Comparison

microTERA vs Additive Drum Machine

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

Head to head
About

microTERA

Explore unique sonic textures with this waveshaping synthesizer. Generate novel sound patches randomly or program them with detailed controls. Includes a variety of built-in effects and advanced sequencing capabilities.

Highlights
  • Waveshaper with user programmable shape
  • Random sound patch generation
  • Sequencer with programmable steps
  • Built-in effects (Chorus, Phaser, Reverb, etc.)
  • Over 150 factory sounds
  • Audiobus and Ableton Link compatible
Read full description

Waveshaping Synthesis is a type of distortion synthesis that can create dynamic spectra in a controlled way. In waveshaping, it is possible to change the spectrum with the amplitude of the sound. A simple example of this method is the clipping caused by overdriving an audio amplifier. These simple method creates an astonishing variety of sounds which are very unique and can't be reproduced by any other contemporary synth! microTERA gives you also a method of getting randomly generated sound patches in a way you never experienced before: roll the dice! Every single try gives you a new unique sound patch, really every try, promised… Waveshaping Synthesis • Wavehaper with user programmable shape • Spectral shape specification • Three sine oscillators • Feedback input for noise components • 4 Low frequency oscillators • 4 Envelopes with tempo sync • 64 time/level segments per envelope • Monophonic or polyphonic with 16 voices. • Over 150 factory sounds • Uses programmable sequences with up to 32 steps.  • Can trigger single notes and chords. • Unique randomizer generates Arpeggios with 100% usability. • 32 Arpeggios included, unlimited useer arpeggios possible. • For each step you can program tie, accent, transposition and note order Effects • Chorus • Phaser • Distortion (Tape/Tube/...) • Echo/Delay • Reverb Global • Audiobus compatible (Input slot) with state saving • Support for Ableton Link. • Inter App Audio compatible. • CoreMIDI / Virtual MIDI • Audio recorder with Metronome. • Upload to SoundCloud and File Export. • Audio pasteboard.

About

Additive Drum Machine

Create unique drum beats with additive rhythm and traditional drum machine functionality. Design sequences of any length and structure, easily switching steps on and off to craft complex patterns. Ideal for practicing odd meters and exploring diverse rhythmic structures.

Highlights
  • Additive rhythm concept
  • Traditional drum machine interface
  • Customizable sequence length
  • Step sequencing
  • Odd meter support
  • Symmetrical and asymmetrical rhythms
Features
Read full description

With Additive Drum Machine you can create drum beats using the concept of “additive rhythm” in combination with the sounds and ease of use of a traditional drum machine. Construct step sequences of any length and structure by the chaining of "long" and "short" beats. Then switch on and off individual steps to create a drum pattern. Whether used as a practice tool or composition sketchpad, its intuitive interface allows you to easily make drum patterns that use odd meters, symmetrical and asymmetrical rhythmic structures, and various subdivisions of the pulse. With Additive Drum Machine your musical imagination is the limit.

Screenshots

Additive Drum Machine4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: microTERA at every 4 months against Additive Drum Machine's every 15 months. microTERA also leads on price ($1.99 vs $2.99) and iOS requirement (11.0 vs 14.5). Additive Drum Machine's advantage is review sentiment (100% vs 81%) and device support (3 vs 1). On rating, ratings volume, ads and in-app purchases 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

microTERA costs $1.99 and Additive Drum Machine $2.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.9 for microTERA against 5.0 for Additive Drum Machine. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 8 and 3 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 81% of microTERA's written reviews are positive against 100% of Additive Drum Machine's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

microTERA ships an update every 4 months, Additive Drum Machine every 15 months. The most recent releases landed on October 5, 2026 and September 21, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
microTERA versus Additive Drum Machine: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParametermicroTERAAdditive Drum Machine
Price$1.99 — better$2.99
Rating4.9 (8 ratings)5.0 (3 ratings) — better
Positive reviews81.0% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings8 — better3
Update frequencyEvery 4 months — betterEvery 15 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
DevicesiPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS11.0 — better14.5
Further details — not scored
Size24 MB2 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperHarry GohsGiovanny Bermudez

Customer experience

microTERA

All ratings8 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews21 reviews
Positive81.0%
Neutral14.3%
Negative4.8%

Additive Drum Machine

All ratings3 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

microTERA

No in-app purchases

None

Additive Drum Machine

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is microTERA free?
microTERA costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Additive Drum Machine free?
Additive Drum Machine costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, microTERA or Additive Drum Machine?
Additive Drum Machine is rated higher. microTERA averages 4.9 out of 5 from 8 ratings, while Additive Drum Machine averages 5.0 from 3 ratings.
Do microTERA or Additive Drum Machine have ads?
Neither microTERA nor Additive Drum Machine shows ads.
Which is updated more often, microTERA or Additive Drum Machine?
microTERA ships an update every 4 months, and Additive Drum Machine every 15 months. Most recently, microTERA was updated on October 5, 2026 and Additive Drum Machine on September 21, 2026.

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