Comparison

XII AudioVisual vs JAX ESSENTIALS

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

Head to head
About

XII AudioVisual

This app generates 3D computer graphics and music in real-time based on the twelve-tone technique. It offers automatic composition with limited user interface, allowing MIDI note export to DAWs. The music is experimental and not intended for conventional listening.

Highlights
  • Real-time 3D computer graphics
  • Audio-visual music generation
  • Twelve-tone technique composition
  • MIDI note export via Wi-Fi
  • Sequence setup UI
  • Interactive 3D rotation
Features
Read full description

XII is an experimental audiovisual work by Liu Hao for iPhone and iPad. Based on twelve-tone composition, it generates music and real-time 3D visuals as a continuously evolving audiovisual performance. Users can define a twelve-tone sequence, while all other musical parameters are generated automatically in real time. Three visual scenes evolve alongside the music, with animation and lighting responding to sound. Users can produce notes by touching the screen, rotate the 3D environment through gestures, and transmit generated MIDI notes to compatible software via Wi-Fi MIDI. XII uses a piano timbre. Its music is not intended to be conventionally tonal or easy-listening. Dissonance and unpredictability are intentional aspects of the work. FEATURES - Twelve-tone sequence configuration - Forward and reverse sequence playback - Real-time automatic music generation - Three evolving 3D visual scenes - Audio-responsive animation and lighting - Interactive note generation through touch - Gesture-controlled 3D rotation - Wi-Fi MIDI output - Background audio support - Piano-based sound generation

About

JAX ESSENTIALS

This audio effect plugin offers a multi-stage phaser modulation with allpass filters for dynamic soundscapes. It's compatible across Apple devices and integrates with popular music production software.

Highlights
  • Multi-stage phaser modulation
  • Allpass filter design
  • LFO for depth and speed modulation
  • Cross-device preset sharing
  • Includes ~200 factory presets
  • Resizable and adaptive interface
Features
Read full description

( THIS IS AN AUDIOUNIT. AudioUnits are app extensions, requiring any audio host application to perform. ) Use the same AudioUnits across all modern Apple devices, including the iPhone and the Mac (Apple Silicon). Native MacOS apps like GarageBand, MainStage 3 and Logic Pro X are fully supported. Any 3rd-party AUv3 supporting host should be able to host the plugin too. The JAX ESSENTIAL SERIES Phaser is a multi stage phaser modulation effect that uses multiple allpass filters, to produce all kinds of the famous phaser effect. A low frequency oscillator modulates depth and speed of the filter modulation on both stereo channels for various living and moving sound nuances. Make static sounding voices more interesting or create sweaping special effects. You may share the presets for this effect across all your supported devices. Around 200 factory presets are included, you can make and export/import your own. The complete manual is included and can be previewed on our support website: https://audio.digitster.com For advanced usage (i.e. mastering and exciting), we recommend to select the phaser from our SELECTIVE RANGE SERIES, which allows to limit the frequency range for processing. This build is truly 'universal', meaning, the audio unit is available for: - iOS (all actual iPhones) - iPadOS (all actual iPads) - macOS (Apple Silicon) - visionOS (Apple Vision Pro) Requirements: MacOS 11.0++ iOS 14.0++ Behaviour on all devices is identical. The parametric interface is resizeble and adopts to any screen size and orientation. This especially applies to Logic Pro X and all hosts with adjustable window sizes on all platforms. Display contrast can be adjusted freely and is now saved with each preset.

Screenshots

XII AudioVisual4 screens
JAX ESSENTIALS4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: JAX ESSENTIALS at 5.0 against XII AudioVisual's 3.0. JAX ESSENTIALS also leads on update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 22 months) and price ($4.99 vs $9.99). On ratings volume, 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

XII AudioVisual costs $9.99 and JAX ESSENTIALS $4.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

JAX ESSENTIALS holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 2 and 1 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

XII AudioVisual ships an update every 22 months, JAX ESSENTIALS every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 5, 2026 and November 3, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
XII AudioVisual versus JAX ESSENTIALS: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterXII AudioVisualJAX ESSENTIALS
Price$9.99$4.99 — better
Rating3.0 (2 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews33.3% of reviews—
Number of ratings2 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 22 monthsEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.614.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size167 MB33 MB
Age rating+44+
Developer昊 刘Jens Guell

Customer experience

XII AudioVisual

All ratings2 ratings
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%
Written reviews6 reviews
Positive33.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative66.7%

JAX ESSENTIALS

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

XII AudioVisual

No in-app purchases

None

JAX ESSENTIALS

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is XII AudioVisual free?
XII AudioVisual costs $9.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is JAX ESSENTIALS free?
JAX ESSENTIALS costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, XII AudioVisual or JAX ESSENTIALS?
JAX ESSENTIALS is rated higher. XII AudioVisual averages 3.0 out of 5 from 2 ratings, while JAX ESSENTIALS averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do XII AudioVisual or JAX ESSENTIALS have ads?
Neither XII AudioVisual nor JAX ESSENTIALS shows ads.
Which is updated more often, XII AudioVisual or JAX ESSENTIALS?
XII AudioVisual ships an update every 22 months, and JAX ESSENTIALS every 2 weeks. Most recently, XII AudioVisual was updated on November 5, 2026 and JAX ESSENTIALS on November 3, 2026.

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