4 every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 17, 2026 and September 14, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
RedNova versus VAPolyMk4: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterRedNovaVAPolyMk4
Price$9.99 — better$14.99
Rating5.0 (1 ratings)5.0 (2 ratings)
Positive reviews—100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings12 — better
Update frequencyEvery 4 weeks — betterEvery 2 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, Mac
Requires iOS12.0 — better16.6
Further details — not scored
Size17 MB20 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSimon AlexanderRyo Togawa

Customer experience

RedNova

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

VAPolyMk4

All ratings2 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

RedNova

No in-app purchases

None

VAPolyMk4

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is RedNova free?
RedNova costs $9.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is VAPolyMk4 free?
VAPolyMk4 costs $14.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, RedNova or VAPolyMk4?
RedNova and VAPolyMk4 are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 1 and 2 ratings respectively.
Do RedNova or VAPolyMk4 have ads?
Neither RedNova nor VAPolyMk4 shows ads.
Which is updated more often, RedNova or VAPolyMk4?
RedNova ships an update every 4 weeks, and VAPolyMk4 every 2 months. Most recently, RedNova was updated on September 17, 2026 and VAPolyMk4 on September 14, 2026.

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