Comparison

VAPolyFMWest vs Blue Clipper

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

Head to head
About

VAPolyFMWest

This app combines FM and West Coast synthesis with a 4-operator FM engine and wave folder/lowpass gate. It offers a standalone mode with Ableton Link and MIDI support, plus an AudioUnit Extension for iOS and Mac. Includes built-in effects and a step sequencer.

Highlights
  • 4-operator FM synthesizer
  • Wave folder and lowpass gate
  • AudioUnit Extension (AUv3) support
  • Ableton Link and MIDI connectivity
  • Built-in delay, chorus, reverb, EQ, compressor
  • 3-channel step sequencer
  • iCloud Drive project sharing
Features
Read full description

VAPolyFMWest is a combination of FM and West Coast synthesis. It features 4 operator, 8 waveform, 8 algorithm FM synthesizer inspired by iconic rack mount FM synthesizer in 1980’s and wave folder and lowpass gate, which are key components of the west coast synthesis. VAPolyFMWest operates as a stand alone or as an AudioUnit Extension (AUv3) for iPhone, iPad and Mac. Stand Alone supports Ableton Link, MIDI and audio file export. Built-in Effects include delay, chorus, flanger, reverb, eq and compressor. Project files can be saved in iCloud Drive, so that the project can be accessed from iPhone, iPad or Mac. Main Features - FM Synthesizer - 4 operators, 8 waveforms and 8 algorithms - Wave folder and lowpass gate - 3 channel analog style step sequencer. - Maximum 8 voice polyphony. it depends on performance of the device it is running. - Built-in effects and piano roll sequencer. - Audio Export. Linear PCM format (AIFF, WAV and CAF) and compressed format (AAC) - Support Audio Unit Extension (AUv3). - Support MIDI 2.0. - Support Ableton Link, Bluetooth MIDI, MIDI In / Out. - Works on iPhone, iPad and Mac. Support iCloud Drive to share project files between the platforms. - Support MIDI Foot Pedal (CC#11, CC#64) - MIDI CC Settings are saved. It will be recovered when the app launched in the next time. - UI Color can be selected from black, navy, gray, blown and red. - Font size for title of controls are adjustable. - Factory Preset 128 - Effects Preset 40 System Requirements - iOS 17.0 or later - Devices with Apple Silicon are recommended. A13 Fusion or above is highly recommended. - AudioUnit Extension (AUv3) requires host application which support AudioUnit Extension. - AudioUnit Extension is supported by Apple Logic and Apple Garage Band on iOS and macOS. For any other DAW, it depends on the application and some of them don’t support AudioUnit Extension. - Sound may be distorted if CPU of the device doesn't have enough power. If it happens reduce number of voices.

About

Blue Clipper

This app provides converter-style clipping and saturation to achieve louder, denser, and more controlled audio mixes. It models the character of a renowned hardware unit to add density, control peaks, and increase perceived loudness while maintaining a musical sound.

Highlights
  • Converter-style clipping
  • Analog saturation for density
  • Digital saturation for firmness
  • Peak control
  • Increased perceived loudness
  • Standalone, AUv3, and IAA support
Features
Read full description

Converter-style clipping and saturation for louder, denser, more controlled mixes. Blue Clipper is modeled on the Lavry Blue 4496*, capturing the character of its saturation and clipping behavior in a simple, modern plug-in format It is designed to add density, control peaks, and increase perceived loudness while keeping the sound focused, musical, and mix-ready. ANALOG SATURATION Analog Saturation gently softens transient peaks before they hit the clipper, adding density and level control while keeping the sound natural and musical. Perfect for drums, bass, vocals, buses, and full mixes when you want extra loudness without obvious distortion. DIGITAL SATURATION Digital Saturation drives the signal into a stronger saturation curve, adding harmonic color, firmness, and perceived loudness. Use it when you want drums to hit harder, bass to feel thicker, synths and guitars to cut through, or a mix to sound more pushed and energetic. Works as a standalone app, AudioUnit v3 effect, or Inter-App Audio effect *Legal Disclaimer Lavry, Lavry Blue, and any related product names, logos, or trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Blue Clipper is an independent Nembrini Audio product and is not affiliated with, endorsed, sponsored, or licensed by Lavry Engineering or any related company. Any reference to the Lavry Blue 4496 is used only to describe the sonic inspiration and reference hardware used in the development of the plug-in.

Screenshots

VAPolyFMWest4 screens
Blue Clipper1 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: VAPolyFMWest at $3.99 against Blue Clipper's $9.99. VAPolyFMWest also leads on ratings volume (4 vs 1). Blue Clipper's advantage is iOS requirement (12.0 vs 16.6). On rating, 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

VAPolyFMWest costs $3.99 and Blue Clipper $9.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for VAPolyFMWest against 5.0 for Blue Clipper. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 4 and 1 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 6 level
VAPolyFMWest versus Blue Clipper: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterVAPolyFMWestBlue Clipper
Price$3.99 — better$9.99
Rating5.0 (4 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings)
Number of ratings4 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 4 days—
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPad, MaciPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS16.612.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size19 MB18 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperRyo TogawaNembrini Audio

In-app purchases

None

VAPolyFMWest

No in-app purchases

None

Blue Clipper

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is VAPolyFMWest free?
VAPolyFMWest costs $3.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Blue Clipper free?
Blue Clipper costs $9.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, VAPolyFMWest or Blue Clipper?
VAPolyFMWest and Blue Clipper are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 4 and 1 ratings respectively.
Do VAPolyFMWest or Blue Clipper have ads?
Neither VAPolyFMWest nor Blue Clipper shows ads.

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