Comparison

ZMDX Player vs NuSound

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

Head to head
About

ZMDX Player

Features
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ZMDX Player (formerly MDX Flow) is a lightweight, modern music player for X68000 MDX and Z-MUSIC songs, built for macOS and iOS. It synthesizes YM2151 (OPM) FM voices and ADPCM (PCM) samples from PDX (and Z-MUSIC ADPCM) banks using a product-owned driver/emulator. Features - Faithful playback through a product-owned driver/emulator - Z-MUSIC playback (.zmd / .z3s / .zms). Beyond compiled .zmd files, it plays MML source (.z3s / .zms) directly, with no separate compile step - Z-MUSIC playback is unlocked by an optional one-time add-on; locked Z-MUSIC songs play a 20-second preview - Loads songs directly from iCloud Drive and other Files storage providers (.mdx / .pdx, Z-MUSIC .zmd / .z3s / .zms / .zpd, plus the compressed .mdx.szip / .pdx.szip) - Folder and playlist views, looping marquee titles, a keyboard visualizer - Search by title or file name (AND, "phrases", and exclusion; full-width and half-width are treated the same) - In-song loop (a set number of times, or infinite) plus playlist repeat/shuffle - Optional loudness normalization (EBU R128, off by default) with a selectable target (-16 / -18 / -14 LUFS) to even out volume between songs - Optional aperture correction for PCM (restores up to βˆ’3.9 dB of treble lost in D/A conversion); off by default β€” the raw stepped output the original hardware emits - Now Playing integration (Control Center, Lock Screen, menu bar) - Adjustable text size (accessibility) and a Japanese/English switch Pricing and privacy - No ads, ever. MDX playback and every core feature are free β€” no purchase required. - Z-MUSIC playback is an optional one-time add-on (Family Sharing supported) β€” the only purchase that unlocks a feature. An optional Tip Jar also lets you support development; tips unlock nothing. - No tracking or analytics. An optional community feature (off by default) shares only an anonymous device ID and basic song info (title, length, loudness) when enabled β€” never your music files, file names, or playback history. Everything else stays on your device. Please play only MDX / PDX files that you own or are licensed to use.

About

NuSound

Read full description

NuSound is a music-sharing community where anyone can enjoy music for free. From independent creators who enjoy making music and DTM (desktop music production) to indie artists, you can discover and enjoy original tracks shared by a wide variety of musicians. Discover music you’ve never heard before, follow artists you like, save your favorite tracks, and create your own playlists. You can also leave comments and share your thoughts directly with artists. # Key Features * Listen to original music for free * Follow your favorite artists * Save your favorite tracks * Create and manage playlists * Search for tracks and artists * Connect with artists through comments NuSound is home to music from a diverse range of artists, from independent music creators and DTM enthusiasts to indie artists. Discover great music beyond rankings and popularity, and find something new on NuSound.

Screenshots

ZMDX Player4 screens
NuSound4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: NuSound at none against ZMDX Player's 6. NuSound also leads on update cadence (every 6 days vs fortnightly). On price, 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

Both are free to download. ZMDX Player sells 6 one-off in-app purchases. NuSound asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

ZMDX Player ships an update fortnightly, NuSound every 6 days. The most recent releases landed on October 17, 2026 and October 6, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences Β· 4 level
ZMDX Player versus NuSound: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterZMDX PlayerNuSound
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyFortnightlyEvery 6 days β€” better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo β€” better
DevicesiPhone, Mac β€” betteriPhone
Requires iOS17.016.0 β€” better
Further details β€” not scored
Size7 MB46 MB
Age rating4+17+
DeveloperCONEX, K.K.NuSound Inc.

In-app purchases

6 purchases

ZMDX Player

One-time6
  • Z-MUSIC Playback$2.99
  • Coffee Tip$5.00
  • Lunch Tip$10.00
Show 3 more
  • Dinner Tip$20.00
  • Feast Tip$50.00
  • Grand Feast Tip$100.00
None

NuSound

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is ZMDX Player free?
ZMDX Player is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is NuSound free?
NuSound is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do ZMDX Player or NuSound have ads?
Neither ZMDX Player nor NuSound shows ads.
Which is updated more often, ZMDX Player or NuSound?
ZMDX Player ships an update fortnightly, and NuSound every 6 days. Most recently, ZMDX Player was updated on October 17, 2026 and NuSound on October 6, 2026.

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