Comparison

jAmpler vs GranSample

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

Head to head
About

jAmpler

Record, import, and manipulate audio samples with a versatile instrument plugin. Create unique sounds using granular synthesis and a wide array of effects. Assign samples to a keyboard for intuitive musical performance.

Highlights
  • Record and import audio samples
  • Assign samples to keyboard keys
  • Granular synthesis controls
  • Extensive per-sample editing
  • Global effects suite
  • Adjustable velocity curve and temperament
Features
Read full description

jAmpler is a sample-based instrument plugin for iOS and macOS, designed as an Audio Unit v3 (AUv3) instrument. It enables you to record, import, assign, and manipulate samples with a rich set of controls and global effects — all accessible in a compact, intuitive interface. Features: * 4 banks, each with 8 samples. * Each sample is represented by a unique color. * Record samples directly using your device’s built-in microphone. * Import audio files to use as samples. * Assign samples to keyboard keys using their color codes. * Detailed controls per sample: - Copy, paste, and trim samples. - ADSR envelope (Attack, Decay, Sustain, Release). - Crossfade and crossfade overlap for seamless looping. - Octave shifting and drive/distortion. - Filter and pitch shift options. - Granular synthesis controls (wet, density, size, spray, stereo spread, window shape). * Global effects: - Velocity Controlled Filter. - Low Frequency Oscillator. - Compressor. - Distortion. - Equalizer. - Chorus. - Cabinet. - Reverb. * Adjustable velocity curve and keyboard temperament.

About

GranSample

This app offers a 16-pad sampler with a powerful granular engine for sculpting unique audio textures and sequencing patterns. It functions as a standalone application and an AUv3 plugin for popular DAWs. Unlock advanced features with a one-time purchase.

Highlights
  • 16-pad granular sampler
  • AUv3 plugin support
  • Step sequencer
  • Modulation matrix
  • Sample chopping
  • Kit sharing
  • Per-pad effects
Features
Read full description

A 16-pad sampler with a granular engine underneath. Standalone app + AUv3 plugin for GarageBand / Logic / AUM / Drambo / Loopy Pro. Tap pads, sculpt textures, sequence patterns, chain songs. Same instrument either way. Free to try. GranSample Pro ($3.99, one-time) unlocks all 16 pads, song mode, the modulation matrix, sample chop, kit export, custom backgrounds, and WAV/M4A export. No subscription, no ads, no telemetry. PATTERN BANK & SONG MODE — NEW IN 1.4 Eight patterns per project (A–H). Switch live — the change waits for the bar end so the groove never stumbles. Then chain patterns into a song: tap letters to build, set repeats per section, loop it or play it once (song mode is Pro). Patterns, song, and BPM now save with every project. MODULATION MATRIX (PRO) LFO + ADSR envelope on 8 destinations per pad: grain position / size / pitch / density, volume, pan, semitone pitch, playback start. Drag the envelope chart, set depth per lane — all host-automatable in AUv3. SAMPLE CHOP (PRO) Slice any sample across the pads — equal grid, transient detection, or manual markers you drag to move and flick off to delete. Audition before you commit; the grid shows where every slice lands. KIT SHARING Export any kit as a single .gskit file — samples, settings, effects, patterns, all of it. Send it anywhere. Importing is free for everyone; exporting is Pro. PAD NAMES & COLORS Name your pads, pick from 8 colors. AUv3 PLUGIN Load "Digilog: GranSample" under AU Instruments in any AUv3 host. Same 4×4 grid, same Kits, same engine. 900 host-automatable parameters. Sequencer locks to host transport; MIDI through the host; everything persists in the host project. LIBRARY Ten factory Kits + your Projects in one place — load, tweak, save, share as .gskit. GRANULAR ENGINE Eight knobs per pad. Position scans the sample; grain size + density set the texture from pebbles to glass. Pitch + jitter, spray + stereo spread, four window shapes, an ADSR cloud envelope, Freeze for infinite sustain. 128 grains per voice, lock-free render. CHROMATIC MODE Any pad becomes the root; the grid plays as a chromatic keyboard. STEP SEQUENCER Per-pad patterns at 16/32/64 steps, per-step velocity, drag-to-paint. Eight patterns per project with quantized live switching. Standalone runs its own clock; AUv3 syncs to host transport. SAMPLE EDITOR Waveform view — drag the grain region, trim playback range, loop, reverse, normalize per pad. LINEAR or GRAN preview. Works inside the AUv3 plugin too. EFFECTS Per-pad AND master bus. Reverb, Delay, Distortion, EQ, Compressor, Chorus, Filter — up to 8 per chain, automatable from any DAW. Hand-tuned factory presets; save your own. EQ + Filter draw their curves live. IPAD Pads bigger than a hardware MPC; recorder, properties, and sequencer get a dedicated right column. MIDI USB, Bluetooth (built-in browser), or virtual MIDI. MIDI Learn on every knob standalone, per-pad channel routing. The AUv3 plugin routes MIDI in through the host and emits MIDI out for pad taps. RECORDING 60 seconds from the mic straight into a pad with a live waveform (standalone). Master bounces to WAV/M4A (Pro). 10 FACTORY KITS, 16 SAMPLES Late Night Room, Outer Space, Neon City, Midnight Dub, Tape Machine, Crystal Cave, and more — each with bespoke granular settings. FREE TIER Pads 1–4 with the full granular engine, effects, pattern bank, mixer, MIDI in/out — same in standalone and AUv3. Kit import (.gskit) is free too. GRANSAMPLE PRO — $3.99, one-time All 16 pads unlocked everywhere — standalone AND AUv3 plugin Song mode — chain patterns into an arrangement Modulation matrix — LFO + envelope on 8 destinations per pad Sample chop to pads Kit export (.gskit) Per-pad ADSR envelope editor Custom backgrounds — wallpapers or your own photo, with dim and pad-opacity control WAV / M4A export Made by one person who wanted a granular beat pad that fit on a phone — and now in their DAW too.

Screenshots

jAmpler4 screens
GranSample4 screens

Verdict

The call

jAmpler and GranSample both sit at 4.6 stars, but that hides the real split: 100% of jAmpler's written reviews are positive against 0% of GranSample's. jAmpler also leads on device support (4 vs 2) and iOS requirement (14.0 vs 16.0). GranSample's advantage is update cadence (every 4 days vs every 3 months). On price, rating, ratings volume 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. jAmpler sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and GranSample sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.6 for jAmpler against 4.6 for GranSample. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 5 and 14 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 100% of jAmpler's written reviews are positive against 0% of GranSample's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

jAmpler ships an update every 3 months, GranSample every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on September 12, 2026 and August 29, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
jAmpler versus GranSample: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterjAmplerGranSample
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (5 ratings)4.6 (14 ratings)
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews — better0.0% of reviews
Number of ratings514 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsEvery 4 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS14.0 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size1.4 GB16 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperJan MaesChih Han Lin

Customer experience

jAmpler

All ratings5 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews3 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

GranSample

All ratings14 ratings
Positive85.7%
Neutral7.1%
Negative7.1%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral50.0%
Negative50.0%

In-app purchases

1 purchases

jAmpler

One-time1
  • jAmpler Activation$7.99
1 purchases

GranSample

One-time1
  • GranSample Pro$3.99

Questions

Is jAmpler free?
jAmpler is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is GranSample free?
GranSample is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, jAmpler or GranSample?
jAmpler and GranSample are both rated 4.6 out of 5 on the App Store, from 5 and 14 ratings respectively.
Do jAmpler or GranSample have ads?
Neither jAmpler nor GranSample shows ads.
Which is updated more often, jAmpler or GranSample?
jAmpler ships an update every 3 months, and GranSample every 4 days. Most recently, jAmpler was updated on September 12, 2026 and GranSample on August 29, 2026.

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