Comparison

ARPJAM vs Vinyl Layer

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

Head to head
About

ARPJAM

This app generates evolving ambient music using two independent arpeggio engines. It features a generative drum machine, sound design tools, and external instrument synchronization. Save and recall your favorite musical setups.

Highlights
  • Dual arpeggio engines
  • Generative drum machine
  • Sound design controls
  • External instrument sync (Ableton Link, MIDI Clock)
  • Save and recall presets
  • Built-in timer
Features
Read full description

ARPJAM is an arpeggio synthesizer that generates ever-evolving ambient music. Layer two independent arpeggio engines, each with its own waveform, scale, and pattern, and let the app weave an endless soundscape that shifts and breathes on its own. ■ Two Arpeggio Engines ARP A and ARP B run simultaneously, each with its own mode, scale, range, waveform, filter, and envelope. Five pattern modes: Random & Chord, Repeat, Random Single, Skank, and Drone. ■ Generative Drums A probability-based drum machine. Tune the firing density, double-hit chance, and open/closed hi-hat ratio for kick, snare, and hihat to create rhythms that evolve naturally alongside the arpeggio. ■ Sound Design Four waveforms — sine, triangle, sawtooth, square. Adjust the low-pass filter, attack, and overdrive per engine. Add depth with ping-pong delay and reverb. ■ Sync with External Instruments [NEW in v1.4] Ableton Link support — wirelessly sync tempo and bar phase with Ableton Move, Live, Koala, and other Link-enabled instruments on the same Wi-Fi network. USB-C MIDI Clock reception is also supported. Sample-accurate timing alignment, with a fine-tune Offset slider for each setup. ■ Redesigned Settings Panel [v1.4] Settings are now organized into five colored sections — Oscillator, Filter, Envelope, Algorithm, and Effects. Each section collapses individually or in bulk, and the state persists between launches. Jump directly to any section via the side rail (iPad) or sticky bar (iPhone). Clear square ON/OFF switches and vivid theme colors — orange for ARP A, lime for ARP B, cyan for Drums — make the whole panel far easier to navigate. ■ Save & Recall Four start presets (Default + SAVE 1/2/3) let you recall your favorite setups with a single tap from the start screen. Presets can be exported and imported as .arpjam files to share with other ARPJAM users. ■ Built-in Timer Choose countdown or infinite mode. The timer fades out with a gentle resolving chord — perfect as a sleep timer or as a companion to meditation. • 8 scales including pentatonic modes • 12 keys (Just Intonation / Equal Temperament switchable) • Groove control for swing feel • BPM 30–200 • English / Japanese language support • Ableton Link / MIDI Clock sync

About

Vinyl Layer

Features
Read full description

Keep the music you love and add a little vinyl atmosphere. Vinyl Layer generates its own separate audio layer of gentle crackle, soft hiss, and small pops and clicks. Play music in Apple Music, Spotify, YouTube, or another app, then turn on Vinyl Layer. Tap the record center or drag the needle onto the record. Background playback in another app depends on that app's features and settings. • Clean LP and Old LP presets • Adjustable volume, brightness, crackle, surface noise, pops/clicks, needle texture, and hiss • Preview each sound layer on its own as you adjust your texture • Saved textures, favorites, and listening sets with a timer • Sound profiles for headphones, the phone speaker, and external speakers • Atmospheric themes with a rotating record • A first-listen comparison with and without the LP layer • Shortcuts, plus start and stop system controls on iOS 18 and later The timer stops only the LP sound. Vinyl Layer does not modify, analyze, record, or control audio from other apps. Vinyl sounds are generated on your device. Settings and saved textures stay local. No account is required.

Screenshots

ARPJAM4 screens
Vinyl Layer4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Vinyl Layer at none against ARPJAM's 1. ARPJAM's advantage is update cadence (daily vs every 11 days) and iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.0). 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. ARPJAM sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Vinyl Layer asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

ARPJAM ships an update daily, Vinyl Layer every 11 days. The most recent releases landed on October 31, 2026 and November 5, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
ARPJAM versus Vinyl Layer: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterARPJAMVinyl Layer
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (1 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews33.3% of reviews—
Number of ratings1 — better—
Update frequencyDaily — betterEvery 11 days
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size7 MB20 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperTakashi TsunodaSungho Lee

In-app purchases

1 purchases

ARPJAM

One-time1
  • Remove Ads$0.99
None

Vinyl Layer

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is ARPJAM free?
ARPJAM is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Vinyl Layer free?
Vinyl Layer is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do ARPJAM or Vinyl Layer have ads?
Neither ARPJAM nor Vinyl Layer shows ads.
Which is updated more often, ARPJAM or Vinyl Layer?
ARPJAM ships an update daily, and Vinyl Layer every 11 days. Most recently, ARPJAM was updated on October 31, 2026 and Vinyl Layer on November 5, 2026.

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