Comparison
Reel vs TAPE 16
EMR Music Group's tape-style desktop DAW with a commit-first, no-undo workflow.
Visit the TAPE 16 site ↗The short answer
Reel and TAPE 16 have a lot in common. Both are tape-inspired, both ask you to commit and both keep a deliberately limited, no-undo workflow. Where they differ is size and depth. TAPE 16 is a 16-track desktop DAW that hosts VST plug-ins on a full computer screen, so it can process and layer far more than a pocket app. Reel runs on your iPhone, built around a spinning disc you scrub and scratch with your finger and it captures clean 32-bit float from USB interfaces, hardware instruments, grooveboxes and MIDI gear. They work better together than against each other. Capture and commit on the iPhone with Reel, then take it to the desk and produce it in TAPE 16.
Feature comparison
| Feature | Reel | TAPE 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Simultaneous tracks | 4 | 16 |
| Bit depth | 32-bit float | Not stated |
| Max sample rate | 96kHz | Not stated |
| Overdub | ||
| Punch-in recording | ||
| Looping | Not stated | |
| Variable-speed playback | ||
| Tactile transport (jog wheel or scrub) | ||
| Built-in microphones | iPhone mic | |
| XLR inputs with phantom power | ||
| Records from a USB audio interface | ||
| Works as a USB audio interface | ||
| Runs standalone, no phone or computer | ||
| Price | One-time purchase, no subscription | $29 one-time |
| Platform | iOS 18+ | Mac, Windows, Linux |
Every value is researched per product against manufacturer sources and may change over time. Verify current details with each maker.
Where Reel wins
- +A spinning disc you scrub and scratch with your finger in real time, with haptics
- +Runs on the iPhone in your pocket, no computer required
- +Captures clean 32-bit float from USB interfaces, hardware instruments, grooveboxes and MIDI gear
- +A tactile, mobile way to capture and commit to ideas
Where TAPE 16 wins
- +16 tracks, four times a pocket recorder's count
- +Hosts VST plug-ins and prints MIDI instruments to audio
- +A full computer screen for arranging and producing
Frequently asked questions
Does TAPE 16 work on iPhone?
TAPE 16 is a desktop DAW, not an iPhone app. If you want a tape-style recorder that runs natively on iPhone, Reel is built for that.
Should I use Reel or TAPE 16?
Use Reel to capture ideas on your iPhone in clean 32-bit float wherever you are. Use TAPE 16 on a computer when you want more tracks, VST plug-ins and room to produce. Both share a commit-first, no-undo philosophy, so they pair well as a capture-then-produce workflow.
Try Reel on your iPhone
A portable 4-track recorder with 32-bit float audio and a hardware-inspired workflow.
Download on the App Store