8.5Great
Iota II is a visual multi-sampling spectral and granular synthesizer you play by drawing on a spectrogram, with 12 Paths, resynthesis, and physics-driven Auto Emit.
Plugin comparison
Dillon Bastan Iota II vs Portal
Specs, price and the Dubspot Score, side by side — with our verdict on which sampler to buy.
Independent score / workflow fit / buying signal
Contenders
The side-by-side
8.4Great
Portal is a granular synthesis FX plugin from Output that transforms any audio input into playable, musical granular effects.
Score verdict
Which should you buy?
On the Dubspot Score, Dillon Bastan Iota II comes out ahead (8.5). That said, the right pick depends on your workflow and budget — read both reviews before deciding.
Technical matrix
Specs compared
| Signal | Dillon Bastan Iota II | Portal |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $60 | $149 |
| Dubspot Score | 8.5 | 8.4 |
| Formats | VST3, AU, LV2, Standalone | VST, VST3, AU, AAX |
| Type | Visual multi-sampling spectral and granular synthesizer | — |
| Samples | Up to 6, factory library or user files, per-sample gain and tuning | — |
| Interface | Zoomable spectrogram you draw playback paths onto | — |
| Paths | Up to 12, each normal, spectral, or resynthesis playback | — |
| Layers | Unlimited per Path, freeform sequences with length, repeat, ordering | — |
| Playback | Granular, classic, and scrub; image-to-sequence conversion | — |
| Effects | Multimode filter (spectral FFT, biquad, ladder), delay, overdrive, sample-rate reduction, ring modulation | — |
| Modulation | 2 LFOs (Perlin option), 2 looping envelopes, 2 path sequencers, 2 random sprays, 2 macros, amp ADSR, MPE | Scale-based pitch modulation, Time Stretch, Pitch Shift, and Humanize controls |
| Triggering | MIDI keyboard repitch and physics-based Auto Emit with gravity attractors | — |
| Formats | VST3, AU, LV2, standalone | — |
| Operating system | macOS (Apple Silicon and Intel), Windows, Linux | — |
| Price | $60, free trial available | — |
| Presets | — | 250+ presets for instant playability |
| Control | — | Circular XY control linked to granular parameters |
| Built-in FX | — | 7 built-in FX plus a master compressor and filter |
| Time manipulation | — | Powerful time manipulation engine with tempo-synced grain delay |
| Apple Silicon | — | Native Apple Silicon compatibility (M1, M2 and beyond) as of v1.2.0 |
See the full plugin database for more comparisons.