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 is a multi-mode delay plugin built for sound designers, producers, and anyone who thinks regular delays are getting a little boring. Named after the famous sign on the I-10 leaving Los Angeles, Other Desert Cities takes you down less-traveled roads. Six algorithms, each with its own distinct personality. A full suite of modulation. A diffuser that smears feedback toward reverb. And gain-structure controls deep enough to duck, pan, and route almost anything. ALGORITHMS Desert Shores — a clean dual stereo delay with saturation, filtering, spread, and crossfeed. Mecca — a reverse delay with smooth crossfading and an optional Reflect mode that alternates playback direction on each repeat. Cactus — a dual-delta delay. Each side runs as a variable-speed looper, playing forward or backward at any speed from zero to 2x, with pitch quantized to octaves, fifths, or semitones. Thermal — a multi-tap delay with up to sixteen equally-spaced taps per side, each with its own level. Mirage — a variable-speed multi-head delay inspired by the 1967 Eltro Information Rate Changer. One to four rotating heads play through a circular buffer at any speed from -2 to +2. Sky Valley — a granular delay with independent control over grain size, scatter, and pitch randomization. Transpose from three octaves down to one octave up. MODULATION Two tempo-syncable LFOs with variable shape and skew, plus an envelope follower with sidechain input. Almost every parameter in the plugin can be modulated. Click any knob and assign modulation depth from each of the three sources independently. DIFFUSER A diffusion processor sits inside the feedback path, with controls for size, diffusion amount, modulation rate and depth, and a dedicated low-cut filter. At high settings it takes the delay into reverb territory, especially paired with the Thermal algorithm. LEVELS Full input/output gain control, stereo width, independent delay pan, regeneration balance, and wet balance. Input level and mute sit before the delay block, so the plugin works correctly as both an insert and a send, with proper tails behavior. PRESETS Factory presets from Chris Randall, Matthew Lyon, Red Means Recording, and Time Rival, plus a cross-platform XML-based preset manager with import, export, and clipboard paste. FEATURES Six distinct delay algorithms Two LFOs and an envelope follower with sidechain Diffuser with independent modulation Tempo sync on delay times and LFO rates Delay times up to two seconds free, ten seconds synced Cross-platform XML preset format AUv3 and standalone Also available for macOS, Windows, and Linux in VST3, AU, AAX, and CLAP formats from Audio Damage.

Screenshots

OtherDesertCities4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Effectrix at Free against OtherDesertCities's $4.99. OtherDesertCities's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and review sentiment (86% vs 67%). On rating, ratings volume, ads 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Effectrix is free to download; OtherDesertCities costs $4.99 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 4 months, OtherDesertCities every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on August 7, 2026 and September 22, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Effectrix versus OtherDesertCities: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterEffectrixOtherDesertCities
PriceFree — better$4.99
Rating4.7 (97 ratings)4.8 (59 ratings) — better
Positive reviews67.3% of reviews85.7% of reviews — better
Number of ratings97 — better59
Update frequencyEvery 4 monthsEvery 2 months — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationPaidPaid
DevicesiPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS17.612.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size52 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 reviews28 reviews
Positive85.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative14.3%

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 $4.99, 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 4 months, and OtherDesertCities every 2 months. Most recently, Effectrix was updated on August 7, 2026 and OtherDesertCities on September 22, 2026.

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