# FRMS - Granular Synthesizer — 4-layer granular with FM

> Multi-engine granular synthesizer with FM, additive, and subtractive synthesis. (iPhone/iPad app by Imaginando Lda.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/frms-granular-synthesizer/id1381392223 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Imaginando Lda](https://appshunter.io/developer/895445015)
- Category: Music, Entertainment
- Price: $8.99 with in-app purchases (on sale, was $10.90)
- Rating: 4.80/5 from 282 App Store ratings · 122 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 17.0 · 268 MB
- Released: 2020-03-23
- Data updated: 2026-08-29
- Monetization: free with in-app purchases
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/frms-granular-synthesizer/id1381392223/reviews.md

## What is FRMS?

FRMS blends Granular, FM, Additive, and Subtractive synthesis in a powerful, flexible layering system. Create lush, evolving soundscapes or gritty, glitchy textures by combining up to four synthesis layers. With a sleek, intuitive interface, FRMS turns basic sounds into immersive audio experiences—from dense ambient drones to mechanical soundscapes.

Choose from FRMS’s curated sample library, import your own sounds, or capture live audio for instant granulation. Shape unique sounds with layered synthesis, independent envelopes, modulation, and effects.

Key Features:

- 4 Synthesis Engines, 4 Layers Per Voice – Mix Granular, FM, Additive, and Subtractive synthesis.
- FM Modes & Operator Stacking – Create rich, complex tones with 8 FM modes.
- Real-Time Granulation – Process samples or live audio with up to 640 grains.
- Deep Modulation & Envelope Control – Modulation matrix per layer, plus 2 EGs and filters per layer.
- Advanced FX & Polyphony – 4 voices polyphony, arpeggiator, delay, and reverb.
- High-Quality Sample Library & MPE Compatibility – Access FRMS’s expansive sound library and integrate with MIDI Polyphonic Expression and Ableton Link.

Unlock endless sonic possibilities with FRMS, perfect for both beginners and advanced sound designers.

"Imaginando super fan over here ..own everything they make. FRMS is no exception, as it’s incredibly powerful, versatile, and surprisingly intuitive. It’s a joy to work with, and the sound possibilities are endless."

"I expected a lot from this app given the pedigree of the developer, but wow, this exceeded all my expectations. The depth of the granular synthesis engine combined with FM is truly amazing. A must-have for any sound designer."

"This is a great app for anyone serious about granular synthesis. The interface is clean and easy to use, and the sound quality is top-notch. I find myself getting lost for hours exploring new sounds."

"This synth is an interesting and great evolution in the world of granular. It pushes the boundaries of what you can do with layers and modulation. The presets are inspiring, but the real magic comes when you start creating your own."

"FRMS has officially become my favorite synth app. The way it combines granular synthesis and FM is just genius. You can get subtle textures or full-blown sonic mayhem. Highly recommended!"

"Every time I use FRMS, I feel like I’m discovering new dimensions of sound. The modulation options are vast, and the way you can shape tones makes it a designer’s dream. This app has changed my approach to sound design."

"There’s something magical about the way FRMS handles sound. It’s intuitive yet deep, and I’ve created some of my best work using this app. Kudos to the developers for making such a high-quality product."

"FRMS is absolutely brilliant. The interface is smooth, and the ability to layer sounds and modulate them takes granular synthesis to another level. I’ve been recommending it to everyone I know."

"This app is an endless source of inspiration. Whether I’m working on cinematic soundscapes or glitchy textures, FRMS has everything I need. The layers and effects are phenomenal."

"If you love creating ambient music, this app is for you. The ability to tweak and layer samples into lush textures is incredible. It’s become an essential part of my workflow."

"The design of FRMS is superb. It’s both visually pleasing and incredibly functional. Every detail has been thought through, and the sound engine delivers in every way."

"Hands down, the best granular synth I’ve used. The presets are great, but what sets it apart is how intuitive it is to create your own unique sounds."

## Key features

- 4 Synthesis Engines per voice
- FM Modes & Operator Stacking
- Real-Time Granulation
- Deep Modulation & Envelope Control
- Advanced FX & Polyphony
- MPE Compatibility

## Pricing and in-app purchases

Base price: $8.99.

**One-time purchases**

| Purchase | Price | Type |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Supremeja Music Preset Pack | $8.99 | one-time |
| Sounds Of Saxophone | $8.99 | one-time |
| Glitches From The Heart | $8.99 | one-time |
| Sounds Of Guitar Preset Pack | $8.99 | one-time |
| Antique Shop Preset Pack | $8.99 | one-time |
| Sounds Of Clarinet Preset Pack | $8.99 | one-time |
| Sounds Of Bassoon Preset Pack | $8.99 | one-time |
| Sounds Of Foley 1 | $8.99 | one-time |
| Scratching The Surface 1 | $8.99 | one-time |
| Sounds Of Saxophone 2 Pack | $8.99 | one-time |
| Euphoria Preset Pack | $6.49 | one-time |
| Aural Alchemy 2 - Collector Edition | $11.99 | one-time |
| The Book Of Genesis | $11.99 | one-time |
| Aural Alchemy | $11.99 | one-time |
| Fragmented Chants | $5.99 | one-time |
| Ghost Signals Preset Pack | $7.99 | one-time |


## What do users think of FRMS?

Overall sentiment: positive

**Pros**

- 🎨 Fantastic sound design
- 👍 Intuitive and well-designed interface
- 🎶 Inspiring and creative sound possibilities
- 💻 Works great on iPad and desktop
- 🔑 Excellent preset packs

**Cons**

- 🔋 CPU-intensive, can cause performance issues
- 🔇 Bluetooth connectivity problems
- 💰 Expensive in-app purchases

**Commonly reported bugs**

- Crashes and audio glitches in certain DAW environments
- Issues with sample playback and freezing

**Most requested features**

- Ability to import larger sample files
- More granular control over modulation parameters
- Undo/redo functionality
- Improved MIDI integration and learn capabilities

## Recent user reviews (10 of 122)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/frms-granular-synthesizer/id1381392223/reviews.md

### 5/5 — Incredible sampler and synth combo...

*2026-06-09*

This one is probably gonna be one of the most useful tools in a musicians toolbox, with mindboggling possibilities and beautifully complex sounds with an almost effortless worksurface. This developer delivers on this and all his other apps especially the synth ones like this and the drc.

### 5/5 — Fantastic Synth

*2026-06-06*

I love this synth because it has such a unique sound, and it works really well as an AUV3, including in BAM, which you should also check out.

### 2/5 — MehrspurAufnahmen in Cubasis 3.8.3

*2026-04-18*

Ich versuche mit diesem ios Synth als Audiounit Mehrspuraufnahmen zu machen, aber dies funktioniert nicht. Es werden zwei Audio Units von FRMS geladen, doch wenn ich das Programm schließe und wieder öffne, wird die weitere Spur nicht mehr mit dem FRMS geladen. Gibt es eine Klärung für das Problem - mit anderen iOS Synths klappt dies? Wakanoa

### 5/5 — A special synthsiser

*2025-10-27*

This is a lovely, stable, powerful, flexible synthesiser.
Great design. Works well on phone and iPad.
The IAPs are very high quality and interesting.
My go-to granular. 5 stars for sure. Thanks. 👍🏼🎶

**Developer response:** We’re thrilled to hear that FRMS is your go-to granular! That means a lot to us. We’re also glad you’re enjoying not only FRMS but its expansion packs as well. That’s awesome 😁

### 4/5 — Wow, Klangwelten kreieren vom Feinsten

*2025-10-26*

Please open the 4MB lock in FRMS so that also larger Wave files are loaded in FRMS and Parts of it can be cut and stored. FRMS has the cutting function on board from the absence. And how about an X and Y touchpad as a new feature? Would do great in FRMS. Keep it up. I think your approach to developing music apps is great.

**Developer response:** Thank you for your suggestions! We'll create a ticket for future consideration.
We also appreciate your review!

### 5/5 — One of the Best

*2025-09-27, version 1.12.3*

I guess you could say that this synth is perfect because I can’t really think of any way it could be improved. From the sounds, the possibilities, the interface…it’s all there to instantly get creative. Freakin’ fantastic it is.

### 5/5 — Textural Ambient Bliss

*2025-09-24*

This is the granular synth you’re looking for! I have almost every one on the App Store and this is the one I pull up the most. Incredible sound design potential with 4 simultaneous engines that can be oscillators or sample-based grains, or a blend of both. Worth mentioning too that I bought 4-5 of the preset packs and they did NOT disappoint! Creative and inspiring right out of the box. All hail FRMS!

**Developer response:** Thank you very much for your feedback and for letting us know that FRMS is a great sound design companion. Our goal is for the expansion packs to be just as creative and fun to use as FRMS itself and to show FRMS potential. We're glad you're enjoying them ☺️

### 5/5 — Hands down the best!

*2025-09-11, version 1.12.3*

This synth is incredible. Low on cpu. Terrific sounds.

### 5/5 — FRMS Granul’Art for pure Creativity

*2025-07-12*

An extraordinary Space of new Sound atmospheres so nice to enlight your Creativity

**Developer response:** Thank you so much for your kind words! 🌌 We're thrilled to hear that FRMS is inspiring your creativity and helping you explore new sound atmospheres. If you ever have suggestions or ideas for future updates, feel free to share. Happy music-making! 🎶✨

### 5/5 — very playable synth 💜

*2025-06-19, version 1.12.3*

Nicely designed granular synth. Please, add MIDI learn capability for values in Matrix too…

## Frequently asked questions about FRMS

### What does FRMS do?

FRMS is a versatile synthesizer app that combines Granular, FM, Additive, and Subtractive synthesis in a layering system. It allows users to create a wide range of sounds, from ambient drones to glitchy textures, by combining up to four synthesis layers per voice.

### What are the key features of FRMS?

Key features include four distinct synthesis engines (Granular, FM, Additive, Subtractive) with four layers per voice, FM modes and operator stacking for complex tones, real-time granulation of samples or live audio, deep modulation and envelope control per layer, advanced effects like delay and reverb, and MPE compatibility.

### How much does FRMS cost?

The app is available for free, but it offers in-app purchases. This suggests that while the core functionality may be accessible, certain advanced features, presets, or additional content might require a purchase.

### Who is FRMS for?

FRMS is designed for both beginners and advanced sound designers. It's ideal for musicians and producers who want to explore complex sound creation, experiment with granular and FM synthesis, and create unique audio textures for their music.

### Can I import my own sounds into FRMS?

Yes, you can import your own sounds into FRMS for granulation. The app also provides a curated sample library and the ability to capture live audio, offering flexibility in how you create your sounds.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 1.13.3 — 2026-07-24

- Fixed sample rate related issue breaking recorded layer audio.

### 1.13.2 — 2026-06-12

- Fixed aftertouch modulation responding with a slight delay instead of immediately.

### 1.13.1 — 2026-04-10

- Fixes a crash while changing presets

### 1.13.0 — 2026-04-08

- Improved performance.
- Increased maximum voices to 6.

### 1.12.4 — 2025-09-29

- Include samples when exporting/importing bank and patch

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## More apps by Imaginando Lda

- [TKFX - Traktor Dj Controller](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tkfx-traktor-dj-controller/id898838871)
- [LK - Ableton & Midi Controller](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/lk-ableton-and-midi-controller/id944972221)
- [DRC - Polyphonic Synthesizer](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/drc-polyphonic-synthesizer/id973055710)
- [DLYM - Chorus & Flanger](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/dlym-chorus-and-flanger/id1381246923)
- [K7D - Tape Delay](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/k7d-tape-delay/id1460245991)

All apps by Imaginando Lda: https://appshunter.io/developer/895445015

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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 2026-08-29.*