SampleScape vs Descent Granulator
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
SampleScape
Create complex, evolving soundscapes with this sample-based instrument. Build sequences of samples or instruments, control playback with granular synthesis, and apply a variety of filters and effects. Features an auto-sampler for easy recording and SF2 file import.
- Morph Sequencer up to 12 steps
- Sample or Granular Rendering
- 12 Sample Slots with 24 samples each
- 114 Ready-made Instruments
- Morphing VCF with multiple modes
- Integrated effects suite
- Auto Sampler for instrument recording
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SampleScape is an AUv3 plugin for use in your favourite DAW such as AUM, Cubasis, GarageBand, Logic or Loopy Pro. SampleScape is an innovative sample-based instrument for building complex evolving soundscapes. You can create a sequence of steps, each step being either an individual sample or a collection of tuned samples which we refer to as an instrument. Each step allows you has controls how it is played back, either as a traditional sample or via granular synthesis. You can control transition times, fade times, transpose, pitch, glide, level, pan, vibrato, tremolo at each step, and together with a 3 mode morphing filter and integrated effects you can create a constantly evolving and complex soundscape. SampleScape also has the ability to map any incoming CC controllers to a large number of internal knobs, sliders, switches etc. for fantastic automation possibilities. Our build in Auto Sampler makes recording samples from other instruments so simple. You can use this to expand the library of more than 114 pre-build instruments. SampleScape also has a configurable randomisation feature which can piece sequences of instruments together to create new sequences at the press of a button. Need more samples, simply drag and drop SF2 files into the Sample Library to extract all the samples. The Sample Library also lets you configure and reference a remote folder on your iPad. This is useful if you already have a sample library located on your iPad. SampleScape features: • Morph Sequencer: create morphing sequences up to 12 steps in length. • Sample or Granular Rendering: Choose to render samples using sample or granular modes. • 12 Sample Slots: Reference up to 12 individual samples or instruments in your sequence. • 24 Samples Per Slot: Add up to 24 individual samples in any of the 12 sample slots. • Ready-made Instruments: 114 built-in, ready-made instruments to use as a basis for your sequences. • 2x Fluid LFOs: Control panning, vibrato, tremolo, and filter modulation using the LFO's. • VCF: offers Ladder (Moog), SEM (Oberheim), Formant, and CS-20 (Korg) modes with 12/24-bit slopes and morphable LP/BP/HP. • 2x ADSR: Includes two traditional ADSRs to control both AMP and FILTER envelopes. • Beat Sync: Sync sample sequences to your host DAW. • MPE Mode: Use MPE controllers with SampleScape with per-note pitch bends and CC47 control. • Effects: Add reverb, delay, chorus, Haas, 8 Band EQ, Leslie Simulator, and Phaser effects to your presets. • Drag and Drop: Import and export presets, samples, and complete instrument folders. • Modulation: Map MIDI CC to a huge range of interface functions. • Sample Library: Maintain local and remote sample and instrument libraries. • Auto Sampler: Quickly and intelligently record entire instruments directly into SampleScape. • Auto Tune: Built-in auto-tune and tuner options to automatically place your samples on the correct root note. • Auto Looping: An automatic loop finder is available to make finding loop points easy. • Randomisation: Built-in intelligent randomization features to auto-generate sequences. • Sample Extractor: Built-in sample extraction from SF2 soundfont files.
Descent Granulator
This app captures audio, breaks it into tiny grains, and manipulates them for unique sound effects. Explore subtle thickening, rhythmic delays, frozen soundscapes, and shimmering pitch-shifted textures.
- Real-time granular engine
- Pitch shifting with quantization
- Six-axis randomization
- Diffusion and feedback controls
- Tempo sync
- 35 factory presets
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Descent is a real-time granular effect that captures incoming audio, breaks it into tiny grains, and scatters them across time and pitch. The result: everything from subtle thickening and rhythmic delays to vast frozen soundscapes and shimmering pitch-shifted clouds. GRANULAR ENGINE Control up to 50 simultaneous grains with independent settings for duration, overlap, and envelope shape. Play grains forward, reverse, or randomly mixed for tape-style effects, reverse swells, and glitchy textures. PITCH SHIFTING WITH QUANTIZATION Transpose from -24 to +24 semitones. Lock pitch shifts to specific intervals—octaves, fifths, or any chromatic combination—for harmonically correct shimmer and transposition effects. SIX-AXIS RANDOMIZATION Independently randomize pitch, pan, position, amplitude, duration, and grain count. Dial in subtle organic movement or push into complete textural chaos. DIFFUSION AND FEEDBACK High-feedback mode with a diffusion control transforms delays into lush, reverb-like washes that never get harsh or run away from you. TEMPO SYNC Lock grain timing to your session's tempo or let textures evolve freely in untethered mode. 35 FACTORY PRESETS Covering shimmers, delays, reverbs, pitch effects, and experimental sound design. Cross-platform XML presets are compatible across all Audio Damage plugin formats and operating systems. SOUND DESIGN IDEAS Add subtle depth with a few long grains and minimal randomization Create rhythmic delays with short, quantized grains at high feedback Build infinite sustain pads by freezing audio with high grain count and overlap Craft shimmer effects by quantizing pitch to octaves and fifths Transform vocals into ethereal textures with diffusion and wide panning AUv3 compatible. Runs standalone or hosted in AUM, ApeMatrix, Audiobus, Cubasis, GarageBand, and other AUv3 hosts on iOS 13 or newer. From Audio Damage—making creative software for discerning musicians since 2002.
Screenshots
Verdict
SampleScape and Descent Granulator both sit at 5.0 stars, but that hides the real split: 100% of SampleScape's written reviews are positive against 0% of Descent Granulator's. SampleScape also leads on update cadence (every 5 days vs every 2 months) and iOS requirement (13 vs 16.0). Descent Granulator's advantage is price ($4.99 vs $14.99). 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
SampleScape costs $14.99 and Descent Granulator $4.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for SampleScape against 5.0 for Descent Granulator. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1 and 1 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 100% of SampleScape's written reviews are positive against 0% of Descent Granulator's.
SampleScape ships an update every 5 days, Descent Granulator every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 13, 2026 and September 9, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | SampleScape | Descent Granulator |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $14.99 | $4.99 — better |
| Rating | 5.0 (1 ratings) | 5.0 (1 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better | 0.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 1 | 1 |
| Update frequency | Every 5 days — better | Every 2 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 13 — better | 16.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 806 MB | 61 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | 4Pockets.com | Audio Damage, Inc. |
Customer experience
SampleScape
Descent Granulator
In-app purchases
SampleScape
No in-app purchases
Descent Granulator
No in-app purchases





