Phase Chimes vs HeadStack
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Phase Chimes
Create intricate musical compositions by linking gears to generate complex rhythms and melodies. Explore generative music ideas standalone or as a MIDI plugin within other music production apps.
- Generative rhythm and melody composition
- AUv3 MIDI plugin support
- Standalone app functionality
- Adjustable gear parameters (size, angle, velocity)
- Composition snapshots and transitions
- On-the-fly performance capabilities
- Internal sound library
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MAKE MUSICAL MACHINES! Link gears together to compose surprisingly complex rhythms and melodies. Runs as an AUv3 MIDI plugin in host apps like AUM and Logic Pro (for iPad), or as a standalone app so you can explore musical ideas on your iPhone or iPad whenever inspiration strikes! THE CONCEPT - Differently-sized gears define gear ratios, which produce polyrhythms. - The connection angle between gears determines note pitch. Use these simple principles to create generative compositions with a visually elegant user interface. Compose patterns that evolve over time, or perform live by changing and arranging gears on-the-fly. FEATURES - Set each gear's size, offset, velocity, duration, and MIDI channel. - Store multiple snapshots of your composition and smoothly transition between them. - Reposition groups of gears to transpose and re-harmonize multiple notes at the same time. - Almost any aspect of a composition can be randomized. - Control external software or hardware instruments when in standalone MIDI mode or as an AUv3 plugin. - Synchronizes with your DAW's timeline to play in time with other tracks. - Get started quickly with an onscreen tutorial and a bunch of factory presets. SOUNDS Select from internal sounds such as a sampled grand piano, a Wurlitzer, and a vintage synthesizer. Whether you want to create a live audio-visual performance, add a polyrhythmic layer to your project, or compose an ambient, meditative atmosphere, Phase Chimes will surprise you with something new every time you engage with it.
HeadStack
This app offers a virtual tape loop with 8 independently configurable playback heads for creating diverse echo effects. It captures the warmth of classic tape machines while offering modern flexibility for sound design, from vintage echoes to evolving ambient textures.
- Multi-head tape engine with 8 playback heads
- Vintage tape character and imperfections
- Independent control for each playback head
- Rotating head wheel for dynamic effects
- Granular harmony engine for pitch-shifted textures
- Per-head modulation and creative feedback routing
- Diffusion and smearing for atmospheric washes
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HeadStack is a multi-head tape delay inspired by the character, movement and musicality of classic magnetic echo machines, reimagined for modern production. At its heart is a virtual tape loop with 8 independently configurable playback heads. Each head can be positioned, levelled and panned to create everything from vintage slap-back echoes and rhythmic repeats to vast stereo soundscapes and evolving ambient textures. While HeadStack captures the warmth and unpredictability of classic tape systems, it is not limited by their mechanical constraints. Individual heads can be modulated, filtered, diffused, pitch-shifted and transformed into granular playback engines, opening up a palette that ranges from authentic analogue echoes to shimmering harmonies and cinematic atmospheres. The tape itself becomes an instrument. Rotate the head wheel to continuously reposition playback points, stretch the spacing between heads, introduce head loss, or create cascading feedback networks that evolve with every repeat. Independent filtering, stereo placement and modulation allow each head to develop its own character within the delay line. You can even play sequences Into HeadStack and freeze it using your hold pedal and continue to play over the top. Whether you’re searching for vintage tape ambience, rhythmic multi-tap delays, lush granular harmonies or experimental feedback textures, HeadStack combines the soul of a classic tape echo with the flexibility of a modern creative effects processor. Welcome to a new generation of tape delay. HeadStack Features: Multi-Head Tape Engine - Create complex rhythmic delays using multiple independently controllable playback heads running on a shared virtual tape loop. Vintage Character - Capture the warmth, movement and musical imperfections of classic tape echo machines with adjustable tape loss, filtering and feedback behavior. Independent Head Control - Each playback head features its own level, pan, timing offset and tonal shaping, allowing intricate delay patterns and evolving stereo textures. Rotating Head Wheel- Continuously reposition or stretch the virtual head arrangement to create shifting rhythms, moving echoes and dynamic performance effects. Granular Harmony Engine - Transform individual heads into pitch-shifted granular voices, generating harmonies, octave layers and shimmering textures directly from the tape loop. Per-Head Modulation - Add movement and expression with independent modulation of playback position, spacing, tremolo and stereo placement. Creative Feedback Routing - Choose between traditional multi-head feedback or route feedback from a specific playback head for unique echo patterns and evolving repeats. Diffusion & Smearing - Blend between precise rhythmic echoes and spacious, atmospheric washes using integrated diffusion processing. Deep Stereo Imaging - Create anything from focused mono echoes to wide immersive soundscapes with per-head panning, Haas delay and stereo enhancement controls. Performance Ready - Designed for real-time interaction, encouraging hands-on manipulation of head positions, modulation and feedback while performing. Precision & Experimentation - Dial in authentic tape echoes, lush ambient delays or push the engine into unpredictable granular and feedback-driven territories. Modern Workflow - Combines the immediacy of classic hardware with the flexibility, recall and precision expected from a contemporary audio plugin. Interactive Head Wheel - Grab and rotate the virtual head wheel to reposition playback heads, create evolving delay patterns and perform dramatic tape-style scrubbing effects. Dynamic Tape Warping- Enable Rotate and Stretch modes to continuously morph the spacing and timing between playback heads, transforming static echoes into living, breathing rhythmic textures. Freeze Buffer - Freeze the contents of the audio buffer using a foot pedal, capture ideas and play over the top.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Phase Chimes at 5.0 against HeadStack's 4.8. Phase Chimes also leads on price ($9.99 vs $12.99). HeadStack's advantage is chart position (#184 vs unranked) and iOS requirement (14 vs 16.6). On review sentiment, ratings volume, update cadence and ads 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
Phase Chimes costs $9.99 and HeadStack $12.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Phase Chimes holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.8. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 8 and 5 respectively. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 100% and 100% positive.
Phase Chimes ships an update every 2 weeks, HeadStack every 9 days. The most recent releases landed on October 8, 2026 and October 3, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Phase Chimes | HeadStack |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $9.99 — better | $12.99 |
| Rating | 5.0 (8 ratings) — better | 4.8 (5 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 8 — better | 5 |
| Update frequency | Every 2 weeks | Every 9 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Best chart rank | — | #184 — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 16.6 | 14 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 33 MB | 25 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Kenneth Murphy | 4Pockets.com |
Customer experience
Phase Chimes
HeadStack
In-app purchases
Phase Chimes
No in-app purchases
HeadStack
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Phase Chimes free?
Is HeadStack free?
Which has better reviews, Phase Chimes or HeadStack?
Do Phase Chimes or HeadStack have ads?
Which is updated more often, Phase Chimes or HeadStack?
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