# Addictive Synth — user reviews > 114 indexed App Store user reviews of Addictive Synth by Harry Gohs, rated 4.50/5 from 15 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/addictive-synth/id447072653/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/addictive-synth/id447072653.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 11 · 4★ 2 · 3★ 1 · 2★ 1 · 1★ 0 ## What do users think of Addictive Synth? Overall sentiment: positive **Pros** - 🎵 Unique additive synthesis sound palette - 🎛️ Intuitive and clean interface design - 🎲 Randomizer/dice feature for creative exploration - 🎹 Excellent arpeggiator with extensive customization - ✏️ Ability to draw custom waveforms and filters - 🔄 Flexible modulation matrix and control options - 📱 Works well on older iPad models - 🎧 High-quality, warm, and lush sound output - 💾 Good preset selection and variety - 🎬 Built-in looper for layering and recording - 🎮 Fun and engaging to use - ⚡ Low resource consumption - 🎯 Great for ambient and pad sounds **Cons** - 🔊 Harsh, metallic, or shrill sound character - 🐛 Crashes on certain iOS versions - ⏱️ Tempo drift and synchronization issues - 🎹 Small, difficult-to-use on-screen controls - 📡 Poor MIDI latency and responsiveness - 🔗 Bluetooth audio output not supported - 🎚️ Inconsistent oscillator behavior - 🎨 Limited visualization and feedback - 📊 Confusing parameter organization - 🔌 Unstable AudioBus integration - 🎵 Presets can sound thin or hollow - ⚙️ Unintuitive patch saving system - 🎙️ Recording feature lacks flexibility **Commonly reported bugs** - App crashes upon opening on iOS 15.1 - Static/audio glitches on startup - Keyboard width inconsistency across pages - Stuck notes with external MIDI controllers - Audio playback at 2x speed when pasting from certain apps - Backing track audio silences when switching apps - Recording menu doesn't allow selection of new recordings - Monophonic playback over virtual MIDI with chords - Keyboard lag behind keystrokes - Oscillator phase inconsistency - Fundamental sine wave audible even when all harmonics disabled - Flaky sequence saving functionality - App crashes during audio recording/export **Most requested features** - MIDI learn functionality - Audiobus and IAA sync support - MIDI clock/start/stop synchronization - Ableton Link integration - White/pink noise generator - Better patch/preset organization and banking - Undo button for waveform/filter drawing - WiFi and email export options - Improved recording with flexible bar counts - Drawable modulation signals - Traditional filter types (LPF, HPF, BPF) - MIDI volume control (CC7) - Metronome on/off toggle - Better visualization of harmonics/partials - Evenly spaced harmonic controls - Click track during looping - Tempo saving with presets - More modulation options and FM synthesis - Hardware synth versions ## Newest reviews (17 of 114) ### 3/5 — Crashes *2021-11-27, version 2.6.0* Using IOS 15.1 this app crashes upon opening. 😕 ### 4/5 — Every sound is transposed up +1, not true to key *2020-10-10, version 2.6.0* Other than that, sounds are Fabtastic. ### 4/5 — Amazing Synth, just needs updating *2017-02-11, version 2.6.0* This synth has really got some truly amazing sounds and an advanced arpeggiator. It would be one of my favourites if it was updated to have synchronisation via IAA sync/control, Ableton Link and MIDI clock/start/stop. The arpeggios that this synth is capable of would be better harnessed with such facilities added so that we could play these wonderful sounds in sync with other apps. This would be truly a 5-star app with these added. ### 4/5 — Virsyn have a sound of their own. *2017-01-20, version 2.6.0* Which is the genius of their apps. The arps are all similar so master one, master all. Could have more depth to the arpeggiator. May not be the best but it's closer to the top than the bottom by a long way. ### 3/5 — Addictive and awesome! *2016-03-13, version 2.5.2* Edit: have to dock a star from the rating until the keyboard is fixed so it's the same width(length) on all pages. Great update. New preset system much appreciated! Big improvement there. And a new hold button! Beautiful. Like the display at the top of the screen too. Excellent work! The more you play with it the better it gets. Extremely versatile and works incredibly well with other midi apps. Money well spent. Thank you for this synth. Recommended. ### 5/5 — Great sounds, easy to use *2015-11-18, version 2.5.2* Love this synth. Great sounds, easy to program and use. I esp. love the dice roll feature for randomizing the patches. Well worth the money. ### 5/5 — discomanuk *2015-07-18, version 2.5.2* The reason for getting this synth is the arpeggiator which is knock out. Also how you can easily play around with audio, amazing. I have no other way of making these sounds and I have some pretty expensive plug ins. For the money it's a no brainer, just get it. ### 5/5 — Very useful *2015-07-11, version 2.5.2* This app will expand your original loop collection like nothing else. A Simple operation from start to finish, with a wealth of great sounds and the abilities to expand on those great sounds. Highly recommended to all. ### 5/5 — Go to synth! *2015-05-23, version 2.5.2* Even with all the great new synth apps out there, this is still the most rewarding, inspiring and "addictive" one. I have new sounds, arps, and ideas every time I touch this thing! I love the randomize options for getting new sound ideas to tweak and refine. The looper is great for capturing ambient and rhythmic soundscapes. ### 2/5 — Tempo drifts, bad sync *2015-05-08, version 2.5.2* Its great but, tempo synced parameters and arpeggios drift so quickly that the coolest features are rendered useless for any serious projects. Such a shame, I'd love to use it with other apps and Ableton projects. It would have been 5 stars and my favorite on Ipad. ### 2/5 — Annoyingly No Bluetooth *2014-12-18, version 2.5.2* All music apps work with my Bluetooth speakers ...this app doesn't.so I never use it. Am I missing something ??? Also the knobs are just far too small.Therefor it's not addictive at all,it's deletive. ### 3/5 — Good, but not great *2014-12-14, version 2.5.2* Pros: robust synth with a lot of routing options. Sequencer can be set to just about any time signature. Nice selection of effects. Cons: kind of flaky when I try to save a new sequence, and even an edited sequence. Could use more MIDI options, like slave/master and better (more stable) audiobus interface. ### 5/5 — A must have in your synth set of tools *2014-11-15, version 2.5.2* The sounds the layout are all excellent in this app. Create some unusual sounds with this baby pretty darn cool. A must have and fun to boot! ### 5/5 — Top gunn fun super synth ! *2014-10-25, version 2.5.0* The root cause of lots of other synths made by these mad scientists! That TOTALLY blow me away! So great and fun to use! THESE GUYS make such beautiful synths..... I wish they made hard ware versions of them all! With nice wooden cases! Peace christo ### 5/5 — Awesome Synth *2014-10-17, version 2.5.0* Awesome sounding synth it's one of the very top Synths in the App Store. The possibilities are endless, truly addictive! ### 5/5 — One of my top used synth apps *2014-10-13, version 2.5.0* Wanted to revise my review on Addictive to say that this is one of my favorite apps along with Thor and Magellan. I first owned micro because I have the Synthstation 25, but now that I have an iPad just had to get the big version and let me say that it is really awesome and very easy to understand and use. What I like most about Addictive is how it MIDIs perfect to my favorite app SECTOR as well as iMPC pro. The only issue I have is with AudioBus but that's no biggie for I can also use IAA. I'm sure an update is on the way but no big deal. Keep up the great work! ### 2/5 — Lags behind keystrokes *2014-06-18, version 2.4.0* IPad Air latest air gen 128M, fully tested for performance, works great with my other sound apps. This app lags behind every key stroke. Disappointed ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — Send me a free code *2016-09-20, version 2.5.2* For 5 stars in exchange for the s.pro. App, I was one of the first to buy your synth and give good review anywhere ### 1/5 — Pasting Recording terrible! *2014-11-17, version 2.5.2* When you try to choose the recording to paste, the menu does not allow you to choose it, only older recordings. They placed the words: Clipboard and Soundcloud at bottom, and that does not allow you to choose the new recording! The List of recordings goes down automatically. Terrible programming, and it have Version 5 on an I Pad. 4 Ios7! ### 1/5 — Addictive synth *2012-04-29, version 2.0.0* Love the sounds , tried to upload to sound cloud no joy waited over an hour an still nothing ? Not happy also when put through a mixer the sound seems to break up and be intermittent ? What's going on ? ### 1/5 — Annoying latency compared to other iPad synths *2012-03-21, version 2.0.0* I really *want* to like Addictive Synth - it sounds great and plays OK from the small on-screen keyboard, but it is frustrating to play because of annoyingly high MIDI latency compared to other iPad synths (and hardware synths.) I tested version 2.0.0 with the following interfaces: Line 6 MIDI mobilizer 1: annoying latency (though significantly improved from the last version) iRig MIDI: annoying latency USB via Apple Camera Connection Kit: significantly better, but still not snappy. For comparison, I tried NLog Pro with each interface and it performed flawlessly. If Virsyn can fix the MIDI latency problem (and occasional stuck notes) this will be a great synth. ### 1/5 — Sam *2011-08-14, version 1.0* Cannot get this ap to work I tap the icon and it just flashes up then disappears ### 1/5 — NOT GREAT *2011-08-07, version 1.0* It might be because I am a novice but this app is disappointing. No looping on the actual app, you need other software, it crashed on me and I can't use it now, very sad. The sounds and manipulation parameters are cool but over all less addictive more headache. ### 1/5 — How does it work? *2011-07-31, version 1.0* I'm a newby to such things as this so I don't have any background knowledge as to how to make this thing work. Can't find any tutorials on the basics of using it other than sound samples. Does one have to connect a midi device or some such to the iPad to generate sounds? If so then this should have been included in the description of the app. Is there a volume button I'm missing? Pressing the keys on the virtual keyboard produces nothing. I already have the Sunrizer app and love it so I thought this might be similar but I was wrong. So far this thing is a waste of money and is definitely not easy to use. ### 1/5 — Crashing *2011-07-30, version 1.0* I don't get it. There are better sounding synths out there that don't crash when I try to record the output. I'm using iPad 1. The arpeggiator is nice, but there are other equally useful arpeggiators out there. ### 1/5 — Sounds just like a $25 Casio from Kmart *2011-07-29* The next time I see 10 five star reviews pop up within 24 hours of an app coming on itunes raving about how great it is I'll know most likely they're shills. This synth doesn't match the reviews AT ALL. Not even close. It seems like no matter what you tweak there's little to no change in sound whatsoever. And so far ALL the sounds are coming out sounding like a $25 Casio I could buy in Kmart. High pitched shrill is the best description. I want my money back and this will be the LAST app I buy from VirSyn. I have Korg Electribe, Korg IMS-20, Fairlight, Funkbox, DM1, ReBirth, Nlog PRO among others in my ipad. I also have a Moog Voyager module connected to a Yamaha Motif XS6. A Prophet 08 is next on the list. I've owned a number of other synths in the past. I know a good synth when I hear it. This is the worst sounding synth I've ever heard inside or outside of an ipad. Bar none. You've been warned. ### 2/5 — Harsh-sounding *2016-11-27, version 2.6.0* A reviewer below described this as "high pitched and shrill", and I have to agree. Very glassy, metallic sounding synth. If that's what you're looking for, here you go, but I found it harsh to listen to, and when you use the randomize function, it's way too easy to get too much resonance on some already shrill sound and just have piercing sonic crap coming out of your speakers. Presets are mostly weak, and I'm not big on this form of synthesis either when it comes to making my own patches. I managed to create a nice pad on this once, but every time I come back to Addictive after a long time hoping it will be better, it's always a waste of time again. Other reviewers will claim I don't know what I'm talking about, but I own and happily use synths like iSem, Lorentz, Animoog, Odyssei, Sunrizer, Gadget, Thor, Magellan, N-Log... They all have their good and bad points, but I'd be hard-pressed to say anything good about this one. ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — Static *2025-08-22, version 2.6.0* What happened? Bunch of static. Reloading didn’t help. ### 5/5 — Bringing new life to old gear *2023-04-13, version 2.6.0* While more than a decade old, I just purchased this app as part of an effort to keep my ipad2/alesis iodock combo viable. I initially bought Addictive Pro, assuming that because it lists iOS 9 as the minimum required it would work, but sadly it does not (so be warned.) I already had Cube Synth Pro, by the same developer, for a few years on my iPad8 and one might expect Addictive to provide the same sonic palette. But, unless I’m missing something, Addictive appears to offer more diverse and compelling sounds and possibilities. ### 5/5 — Still loving it *2022-08-07* Just roll the dice and you’ll get something you’ve never heard before. Nice presets too. One of my favorites. ### 5/5 — Endless creativity *2020-03-05, version 2.6.0* I have many iOS synths and none of them give me the satisfaction of this instrument. Very easy to use ### 5/5 — Very unique and great sounding synth *2020-02-15, version 2.6.0* The ability to draw wave shapes as well as filter shapes combined with a randomizer makes this one of my favorite synths to date(and I own several). A killer step sequencer that is both fun to program and easy to use is the icing on the cake. This synth can make some very unique sounds! I do wish that the export mode included both wi-fi and email rather than only I- tunes as it stands now. Please include this in the first update as well as an undo button on the wave/ filter drawing mode. A great synth! ### 5/5 — Classic Virsyn *2019-02-01, version 2.6.0* Easy to use, great interface, spectacular sounds, tons of control and features, tons of fun. I could go on and on. I have only positive things to say. I love Virsyn apps. All their apps are great and I buy them without thinking and am never disappointed. Addictive Synth is a classic. I actually consider all the Virsyn apps as a collective classic. I have many excellent music making apps. Whenever I want to relax and make enjoyable sounds I open a Virsyn app. There are others that are great too but I find this collection to be the most enjoyable and fun to use. Anyone at any level if mysic will enjoy this app. Addictive is a good name. The sounds are so cool that you want to keep with it. ### 5/5 — Very different sound *2017-03-09, version 2.6.0* I've downloaded tons of synths. This one is unlike all others. Nice presets ### 5/5 — It is addictive *2016-11-13, version 2.6.0* Just bought few minutes ago and started trying the presets, and they sound beautiful, I think it's a great deal, and the prize is right. I feel very happy with my purchase. ### 5/5 — An old dog with a few new tricks *2016-09-09, version 2.5.2* I was delighted with the variety of sound permutations I could easily achieve. Especially rolling the random 'dice' controls. It's an app well worth adding to to synth collection of any sonic dabbler. Nic ### 5/5 — Amateur and confused? *2016-06-18, version 2.5.2* Update: I keep coming back to this synth often. It's two years since the last update,and it is still a lush, deep forest of sounds. Just the arpeggiator is worth it alone. Looking forward to Addictive II even if I have to buy it again. Combining the funct. Here and in Poseidon would be awesome. This synth offers more control, but little visualization. --- If you fall in that category and are unsure if you want to get this or not, here are my preliminary thoughts: you'll get lost with it and may be thankful for that. what does this mean-if anything? 1) you might want to play with the different arpeggios and just listen to the lush sounds and cadence this synth can make 2) you may want to explore rich, fat, dancing tones and notes that can put you in a trance 3) you may want to start playing some simple combinations and start loving some extremely simple things that just sound too well and look for how to record them 4) you may start making memories as your thoughts flow with the different presets and start to feel personal about some of them So, if you don't know exactly what this additive synthesis is about, you WILL get lost. But what a great soundscape to be lost in. If you truly look forward to new lusty, ambient rich and flowing sounds, this app will not disappoint you. and if you are patient enough and a good learner, you may (as I aspire) end up thinking about sounds and making them, instead of hiding them, or controlling them. Use a good set of headphones. You will want that here for your addictive escapades. -- Update: SRoseWood. Your review was the least helpful I've seen. Even the presets sound extremely different, the sound quality is superb and it definitely sounds better than a kmart $25 gadget. That doesn't mean you must like it-I am just saying you can write crap about anything, and you just did exactly that. --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-06-09.*