Crystalline Mini vs Things
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Crystalline Mini
This app creates unique shimmer reverb and delay effects for various sound sources. It transforms instruments, vocals, and synths into lush, ambient textures with pitch-shifted delays and classic 80s shimmer tones. MIDI control and extensive compatibility make it a versatile tool for musicians and sound designers.
- Shimmer reverb and delay effects
- Pitch-shifted delay modes
- MIDI Learn for controller assignment
- Audiobus and Inter-App Audio support
- Stereo output modes
- Delay/Reverb Ducking
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Crystalline Mini is a shimmer reverb/delay effect for Audiobus and Inter-app audio. Create synth-like tones and textures from almost any sound source, perfect for guitar, vocals, synths, sound design and more. Crystalline Mini is capable of a wide range of sounds, including classic "shimmer" effects from the 80's, unique pitch shifted delays and lush reverbs. Crystalline is a highly creative and unique effects processor. Guitarists can plug their instrument into an audio interface such as the Apogee Jam and get the elusive shimmer reverb tone they've been searching for. Crystalline Mini 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 Crystalline's effect parameters. Here's what users are saying: "Wow Holy Cow! Guitarism 12- string into Crystalline and I thought it sounded like 'Under the Milky Way Tonight'. I can't think of an instrument that would not sound fantastic with Crystalline. IGrand, Galileo, Sunrizer(holy another cow!), IPolySix all sounded like awesomeness." - NoiseHorse (Audiobus forum) "Crystalline isn't what I was looking for many years... IT'S MUCH MORE!!! I just can't stop using it!!! By far, the best effect for guitar I've used in my life!!! Thanks again!!!" - Leonardo Leite De Castro (user) For more info visit https://www.holdernessmedia.com. In addition to Audiobus and Inter-app Audio support, Crystalline Mini 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://www.holdernessmedia.com Check out our entire FX series including Caramel, Echo Pad, Stereo Designer and Swoopster! COMPATIBILITY: • requires iOS 8.0 or later • iPhone 5 or newer • Audiobus 2 compatible (Effect, state saving) • Inter-App audio compatible (effect node) • Compatible with DAW apps such as Garageband and Multitrack DAW • compatible with USB audio interfaces • Core MIDI compatible FEATURES: • Control Left and Right channel delay time, feedback, reverb and more. • 16 delay modes for a wide variety of pitch shifted delay effects • Multiple stereo output modes including Wide Stereo, Cross Feedback, Stereo Tremolo and Sum to Mono. • Delay/Reverb Ducking with Sensitivity, Threshold, and Release • Delay BPM sync, per channel or linked • MIDI clock sync for delays • Receive MIDI over Bluetooth LE • Huge range of ambient sound effects possible, from beautiful shimmering reverbs to dissonant, metallic delays. • Audiobus 2 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 Crystalline Mini 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 • iConnectMIDI2+ • iConnectMIDI4+ • iRig • iRig HD • iRig iMic • Focusrite Scarlett series (*requires USB hub) • Focusrite iTrack Dock • Alesis io2 • Alesis IO Dock • Behringer UCA202 • many more
Things
This dynamic wavefolder plugin offers subtle to extreme saturation, inspired by classic diode-based circuits. It features an envelope follower, filters, and adjustable feedback for diverse sound design.
- Dynamic wavefolding
- Envelope follower
- Low-pass and high-pass filters
- Adjustable feedback
- Diode-based circuit inspiration
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Things - Fold is a versatile wavefolder plugin designed for both subtle and extreme dynamic saturation. Inspired by the legendary Serge Wave Multipliers, known for their classic diode-based circuit design, Fold combines wavefolding with an envelope follower, low-pass and high-pass filters, and adjustable feedback. This combination allows for a wide range of creative sound design possibilities, from gentle harmonics to crunchy distorted sounds.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Things at 5.0 against Crystalline Mini's 4.2. Crystalline Mini's advantage is review sentiment (100% vs 75%) and price ($2.99 vs $6.99). On ratings volume, update cadence, 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
Crystalline Mini costs $2.99 and Things $6.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Things holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.2. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 5 and 13 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 100% of Crystalline Mini's written reviews are positive against 75% of Things's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.
Crystalline Mini ships an update every 6 months, Things every 9 months. The most recent releases landed on September 21, 2026 and October 15, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Crystalline Mini | Things |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2.99 — better | $6.99 |
| Rating | 4.2 (5 ratings) | 5.0 (13 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better | 75.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 5 | 13 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 6 months — better | Every 9 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 12.4 | 12.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 3 MB | 18 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Holderness Media | AudioThing Ltd. |
Customer experience
Crystalline Mini
Things
In-app purchases
Crystalline Mini
No in-app purchases
Things
No in-app purchases








