Comparison

strng vs Needlepoint

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

Needlepoint

This app simulates the warm, fuzzy sound of vinyl records using advanced physical modeling. It generates realistic turntable noises and artifacts, offering creative control over warped sounds and tempo-synced playback. Additional effects like a compressor and glitchy looper enhance the audio.

Highlights
  • Physical modeling for realistic vinyl sounds
  • Synthesized record detritus and distress
  • Tempo-syncable turntable speed
  • Single-knob compressor with multiple algorithms
  • Broken record looper mode
  • Vinyl spindown and start effect
  • Granular pitch shifter
Features
Read full description

Unfiltered Audio's Needlepoint is now available on iOS as a Standalone app or AUv3 plugin! Unfiltered Audio raises the bar (and lowers the tonearm) with Needlepoint: a revolution in vinyl simulation. Continuing the retro themes of their smashed-up hit lo-fi-af, Needlepoint presents a full platter of advanced physical modeling to dive deep into the warm, fuzzy sound of turntable noises and artifacts beloved by many. Of course, since this is an Unfiltered Audio plugin, you can push the needle far past realism and dive into some seriously warped sounds. While many vinyl plugins are content to use looping samples of noise, Needlepoint uses physical modeling to achieve its incredible sound. Needlepoint synthesizes all sorts and sizes of detritus and distress on a record: hair, dust mites, scratches, warping, etc. These are not randomly modeled, but rather accurately distributed onto a rotating, algorithmic platter. Changing the speed of the record can greatly change the nature of Needlepoint's impact on your sound. While you may be used to vinyl RPMs like 33 1/3, 45, and 78, have you ever wondered what it would sound like to tempo sync a turntable to your DAW? Now you can! Beyond noise, ambience, and tone, Needlepoint includes other effects to fully etch out your vibe. A single knob compressor (inspired by lo-fi-af's PRESS knob with six additional algorithms) can be added before or after the signal chain. This compressor can emulate algorithms from famous hardware samplers associated with vinyl, or even mimic the sound of analog distortion introduced by the vinyl pressing process. A BROKEN mode emulates a broken record a broken record a broken record a broken... Where were we? Oh right, a BROKEN mode acts as an unpredictable looper by jumping the grooves on your recent audio. You can automate the mode's toggle to create all sorts of cut-up and glitchy phrases. No vinyl plugin would be complete without a SPINDOWN button that creates that classic vinyl stop (and start!) sound. Here you can control the rate of the spindown to better fit the effect into your mixes. Finally, at the end of the processing chain, Needlepoint features a granular pitch shifter to help you achieve that chopped up vibe without needing to manually change the speed of your tracks. Despite all of these features, Needlepoint is incredibly easy to use. With a beautiful interface and an extensive set of presets, Needlepoint will help you itch that nostalgic scratch that your tracks need. As an AUv3 plugin, Needlepoint has been tested to work perfectly with Garageband, Drambo, AUM, Cubasis, Beatmaker, Nanostudio, apeMatrix, Loopy Pro, and more! Additionally, with its clear layout and smart resizing, Needlepoint can be used on tablets and phones with ease. (Note for Drambo users: Drambo does not yet have automatic Plugin Delay Compensation for managing plugins with latency. As a result, tracks with Needlepoint will not line up properly with other tracks. An upcoming patch for Drambo will add this feature in.)

Screenshots

strng4 screens
Needlepoint4 screens

Verdict

The call

strng and Needlepoint both sit at 4.7 stars, but that hides the real split: 84% of strng's written reviews are positive against 50% of Needlepoint's. strng also leads on price ($4.99 vs $9.99) and iOS requirement (9.0 vs 12.0). Needlepoint's advantage is update cadence (fortnightly vs every 4 months). On rating, ratings volume, 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

strng costs $4.99 and Needlepoint $9.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.7 for strng against 4.8 for Needlepoint. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 35 and 14 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 84% of strng's written reviews are positive against 50% of Needlepoint's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

strng ships an update every 4 months, Needlepoint fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 19, 2026 and October 6, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
strng versus Needlepoint: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterstrngNeedlepoint
Price$4.99 — better$9.99
Rating4.7 (35 ratings)4.8 (14 ratings) — better
Positive reviews84.4% of reviews — better50.0% of reviews
Number of ratings35 — better14
Update frequencyEvery 4 monthsFortnightly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS9.0 — better12.0
Further details — not scored
Size4 MB30 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperErik SigthUnfiltered Audio

Customer experience

strng

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

Needlepoint

All ratings14 ratings
Positive92.9%
Neutral7.1%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews4 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral50.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

strng

No in-app purchases

None

Needlepoint

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is strng free?
strng costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Needlepoint free?
Needlepoint costs $9.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, strng or Needlepoint?
Needlepoint is rated higher. strng averages 4.7 out of 5 from 35 ratings, while Needlepoint averages 4.8 from 14 ratings.
Do strng or Needlepoint have ads?
Neither strng nor Needlepoint shows ads.
Which is updated more often, strng or Needlepoint?
strng ships an update every 4 months, and Needlepoint fortnightly. Most recently, strng was updated on October 19, 2026 and Needlepoint on October 6, 2026.

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