Comparison

DRC vs DrumComputer

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

Head to head
About

DRC

This virtual analog synthesizer offers classic analog sound design with a user-friendly interface. Explore rich sonic textures and create unique patches with its versatile oscillators, filters, and built-in effects. Compatible with popular music production apps.

Highlights
  • AUv3 compatible
  • Up to 8 voices
  • Multi-wave oscillators
  • 4 pole self resonant low pass Ladder Filter
  • Stereo Tape Delay
  • Lush Stereo Reverb
  • Arpeggiator
Features
Read full description

DRC is a versatile virtual analog polyphonic synthesizer that captures the essence of classic analog synths with a simple yet powerful set of parameters. It offers exceptional sound design capabilities, delivering a sonic experience reminiscent of legendary instruments like the Roland Juno, Minimoog, and more. Features: - AUv3 compatible (use it on Garageband, AUM, NS2, Cubasis, Loopy Pro, etc) - Up to 8 voices - Two main oscillators, one sub-oscillator and one noise source - Multi-wave oscillators (SIN, TRI, SAW, SQR with PWM) - Detune, sync and ring modulation - 4 pole self resonant low pass Ladder Filter - 2 pole multi-mode filter (LP, HP, BD, NOTCH) - 2 LFO's and 2 analog modeled envelope generators - Stereo Tape Delay with time modulation - Lush Stereo Reverb with modulation and self growing decay - True stereo, analog modeled multi mode chorus - Arpeggiator with 4 modes, tempo sync and hold function - Sync to external MIDI clock - MIDI clock out - Audiobus Compatible - Ableton Link Compatible For detailed operation information and requirements please visit www.imaginando.pt/products/drc-polyphonic-synthesizer/help/contents "Elegant, easy to navigate and sounds brilliant." "I can't enough express how amazed and happy I am playing this app. Before writing this review I read the manual (you must) and tested every parameter until I understood perfectly how each one responded to the final output sound. I have to tell you the presets do not show how powerful this synth can be, you have to tweak by yourself every filter, modifier and fx's. For me the filter is the secret in this app to get a differentiated sound compared to your other synth app's. Filter adds a deep texture and resolution to the sound that I forgot lfo's and adsr's.” "One of the best iPad synthesizers!" "This sounds better than 99% of iOS synths. Filters are awesome. Modulation options are numerous. Effects are great. Sounds like a Mac plugin, not an iOS synth. Very little out there like this. I have paid hundreds on the Mac for this kind of sound." "A wonderful synth with its own unique character to it." "This app is excellent! Just enough of a twist on the standard synth app to make it worth the investment. Patch creation seems to be the focus, and UI is perfect for flipping back and forth while working out new presets." "Huge tone that will cut through any mix Fantastic control options for the musician Rich sounds and a beautiful visual design A developer who cares greatly about his customers and creation (frequent updates) It's alive! Recommended!" "Easy to lose yourself in sound design. The sound sources, fx, filters and modulations are all laid out to be very easily accessible. The mixer is great for tweaking the balance between the sound sources to fine tune your sound. Can tell some love went in to making this" "Great, rich, full-sounding sounds! Great job!!!" "Awesome updates from a developer who truly cares about both their customers and their work. Nice job!" "It is FAT. The interface is intuitive. It is universal." "This is really a fine example of a synthesizer whose developers love synthesizers. It is rather difficult to explain, but there is something within not only the interface, but in the nature of the sounds that this thing produces that shows their passion. This synthesizer is a patch designer's tool, not a preset player. Yes, it does come with some nice patches which show off some of its abilities, but when you start to dig in yourself, you can create some really unusual sounds." "Excellent job guys. The GUI looks great and everything is extremely easy to access and in a logical way." "Nice effects section great delay nice chord section IAA instrument support complete with transport bar and Midi learn. Good stuff."

About

DrumComputer

This app is a powerful tool for creating synthetic drum sounds using a variety of synthesis methods and sequencers. It offers intelligent randomization, flexible modulation, and pattern editing to generate unique beats and explore new sonic possibilities.

Highlights
  • 8 multi-layer sound engines
  • Flexible modulation matrix
  • Intelligent randomizers for sound generation
  • 16-step sequencer with pattern generation
  • AUv3 plugin and standalone support
  • MIDI file export and multiple outputs
  • Preset iCloud sync and sharing
Read full description

DrumComputer is the new specialist for synthetic drums, combining classic and modern synthesis with flexible modulations and luxurious sequencing. Intelligent randomizers, elegant pattern editing and import of your own samples are just a few of the mind blowing possibilities. Enjoy new drums everyday and get inspired by all the creativity that DrumComputer sets free. Just because, there still is all the unheard of... More than 400 global presets and 450 engine presets are shipping with DrumComputer. Add the Sound Randomizer and you have an unlimited source of cool sounds. ::FEATURES:: • 8 Sound Engines, each one layering a Resonator, Wavetable/Analogue, Resynth and Sampler • Filter, Compressor, Overdrive and 2 kinds of Send Reverbs: Room and Hall • 2x Env/LFO, plus Synth-Engine-Modulators, Sequencer-Modulators, ModMatrix • Intelligent Randomizers for endless Drum Sounds • 16 Step Sequencer and Pattern Generator, Probability, Rolls, +/- Step Delay, Swing, Humanize • Auto- und Manual Remixing/Fills • Easy Keyboard Mapping for Patterns, Mutes and Engine Triggers • Keyzones for Rolls, Pitch and Modulation • AUv3 plug-in with MIDI FX support & Standalone • Audio Bounce • MIDI File Export • Multiple Audio/MIDI Outputs • Virtual, Network, External & Bluetooth MIDI • Ableton Link • MIDI Learn & Host Automation • Preset iCloud Sync • Preset Share ••• Sound Engines ••• 8 individual 3-layer synth engines to design, shape and sculpt powerful drum hits. Depth modulation area with envelopes, LFOs, and a complex modulation matrix to change most parameters using a wide array of sources. Finest noise table conversion technology, followed by a filter, distortion and side chain compressor. ••• Sequencer ••• Enjoy smart randomization to create patterns that feel natural and organic and add some feeling to the pattern with swing and 'humanization'. Move various parameters along to match the notes, such as velocity, pitch, decay, probability, roll and offset. ••• Kit Page ••• Bring all the individual sounds together in one place, select new sound presets or even randomly generate new sounds based on various sound type profiles and give your kit some character, punch and an analogue feel! ••• Mix ••• With Volume, Mute, Solo, Pan as well as two reverb return channels you can send any of your sounds to at any time and also assign the mixer parameters as modulation destinations. The Room reverb gives you a nice familiar space, letting you glue together multiple drum sounds, while the Hall reverb gives a massive space you can use either as a utility, or as way to fire your sounds off into the cosmos! ••• Mapping ••• Create up to 16 individual patterns (from scratch, or using the easy copy/paste function), and chain these together into a sequence, up to 16 patterns long. Use your MIDI keyboard or controller to send values that quickly and seamlessly switch between patterns on the fly. Quickly remove and add the individual hits, trigger rolls of different speeds, or even have them as pitch modifiers. ••• Auto- and Manual Remixing/Fills ••• Mash up your patterns with one simple parameter and produce all sorts of automatic and random edits to your sound. Add creative fills and variations to your loop to keep it constantly moving with fresh ideas - great for jamming or to prevent audio stagnation. ••• Wavetable/Resynth Import & Sampler ••• Import your own audiofiles to create Wavetables. Resynthesize Hihats, Snares, even Chords with the Resynth import feature or switch to Sampler mode to play back samples the ordinary way.

Screenshots

DRC4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: DrumComputer at Free against DRC's $8.99. DrumComputer also leads on update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 2 months). On rating, review sentiment, ratings volume and ads 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

DrumComputer is free to download; DRC costs $8.99 up front. DRC sells 13 one-off in-app purchases and DrumComputer sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.7 for DRC against 4.8 for DrumComputer. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 658 and 621 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 84% of DRC's written reviews are positive against 81% of DrumComputer's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

DRC ships an update every 2 months, DrumComputer every 3 weeks. Both last shipped on October 29, 2026.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
DRC versus DrumComputer: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterDRCDrumComputer
Price$8.99Free — better
Rating4.7 (658 ratings)4.8 (621 ratings) — better
Positive reviews83.8% of reviews — better81.0% of reviews
Number of ratings658 — better621
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad — betteriPad
Requires iOS17.0 — better17.6
Further details — not scored
Size132 MB1.6 GB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperImaginando LdaSugar Bytes GmbH

Customer experience

DRC

All ratings656 ratings
Positive92.5%
Neutral3.5%
Negative4.0%
Written reviews345 reviews
Positive83.8%
Neutral4.9%
Negative11.3%

DrumComputer

All ratings621 ratings
Positive95.0%
Neutral2.3%
Negative2.7%
Written reviews147 reviews
Positive81.0%
Neutral8.2%
Negative10.9%

User reviews

DRC

From 658 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Incredible sound quality
  • 🔒 Stable and reliable
  • 👍 Intuitive and easy to use
  • 🚀 Versatile and powerful
  • 👍 Excellent preset library

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Occasional crashes or glitches
  • 🔋 High battery consumption
  • 💰 Expensive in-app purchases required for full functionality

DrumComputer

From 621 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Best iOS drum machine
  • 👍 Wicked easy to use interface
  • 👍 Great sound and workflow
  • 👍 Powerful and flexible sequencer
  • 👍 Tons of customization options

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Occasional crashes
  • 🔋 High CPU usage and battery drain
  • 👎 Confusing and complex interface
  • 👎 Lack of MIDI mapping for live use
  • 👎 Inability to record beats from pads

Bugs and requests

DRC

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • Inconsistent behavior when restoring purchases
  • Compatibility issues with some iOS versions or devices

Requested features

3 requests
  • Bluetooth MIDI support
  • More advanced modulation options
  • Improved preset management and organization

DrumComputer

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Crashes on startup with iOS 14.2
  • Inability to import samples in some cases
  • MIDI out only supports single channel

Requested features

7 requests
  • Add real-time beat recording
  • Improve MIDI mapping capabilities
  • Add randomization options for tempo, sequence length, and mixing
  • Improve preset management (ability to delete presets)
  • Optimize for better performance and battery life
Show 2 more
  • Add a dedicated envelope for mixer level control
  • Improve signal flow visualization and clarity

In-app purchases

13 purchases

DRC

One-time13
  • Unlock Sonic Alchemy$3.99
  • Pop Essentials$3.99
  • Unlock Factory Expansion$3.99
Show 10 more
  • Unlock Sounds From Outer Space$3.99
  • Unlock Iconic Sounds Vol. 1$3.99
  • Unlock Iconic Sounds Vol. 2$3.99
  • Unlock Iconic Sounds Vol. 3$3.99
  • Unlock Constellations Toolkit$3.99
  • Unlock Iconic Sounds Vol. 4$3.99
  • Electric Sheep Dreams$3.99
  • Timeless And Untamed$3.99
  • Dynamic Resonant Cycles$7.99
  • Unlock Synth Engine$8.99
1 purchases

DrumComputer

One-time1
  • DrumComputer Full Version$29.99

Questions

Is DRC free?
DRC costs $8.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Is DrumComputer free?
DrumComputer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, DRC or DrumComputer?
DrumComputer is rated higher. DRC averages 4.7 out of 5 from 658 ratings, while DrumComputer averages 4.8 from 621 ratings.
Do DRC or DrumComputer have ads?
Neither DRC nor DrumComputer shows ads.
Which is updated more often, DRC or DrumComputer?
DRC ships an update every 2 months, and DrumComputer every 3 weeks. Most recently, DRC was updated on October 29, 2026 and DrumComputer on October 29, 2026.

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