Comparison

ThermVoltTube vs PolyrhythmLab

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

Head to head
About

ThermVoltTube

Features
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ThermVoltTube is an asymmetric triode distortion processor for iPhone and iPad. Use it as a standalone audio app or insert the included AUv3 effect in a compatible host such as GarageBand. Its nonlinear core models a tube preamplifier with selectable 12AX7 and 12AT7 behavior. Asymmetric plate transfer, grid conduction, Miller capacitance, plate impedance, operating temperature, tube bias, and selectable plate-supply behavior create a response with prominent even-order harmonic content. FEATURES - Selectable 12AX7 and 12AT7 tube behavior - Asymmetric triode transfer and grid-conduction modeling - Temperature and tube-bias controls - Selectable 200 V / 300 V plate-supply behavior and sag - Instrument and line input modes - Boost stage - Adjustable gain, high-pass filter, tone, drive, and output - 2x and 4x oversampling modes - Standalone iOS/iPadOS app - AUv3 audio effect for compatible hosts TRY BEFORE UNLOCKING The app provides 10 minutes of full-featured active use. Demo time advances only while the standalone app or AUv3 effect is actively being used. After the allowance is used, audio processing is disabled for 24 hours. A one-time, non-consumable In-App Purchase unlocks unlimited use in both the standalone app and AUv3 extension. Restore Purchases is available in the standalone app. ThermVoltTube is designed for guitar, bass, synthesizers, keyboards, and other sources that benefit from asymmetric tube-style saturation.

About

PolyrhythmLab

Features
Read full description

PolyrhythmLab is a groovebox built around true polyrhythms: every sound layer gets its own step count, pulse count, and rotation, so layers of different lengths interlock and drift in and out of phase instead of locking to one shared grid. GROOVEBOX β€’ Euclidean-style rhythm engine β€” set steps, pulses, and rotation per layer β€’ Drums, glitch/textural one-shots, classic synth voices (piano, bell, pad, bass), and melodic synth patches β€’ Per-layer filter, reverb, delay, pitch, and LFOs on every parameter β€’ Randomize engine biased toward musical, playable combinations β€’ Chord modes, scales, and modal note selection for melodic layers SONG MODE Arrange your saved patterns into sections and chain them into a full song. VJ MIX A live visual performance surface: blend two audio-reactive visualizations, layer on real-time color and shader effects β€” RGB split, kaleidoscope, pixelate, glow, trail β€” and a 3D camera with zoom, pan, orbit, and tilt, each with its own LFO. Randomize the whole look by hand, or hand it to an autonomous "robot" that keeps remixing itself. Record the performance in real time via ReplayKit, or export a styled video clip. CAST TO ANY SCREEN Send the VJ Mix visuals to a TV or projector over AirPlay or a wired adapter, while your device keeps the full set of live controls. PRESETS Save and reload both groovebox patterns and VJ Mix setups β€” visual styles, effects, camera moves, and their LFOs β€” as named presets. EXPORT Render your patterns and songs to audio, or export them as MIDI. No account, no ads, no analytics. Everything is stored locally on your device.

Screenshots

ThermVoltTube2 screens
PolyrhythmLab4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: ThermVoltTube at Free against PolyrhythmLab's $4.99. PolyrhythmLab's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1). On ads, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price Β· Rating Β· Positive reviews Β· Number of ratings Β· Update frequency Β· Ads Β· In-app purchases Β· Monetization Β· Best chart rank Β· Devices Β· Requires iOS

CostPrice Β· In-app purchases Β· Ads Β· Monetization

ThermVoltTube is free to download; PolyrhythmLab costs $4.99 up front. ThermVoltTube sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. PolyrhythmLab asks for nothing beyond the download.

Scorecard2 real differences Β· 3 level
ThermVoltTube versus PolyrhythmLab: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterThermVoltTubePolyrhythmLab
PriceFree β€” better$4.99
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo β€” better
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS16.0 β€” better17.0
Further details β€” not scored
Size27 MB204 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperShoma KondoMartin Adler

In-app purchases

1 purchases

ThermVoltTube

One-time1
  • ThermVoltTube Full Version$4.99
None

PolyrhythmLab

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is ThermVoltTube free?
ThermVoltTube is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is PolyrhythmLab free?
PolyrhythmLab costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.
Do ThermVoltTube or PolyrhythmLab have ads?
Neither ThermVoltTube nor PolyrhythmLab shows ads.

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