# Crystal Synth XT > Semi-modular synthesizer for mobile with advanced synthesis and sound design features. (iPhone/iPad app by Green Oak Software.) - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/crystal-synth-xt/id408288370 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`) - Developer: [Green Oak Software](https://appshunter.io/developer/355342717) - Category: Music - Price: $4.99 - Rating: 4.90/5 from 20 App Store ratings · 74 written reviews indexed - Age rating: 4+ - Requires: iOS 11.0 · 36 MB - Languages: American English - Released: 2010-12-22 - Data updated: 2026-07-05 - Monetization: paid - User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/crystal-synth-xt/id408288370/reviews.md ## What is Crystal Synth XT? Crystal Synth XT is a full featured semi-modular synthesizer, ideally suited to creating lush evolving soundscapes. Crystal VST has long been a popular synthesizer on the desktop. Crystal Synth XT brings that same powerful synthesis engine to the iPad and iPhone. Crystal Synth XT features MIDI keyboard input via Apple's camera adapter and sharing of sounds with the desktop version of Crystal. == Features == Browse through the included sounds and use the 2 octave keypad or keyboard to trigger notes to produce evolving, rhythmic, or melodic sounds. Create your own sounds with a single button press using the breed feature. When using an iPad, you can delve into a tweaker's dream by using the extensive editing features to sculpt sounds to your heart's content (editing features are only available when used on an iPad). Crystal features both subtractive synthesis and frequency modulation (FM) synthesis. It offers abundant modulation control with over 90 parameters which may be modulated, multi-stage envelopes with graphical editors, extensive tempo sync of envelopes/lfo rates/delay times, built-in effects for chorus/flanging/comb filtering/echoes, and a band splitter for effects processing by frequency band. Not only that, Crystal has wave sequencing and granular synthesis. The musical applications for Crystal are literally boundless. == MIDI == With MIDI keyboard input, you can connect a MIDI keyboard to your iPad or iPhone and play Crystal Synth XT like a hardware synth. == Virtual MIDI == Use virtual midi to play Crystal Synth XT from a midi controller app. Use the Settings app to turn on the Background Audio mode to enable Crystal to play audio when in the background. You can then play Crystal from a midi controller app which supports virtual midi. == Sharing == With patch sharing you can create sounds on your iPad or iPhone while away from the studio, then transfer them to the desktop Crystal when you get back to the studio to use in recording projects. Or, create banks of sounds on the desktop Crystal, then transfer them to the iPad/iPhone Crystal to use in a live performance for a truly portable rig. Use Audio copy/paste to record your performance on Crystal and transfer that performance to another app. Or copy your recorded performance to your computer. == Inter App Audio and Audiobus == To use IAA or Audiobus to record into other apps, turn on Background Audio for Crystal Synth XT in the Settings app. See demonstration videos on the greenoak.com website. == Different Versions == If you don't need all the features of Crystal Synth XT, try the basic version of Crystal, also available in the app store from Green Oak Software. With the basic version you can browse sounds, play notes, and create new sounds, taking advantage of its powerful semimodular synthesis engine. The XT version adds features like MIDI keyboard input via the iPad's camera adapter, IAA/Audiobus, and patch sharing with the desktop version. Choose the app that is best for you! == Notes == Important note for iPhone users: Crystal Synth XT runs on both the iPad and the iPhone. Because of the limited screen space on the iPhone however, the editing pages, which contain the edit controls, are not available when running on that device. However, on the iPhone you can still browse sounds, play notes from the keypad, create new sounds with the Breed feature, modify patches with the Design feature, and share sounds with desktop Crystal VST. For videos and information about Crystal Synth XT, visit: http://www.greenoak.com ## Key features - Semi-modular synthesis engine - Subtractive and FM synthesis - Extensive modulation control (>90 parameters) - Multi-stage envelopes with graphical editors - Tempo-synced envelopes, LFOs, and delays - Built-in effects (chorus, flanger, echo) - MIDI keyboard input and virtual MIDI support ## Recent user reviews (10 of 74) All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/crystal-synth-xt/id408288370/reviews.md ### 5/5 — Like the sun *2024-10-31, version 2.1.9* We will live to rise! Welcome back Winter Soldier! ### 5/5 — Fantastic App *2024-08-02, version 2.1.9* This is a fantastic app for making pads and ambient sounds. The presets are wild and you can make some super crazy sounds of your own. You can record what you play into garageband. Endless fun. ### 5/5 — Crystal xt *2024-08-01, version 2.1.9* Thanks for the support. Yes it’s all been fixed Back to greatness! ### 5/5 — Crystal xt *2024-07-28* Is not working anymore! The splash screen appears for a second, then disappears. Strangely, ( and this not the only app that I’ve experienced this with) the screen is there in the background. Otherwise, the preset system varies from version to version, on my iPhone, I can find different folders, on the iPad there is only one folder. Yes, this old app has always been ahead of its time… I find myself using the working versions of it still. **Developer response:** Hi - Crystal Synth XT was recently updated to 2.1.9, which includes a fix for a crash which sometimes occurs when launching the app. Can you please download version 2.1.9 and see if that fixes the problem you reported? Thanks. ### 2/5 — Crystal xt *2024-02-29* Is not working anymore! The splash screen appears for a second, then disappears. Strangely, ( and this not the only app that I’ve experienced this with) the screen is there in the background. Otherwise, the preset system varies from version to version, on my iPhone, I can find different folders, on the iPad there is only one folder. Yes, this old app has always been ahead of its time… I find myself using the working versions of it still. **Developer response:** Hi - Crystal Synth XT was recently updated to 2.1.9, which includes a fix for a crash which sometimes occurs when launching the app. Can you please download version 2.1.9 and see if that fixes the problem you reported? Thanks. ### 5/5 — Nothing Else Quite Like It! *2023-12-09, version 2.1.7* I love this synth, have been using it for a very long time! Please update it to an au3, I will pay! Thanks! ### 3/5 — Great synth, wish it got updated *2023-08-31, version 2.1.7* Very powerful synth but Crying out for new interface, AuV3 and the breed fan has never worked properly in that it doesn’t a,low acces to all presets, preset system seems messed up. ### 5/5 — Great synth with fantastic features *2022-05-23, version 2.1.7* The breed function is so fast and fun to make new patches. Inter app audio and Audiobus compatible. Hope AUV3 will be implemented. Such great sounds….been a fav of mine long before iOS…a wonderful app for a decade or more! ### 4/5 — Gem from the past but needs Maintenance *2022-03-21* It needs updated the envelope points aren’t moving I hope it’s fixed it sounds amazing ### 4/5 — Unique that works... *2017-05-10, version 2.1.7* I have this in PC as well. The BREED function and control are brilliant. ## Frequently asked questions about Crystal Synth XT ### What is Crystal Synth XT? Crystal Synth XT is a full-featured semi-modular synthesizer designed for iPad and iPhone. It brings a powerful desktop synthesis engine to mobile devices, allowing users to create a wide range of sounds, from lush evolving soundscapes to rhythmic and melodic patterns. ### What kind of synthesis does Crystal Synth XT offer? This app features both subtractive synthesis and frequency modulation (FM) synthesis. It also includes advanced features like wave sequencing and granular synthesis, offering a comprehensive toolkit for sound creation. ### Can I connect a MIDI keyboard to Crystal Synth XT? Yes, you can connect a MIDI keyboard to your iPad or iPhone using Apple's camera adapter to play Crystal Synth XT like a hardware synthesizer. The app also supports virtual MIDI, allowing you to control it from other MIDI controller apps. ### How can I share sounds between Crystal Synth XT and my desktop computer? Crystal Synth XT supports patch sharing, allowing you to create sounds on your mobile device and transfer them to the desktop version of Crystal for use in recording projects. Conversely, you can transfer sound banks from the desktop to your mobile device for live performances. ### Is Crystal Synth XT available for free? Crystal Synth XT is a paid application. However, Green Oak Software also offers a basic version of Crystal in the app store if you do not require all the advanced features of the XT version. ## Version history (last 5 releases) ### 2.1.9 — 2024-07-27 This update addresses a crash that can sometimes occur when launching Crystal Synth XT. ### 2.1.7 — 2017-03-28 This app has been updated by Apple to display the Apple Watch app icon. Support for version 2 of the Dropbox protocol. Bug fixes for MIDI CC smoothing and app orientation. Positive reviews are always appreciated! Please send any problem reports to crystalsynth@gmail.com. We cannot respond to problem reports in reviews. ### 2.1.4 — 2016-12-21 Changes for Garageband and ios10 compatibility. Positive reviews are always appreciated! Please send any problem reports to crystalsynth@gmail.com. We cannot respond to problem reports in reviews. ### 2.1.3 — 2016-04-28 Improved Audiobus support. Positive reviews are always appreciated! Please send any problem reports to crystalsynth@gmail.com. We cannot reply to problem reports in reviews. ### 2.1.2 — 2015-10-31 IOS9 support. Positive reviews are always appreciated! Please send any problem reports to crystalsynth@gmail.com. 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User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-07-05.*