Comparison

VAPolyMk4 vs NovaDrive

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

Head to head
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.

About

NovaDrive

Features
Read full description

NovaDrive is a professional multi-mode distortion plugin featuring three legendary saturation engines and powerful SuperSitter spatial positioning. Get desktop-class processing with tube warmth, high-gain distortion, or analog saturation, plus unique forward/back spatial control that moves sounds closer or further in your mix as easy as panning left/right! A Revolution! Works amazingly in Logic Pro, GarageBand, Cubasis, and all AUv3 hosts. Three Legendary Distortion Modes: Overdrive - Classic tube-style warmth and dynamics. Soft Clip for smooth transparency or Classic Saturation for vintage character with simulated power supply sag. Excellent for blues, rock, country, and clean boost. Distortion - Aggressive, tight, and brutally powerful. Driven Tube for focused control or Modern High-Gain for multi-stage clarity. Awesome for metal, punk, hard rock, and extreme fuzz tones. Saturation - Subtle warmth to full analog character. Tube Saturation for transparent mastering warmth or Tape Saturation for compression and analog glue. Perfect for mastering, parallel processing, and vintage vibe. Intelligent Tone Shaping: Drive - Distortion intensity with mode-optimized ranges for each character Tone - Adaptive pre/post EQ that intelligently complements each mode Style - Seamlessly blend between two unique algorithms per mode for vast tonal variations Gain - Extra control of input level that works with the Drive for volume compensation Mix - Parallel processing from subtle enhancement to full saturation Output - Final gain stage (-12dB to +12dB) for precise level matching SuperSitter Spatial Technology: Our exclusive psychoacoustic SuperSitter system easily moves sounds forward or back in your mix, as intuitive as left/right panning! Forward brings sounds closer with intelligent enhancement. Back creates warm distance with spatial processing. Visual feedback shows exact position in real-time. 20 Professional Presets: Expertly crafted presets covering blues to extreme distortion. Each preset remembers settings for all three modes, giving you 60 total starting points! Plus, unlimited global user presets for saving and recalling your custom settings instantly and across multiple DAWs on your device. Advanced Sidechain Control: Route sidechain to dynamically control drive intensity or spatial positioning. Precise threshold, attack, release, and mix controls with self-signal capability (DAW dependent). Optimized for iOS/iPadOS Production: Touch-optimized interface designed for iPad and iPhone. Works seamlessly with Logic Pro, GarageBand, Cubasis, AUM, and all AUv3 hosts. Create professional tones on the go with desktop power in your hands. CPU-efficient design allows multiple instances without performance issues. Technical Excellence: - AUv3 format works with Logic Pro, GarageBand, Cubasis, AUM, and all AUv3 hosts - Lock-free real-time processing with anti-aliasing and DC blocking - Three separate processing engines with dual algorithms and intelligent gain compensation - True stereo processing with independent channel state - Full parameter automation - CPU efficient design for use on many tracks simultaneously - Professional factory presets plus unlimited global user preset storage The Nova series of plugins represents an evolution of audio plugins - combining professional desktop quality effects and utilities with intuitive spatial positioning and advanced sidechain control for your iPhone and iPad. Download NovaDrive now and hear professional studio-quality results in seconds!

Screenshots

VAPolyMk44 screens
NovaDrive3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: NovaDrive at $9.99 against VAPolyMk4's $14.99. NovaDrive also leads on iOS requirement (12.0 vs 16.6). On 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

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

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
VAPolyMk4 versus NovaDrive: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterVAPolyMk4NovaDrive
Price$14.99$9.99 — better
Rating5.0 (2 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings2 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 2 months—
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaid—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, MaciPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS16.612.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size20 MB19 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperRyo TogawaSimon Alexander

In-app purchases

None

VAPolyMk4

No in-app purchases

None

NovaDrive

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is VAPolyMk4 free?
VAPolyMk4 costs $14.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is NovaDrive free?
NovaDrive costs $9.99, with no in-app purchases.
Do VAPolyMk4 or NovaDrive have ads?
Neither VAPolyMk4 nor NovaDrive shows ads.

Other comparisons