Comparison

GainX2 vs CACHE

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

Head to head
About

GainX2

Read full description

GainX2 Dual Gain Utility Plugin (AUv3) GainX2 is an audio effect plugin that can run standalone, or in any AU compatible host application such as Logic Pro or GarageBand. Overview GainX2 is a gain utility primarily designed for use during live performances within an AU host controlled via MIDI CC (*). You can use GainX2 as a "helping hand" to mute or unmute channels, smoothly fade between them, or add additional switchable gain before a guitar amp sim. You could even use GainX2 to automate a one minute fade out at the end of a performance! GainX2 also includes a master volume with variable taper and optional damping. This feature is useful when controlling volume via a MIDI controller in your host, and avoids the "stepping" effect that you sometimes get when mapping MIDI CCs to a volume parameter. NOTE: If all this talk of MIDI CCs isn't making sense, or you primarily make music in a more traditional DAW such as GarageBand or Logic, then you probably won't find GainX2 very useful. Alternatively, if you like to perform live with an iPad and use something like AUM or Loopy Pro, then you might be glad of a "helping hand" to control gain dynamically and smoothly via MIDI. (*) Please note that GainX2 does not have a "MIDI learn" function of its own, so your host needs to support the mapping of plugin parameters to incoming MIDI CC messages. A B Indicators Above the view selector are indicators to show which gain setting is active, and these will be animated according to the fade time so you can see the transition between the two settings. Please note these are not interactive buttons that you click on. Controls Gain - Switch between Gain A and Gain B. Typically, you would map this parameter in your host to a MIDI CC switch (0 or 127) in your host. Note that at start up, GainX2 will default to the A setting, so you should think of this as the default state that you want. Gain A/B - Set the level of A or B. At minimum setting, this is essentially silence which is useful for fade or mute type applications. Please note that GainX2 can boost the incoming signal up to 12dB which could result in clipping, so please monitor, and be careful with your levels. Fade - Sets a linear (Lin) or exponential (Exp) fade between A and B. Exponential typically works best for a more natural sounding attack or decay. Time - Sets the time to Fade between Gain A and B. Volume - Sets the master volume. Typically you would map this parameter in your host to a MIDI CC (0 - 127). Taper - Sets the taper of the volume smoothing to linear (Lin) or exponential (Exp). Sometimes exponential will work better for CCs that are being controlled via MIDI expression pedals. Damping - Sets a variable damping or smoothing time to the volume control. This is useful if you hear "stepping" or sudden jumps when the Volume parameter is being controlled via MIDI. For more info and support please visit: www.waverley-instruments.com/robjackson

About

CACHE

This app provides a dedicated sample browser for iOS music producers. It allows users to quickly browse, preview, and drag audio files directly into compatible DAWs and AUv3 hosts, streamlining music creation workflows.

Highlights
  • Browse sample folders and subfolders
  • Preview one-shots and loops
  • Detect sample key
  • Drag samples into compatible DAWs
  • Access local and cloud storage
  • Bookmark folders without copying samples
Features
Read full description

CACHE is a fast and simple sample browser for iPhone, iPad, and AUv3 hosts. It lets you open your own sample folders, browse collections instantly, preview audio files, detect sample key, and drag sounds straight into compatible apps and hosts. Built for producers who work across iOS and iPadOS, CACHE solves a problem that has been strangely overlooked for years: some DAWs and AUv3 hosts still don’t include a proper sample browser. Until now, that often meant digging through Files, switching between apps, and dragging samples in from outside your music workflow. CACHE puts that missing browser exactly where you need it. Use CACHE to: Browse your own sample folders and subfolders Preview one-shots and loops quickly Detect likely sample key for one-shots Drag samples directly into compatible DAWs, hosts, and apps Access collections from local storage, cloud locations, or external drives CACHE does not include any samples and does not make sound on its own beyond sample preview. You must supply your own sample folders. CACHE also does not copy or store your samples internally. It simply bookmarks and browses the folders you choose, so it won’t take up extra storage space with duplicate sample libraries. That makes it especially useful if your sounds live on external storage or outside the app itself.

Screenshots

GainX24 screens
CACHE2 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is device support: GainX2 at 4 against CACHE's 2. GainX2 also leads on price ($1.99 vs $2.99) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 17). On update cadence, 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

GainX2 costs $1.99 and CACHE $2.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

GainX2 ships an update every 5 days, CACHE every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on September 19, 2026 and October 8, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
GainX2 versus CACHE: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterGainX2CACHE
Price$1.99 — better$2.99
Rating—4.9 (10 ratings) — better
Positive reviews—66.7% of reviews
Number of ratings—10 — better
Update frequencyEvery 5 daysEvery 4 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
Monetization—Paid
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS12.0 — better17
Further details — not scored
Size12 MB4 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperRob JacksonLEWIS GARETH K LE VAL

In-app purchases

None

GainX2

No in-app purchases

None

CACHE

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is GainX2 free?
GainX2 costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is CACHE free?
CACHE costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.
Do GainX2 or CACHE have ads?
Neither GainX2 nor CACHE shows ads.
Which is updated more often, GainX2 or CACHE?
GainX2 ships an update every 5 days, and CACHE every 4 days. Most recently, GainX2 was updated on September 19, 2026 and CACHE on October 8, 2026.

Other comparisons