Audio Unit Player vs Combustor
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Audio Unit Player
This music player offers real-time audio processing, including time stretching, pitch shifting, and a 31-band equalizer. It supports AUv3 effects and allows for A-B loop playback, making it ideal for practice, transcription, and performance adjustments.
- Real-time time stretch (50-200%)
- Real-time pitch shift (-12 to +12 semitones)
- 31-band equalizer with presets
- AUv3 effects support
- A-B loop playback
- Background playback
- Audio file export
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This app is a music player that can process the following effects in real time. - Time stretch (0.5-2.0 double speed) - Pitch shift (-1 ~ +1 octave) - 31 band equalizer - Reverb - AUv3 (Audio Unit v3) host [Use cases] - Karaoke's training. (Can be changed speed units of 10%, pitch shift in semitones easily) - Can playback at reduced tempo to copy phrase for guitar or bass, the keyboard instrument. - Can playback by changing the pitch to play by changing the key in the band performance (Developer himself has experience). [Function] - Perform time stretch (50 - 200%) / pitch shift (-12 - +12) in real time. - 31 bands EQ (Hz: 20, 25, 31.5, 40, 50, 63, 80, 100, 125, 160, 200, 250, 315, 400, 500, 630, 800, 1k, 1.25k, 1.6k, 2k, 2.5k, 3.15k, 4k, 5k, 6.3k, 8k, 10k, 12.5k, 16k, 20k). - EQ preset (Abundant Built-in Presets / Custom Presets). - Reverb: Adjustable decay time (Low freq, High freq) / 13 presets - Reverb preset (Built-in Presets / Custom Presets) - Can be used as an AUv3 host. - A-B loop playback. - Center Cancel / Center Emphasis. - Lch, Rch each mute. - Quick fast forward, rewind (specify the number of seconds). - Check and set current position graphically in wave view. - Supports Auto-Lock ON/OFF. - Supports background playback. - Supports export (file writing) function (Each effect (speed/pitch/EQ) value set for each song is also reflected. The range specified in the loop section is output.) In addition to loading "music" data included in the standard music app, it also supports the function to import audio files from other apps ("Voice Memos" etc.). [How to import from "Voice Memos"] 1. Start the app "Voice Memos" and tap the mark "..." of the file to be imported from the list. 2. Tap "Share" on the sheet displayed from the bottom. 3. Tap "More" found by scrolling the displayed list of sharing destination apps to the right. 4. Select "AU Player" if available. The file is copied to this app. ================================================ [Note 1] This application will not be able to read songs of the following formats. - Songs from Apple Music, iCloud, iTunes Match - Songs that are protected by digital copyright (DRM) [Note 2] Depending on the state of your device, your custom AUv3 effects may not appear in the list. As a solution, you can solve the problem by starting "GarageBand" once and restarting this app. ================================================
Combustor
This audio effect extension transforms tracks with a unique time-bending resonator. Create vibrant textures, subtle resonances, and dynamic sweeps. It's designed for electronic musicians and producers seeking to add wild or organic qualities to their sounds.
- Time bending resonator effect
- Creates distorted textures and physical resonance
- Envelope follower for dynamic control
- MIDI input for melodic control
- Performative interface
- AUv3 compatible
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*** Note: Combustor is an Audio Unit effect extension and requires an AUv3 compatible host app, like Logic Pro, Drambo or GarageBand. It does not run as a standalone app *** Combustor is a unique, wild resonating body fashioned to spice up or extremely transform your tracks. At the heart of Combustor is a custom time bending resonator that doesn't sound like anything you have heard before. You can create anything from vibrant, distorted texture, perfectly suited for "hardcore" electronic musicians, to subtle physical resonance, which is often lacking in synthesized sounds. Combustor contains an envelope follower, to create dynamic-controlled pitch or filter sweeps. It also has MIDI input, that controls resonator's pitch, to make something melodic and organic out of non-melodic sounds, like drums. With just a few knob turns, a boring sound can be turned into screaming madness that sounds like it went out of control. A simple and straightforward interface makes Combustor a performative tool that allows you to directly interact with your sound.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: Audio Unit Player at Free against Combustor's $4.99. Audio Unit Player also leads on update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 2 months). Combustor's advantage is rating (4.7 vs 3.9) and in-app purchases (none vs 1). On ratings volume, 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
Audio Unit Player is free to download; Combustor costs $4.99 up front. Audio Unit Player sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Combustor asks for nothing beyond the download.
Combustor holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 3.9. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 30 and 19 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 67% of Audio Unit Player's written reviews are positive against 80% of Combustor's.
Audio Unit Player ships an update every 2 weeks, Combustor every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 9, 2026 and October 8, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Audio Unit Player | Combustor |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free — better | $4.99 |
| Rating | 3.9 (30 ratings) | 4.7 (19 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 66.7% of reviews | 80.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 30 — better | 19 |
| Update frequency | Every 2 weeks — better | Every 2 months |
| Ads | Yes | No — better |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Best chart rank | — | #183 — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | 14.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 5 MB | 4 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Loop-Sessions.LLC. | BeepStreet |
Customer experience
Audio Unit Player
Combustor
In-app purchases
Audio Unit Player
- Always remove banner ads.$3.99
Combustor
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Audio Unit Player free?
Is Combustor free?
Which has better reviews, Audio Unit Player or Combustor?
Do Audio Unit Player or Combustor have ads?
Which is updated more often, Audio Unit Player or Combustor?
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