Comparison

PLICATA vs Reelgrain

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

Head to head
About

PLICATA

This is a compact monophonic synthesizer for hands-on sound design and performance. It features a morphing oscillator, wavefolding, a resonant filter, and a flexible VCA contour, with an independent SUB oscillator for added depth. A 28-socket patch system allows for extensive audio, CV, and event routing.

Highlights
  • Morphing oscillator with wavefolding
  • Independent SUB oscillator
  • 28-socket patch system
  • Microtonal XY keyboard
  • 32-step arpeggiator
  • Performance macros
  • AUv3 support
Features
Read full description

PLICATA is a compact patchable monophonic instrument for hands-on sound design and performance. A morphing oscillator feeds wavefolding, a resonant filter and flexible VCA contour, while an independent SUB oscillator adds octave, interval and eight waveform modes. PATCH IT The 28-socket patch system opens audio, CV and event routing. Modulate FOLD without replacing the oscillator path, reset the LFO externally, replace the internal SUB source, control SUB level by CV, distribute modulation through MULT, or build feedback and audio-rate networks. Patch cables are recalled with your sounds. MICROTONAL XY PERFORMANCE The 13-key XY keyboard spans C4–C5. Tune every key independently by ±100 cents or start from 12-TET, Just Intonation, Pythagorean and quarter-tone templates. Horizontal movement adds pitch expression up to ±24 semitones; vertical movement can map each key to as many as eight sound parameters or performance macros. PERFORMANCE VIEW + 32-STEP ARPEGGIATOR Tap PERF for an expanded keyboard-focused surface. The arpeggiator follows INTERNAL, HOST or MIDI clock and offers UP, DOWN, UP/DOWN, AS PLAYED, RANDOM, WALK, CONVERGE, DIVERGE and CHORD styles across up to four octaves. Build patterns from 1 to 32 steps with independent pitch, octave, velocity, gate, probability and ratchet lanes. HOLD captures the note pool; FILL creates a momentary variation. Adjust swing, gate, velocity behavior, probability and ratchets live. Rotate patterns, create temporary MUTATE variations, FREEZE the result, and recall seven ARP scenes with optional MIDI keyswitch control. MACROS, MIDI AND SYNC Six bounded performance macros shape tone, motion, fold, envelope, drive and level. IGNITE is editable: choose multiple targets, ranges and response curves, then store the mapping independently from sound presets. The keyboard can output 12-TET MIDI or preserve microtonal tuning through pitch bend with ±1, ±2, ±12 and ±24 semitone ranges. PLICATA also supports MIDI/MPE input, host sync and externally reset or free-running LFO operation. COMPLETE SOUND STATES PLICATA ships with 20 factory sounds and a full user-preset system. User sounds recall synthesis, patch cables and performance configuration together. Search, organize, favorite, duplicate and tag sounds, or use GEN to create a complete new musical state without overwriting your library. STANDALONE + AUv3 Use PLICATA standalone or as an AUv3 instrument inside compatible Apple music hosts. FEATURES • Morphing oscillator, wavefolding and pulse-width shaping • Independent SUB oscillator with interval and eight waveform modes • Resonant filter, ADSR articulation and drive • 28-socket audio, CV and event patch system • 13-key microtonal XY keyboard with independent tuning • Dedicated PERFORMANCE view with expanded keyboard • 32-step arpeggiator with nine styles and three clock modes • Per-step pitch, octave, velocity, gate, probability and ratchet • HOLD, FILL, rotate, MUTATE/FREEZE and seven ARP scenes • Six performance macros plus editable IGNITE • MIDI/MPE input and microtonal MIDI output • Factory and user presets with complete-state recall • Complete-state generation with GEN • Standalone and AUv3 operation Support, bug reports and feature requests: support@alessandroguardascione.com

About

Reelgrain

Transform your audio with analog tape effects. Add warmth, texture, and instability to your sound. Export high-quality audio or transcribe it into MIDI notes for further manipulation.

Highlights
  • Analog tape sound simulation
  • Saturation, wow, flutter, hiss, crackle
  • Audio-to-MIDI transcription
  • MIDI manipulation
  • AUv3 plugins
  • Stereo image fine-tuning
  • Preset saving
Features
Read full description

Give your sound a past. Reelmoire is a hands-on tape sound studio for iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Import an audio file, choose from six machine profiles—studio reels, cassette decks, and compact recorders—and dial in anything from gentle warmth to worn, unstable texture. SHAPE THE SOUND • Add saturation, wow and flutter, head bump, hiss, dropouts, and crackle. • Play and loop your track, then compare the original with the processed sound. • Fine-tune the stereo image and save your favorite settings as presets. TAKE IT FURTHER • Export finished audio as WAV, M4A, AIFF, or CAF. • Transcribe audio into MIDI notes, including chords and overlapping parts. • Import MIDI to shape note timing, pitch, and velocity, with original/processed preview. MAKE MUSIC IN YOUR HOST Use three AUv3 plug-ins in compatible music apps: a tape audio effect, a MIDI processor, and a polyphonic instrument. Reelmoire's tape character and tactile controls follow you into your session. Audio-to-MIDI results depend on the source and may need editing. MIDI does not retain the original timbre or tape effects.

Screenshots

PLICATA4 screens
Reelgrain4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Reelgrain at 5.0 against PLICATA's 4.7. Reelgrain also leads on price ($2.99 vs $7.99). PLICATA's advantage is ratings volume (3 vs 1). On ads, in-app purchases, monetization model and device support 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

PLICATA costs $7.99 and Reelgrain $2.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Reelgrain holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.7. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 3 and 1 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
PLICATA versus Reelgrain: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPLICATAReelgrain
Price$7.99$2.99 — better
Rating4.7 (3 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews50.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings3 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 2 days—
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS17.017.0
Further details — not scored
Size71 MB43 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAlessandro Guardascione宁 徐

Customer experience

PLICATA

All ratings2 ratings
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%

Reelgrain

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

In-app purchases

None

PLICATA

No in-app purchases

None

Reelgrain

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is PLICATA free?
PLICATA costs $7.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Reelgrain free?
Reelgrain costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, PLICATA or Reelgrain?
Reelgrain is rated higher. PLICATA averages 4.7 out of 5 from 3 ratings, while Reelgrain averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do PLICATA or Reelgrain have ads?
Neither PLICATA nor Reelgrain shows ads.

Other comparisons