Comparison

EchoSketch vs MicroLag

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

Head to head
About

EchoSketch

Shape delay and reverb effects in real-time with a playable X/Y performance surface. Explore four distinct delay types and multiple reverb options, with extensive parameter control for unique sound morphing. Works as a standalone app or an Audio Unit plugin.

Highlights
  • X/Y performance surface for real-time sound shaping
  • Four distinct delay types: digital, analog, reverse, ping-pong
  • Spring, plate, and hall convolution reverb
  • Modulation and tone control for echoes
  • HOLD, LIFT, FREEZE, and MOTION performance gestures
  • Standalone app and AUv3 plugin compatibility
Features
Read full description

EchoSketch turns delay and reverb into a live, playable instrument. Shape your sound in real time using a responsive X/Y performance surface designed for intuitive touch expression. At its core are four great-sounding delays: digital, analog, ping-pong, and reverse. The range for each parameter and the XY axes direction can be set independently, allowing you to easily morph between sounds. It works as an Audio Unit plugin or standalone — iOS or Mac. Comprehensive Delays • Digital (patterned after a legendary '80s rack delay), Analog (warm, with tape-style pitch glide), Reverse, and Left/Right Ping-Pong • Delay times can sync to tempo or be set in milliseconds • Feedback features delay-dependent tone shaping — bright for short delays and darker for long ones Convolution Reverb • Stereo or mono Spring, Plate, and Hall • Reverb path is separate from the delay (same as vintage tape echo units), so repeats don’t get washed out Modulation and Filter • Analog-style modulation for chorused, warbly pitch echoes • Tone control — darken or brighten delays, with a center detent for flat Designed for Hands-On Performance • HOLD / LIFT — leave the XY cursor in place, or touch the pad for momentary delay sounds • FREEZE — set the current feedback into an infinite loop and play over it • MOTION — record a gesture on the XY pad and loop it Presets and More • Presets are transferable between hosts • Two looks — light "Trail" and dark "Glow" • Works standalone with live audio or as an AUv3 plugin • Universal — iPad/iPhone also gets you the Mac version — one purchase • Mac: after installing, open EchoSketch once to use it as a plugin in your DAW • Works in AUM, AudioBus, GarageBand, Logic, and other AUv3 hosts

About

MicroLag

This audio processor allows precise delay time adjustments in exact sample counts. It offers long delay times and smooth toggling between dry and delayed signals, displaying the delay in milliseconds.

Highlights
  • Set delay time in exact samples
  • Long delay times (up to 1 second at 48KHz)
  • Smoothly toggle between dry and delayed signal
  • Displays actual delay time in milliseconds
  • AUv3 effects plugin
  • Standalone or host compatible
Read full description

MicroLag is a delay audio processor that allows you to set the delay time in an exact number of samples. While there are already quite a few sample delay plugins available, I couldn’t find one that quite fit my needs, so I made one. MicroLag allows you to set relatively long delay times, e.g. up to around 1 second at 48KHz sampling rate. You can also smoothly toggle between the delayed and bypassed / dry signal. Finally, the actual delay time in milliseconds (depending on the host sample rate) is displayed. That’s basically it! MicroLag is an AUv3 effects plugin that can run standalone, or in any AUv3 compatible host such as Logic Pro, GarageBand or AUM. MicroLag currently runs on iPadOS / iOS (iPad & iPhone) and macOS (Intel & Silicon) and is available as a Universal Purchase from the Apple App Store. If you’re planning on using MicroLag on Mac / desktop, please ensure that your favourite DAW / host supports AUv3 (not just AU).

Screenshots

EchoSketch4 screens
MicroLag1 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: MicroLag at $1.99 against EchoSketch's $7.99. MicroLag also leads on iOS requirement (13.0 vs 17). On rating, ratings volume, ads and in-app purchases 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

EchoSketch costs $7.99 and MicroLag $1.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for EchoSketch against 5.0 for MicroLag. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 2 and 1 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 7 level
EchoSketch versus MicroLag: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterEchoSketchMicroLag
Price$7.99$1.99 — better
Rating5.0 (2 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings)
Number of ratings2 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 2 days—
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPad, MaciPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — better
Requires iOS1713.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size5 MB18 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAvi BortnickRob Jackson

Customer experience

EchoSketch

All ratings2 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

MicroLag

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

In-app purchases

None

EchoSketch

No in-app purchases

None

MicroLag

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is EchoSketch free?
EchoSketch costs $7.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is MicroLag free?
MicroLag costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, EchoSketch or MicroLag?
EchoSketch and MicroLag are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 2 and 1 ratings respectively.
Do EchoSketch or MicroLag have ads?
Neither EchoSketch nor MicroLag shows ads.

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