Comparison

Effectrix vs OtherDesertCities

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

Head to head
About

Effectrix

This professional multi-effect sequencer for iPad allows users to create unique sound patterns and loop collages by scattering 14 intelligent effects across a sequencer matrix. It offers a playful workflow, refined algorithms, and a wide spectrum of effects for outstanding results.

Highlights
  • Multi-effect sequencer matrix
  • 14 intelligent effects
  • Creative sound pattern generation
  • Loop collage creation
  • Audio Unit v3 integration
  • Full MIDI support
  • Ableton Link synchronization
Read full description

Effectrix is a professional multi-effect sequencer for the iPad. The game-changing tool for creative and effective music production is now available on the App Store: scatter 14 intelligent effects across a sequencer matrix and create unheard-of sound patterns and cheeky loop collages. A playful workflow, refined algorithms and carefully parameterised effects lead to outstanding results - fast! The effects, each exceeding conventional wisdom, cover a wide spectrum from classy standards to scandalising splatter sprees. This iOS port faithfully recreates the desktop engine, today's de-facto standard of finest audio manipulation. INSTANT INSPIRATION - quickly create variations and mutations for productive sound design - 20 fine audio samples installed - 230 factory presets (100 global, ca. 9 per effect) - 14 high-quality effects - redesigned GUI for a smooth iOS workflow DIG DEEP - manipulate each individual effect with up to eight parameters - two modulator tracks per effect - Seamless iOS integration: Audio Unit v3, full MIDI support, Host Automation & MIDI Learn - save your own presets & use them on your desktop version of Effectrix via Preset iCloud Sync - upload your recordings to Dropbox and other supported apps - share your recordings with other apps - sync Effectrix with Ableton Live via Ableton Link PRAISE: Diplo "I never thought I'd use Effectrix on a Beyonce song. Sugar Bytes help to inspire me with limitlessness of sound." Armin van Buuren "A three-band EQ, sometimes the Effectrix... and a whole tube of glue, that's all I needed to put together ASOT." Music Radar "It's hard to wrench yourself from it, and when you do, you'll probably come away with a head full of new ideas." iOS WORKFLOW You name it: Audio Unit v3, Ableton Link, Full MIDI Support (Virtual, Netzwerk, Extern, Bluetooth), MIDI Learn & Host Automation. Integrated Audio Player and Recorder (AudioShare, Music Library, Factory Loops).

About

OtherDesertCities

Explore a versatile audio effect with six unique delay algorithms, offering everything from classic stereo delays to experimental granular pitch-shifting. Extensive modulation and I/O controls allow for deep sonic manipulation and creative sound design.

Highlights
  • Six unique delay algorithms
  • Extensive modulation capabilities
  • Tempo-synced LFOs
  • Envelope follower
  • Diffusor for feedback smearing
  • Advanced I/O control
  • Granular pitch-shifting
Features
Read full description

Other Desert Cities, named for a famous sign on the I-10 highway leaving Los Angeles, is a workshop for creativity. As its namesake implies, there are many strange and wonderful things lurking inside. With six delay algorithms, each with its own personality, and extensive modulation, Other Desert Cities covers everything from basic stereo dual delays to never-before-heard granular pitch-shifting chaos. ALGORITHMS 01 Desert Shores Stereo Delay. A standard dual delay, with basic EQ, saturation, crossfeed, and spread. 02 Mecca Reverse Delay. A normal dual delay, except the repeats play backwards, with smooth crossfading and an optional Reflect mode that alternates direction on each repeat. 03 Cactus Dual-Delta Delay. More like a pair of tape decks in use, with individual speed controls from zero to 2x in either direction, and pitch quantizing to octaves, fifths, or semitones. 04 Thermal Multi-Tap Delay. A dual multi-tap with sixteen taps per side, spread, crossfeed, and basic EQ. 05 Mirage Multi-Head Delay. Imagine a tape delay, but the head is the rotating head of a VCR. Experimental, strange, and wonderful. 06 Sky Valley Granular Delay. A pitch-shifting granular delay, with control over grain size and scatter, and EQ. TEMPO Sync to your host, or don't: set the sync source to Tap and everything synced follows the tap button instead. Tap on screen, or assign a MIDI note or CC and tap from your controller; the AUv3 accepts MIDI input directly. MODULATION Other Desert Cities includes a full suite of modulation. Two tempo-synced variable-waveshape LFOs and an envelope follower, sourced from the main input or a sidechain, can modulate nearly every control in the user interface. DIFFUSOR A built-in diffusor smears the feedback path, pushing Other Desert Cities toward reverb territory, especially with the Thermal algorithm. LEVELS The secret superpower is I/O control. Every aspect of the signal chain's gain structure can be controlled and modulated: ducked, panned, oscillated, and enveloped to your heart's content. Mute and Input Level feed only the delay block, not the dry signal, so you get natural tails and send-style behavior from an insert. PRESETS A full factory bank, plus designer presets from Matthew Lyon, Red Means Recording, and Time Rival. Presets are cross-platform (patches made on the desktop version work on iOS, and vice versa) and appear in your host's own preset list, so you can change sounds without opening the UI. FEATURES - AUv3 plugin and standalone app - Delay times up to 2 seconds free, 10 seconds tempo-synced - Tap tempo from the screen or MIDI - Resizable, scrolling user interface - Cross-platform XML preset manager Also available for macOS, Windows, and Linux in CLAP, VST3, AAX, AudioUnit, and LV2 formats at audiodamage.com.

Screenshots

OtherDesertCities4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Effectrix at Free against OtherDesertCities's $6.99. OtherDesertCities's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and review sentiment (86% vs 67%). On rating, ratings volume, update cadence and ads 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

Effectrix is free to download; OtherDesertCities costs $6.99 up front. Effectrix sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. OtherDesertCities asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.7 for Effectrix against 4.8 for OtherDesertCities. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 97 and 59 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 67% of Effectrix's written reviews are positive against 86% of OtherDesertCities's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Effectrix ships an update every 3 months, OtherDesertCities every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and November 3, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Effectrix versus OtherDesertCities: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterEffectrixOtherDesertCities
PriceFree — better$6.99
Rating4.7 (97 ratings)4.8 (59 ratings) — better
Positive reviews67.3% of reviews86.2% of reviews — better
Number of ratings97 — better59
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsEvery 2 months — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationPaidPaid
DevicesiPadiPhone, iPad — better
Requires iOS17.616.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size55 MB29 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSugar Bytes GmbHAudio Damage, Inc.

Customer experience

Effectrix

All ratings97 ratings
Positive91.8%
Neutral3.1%
Negative5.2%
Written reviews52 reviews
Positive67.3%
Neutral5.8%
Negative26.9%

OtherDesertCities

All ratings59 ratings
Positive94.9%
Neutral1.7%
Negative3.4%
Written reviews29 reviews
Positive86.2%
Neutral0.0%
Negative13.8%

Bugs and requests

Effectrix

Reported bugs

9 issues
  • Not working on iPad M1
  • Plugin not loading
  • No sync
  • Noisy
  • Automation through BM3 works intermittently
Show 4 more
  • Doesn't work in Audiobus
  • Crashes on audio paste
  • Audiobus 3 compatibility not fixed
  • App freezes after start

Requested features

9 requests
  • AUv3 update needed
  • Improved sync functionality
  • Tap to delete gesture
  • Higher quality on iOS (like PC)
  • Desktop quality on iOS
Show 4 more
  • Updated effects/engine
  • Sequencer play button for live input
  • Fix Audiobus 3 compatibility
  • Add Artillery or Unique on iPad

OtherDesertCities

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Effectrix

One-time1
  • Effectrix Full Version$24.99
None

OtherDesertCities

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Effectrix free?
Effectrix is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is OtherDesertCities free?
OtherDesertCities costs $6.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Effectrix or OtherDesertCities?
OtherDesertCities is rated higher. Effectrix averages 4.7 out of 5 from 97 ratings, while OtherDesertCities averages 4.8 from 59 ratings.
Do Effectrix or OtherDesertCities have ads?
Neither Effectrix nor OtherDesertCities shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Effectrix or OtherDesertCities?
Effectrix ships an update every 3 months, and OtherDesertCities every 2 months. Most recently, Effectrix was updated on November 1, 2026 and OtherDesertCities on November 3, 2026.

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