microTERA vs Additive Drum Machine
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- 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
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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.
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.
- Additive rhythm concept
- Traditional drum machine interface
- Customizable sequence length
- Step sequencing
- Odd meter support
- Symmetrical and asymmetrical rhythms
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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
Verdict
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
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.
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.
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.
| Parameter | microTERA | Additive Drum Machine |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1.99 — better | $2.99 |
| Rating | 4.9 (8 ratings) | 5.0 (3 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 81.0% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 8 — better | 3 |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months — better | Every 15 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Devices | iPad | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 11.0 — better | 14.5 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 24 MB | 2 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Harry Gohs | Giovanny Bermudez |
Customer experience
microTERA
Additive Drum Machine
In-app purchases
microTERA
No in-app purchases
Additive Drum Machine
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is microTERA free?
Is Additive Drum Machine free?
Which has better reviews, microTERA or Additive Drum Machine?
Do microTERA or Additive Drum Machine have ads?
Which is updated more often, microTERA or Additive Drum Machine?
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