NebulizerAU vs 16 Drones
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
NebulizerAU
This audio effect plugin emulates the sound of an old-school, warbly tape delay. It functions as an AUv3 effect, allowing it to be used on multiple tracks within various audio applications. It delivers a distinct lo-fi sound.
- AUv3 effect plugin
- Tape delay emulation
- Lo-fi sound character
- Stackable on multiple tracks
- Compatible with GarageBand, AUM
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Old school warbly malfunctioning tape delay Nebulizer comes echoing back from the IAA doldrums. But fear not. Even though it's now an AUv3 effect plugin, ready to stack up on multiple tracks in GarageBand, AUM or your favourite audio application, it's still the wayward lo-fi monstrosity you used to know. And if you didn't know it, isn't it about time you did? Nebulizer is totally free. No ads, no in-app purchases, no subscriptions, no surveillance, no nag screens. If you want premium features, this is not the app for you.
16 Drones
Create evolving soundscapes and harmonic textures with a powerful ambient drone synthesizer. Shape layered drones using custom wavetables and envelopes, then perform expressively in key. Offers deep timbral control and flexible MIDI integration.
- 16 drone voices for layered textures
- Custom wavetable synthesis
- Per-voice drone envelopes
- Subtractive synthesis layer
- Expressive in-key performance voice
- Support for musical scales
- Standalone and AUv3 operation
- MIDI input and learn
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16 Drones is an ambient drone synthesizer built for evolving textures, harmonic soundscapes, and expressive in-key performance. Shape layered drones with a custom wavetable engine, per-voice controls, per-voice custom drone envelopes, and an additional subtractive layer. Then perform on top with a dedicated Play voice that stays in the same scale. Designed to be deep but immediate, 16 Drones gives you rich timbral control, musical scale exploration, expressive performance options, flexible MIDI workflow, and both standalone and AUv3 operation. Features: 16 drone voices for layered evolving textures Custom wavetable synthesis with per-voice control Per-voice custom drone envelopes for motion and character An additional subtractive layer for extra depth and weight A dedicated Play voice for expressive in-key performance Rich musical and exotic scales Standalone app and AUv3 instrument support MIDI input support for performance and control MIDI Learn for fast hardware mapping Aftertouch expression support, including polyphonic aftertouch Factory presets for fast inspiration
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: NebulizerAU at none against 16 Drones's 1. NebulizerAU also leads on update cadence (daily vs every 2 weeks) and rating (5.0 vs 4.7). 16 Drones's advantage is ratings volume (12 vs 3). On price, ads 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
Both are free to download. 16 Drones sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. NebulizerAU asks for nothing beyond the download.
NebulizerAU holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.7. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 3 and 12 respectively.
NebulizerAU ships an update daily, 16 Drones every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 13, 2026 and August 1, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | NebulizerAU | 16 Drones |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 5.0 (3 ratings) — better | 4.7 (12 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | — | 50.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 3 | 12 — better |
| Update frequency | Daily — better | Every 2 weeks |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free — better | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 — better | 18.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 2 MB | 8 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Matthew Caldwell | Ruben Terron Rodriguez |
Customer experience
NebulizerAU
16 Drones
In-app purchases
NebulizerAU
No in-app purchases
16 Drones
- 16 Drones Pro$11.99
