# bitcrust — SID-style polyphonic synth

> Polyphonic synthesizer with SID-style voice architecture for versatile sound design. (iPhone/iPad app by Michele Caserta.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bitcrust/id6763228916 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Michele Caserta](https://appshunter.io/developer/1885379520)
- Category: Music
- Price: $1.99
- Rating: 4.33/5 from 6 App Store ratings
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 17.0 · 15 MB
- Released: 2026-04-23
- Data updated: 2026-07-08
- Monetization: paid
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bitcrust/id6763228916/reviews.md

## What is bitcrust?

bitcrust is a polyphonic synthesizer built around a SID-style voice architecture: three oscillators per voice, up to twelve voices, with ring mod, hard sync, and the pulse-width behaviour that defined a generation of 8-bit sound. The DSP is an in-house, clean-room implementation written from the public MOS 6581 register map and general DSP literature — not an emulator port — so bitcrust sounds SID-adjacent without inheriting the license constraints that keep most SID-inspired tools off the major app stores.

Sonically the plugin sits between a chip synth and a modern subtractive. The voice core can still do gritty arp basses, zap leads, and 8-bit percussion, but the surrounding architecture — three LFOs, a per-voice modulation envelope, an 8-slot modulation matrix, and a 6-slot post-SID FX rack with drive, bitcrusher, tempo-synced delay, chorus, reverb, compressor, and limiter — extends it into pad, keys, and texture territory.

Universal Purchase: one price buys the Mac Standalone plus the iPad AUv3. The iPad build is a co-equal target, not a downscale — the full 113-preset factory library, all 14 themes, and the complete mod matrix / FX rack ship on both platforms.

    Voice core: 12-voice polyphony, 3 oscillators per voice, SID-style triangle / saw / pulse / noise with hard sync and ring mod, per-VCO ADSR
    Filter: global VCF (LP / BP / HP) with live curve, selectable 6581 / 8580 chip model, Vintage vs. Modern oscillator mode
    Modulation: 3 global LFOs (7 shapes, host-sync or Hz), per-voice mod envelope, 8-slot matrix, MIDI sources (velocity, poly AT, channel AT, mod wheel, pitch bend)
    FX rack: 6 slots, drag-to-reorder, per-slot bypass / mix; effect types Drive (5 modes), Bitcrusher, Delay (tempo-sync), Chorus, Reverb, Compressor, Limiter — every FX parameter is a modulation destination
    MIDI: 16-step sequencer, arpeggiator (Up / Down / UpDown / Random, 6 rate divisions, octave range), MIDI Learn on every knob, note Hold
    Presets: 113 factory patches across 10 groups, full-metadata save (author, description, tags), Preset Preview audition without committing, A/B snapshot compare, XML import / export
    UI: 6-tab navigation, 14 themes with optional phosphor / CRT overlays, monitor strip (oscilloscope, vectorscope, FFT spectrum, 3D spectrogram, stereo field), QWERTY note typing from any tab

Mac: Standalone app with universal binary (Apple Silicon + Intel). iPad: AUv3 extension plus a Standalone for headphone jamming. A supported AUv3 host is required for in-DAW use on iPad (GarageBand, Logic Pro for iPad, AUM, Cubasis, etc.).

Support: https://anode-labs.com/bitcrust · support@anode-labs.com
Privacy policy: https://anode-labs.com/privacy

What's new in 1.0.0: First release.

## Key features

- 12-voice polyphony
- 3 oscillators per voice with SID-style behavior
- Extensive modulation matrix
- 6-slot post-SID FX rack
- 16-step sequencer and arpeggiator
- AUv3 and Standalone support


## Frequently asked questions about bitcrust

### What is bitcrust?

bitcrust is a polyphonic synthesizer designed to emulate the sound of classic 8-bit chips while offering modern sound design features. It provides 12-voice polyphony and a SID-style voice architecture.

### Does bitcrust have ads?

No, bitcrust does not contain advertisements. It is a premium application that can be purchased once.

### What devices does bitcrust support?

bitcrust is supported on iPad devices. It functions as an AUv3 extension for DAWs like GarageBand and Logic Pro for iPad, and also includes a standalone app for direct use.

### How much does bitcrust cost?

bitcrust is available for a one-time purchase of $1.99. This universal purchase includes the Mac Standalone app and the iPad AUv3 version.

### What kind of sounds can I create with bitcrust?

You can create a wide range of sounds, from gritty 8-bit basses and leads to rich pads and textures. The extensive modulation and FX capabilities allow for deep sound sculpting.

### Can I use bitcrust in my music production workflow?

Yes, bitcrust is designed for music production. On iPad, it can be used as an AUv3 plugin within compatible DAWs, and the Mac version offers standalone functionality.

### How often is bitcrust updated?

The latest version, 1.0.8, was released on May 19, 2026, indicating active development. The first release was on April 23, 2026.

### What is the age rating for bitcrust?

bitcrust has an age rating of 4+, making it suitable for a wide audience of users interested in music creation.

## Version history (last 3 releases)

### 1.0.8 — 2026-05-19

- Sustain pedal (CC 64) holds notes until you release the pedal.
- Per-VCO Sync Ratio and Sync Detune are now modulation destinations. Sweep, detune, or animate hard-sync tones from any source.
- Modulated knobs show a live arc on the value ring indicating where the modulation is pushing the value. Direction shows polarity, length shows depth.
- Per-step trigger probability in the sequencer. Each step has a 0 to 100% chance of firing. The pattern randomizer (dice button) now fills probability across the full range too.

### 1.0.7 — 2026-05-05

- Fixed-velocity toggle for the keyboard and grid. Lock either surface to a single velocity, independently. Tap the new VEL button in the footer for the keyboard panel; grid uses its setup popover. Doesn't affect external MIDI.
- Sliding across grid pads now plays each pad at your initial tap's velocity. Swipe direction no longer encodes loudness.
- Hold latch keeps the played key or pad highlighted until the latch releases.
- Mod matrix: each source row's activity glow now reflects only that source, even when multiple sources drive the same destination.

### 1.0.0 — 2026-04-23

No release notes.

## More apps by Michele Caserta

- [Untracker](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/untracker/id6760624490)
- [Earshot  — Ear Training](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/earshot-ear-training/id6765878618)

All apps by Michele Caserta: https://appshunter.io/developer/1885379520

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*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 2026-07-08.*
