Cyclop for iPad vs CalmusNotation
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Cyclop for iPad
This app is a monophonic synthesizer designed to create powerful, deep bass sounds. It offers extensive sound design possibilities with a versatile modulation system, integrated effects, and real-time control. Ideal for electronic music production, it delivers unique and thick low-end frequencies.
- Monophonic bass synthesizer
- Advanced sound design capabilities
- Integrated effects sequencer
- Versatile modulation system
- Real-time control knobs
- Preset browser with iCloud sync
- Full MIDI support
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Cyclop is a monophonic synthesizer. It does one thing very well: delivering cutting-edge digital madness at the low end of the frequency spectrum to unleash monstrous bass sounds to the mobile world. Cyclop is the master of subs, beautifully controlling even the lowest notes, always sounding stomach-rumblingly thick. It uses mid/side processing to introduce stereo imaging between 250Hz and 4kHz. This ensures wide, interesting sounds that retain their punch and bass. There are no phasing issues, which means Cyclop cuts through the mix very nicely. Enjoy an incredible depth of sound design possibilities, great real-time control with the Wobble Knob and FX knob. Integrated effects sequencer, vast modulation system and the preset browser will take your inspiration to new levels. FEATURES AT A GLANCE: • Audio Unit v3 & Standalone • Monophonic Bass Synthesizer • 6x2 Synthesiser Engines, 10x2 Filter Engines • Analog Sync, FM, Sample Transformer, Spectromat, Saw Regiment, Phase Stressor • Vowel Filter Mode • Free Signal Flow for 2 Oscillators, Filters and Distortions. • Incredibly versatile modulation system • Multi FX Knob/Sequencer • Powerful Preset Browser with tagging and rating • Preset iCloud Sync • Full MIDI Support (Virtual, Network, External) • Transformer import: Audiocopy, Audioshare, Music Library • Ableton Link DJ Mag: “It is decidedly digital-sounding, but not in a bad way, and as the growing list of fans proves, it can be turned to good use in just about any electronic genre, past, present and (probably) future.” Rating: 9.5/10 Producer Spot: “Very good for his complexity, very versatile and easy to use if you need sub bass sound for your productions. Sugar Bytes offers High quality and good prices with all their products.” Rating: 9.5/10 Computer Music: “Anyone will find it powerful and unique-sounding, adding spice to existing tracks and inspiring new ones.” Rating: 4.5/5.0
CalmusNotation
Create and visualize musical compositions using AI-powered graphical notation. This app leverages advanced AI, inspired by NASA's Lisp programming, to generate original music based on user input and can display music from other compatible apps for live performance.
- AI-powered music composition
- Graphical notation display
- Real-time performance visualization
- Lisp-based AI engine
- User input-driven music creation
- Integration with CalmusComposer and CalmusPlay
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Graphical Notation is an app for music creation and graphical notation using Artificial Intelligence. The coreof Graphical Notation is the CalmusAI brain where the modern composing methods are programmed into the brain using Lisp programming language. NASA has historically used Lisp for artificial intelligence and autonomous systems, most notably in the 1990s Remote Agent project, the first AI system to control a spacecraft. CalmusNotation does not collect or use any musical material from the internet but creates new music based on the input from the user. In addition - CalmusNotation can also receive composed music from CalmusComposer and CalmusPlay - and present the music as graphical notation for live performance - in real-time. CalmusComposer composes music with Artificial Intelligence and can send the musical result to GraphicalNotations to be presented for life performance. CalmusComposer is connected to GraphicalNotation through WiFi local network - by selecting CalmusNotation in Settings. GraphicalNotation is connected to CalmusComposer, through WiFi local network - by selecting the MacOS device in the settings of GraphicalNotation. CalmusNotation needs Internet connection.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: Cyclop for iPad at 74% against CalmusNotation's 0%. Cyclop for iPad also leads on rating (4.7 vs 4.4) and ratings volume (85 vs 5). CalmusNotation's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and device support (4 vs 1). On price, update cadence 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
Both are free to download. Cyclop for iPad sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. CalmusNotation asks for nothing beyond the download.
Cyclop for iPad holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Cyclop for iPad has 85 ratings behind it against 5, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 74% of Cyclop for iPad's written reviews are positive against 0% of CalmusNotation's.
Cyclop for iPad ships an update every 2 months, CalmusNotation every 4 months. Both last shipped on November 1, 2026.
| Parameter | Cyclop for iPad | CalmusNotation |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.7 (85 ratings) — better | 4.4 (5 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 74.0% of reviews — better | 0.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 85 — better | 5 |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months — better | Every 4 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free — better |
| Devices | iPad | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — better |
| Requires iOS | 17.6 | 15.6 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 303 MB | 294 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Sugar Bytes GmbH | Erki-tonlist sf |
Customer experience
Cyclop for iPad
CalmusNotation
Bugs and requests
Cyclop for iPad
Reported bugs
7 issues- Sticky keys
- App crashes
- Unstable with Audiobus and Ableton Link
- Patches don't change when selected
- Notes get stuck
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- User presets not recalling
- Lags and freezes on older iPads
Requested features
8 requests- Tutorials for recording own sounds
- More downloadable presets for simple users
- Bigger search window for iPad Pro
- Hotkeys
- Sequencer
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- Ability to limit keyboard to specific key
- More presets for various genres
- Update graphics for higher resolution
CalmusNotation
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Cyclop for iPad
- Cyclop Full Version$24.99
CalmusNotation
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Cyclop for iPad free?
Is CalmusNotation free?
Which has better reviews, Cyclop for iPad or CalmusNotation?
Do Cyclop for iPad or CalmusNotation have ads?
Which is updated more often, Cyclop for iPad or CalmusNotation?
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