Comparison

Reel2 vs TapeMan Recorder

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

Head to head
About

Reel2

This audio effect app adds warm, musical echoes to your music using tape delay emulation. Shape your repeats with controls for saturation, tone, and tape age, and choose from free-time, tap tempo, or host sync modes. Save your favorite echo settings with custom presets.

Highlights
  • AUv3 effect for compatible hosts
  • Free-time, tap-tempo, and host-tempo modes
  • Tape age, tone, saturation, wow and flutter
  • Stereo width and dry/wet mix
  • Factory and user presets
  • Saturated self-oscillation feedback
Features
Read full description

Reel2 is a characterful AUv3 tape delay for iPhone and iPad. Add warm, musical echoes inside compatible Audio Unit hosts, then shape the repeats with tape-inspired controls for saturation, tone, age, wow and flutter, feedback, width, and dry/wet mix. Use free-time mode for manual delay times, tap tempo when you want to play the delay in by feel, or host sync when your session tempo should drive the repeats. Factory presets make it quick to start, and user presets let you save your own favorite echo settings. Reel2 includes a five-minute trial for audio processing. The Full Version unlock is a one-time non-consumable in-app purchase. Features: - AUv3 effect for compatible hosts - Free-time, tap-tempo, and host-tempo modes - Natural feedback through saturated self-oscillation - Tape age, tone, saturation, wow and flutter - Stereo width and equal-power dry/wet mix - Factory presets and saveable user presets - One-time Full Version unlock with restore support

About

TapeMan Recorder

Features
Read full description

TapeMan turns your iPhone, iPad, or Mac into a tactile cassette recorder and performance instrument. Connect a class-compliant USB audio device or use the built-in microphone. Record WAV or M4A, then slow, stop, reverse, and scratch the interactive tape while recording, monitoring, or playing a saved take. THE CASSETTE IS THE INTERFACE • Scratch and manipulate the tape directly • Choose Hold, Follow, Sync, and Mix behavior • Add tape start, stop, wear, wobble, and recording color • Perform stackable Color, Motion, Space, Raw, and Direct effects • Control effects directly or through selectable XY mappings • Bounce a performance into a new non-destructive version BEAT-SYNCED LIVE TAPE • Capture seamless half- to eight-bar loops from live input • Quantize loop starts and releases, choose pre- or post-FX capture, and perform at half, normal, or double speed • Follow a selected MIDI clock source, detected audio beats, or a tapped/manual tempo • Keep a captured loop moving through MIDI Stop or temporary clock loss, then relock smoothly when clock returns ALL YOUR TAKES, TOGETHER • Search, sort, filter, loop, rename, trim, share, and delete • Keep originals, processed versions, stems, notes, and tempo metadata together • Record from the built-in microphone or compatible USB audio interfaces • Select input and output channel pairs • Use signal-activated recording and optional live monitoring LIVE MONITORING Monitor processed USB input through a separate stereo USB return when available. With a compatible 2-in/2-out device, TapeMan can also use the iPhone or iPad speaker when iOS routes USB input there. Keep the level low and stop if you hear feedback. OPTIONAL ON-DEVICE STEMS Separate vocals, drums, bass, and other with an optional model download. After installation, processing runs locally through Core ML. Mix, mute, solo, share, or save stems and bounces back into the take library. MAKE IT YOUR TAPE Choose from ten tuned 90s-inspired themes in light or dark mode. Import local video environments, apply a pixel treatment, and arrange clips behind the cassette. Video audio is never used. LOCAL-FIRST TapeMan has no account system, advertising, tracking, or automatic cloud upload. Recordings and imported media stay on your device unless you choose to export or share them. TapeMan is independent software and is not affiliated with or endorsed by any audio-hardware manufacturer.

Screenshots

Reel21 screens
TapeMan Recorder4 screens

Verdict

The call

Reel2 and TapeMan Recorder are too close to call on the numbers: across 5 compared parameters — price, ads, in-app purchases and device support among them — neither pulls far enough ahead to decide it. What separates them is feature set and interface, not measurable difference.

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. Reel2 sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and TapeMan Recorder sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ScorecardNo meaningful differences
Reel2 versus TapeMan Recorder: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterReel2TapeMan Recorder
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (2 ratings) — better—
Number of ratings2 — better—
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, Mac — better
Requires iOS17.017.0
Further details — not scored
Size5 MB19 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperJoshua David AquinoKristaps Dreija

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Reel2

One-time1
  • Reel2 Full$1.99
1 purchases

TapeMan Recorder

One-time1
  • TapeMan Pro Lifetime$4.99

Questions

Is Reel2 free?
Reel2 is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is TapeMan Recorder free?
TapeMan Recorder is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Reel2 or TapeMan Recorder have ads?
Neither Reel2 nor TapeMan Recorder shows ads.

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