Comparison

strng vs Lo

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

Head to head
About

strng

This app generates plucked string sounds using a physical modeling synthesis engine. It offers polyphonic voices, a built-in keyboard, and MIDI control. Shape your sound with delay and resonant filters, and integrate with other music apps.

Highlights
  • Physical modeling string synthesis
  • 16 voice polyphony
  • Built-in 25-key keyboard with aftertouch
  • MIDI controller support (USB/Wi-Fi)
  • Stereo ping-pong delay
  • Two-channel resonant filter with LFOs
  • Audiobus, IAA, and AUv3 support
Features
Read full description

Strng is a string synthesiser inspired by the karplus-strong algorithm. The physical modelling starts with a short burst of noise that then guided by a tuned delay buffer and string tension filter, generates plucked string like sounds. No samples are used. Strng is 16 voice polyphonic and can be controlled with an in app 25 key chromatic keyboard or connect prefered midi controller through USB or Wifi. To further shape the sound two post effects are available, a ping-pong stereo delay and two channel resonant filter controlled by two LFOs. Connect to other apps through AudioBus, inter app audio or load in DAWs as AUv3. +++ String synthesis engine +++ 16 voice polyphonic +++ Audiobus, IAA and AUv3 +++ Core MIDI, bluetooth midi and limited MPE +++ 25 multitouch keyboard with aftertouch control +++ Factory presets, save and load your own settings, drag'n drop from files app +++ Aftertouch modulation for attack, sustain, bit crush, resonant filter and detune lfo +++ Stereo ping-pong delay +++ Two channel resonant low pass filter LFOs

About

Lo

This audio utility plugin adds character and "dirt" to your sound with various emulation modes. Save custom presets for easy recall of your desired sonic textures. It functions as an AUv3 effect for compatible hosts.

Highlights
  • Multiple emulation modes (Default, 60, 404, 1200, 8 Bit, SK-5)
  • Adds saturation, compression, and bit reduction
  • Low-pass and high-pass filtering options
  • Vinyl simulation
  • Preset saving and recall
  • Wet/dry mix control
Features
Read full description

An audio coloration utility plugin featuring individual modes for classic emulation of some iconic music production tools. This tool is meant to bring character, or "dirt" to your incoming audio signals. Save your own presets for instance recall of the sound you've created to find the "sweet spot" in your instruments and/or mixes. Lo-Fly Dirt installs as an Audio Unit effect for hosts that support the format such as Audio Bus, Beatmaker 3, Garage Band, Cubasis, AUM, etc. Default Mode: Adds subtle character of the input sound. Simple saturation and light, preset compression are added to the overall sound bringing out unique tones & textures of your source audio. The wet/dry knob at the 100 or full position would leave source audio "warmed up." 60 Mode: This preset mode is based on some of our favorite characteristics of an iconic drum machine. Activating this button should invite you to 12 bit nostalgia immediately boasting tasteful saturation, small amounts of compression, and a more rounded high end. Great on drums. 404 Mode [Green Light]: One of our favorites, this mode is the only mode that should add subtle low-pass filtering to the input signal. This mode will apply low pass filtering at 12db per octave around 11.6Khz. The wet/dry knob will continue to filter the sound to no more than 200Hz. The signal will benefit from some additional signal boosting with minimal make-up gain and small amounts of bit rate reduction, or "dirt." 404 Mode [Orange Light]: This mode brings the coveted vinyl simulation to Lo-Fly Dirt. Mix knob will tastefully add intensity to your track with it. Try using this mode on an aux/bus channel and send select sounds through it. Very cool stuff! 1200 Mode: Also built around our love for another iconic drum machine, this mode brings great punch, character, and dirt to any signal it treats. Especially useful for drums and percussion based audio. more punchier variation of the 60 mode. Enjoy 12 bit goodness by default, but additionally a boost the signals character by our dirt and boost in the low-mid frequencies. 8 Bit Mode: Simply put, this mode brings back the classic sound of a legendary game console. We've added a bit of punch to the incoming signal and you're able to blend it with great 8 bit artifacts that will allow for some brand new creations...and fun! SK- 5 Mode: Also built off the things we love about the classic 8 bit sound, but with a twist...this mode adds HP filtering and punch! Instant dirt is applied when this mode is activated, high pass filtering and punch is applied as you move the signal from dry to wet. The HP filter is set to cutoff at 300Hz.

Screenshots

strng4 screens
Lo1 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: strng at 4.7 against Lo's 3.6. strng also leads on review sentiment (84% vs 48%) and iOS requirement (9.0 vs 13.0). On price, ratings volume, 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

strng costs $4.99 and Lo $4.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

strng holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 3.6. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 35 and 94 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 84% of strng's written reviews are positive against 48% of Lo's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

strng ships an update every 4 months, Lo every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 23, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
strng versus Lo: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterstrngLo
Price$4.99$4.99
Rating4.7 (35 ratings) — better3.6 (94 ratings)
Positive reviews84.4% of reviews — better48.1% of reviews
Number of ratings3594 — better
Update frequencyEvery 4 monthsEvery 3 months — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS9.0 — better13.0
Further details — not scored
Size4 MB11 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperErik SigthMSXII Sound Design

Customer experience

strng

All ratings35 ratings
Positive88.6%
Neutral8.6%
Negative2.9%
Written reviews32 reviews
Positive84.4%
Neutral9.4%
Negative6.3%

Lo

All ratings95 ratings
Positive61.1%
Neutral5.3%
Negative33.7%
Written reviews81 reviews
Positive48.1%
Neutral7.4%
Negative44.4%

Bugs and requests

strng

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

Lo

Reported bugs

12 issues
  • Crashes GarageBand
  • Audio unit extensions failing
  • Plugin crashes DAW
  • Doesn't save between sessions
  • Resets to default preset on sharing/reopening
Show 7 more
  • Extension asks to deactivate or reload
  • Plugin not recognized in GarageBand
  • High-pitched screeching noise in mode 2
  • Not showing up in BeatMaker3
  • Beat stops playing when used as effect
  • Doesn't open on GarageBand
  • Dry/wet knob doesn't allow 100% dry

Requested features

7 requests
  • Update for GarageBand compatibility
  • Fix saving issues between sessions
  • Address crashing bugs
  • Provide a tutorial
  • Dedicated iPhone version
Show 2 more
  • Deeper effect tweaking options
  • Remove white side panels

In-app purchases

None

strng

No in-app purchases

None

Lo

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is strng free?
strng costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Lo free?
Lo costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, strng or Lo?
strng is rated higher. strng averages 4.7 out of 5 from 35 ratings, while Lo averages 3.6 from 94 ratings.
Do strng or Lo have ads?
Neither strng nor Lo shows ads.
Which is updated more often, strng or Lo?
strng ships an update every 4 months, and Lo every 3 months. Most recently, strng was updated on October 24, 2026 and Lo on October 23, 2026.

Other comparisons