Comparison

TinyTone vs VinylScratch

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

Head to head
About

TinyTone

Create professional synth patches for music production and live performance. Design sounds in real-time with a powerful synthesizer engine, dual oscillators, and extensive modulation options. Export and import patches, and use it as an AUv3 plugin in DAWs.

Highlights
  • Powerful synthesizer engine
  • Dual oscillators with FM synthesis
  • Real-time audition with touch pads
  • External MIDI keyboard support
  • Unlimited user patch storage
  • AUv3 Audio Unit support
  • JSON export/import for patches
Features
Read full description

TinyTone is a full-featured synthesizer sound source for iPhone sound design, stage performance, and recording. Using the on-screen controllers and a MIDI keyboard, you can design and monitor professional synth patches in real time. In addition to standalone app use, ToneEditor can also be loaded as an AUv3 Audio Unit into DAWs such as GarageBand and used as a sound source. It also works as a sound editor for its sister app, TinyTone, allowing you to reproduce consistent sounds with the same sound engine. <Features> ・Powerful Synthesizer Engine Equipped with dual oscillators, envelopes, filters, modulation, delay, limiter, and more. Enables complex sound design. Dual Oscillators with FM Synthesis, switch between Mix and Chain modes for rich tonal possibilities. ・Real-Time Audition Play single notes, chords, and transposition using touch pads. Hear sound changes instantly as you adjust sliders. External input via MIDI keyboard is also supported. ・Preset Management Unlimited user patch storage. ・JSON Export / Import Export patches as JSON. Share via Files app or clipboard. ・AUv3 Support Can be embedded as an AU instrument in DAWs like GarageBand. Reproduces consistent sounds with the same synthesis engine. <How to Use> 【Standalone】 1. Select a preset or start creating from a new patch. 2. Play sounds using the test pad at the bottom of the screen; adjust parameters with sliders to confirm real-time sound changes. 3. Save your created patch to a user slot. 【Using with DAWs (GarageBand, etc.)】 1. Add TinyTone (AU) to a track. 2. Select a factory preset or saved patch from the AU preset selection screen. 3. Play the DAW keyboard to output sound. <Important> ・When using simultaneously with camera or audio apps, noise may occur depending on your environment. Please be careful with output volume. ・Listening to loud audio for extended periods can affect your hearing. When using headphones or speakers, always check your surroundings and volume level. ・Some DAWs (e.g. Ableton Live 11) may not detect iOS-app AUv3 plug-ins. Logic Pro, MainStage, and GarageBand are recommended. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://flicker-jp.com/privacy

About

VinylScratch

Transform your device into a professional DJ scratch instrument. Load samples, control them with realistic vinyl physics, and shape sounds with live effects. Record and share your creations, or use it as an AUv3 plugin in your favorite music production apps.

Highlights
  • Realistic vinyl physics engine
  • Live XY effects pad
  • Cut and reverse playback
  • Cue points and looping
  • WAV recording and sharing
  • AUv3 plugin support
Features
Read full description

VinylScratch turns your iPhone into a real scratch instrument. Load any audio sample and control it like a record — scratch, cut, loop, cue, and shape the sound with live effects — all with your fingers on the touchscreen. Whether you're a turntablist practicing cuts without decks, a producer sketching DJ-style arrangements, or a beatmaker who wants tactile sample control — VinylScratch gives you the physics, the effects, and the workflow to do it properly. Drop in a sample, feel the vinyl, twist the FX, hit record. VINYL PHYSICS ENGINE The scratch engine models real platter mechanics. Sound accelerates and decelerates the way a record actually does, with natural spin-down when you release. • Drag on the waveform to scratch — velocity and direction tracked sample-accurately • Three inertia modes: VINYL (natural spin-down), PAGE (instant stop), OFF • Adjustable sensitivity from ultra-fine to aggressive • Multitouch scratch support on iPad LIVE FX PAD A Kaoss Pad-style XY touch surface for real-time effects. Slide your finger to shape the sound — both axes control different parameters simultaneously. • Filter — LP/HP sweep and ISO (SP-404 style isolator) • Reverb — room, hall, plate and more • Delay — time, feedback, and LP cutoff control • Distortion — bit crush and lo-fi presets • FX1 & FX2 — two configurable effect slots with custom axis mapping • HOLD — lock the effect in place after lifting your finger • Glow trail visualization on the XY pad CUT & REV • CUT — hold to mute the signal, just like a crossfader kill • REV — flips playback direction • Crossfader strip for blend control CUE POINTS & LOOP • Two cue points: CUE A and CUE B — set, jump, clear • Loop IN/OUT with toggle — keeps the region when disabled • Full waveform view with overview strip TRANSPORT & RECORDING • Play / Pause with repeat mode • Record your scratch + FX session as WAV • Share or save directly from the app • Time display with millisecond precision AUv3 PLUGIN • Load VinylScratch as an instrument in GarageBand, AUM, Audiobus, or any AUv3 host • Full UI inside the host — scratch and effects included APPEARANCE • 15 color themes • Dark interface optimized for stage and studio PRO UNLOCK One-time purchase. No subscription. Unlocks: sample loading, recording, all FX effects, FX Hold, REV CUT, crossfader, themes, and AUv3. Free version includes playback, CUT, and filter with the built-in track.

Screenshots

TinyTone3 screens
VinylScratch4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: TinyTone at 5.0 against VinylScratch's 4.0. TinyTone also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 1) and update cadence (weekly vs monthly). VinylScratch's advantage is ratings volume (4 vs 1). On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement 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. VinylScratch sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. TinyTone asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

TinyTone holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1 and 4 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

TinyTone ships an update weekly, VinylScratch monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 10, 2026 and October 9, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
TinyTone versus VinylScratch: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterTinyToneVinylScratch
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (1 ratings) — better4.0 (4 ratings)
Positive reviews—0.0% of reviews
Number of ratings14 — better
Update frequencyWeekly — betterMonthly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad — better
Requires iOS17.016.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size4 MB15 MB
Age rating4++4
DeveloperKEISUKE TONEIvan Korablin

Customer experience

TinyTone

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

VinylScratch

All ratings4 ratings
Positive75.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative25.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%

In-app purchases

None

TinyTone

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

VinylScratch

One-time1
  • VinylScratch Pro$7.99

Questions

Is TinyTone free?
TinyTone is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is VinylScratch free?
VinylScratch is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, TinyTone or VinylScratch?
TinyTone is rated higher. TinyTone averages 5.0 out of 5 from 1 ratings, while VinylScratch averages 4.0 from 4 ratings.
Do TinyTone or VinylScratch have ads?
Neither TinyTone nor VinylScratch shows ads.
Which is updated more often, TinyTone or VinylScratch?
TinyTone ships an update weekly, and VinylScratch monthly. Most recently, TinyTone was updated on October 10, 2026 and VinylScratch on October 9, 2026.

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