Etherpad vs Skipback AUv3
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Etherpad
Create evolving soundscapes and ambient textures with an intuitive touch-based music synthesizer. Explore generative music without needing music theory, perfect for relaxation or creative expression.
- Multi-touch synthesis
- Multiple sound presets
- Visual particle effects
- Effect overlays
- Scale selection
- Landscape & portrait modes
- Low-latency audio
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Etherpad is an expressive touch-based music synthesis instrument for iPhone, iPad and your Mac. Sweep your fingers across the screen to create evolving soundscapes, ambient drones, and generative textures. (AUv3 Beta support) Powered by the legendary Csound audio engine, Etherpad turns your device into a portable synthesizer that responds to every touch with rich, organic sound. No music theory required — just touch, listen, and explore. KEY FEATURES • Multi-touch synthesis — Each finger controls pitch and timbre independently • Distinct Soundscapes — Switch between evolving pad sounds and textures • Reactive Visuals — ripples, trails, rings, and column glow respond to every touch • 14 evolving sounds — from lush pads to Glass Choir, PWM Pad, and Morphwave • Advanced Scales & Tuning — Break out of standard keys and explore the Bohlen-Pierce scale, overtone series, pentatonics, and more • Jam Sessions — Load your own audio tracks directly into the app and play along with your creative flow • MIDI 2.0 — per-note expression and full MIDI support for connected controllers (Beta) • AUv3 plug-in — play Etherpad inside Logic Pro, GarageBand, AUM, and other hosts (Beta) • Ultra Low-latency audio — Built on Csound, the industry-standard audio engine PERFECT FOR • Ambient and drone musicians • Meditation and relaxation • Beginners exploring sound synthesis • Live performers and improvisers • Sound designers and experimental composers • Anyone curious about generative music Website: https://etherpad.app Touch the surface. Hear the universe.
Skipback AUv3
This tool captures your recent audio and MIDI performances retroactively, allowing you to save great ideas even if you forgot to press record. It continuously stores your playing in memory and lets you export it as WAV or MIDI files.
- Retrospective audio and MIDI capture
- Transparent audio pass-through
- Selectable audio history
- Selectable MIDI history
- Export audio as 24-bit WAV
- Export MIDI as Standard MIDI File
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Skipback AUv3 implements a tool sometimes referred to as retrospective recording, or retroactive recording or capture MIDI, used by musicians, producers, and sound designers on more expensive electronic instruments. It continuously keeps your most recent audio and MIDI performance in memory, so you can recover a great idea - even if you forgot to press Record. Add the Skipback Audio Unit extension to a track in a compatible AUv3 host, or use it to record the microphone in the standalone app, then play as usual. Audio passes through unchanged while Skipback maintains a rolling history of everything routed through it. When inspiration strikes, simply export what you just played. FEATURES • Retrospective audio and MIDI capture • Transparent audio pass-through • Selectable audio history: 10 seconds, 30 seconds, or 1 minute • Selectable MIDI history: 100, 1,000, or 5,000 notes • Export audio as 24-bit WAV • Export MIDI as a Standard MIDI File • Tap to save using the system share interface • Drag exported files directly into supported hosts (Koala Sampler, Helium in AUM, Cubasis, etc.) • Input level meter for monitoring audio • MIDI activity indicator • Compact interface designed to stay out of your way Skipback stores its rolling history in memory and only creates a file when you choose to export. Whether you are improvising, designing sounds, rehearsing a part, or experimenting with a new instrument, Skipback helps preserve the moments you did not know you wanted to record. Never lose a great take because you forgot to press Record. Requires a compatible Audio Unit v3 host. Host capabilities and drag-and-drop support may vary.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is ratings volume: Etherpad at 21 against Skipback AUv3's 4. On price, rating, ads and in-app purchases 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.9 for Etherpad against 5.0 for Skipback AUv3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Etherpad has 21 ratings behind it against 4, so its average is the more settled of the two.
| Parameter | Etherpad | Skipback AUv3 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.9 (21 ratings) | 5.0 (4 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 21 — better | 4 |
| Update frequency | Every 3 days | — |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Mac | iPhone, iPad, Mac |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | 17.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 9 MB | 2 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Dinesh Yadav | Signals Intelligence Sound LLC |
In-app purchases
Etherpad
No in-app purchases
Skipback AUv3
No in-app purchases








