# AutoArp — The Strummable Synth > Strummable synth instrument with auto-harp and arpeggiator features. (iPhone/iPad app by Drew Milloy.) - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/autoarp/id413244255 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`) - Developer: [Drew Milloy](https://appshunter.io/developer/328220392) - Category: Music, Entertainment - Price: Free with in-app purchases - Rating: 4.30/5 from 26 App Store ratings · 28 written reviews indexed - Age rating: 4+ - Requires: iOS 10.0 · 5 MB - Languages: American English - Released: 2011-01-08 - Data updated: 2026-08-19 - Monetization: free with in-app purchases - User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/autoarp/id413244255/reviews.md ## What is AutoArp? AutoArp turns your iPhone (or iPod Touch) into a musical instrument that is halfway between a traditional auto-harp zither and an arpeggiated analogue-style synth. Select a chord and strum the "strings" with your fingers to create a retro-futuristic backing to your music. AutoArp is FREE, with a fixed set of songs. Full functionality, including creating, editing and sharing songs, MIDI support and transposing can be unlocked via an in-app purchase (at the lowest price tier). This means you can try it for free and hear the results for yourself! The synth engine features: • square, pulse and sawtooth waveforms, • attack and release envelope controls, • a resonant low pass filter with cutoff and resonance controls, • monophonic or polyphonic playback • tremolo effect with LFO frequency and depth • simple Echo effect Up to 16 chords (12 on iPhone 4s and below) can be selected per 'song' and configured onto the playing buttons, allowing you to switch quickly between songs to load a new set of chords. Alternative bass notes can also be set for each chord. There are 22 chord types, ranging from major and minor to jazz chords like minor 11th and major 7th with a sharp 11th! More Features: * Audiobus support for inter-app audio (even on iOS 6), so you can wire AutoArp up to loads of other great FX, mixing and recording apps * Improved audio engine, built using The Amazing Audio Engine (from A Tasty Pixel), with lower latency * MIDI support, including hardware CoreMIDI-compatible interfaces, inter-app MIDI and even network MIDI (paid version only) * Share songs with other AutoArp users via email (paid version only) * Transpose playback +/- 6 semitones to play in any key (paid version only) ## Key features - Strummable synth interface - Chord selection and configuration - Square, pulse, and sawtooth waveforms - Resonant low-pass filter - Tremolo and echo effects - Audiobus and inter-app audio support - MIDI support (paid) ## Pricing and in-app purchases Base price: Free. **One-time purchases** | Purchase | Price | Type | | --- | --- | --- | | Full functionality | $0.99 | one-time | ## Recent user reviews (10 of 28) All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/autoarp/id413244255/reviews.md ### 4/5 — 3.5 is more fitting but it works *2026-06-07, version 2.1* No ads, one time purchase, no internet needed but has one big issue, the volume is highly inconsistent. It doesn’t matter what the volume is set to, it will exceed the limit. ### 5/5 — I love this app! *2020-05-13, version 2.1* Beautiful sounds and cool layout. Strum with the thumb to play chords or pick out single notes. Nice work. Love it. ### 5/5 — Love this... has potential to be amazing! *2020-04-04, version 2.1* Totally worth the 1$ however I’d gladly pay more if it added the suggestions in other review like velocity and sustain controls and a few more. Something like the kaoss padkontrol that easily changes 2 selected variables like volume and pitch on a finger controlled axis. It would be cool if on top of each string it had a tiny display of the tuning/note. It would really cool if you could add a little scroll wheel or up down arrows to the top of each to individually tune each string for custom arrangements. Also if you could drag the strings around to rearrange them on the fly. Would be Maybe add a lock 🔒unlock button so you could use it live and not accidentally worry about moving a random setting or tapping a button. Last idea maybe a double of triple strings button feature that makes the thing have that angelic hammered dulcimer style abilities. Think twelve sting guitar just extra added strings tuned same. Still gave it five stars because it’s ease of use and such a value. I think it could become a useful song creation idea tool with a few added updates. Also could be a good education tool for music theory. Thx for developing this! ### 5/5 — Great but broken *2019-08-17, version 2.0.5* I have been using this app for several years now. For a singer that can’t play an instrument it is important to utilize what we can. This app made it possible too input my notes and practice my songs. Only issue I have now is I can’t seem to save or share songs. I can’t rename a song so I can keep it. I used to be able to do this feature but since the app hasn’t been updated in 5 years it’s not working. I wish the developer would check that out because some people still would like to continue using this app. ### 5/5 — No help or support. *2018-05-06, version 2.0.5* I kind of believe I was mislead thinking purchasing full version would let me record and save things. It's a cool app but kinda pointless if all I can do is strum around and not record anything ### 4/5 — Awesome concept *2016-12-11, version 2.0.5* The amount of customization options is impressing. My only complain is that when strumming the same chords multiple times, there's a very audible popping sound as notes get cut off. ### 2/5 — Cripple-ware *2015-08-15, version 2.0.5* If you want to make users pay, don't disable features and make the app useless. Just make it a paid app! ### 5/5 — Nearly Perfect *2015-01-26, version 2.0.5* Simple, fun to play, and customizable in ways I actually care about! For .99, it's hard not to love this full-version app. But I was a bit disappointed to find that you're not able to record directly in the app (instead I've turned on voice memo, gone back into the Autoharp app and wound up with a recording that reminds me of my days of recording with tape!). It can also be frustrating to have to enter the chord you'd like without being able to preview its sound. This results in unnecessary flipping through screens. These small changes would make a huge difference-- perhaps in an update? For now, truly enjoying what's already available here. ### 4/5 — A couple of requests... *2014-09-18, version 2.0.5* I have been looking for a simple strum controller and I like this one more than many others I have found. Just a few things would really make it the exact thing I have been looking for. 1. Velocity mapped across the strings would add so much to the expressiveness of this instrument. 2. Being able to tap a string as well as strum would be helpful. 3. Universal support and being able to take advantage of the ipad for extra control features. 4. Sustain to be controlled by the chord buttons as an option, i.e. note off is sent when you lift all fingers from the chord buttons. And if I could have anything I wanted I would include a string editor that would let you build any kind of strum able instrument you could think of. ### 5/5 — Lovely little music maker *2014-02-18, version 2.0.1* The advances made in this app since the last release are kind of a sideways step - I think the UI hasn’t really been *that* much improved and there’s a number of ways that the UI could be made better (tap-and-hold to edit chords without needing to go into the settings, etc.). However - the flexibility of the chords you can build is fantastic, and the breadth of sound possibilities are great. I find it a really useful tool for writing songs and it’s found its way onto a number of my band’s latest recordings. Many of my favorite instruments have quirks and annoyances, but I find I use them because I like the way the sound or the way they interface with the musician. Ultimately my complaints about the UI aren’t enough to keep me from using this app a lot - and as such I have to give it 5 stars. ## Frequently asked questions about AutoArp ### What is AutoArp? AutoArp is a musical instrument app that combines the functionality of a traditional auto-harp zither with an arpeggiated analog-style synthesizer. It allows users to select chords and strum virtual strings to create unique musical backing tracks with a retro-futuristic sound. ### What are the key features of AutoArp? Key features include strumming virtual strings to play selected chords, various synth waveforms (square, pulse, sawtooth), envelope controls, a resonant low-pass filter, tremolo and echo effects, and Audiobus support for inter-app audio. The paid version unlocks MIDI support, song sharing, and transposition. ### How much does AutoArp cost? The app is free to download and use with a fixed set of songs. Full functionality, including creating, editing, sharing songs, MIDI support, and transposing, can be unlocked through a one-time in-app purchase at the lowest price tier. ### What devices is AutoArp compatible with? AutoArp is designed for iPhone and iPod Touch. Some features, like selecting up to 16 chords per song, are available on newer devices, while older devices like iPhone 4s and below support up to 12 chords. ### What are common use cases for AutoArp? AutoArp is ideal for musicians looking to quickly create backing tracks, experiment with unique synth sounds, or add an arpeggiated element to their music production. It's also useful for live performance setups that utilize Audiobus or inter-app MIDI. ## Version history (last 5 releases) ### 2.1 — 2020-03-29 Support for devices with longer screens, such as iPhone X onwards Fixed a couple of minor bugs ### 2.0.5 — 2014-09-17 Support for Audiobus 2.x Some minor iOS 7 tweaks ### 2.0.3 — 2014-03-04 Fixed: * sharing a song now doesn't crash on iOS 6 * scrolling of song lists and control panel now works properly on iPhone 4 and iPad Improved: * MIDI support now improved: AutoArp appears as a MIDI output port in other apps. Device name now shows beside MIDI icon on main screen. Multiple routing options will pop up a chooser to select which one you require * Song name editing now 'in place' in the title bar * About AutoArp is now a separate page Added: * analytics and crash reporting, so that I can discover any issues more quickly, and fix them. No data will be sent whilst in performance mode though, to prevent jitter. NOTE: this will be the last update of AutoArp to support iOS 6. ### 2.0.1 — 2013-11-15 in 2.0.1: Now compatible with iOS 6.1 as well in 2.0: * BRAND NEW UI - new look and feel with retina support finally brings AutoArp into the 21st century, as well as an improved interface for editing songs and settings * iPhone 5 support with 16 chord buttons (12 on iPhone 4s and below) * Audiobus support for inter-app audio (even on iOS 6), so you can wire AutoArp up to loads of other great FX, mixing and recording apps * Improved audio engine, built using The Amazing Audio Engine (from A Tasty Pixel), with lower latency * A wider range of chords, for the jazzy ones among you * MIDI support, including hardware CoreMIDI-compatible interfaces, inter-app MIDI and even network MIDI (paid version only) * Share songs with other AutoArp users via email (paid version only) * Transpose playback +/- 6 semitones to play in any key (paid version only) ### 2.0 — 2013-11-07 * BRAND NEW UI - new look and feel with retina support finally brings AutoArp into the 21st century, as well as an improved interface for editing songs and settings * iPhone 5 support with 16 chord buttons (12 on iPhone 4s and below) * Audiobus support for inter-app audio (even on iOS 6), so you can wire AutoArp up to loads of other great FX, mixing and recording apps * Improved audio engine, built using The Amazing Audio Engine (from A Tasty Pixel), with lower latency * A wider range of chords, for the jazzy ones among you * MIDI support, including hardware CoreMIDI-compatible interfaces, inter-app MIDI and even network MIDI (paid version only) * Share songs with other AutoArp users via email (paid version only) * Transpose playback +/- 6 semitones to play in any key (paid version only) ## Apps similar to AutoArp | App | Rating | Price | Category | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [LE01 \| Bass 808 Synth + AUv3](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/le01-bass-808-synth-plus-auv3/id1502480224) | 4.8 (1,129) | Free | Music | | [Synth Pro: Analog Synthesizer](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/synth-pro-analog-synthesizer/id1635988723) | 4.6 (544) | Free | Music | | [VHS Synth \| 80s Synthwave](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/vhs-synth-80s-synthwave/id1615208667) | 4.0 (132) | Free | Music | | [Circle of Fifths](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/circle-of-fifths/id1558441265) | 4.9 (222) | Free | Music | | [Poly 2](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/poly-2/id1477029326) | 4.8 (624) | Free | Music | | [C.ARP](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/carp/id1481916004) | 4.3 (110) | $9.99 | Music | ## More apps by Drew Milloy - [the Clave](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-clave/id328220389) - [8Strummer](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/8strummer/id441799069) - [Oddleberry](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/oddleberry/id827686517) - [Hyperchrome](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hyperchrome/id946764775) - [Fall](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/fall/id1046467659) All apps by Drew Milloy: https://appshunter.io/developer/328220392 ## Related topics [autoharp](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/autoharp) · [arpeggiator](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/arpeggiator) · [musical autoharp](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/musical-autoharp) --- *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 2026-08-19.*