Skipback AUv3 vs GCS Model 8 Mobile
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
GCS Model 8 Mobile
This pocket-sized music production tool simulates analog tape recording with a realistic physics engine. It offers 8-track recording, built-in instruments, drum machines, and samplers for creative sound design on the go.
- 8-track recording with tape transport controls
- Realistic analog tape physics simulation
- Built-in synthesizers and drum machines
- MPC-style pad sampler
- Support for various tape formats
- Bluetooth MIDI keyboard compatibility
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GCS Model 8 is a free, pocket-sized 8-track tape DAW for iPhone. It has a full blown physics engine which runs in the background and models classic reel-to-reel machines and various formats ranging from LoFi cassette to HiFi 1" tape. The engine is the exact same as the one used in the professional desktop recording version, but still runs very nicely on iPhone. GCS Model 8 for iPhone is completely free, with no in-app purchases, subscriptions, or ads. I really want people to have the engine as a fun tool for mobile settings without any sort of catch. Features: • 8-track recording with a real tape transport (play, record, rewind, fast-forward, punch, scrub) • Analog tape physics: adjustable wow, flutter, stickiness, head gap, hiss, and age • Built-in effects and tape techniques: reverse, SOS, punch, click track, loop • Built-in instruments: A-1 Mono Synth, A-10 Poly Synth, Glissandio (Ondes Martenot style slide synth), Stage Keyboard • Voxtone Drum Machine: synthesized analog drums with a dedicated step-sequencer (MATRIX) and live-trigger (PADS) view, plus two sample-based kits (808, Acetone) • 8-pad MPC-style Pad Sampler: load your own samples or mic them in directly, with pitch, trim, and gate controls • Reels: save, load, and share your sessions • Bluetooth MIDI keyboard support • Importing recordings to hit them to tape • Sound of Sound looping (Fripp style) • Formats: cassette, 1/4", 1/2" and 1" - along with various presets •Most of the features found on the desktop version Reels you create on iPhone move over to GCS Model 8 for iPad and GCS Model 8 for Mac/Windows, which add more tracks, more effects, and full export/mixdown for when you're ready to take a session further.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Skipback AUv3 at 5.0 against GCS Model 8 Mobile's 4.8. GCS Model 8 Mobile's advantage is ratings volume (44 vs 4) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 17.0). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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.
Skipback AUv3 holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: GCS Model 8 Mobile has 44 ratings behind it against 4, so its average is the more settled of the two.
| Parameter | Skipback AUv3 | GCS Model 8 Mobile |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 5.0 (4 ratings) — better | 4.8 (44 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | — | 100.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 4 | 44 — better |
| Update frequency | — | Every 5 days |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Mac — better | iPhone, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | 12.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 2 MB | 135 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Signals Intelligence Sound LLC | will patterson |
In-app purchases
Skipback AUv3
No in-app purchases
GCS Model 8 Mobile
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Skipback AUv3 free?
Is GCS Model 8 Mobile free?
Which has better reviews, Skipback AUv3 or GCS Model 8 Mobile?
Do Skipback AUv3 or GCS Model 8 Mobile have ads?
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