Comparison

Stereo Designer vs Multiband Compressor

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

Head to head
About

Stereo Designer

Enhance audio with a versatile stereo shaping tool. Create wide stereo images, process mono sources, and apply independent channel filters. Connect with other music apps and DAWs for advanced sound design.

Highlights
  • Wide stereo image creation
  • Mono source stereoization
  • Mid/Side processing
  • Independent L/R channel filters
  • MIDI Learn for controller assignment
  • PERFORM and TWEAK modes
Read full description

Stereo Designer is an easy to use multi-purpose stereo shaping tool for Audiobus and Inter-app Audio. Create unique wide stereo image, "stereoize" a mono sound source, apply mid/side processing, independent high and low pass filters per channel, and more. Process synths, drum machines and hundreds of other apps by connecting through Audiobus. Use Stereo Designer as an effect inside DAW apps such as Garageband, Auria, Cubasis, and AudioShare using Audiobus or Inter-app audio. Stereo Designer supports Core MIDI via the Camera Connection kit, USB MIDI interfaces, Virtual MIDI and WiFi connections. The MIDI Learn function lets you easily assign your MIDI controller's knobs and sliders to control Stereo Designer's effect parameters. Here's what users are saying: " With Stereo Designer, Christopher has created one of the most impressive/creative stereo enhancement processors I’ve ever had the pleasure to use. If there was a VST/AU version for the desktop then I’d buy it in a heartbeat…." - Music App Blog (www.musicappblog.com)  "Add depth to your sounds - This can help add a missing dimension to your music. Try running a synth or drum app through it. Use an audio interface to process guitars, hardware synths, or even a signal from your desktop DAW. It works really well with the developer’s other apps too. Great with Audiobus." - dmonterroso (AppStore review) Stereo Designer features two distinct modes: PERFORM and TWEAK. • PERFORM mode is focused around four XY touch pads. Touch to control LOW PASS, DELAY, PAN and OUTPUT gain independently for left and right channels. • TWEAK mode features large expressive sliders and additional effect parameters, allowing you to fine tune your sound. In addition to Audiobus and Inter-app Audio support, Stereo Designer can also process external instruments such as guitar, voice and synths by connecting a microphone or professional audio interface such as the Apogee Jam, ONE, or any iOS compatible USB audio interface. Guitarists can use our effects live by connecting the output of their audio interface to an amp. For more info and video demos visit: https://holdernessmedia.com Check out our entire FX series including Caramel, Crystalline, Echo Pad and Swoopster! COMPATIBILITY: • requires iOS 12.4 or later • iPad Mini/iPad 2 or newer • Audiobus 3 compatible (Effect, Input, state saving) • Inter-App audio compatible (effect node) • Compatible with DAW apps such as Auria, Cubasis, and Garageband • compatible with USB audio interfaces • Core MIDI compatible FEATURES: • Control individual Left/Right channel volume, panning, filter and more. • Mid/Side (M/S) processing mode lets you adjust the volume, high and low pass filters for Mid and Side independently. • Widen or reduce the stereo width of an input signal. • Independent panning position of each channel, allowing for interesting stereo placement. • Individual High and Low Pass filter per channel for additional stereo shaping. • Phase (polarity) invert Left/Right channels. • Isolate the Left or Right channel and manipulate the resulting mono signal. • "Stereoize" mono inputs using individual channel delay + High and Low Pass filters. • Sum Left and Right channels to mono. • Audiobus 3 compatible with state saving • Inter-app Audio compatible • Core MIDI compatible, works with any MIDI controller via MIDI Learn • Select presets via MIDI program change Stereo Designer works with just about any professional iOS compatible USB audio interfaces. Here is a list of interfaces that have been tested and verified to be compatible: • Apogee Jam • Apogee Mic • Apogee ONE for iPad/Mac • Apogee DUET for iPad/Mac • Apogee QUARTET for iPad/Mac • iRig • iRig HD • iRig iMic • Focusrite Scarlett series (*requires USB hub) • Alesis io2 • Alesis IO Dock • Behringer UCA202 • many more

About

Multiband Compressor

This audio effect plugin offers an ultra-clean compressor algorithm with very low harmonic distortion. It features a high-resolution spectrum analyzer and a versatile side chain input for advanced audio manipulation.

Highlights
  • Ultra-clean algorithm with < -140 dB distortion
  • Simple and clean interface
  • Side chain input with full band/band limited modes
  • High-resolution spectrum analyzer
  • Eight compressor settings per band
Features
Read full description

KEY FEATURES 1. Ultra-clean algorithm. Less than -140 dB harmonic distortion across all settings 2. Clean and simple interface 3. Side chain input with full band and band limited modes 4. High-resolution spectrum analyser displays the input and output volume at each frequency ULTRA LOW DISTORTION COMPRESSOR ALGORITHM This unique envelope follower design ensures harmonic distortion of less than -140 dB for the full range of compressor settings. There is no cleaner compressor on the app store. SIDE CHAIN INPUT In host apps that support multi-input audio units you can use this app to achieve the pumping side chain effect typically heard in electronic dance music where the synth and other background instruments duck their volume in deference to the kick drum on every beat. The side chain input of this plugin has two modes. In full-spectrum mode each frequency band is compressed according to the volume of the full spectrum of sidechain input. In single-band mode each band is compressed based on the side chain level in only that frequency band itself. COMPRESSOR CONTROLS Each of up to four bands has eight compressor settings. They are input gain, output gain, attack time, release time, threshold, ratio, soft/hard knee, and wet mix.

Screenshots

Multiband Compressor4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Stereo Designer at 89% against Multiband Compressor's 33%. Stereo Designer also leads on rating (4.5 vs 3.5) and price ($4.99 vs $7.99). Multiband Compressor's advantage is ratings volume (11 vs 2) and device support (3 vs 1). On update cadence, ads, in-app purchases 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

Stereo Designer costs $4.99 and Multiband Compressor $7.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Stereo Designer holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 3.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Multiband Compressor has 11 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 89% of Stereo Designer's written reviews are positive against 33% of Multiband Compressor's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Stereo Designer ships an update every 5 weeks, Multiband Compressor every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 5, 2026 and September 30, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Stereo Designer versus Multiband Compressor: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterStereo DesignerMultiband Compressor
Price$4.99 — better$7.99
Rating4.5 (2 ratings) — better3.5 (11 ratings)
Positive reviews89.3% of reviews — better33.3% of reviews
Number of ratings211 — better
Update frequencyEvery 5 weeks — betterEvery 2 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
DevicesiPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS12.412.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size3 MB4 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperHolderness MediaBlue Mangoo Consulting Company Limited

Customer experience

Stereo Designer

All ratings2 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews28 reviews
Positive89.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative10.7%

Multiband Compressor

All ratings11 ratings
Positive63.6%
Neutral0.0%
Negative36.4%
Written reviews9 reviews
Positive33.3%
Neutral22.2%
Negative44.4%

In-app purchases

None

Stereo Designer

No in-app purchases

None

Multiband Compressor

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Stereo Designer free?
Stereo Designer costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Multiband Compressor free?
Multiband Compressor costs $7.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Stereo Designer or Multiband Compressor?
Stereo Designer is rated higher. Stereo Designer averages 4.5 out of 5 from 2 ratings, while Multiband Compressor averages 3.5 from 11 ratings.
Do Stereo Designer or Multiband Compressor have ads?
Neither Stereo Designer nor Multiband Compressor shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Stereo Designer or Multiband Compressor?
Stereo Designer ships an update every 5 weeks, and Multiband Compressor every 2 months. Most recently, Stereo Designer was updated on October 5, 2026 and Multiband Compressor on September 30, 2026.

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