VU950 vs Starrypad
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
VU950
This app emulates the behavior of early digital samplers, focusing on sound shaping through intentional limitations and artifacts. It offers a full timestretch workflow, reduced bit depth processing, and MIDI control for a hands-on experience. Standalone mode includes multi-track sequencing, effects, and the ability to host other AUv3 apps.
- Classic sampler sound emulation
- Full timestretch workflow
- Reduced bit depth processing
- MIDI-controllable parameters
- Multi-track sequencing
- AUv3 hosting
- Built-in effects
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VU950 is not about realism. It is about behavior. Sound shaped by limits, gain interaction and audible artifacts — the same forces that defined early digital samplers. Draws inspiration from classic midi sequencers combined with samplers. Why it sounds the way it does Instead of emulating a single piece of hardware, VU950 recreates the way early samplers behaved internally. Resolution limits, imperfect filtering and non-linear stages are treated as musical decisions, not technical flaws. What shapes the sound VU950 sample rate: 7.5 kHz to 48 kHz Full timestretch workflow with classic hardware sampler tone Reduced bit depth processing for early-digital density User-adjustable anti-aliasing behavior Stereo signal path with selectable left or right input channel Dedicated input gain stage with drive and circuit bias Multiple filtering stages including bandwidth limitation Built-in low-pass filter for tone shaping Anti-aliasing tuned for musical artifacts, not transparency Non-linear processing across the entire signal path Output gain stage that affects tone and density, not just level MIDI-controllable parameters for hands-on workflow Maximum sample length: 63 seconds Truncate option to trim sample Precise mode for precise trimming on start and end screen One or eight voices of polyphony Precise start and end point control for trimming Chop function with selectable amount of slices And that was just VU950 AUv3 plugin. In Standalone: 8 tracks Support for hosting AUv3 apps to change VU950 sound engine to any sound You like. Build in multi sampler - VU20. Build in midi device - VUMIDI. Mixer with 4 inserts per track. 17 build in effects like filters, eq, compressors Possibility to use 4 AUv3 effects per channel Step Sequencer Piano Roll. Song Mode Live Mode Export wav with stems. Loading samples to build in turntable and record samples to VU950/VU20 or another AUv3 plugin with inputs Classic and modern UI template (Modern is fully customisable) In app purchases drumkits are downloadable after purchase (MPC60 drumkit for free) You can check also my another beatmaking app - VU202 - which is free and it is also a AUv3 instrument so You can use VU202 in VU950!
Starrypad
Transform your device into a versatile music creation tool. Record and import audio, then assign it to velocity-sensitive pads for playback. Build complex loops with layering and undo options, and export your creations in multiple formats.
- 16 velocity-sensitive pads
- Built-in drum kits and synth phrases
- Microphone and audio import
- Loop recording with layering
- WAV and MIDI export
- MIDI controller support
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Starrypad turns your iPhone into a drum pad, looper and sampler. Play sixteen velocity-sensitive pads with acoustic drums, 808 sounds and original synth phrases. The C Synth kit follows your tempo while keeping note pitch independent. Shape each pad with level, pan and tuning in the Mixer. Record from the microphone or import audio from a video you choose, trim the sound and assign it to a pad. Record loops, add layers and undo the latest pass. Switch from recording to playback without stopping the loop. Play along with music from another audio app. Background playback depends on the other app and your audio route. This does not import or record protected streaming audio. Export loops as WAV or MIDI. Connect an optional class-compliant USB MIDI controller. No controller, account or subscription is required. Settings and help support English, Japanese and Simplified Chinese. Familiar performance legends stay in English. Audio processing and your recordings stay on the device. Salamander Drumkit by Alexander Holm (CC BY 3.0) TR-808 Sound Sample Set by Michael Fischer via TidalCycles (CC0 1.0) Additional percussion from FreePats (CC0 1.0) Original synthesized rhythm phrases by Starrypad
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: Starrypad at Free against VU950's $4.99. Starrypad also leads on review sentiment (100% vs 60%) and in-app purchases (none vs 8). VU950's advantage is rating (4.2 vs 3.7) and update cadence (every 2 days vs every 10 days). On 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
Starrypad is free to download; VU950 costs $4.99 up front. VU950 sells 8 one-off in-app purchases. Starrypad asks for nothing beyond the download.
VU950 holds the better App Store score, 4.2 against 3.7. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 11 and 3 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 60% of VU950's written reviews are positive against 100% of Starrypad's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.
VU950 ships an update every 2 days, Starrypad every 10 days. Both last shipped on October 31, 2026.
| Parameter | VU950 | Starrypad |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $4.99 | Free — better |
| Rating | 4.2 (11 ratings) — better | 3.7 (3 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 60.0% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 11 — better | 3 |
| Update frequency | Every 2 days — better | Every 10 days |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Paid | Free — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 — better | 17.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 189 MB | 45 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Dariusz Chynek | Ryo Ijuin |
Customer experience
VU950
Starrypad
In-app purchases
VU950
- EMAX drumkit$0.99
- S2400$0.99
- MPC2000$0.99
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- MPC2000 2$0.99
- MPC3000$0.99
- SP1200$0.99
- S900$0.99
- SP202$0.99
Starrypad
No in-app purchases









