Comparison

Rhythm Ace vs Tape Loop Machine

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

Head to head
About

Rhythm Ace

This app is a faithful simulator of a vintage 1967 drum machine, recreating its authentic analog sounds and rhythm presets. It allows for real-time synthesis of percussion, pattern layering, and individual voice muting for unique groove creation.

Highlights
  • Faithful vintage drum machine simulation
  • Real-time synthesized analog sounds
  • 16 classic rhythm presets
  • Authentic pattern combining
  • Individual voice cancel controls
  • Precision tempo control
Features
Read full description

Rhythm Ace is a faithful simulator of the Ace Tone FR-1 — one of the earliest consumer drum machines, built in Japan in 1967 and the ancestor of the legendary Roland rhythm machines. Every sound is synthesized in real time using classic transistor-style audio circuits — no samples, no loops. Just pure, characterful analog-era percussion the way it was meant to sound. Eight synthesized voices Bass Drum · Snare · Low Conga · High Conga · Cymbal · Claves · Cowbell · Maracas 16 classic rhythm presets Waltz, Bossa Nova, Samba, Rock, Swing, Foxtrot, and more — all faithfully recreated from the original FR-1 diode matrix. Authentic pattern combining Select multiple rhythm buttons to layer patterns exactly like the original hardware — the diode matrix OR-combines their steps, letting you build complex grooves from simple presets. Voice cancel controls Mute individual instruments on the fly with the dedicated cancel buttons, just like the original panel. Precision tempo control Large rotary knob for natural, tactile BPM adjustment. Sample-accurate scheduling Built on a lookahead audio clock for tight, rock-solid timing — no drift, no jitter. Whether you're a vintage gear enthusiast, a music producer hunting for retro textures, or just curious what the dawn of the drum machine sounded like, Rhythm Ace brings a slice of music history to your iPhone.

About

Tape Loop Machine

Create warm, evolving ambient soundscapes with tape-style looping and sound-on-sound layering. This audio effect plugin offers long delay times and analog degradation simulations for experimental music creation. Explore presets or use it within your favorite AUv3-compatible host.

Highlights
  • Tape-style loop and delay
  • Sound-on-sound overdubbing
  • Long delay times
  • Analog degradation and tone coloring
  • Wow, flutter, and tape degradation simulation
  • Preset library
  • AUv3 plugin support
Features
Read full description

Tape Loop Machine is a free AUv3 audio effect built around tape-style looping, sound-on-sound layering, and long ambient delays. Use it inside any AUv3-compatible host to create warm repeats, evolving drones, layered guitar textures, synth soundscapes, and slow-moving experimental loops. Simple enough to pick up in minutes. Deep enough to get lost in. Features: - Tape-style loop and delay behavior - Sound-on-sound overdub layering - Long delay times for ambient and drone use - Analog degradation and tone coloring - Wow, flutter, and tape degradation simulation - Presets for quick sound exploration - AUv3 plugin support The standalone app is included for exploring presets and quickly auditioning sounds. For the full experience, load Tape Loop Machine BA2 as an AUv3 audio effect inside your favorite host, connect a guitar, synth, microphone, or any audio source, and start building evolving loops.

Screenshots

Rhythm Ace1 screens
Tape Loop Machine3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Tape Loop Machine at 100% against Rhythm Ace's 0%. Tape Loop Machine also leads on rating (5.0 vs 2.0) and update cadence (fortnightly vs every 2 months). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Tape Loop Machine holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 2.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1 and 4 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 0% of Rhythm Ace's written reviews are positive against 100% of Tape Loop Machine's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Rhythm Ace ships an update every 2 months, Tape Loop Machine fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and October 15, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Rhythm Ace versus Tape Loop Machine: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterRhythm AceTape Loop Machine
PriceFreeFree
Rating2.0 (1 ratings)5.0 (4 ratings) — better
Positive reviews0.0% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings14 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsFortnightly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad, Mac — better
Requires iOS18.017.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size6 MB8 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperTero AarnioBaturay Koc

Customer experience

Rhythm Ace

All ratings1 ratings
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%

Tape Loop Machine

Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

Rhythm Ace

No in-app purchases

None

Tape Loop Machine

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Rhythm Ace free?
Rhythm Ace is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Tape Loop Machine free?
Tape Loop Machine is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Rhythm Ace or Tape Loop Machine?
Tape Loop Machine is rated higher. Rhythm Ace averages 2.0 out of 5 from 1 ratings, while Tape Loop Machine averages 5.0 from 4 ratings.
Do Rhythm Ace or Tape Loop Machine have ads?
Neither Rhythm Ace nor Tape Loop Machine shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Rhythm Ace or Tape Loop Machine?
Rhythm Ace ships an update every 2 months, and Tape Loop Machine fortnightly. Most recently, Rhythm Ace was updated on September 24, 2026 and Tape Loop Machine on October 15, 2026.

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