# Mononoke — user reviews > 76 indexed App Store user reviews of Mononoke by Bram Bos, rated 4.80/5 from 103 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mononoke/id1492577124/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mononoke/id1492577124.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 93 · 4★ 4 · 3★ 2 · 2★ 1 · 1★ 3 ## What do users think of Mononoke? Overall sentiment: positive **Pros** - ✨ Unique sound design - 🎹 Incredible sound quality - 🎶 Excellent MPE playability - 🎨 Intuitive and great interface - 💡 Innovative and unique instrument - 🚀 Fast and easy to work with (in AUM) - 🎧 Masterfully recreates and improves on Lyra-8 - 🌟 Expressive and evolving drones - 🎵 Easy to use and make amazing sounds - 🎛️ Innovative and well-laid-out - 🤩 Visceral and organismic sound - 💯 Worth every penny - ✨ Beautifully expressive synth - 🌈 Versatile soundscapes - 🧘 Relaxing and hypnotic sounds - 🚀 Great for ambient and drone music - 🎶 Makes ambient music easier and more fun - 🤩 Incredible textures - 🎹 Tunable playing pads - 🎶 Great for soundtracks and soundscapes - ✨ Ethereal and haunting sounds - 💯 Brilliant and versatile - 🎶 Super expressive - ✨ Darkly warm and hypnotic - 🎵 Ambient masterpiece - 🎶 Atmospheric cadence - ✨ Gorgeous and unique - 🚀 Expands horizons - 👍 Accessible yet deep - 🚀 Drama-in-a-box - 🌟 Well-thought-out classic - 🎶 Majestic base for guitar - ✨ Perfect original sounding synth - 💯 Favorite synth - 🎶 Beautiful UI - 🤩 Great developer - 🚀 Breaks the mold - 🎶 Insane in the best way - 💯 Massive sound - ✨ Instant purchase developer - 🎶 Drone-centric **Cons** - 🚫 No record function in standalone - 🎛️ Lacks a dedicated volume knob - 🎛️ Limited control voltage structures - ⚠️ Requires an open mind, not traditional synth - 🤔 Bit of a learning curve **Commonly reported bugs** - Notes hang when pressing more than one on MIDI controller - No aftertouch - Crashes frequently - Sound cuts off after a few minutes - App not appearing as Inter-App or AUv3 - App opens and freezes, does not load **Most requested features** - More pads or a play surface page - Add on top of current features - More tone shaping controls - Built-in delay with modulation - Random button for pads - Random button for synth ## Newest reviews (13 of 76) ### 5/5 — Superb *2020-10-18* This is a really enjoyable synth to play with, it was a bit of an impulse pour chase but I’m so glad I did. Plus, you can tune each channel to any note you like which is really handy. I actually didn’t find this difficult at all to get going with and making amazing sounds. It’s pretty easy really, and comes with a decent amount of presets to get you going. Lovely stuff. ### 5/5 — Sonic trance *2020-04-29* This thing is so easy to use and while I haven't done anything song like with it I just get lost playing the instrument. Almost like a relaxation game for musicians. I'd like a few extra tone shaping controls and such but I can also see the value of keeping it simple. Just a fantastic app which works for me in more ways than one. ipI can see it being used in a musical project but right now I fine it a great tool for relaxing what I explore a soundscape unfolding before my ears. I'd love a but in delay with modulation. But again, so good as it is. ### 5/5 — Removed *2020-04-14* Removed ### 5/5 — Wonderful drone synth *2020-04-08* As I learn my way around Mononoke, it’s become one of my favorite instruments. Its drones are so expressive, going from pure tones to howling nightmares as the wavefolder and feedback kick in. The multiple LFOs keep the sound in motion. And the pads let you change chords or add some melody during a performance. I’ve found Mononoke to be a perfect accompaniment to ambient guitar. It sets the key and mode for me to solo over, and it can match the sweetness or harshness of the guitar’s tone. It’s really been putting my creativity in high gear! I should note that I own a Lyra-8, the Russian synth that clearly inspired Mononoke. The Lyra-8 is a crazed beast I’m almost afraid to turn on. Bram Bos has caught its spirit but tamed it a bit, made it into something mere mortals can explore and live to tell the tale. ### 5/5 — Yes! *2020-03-28* Very well done, Bram Bos! I instantly fell in love with the sound of this synth. Actually a nice companion for my Lyra-8! ;) ### 5/5 — A Subtle Beast *2020-03-28* Only subtle until you understand that is not that at all. Once again, Bram kills the game with his vision and amazing creativity to create usable inst. Nothing new in way of this developers knack for making machines that not only are incredibly usable but stable and expressive. 10 Stars. ### 5/5 — The Best *2020-03-14* the best ios synth for ambient/experimental musicians right now ### 5/5 — Tunings ! *2020-03-14, version 1.2.1* Woah I over looked the tuning capabilities Excellent! ### 5/5 — It’s a drone deal *2020-03-13* Excellent synth, works incredibly well. Expressive, expansive and fun. ### 5/5 — Fabulous Synth *2020-03-12, version 1.2* The presets are awesome, the controls intuitive, the whole package is great. You could produce a whole ambient album with this alone. Drone on! ### 5/5 — Oh please... UPDATE *2020-03-10* The most recent update is so new it’s not even in the version history! I like dat! Every little tweak brings something new. Subtle is good in drone/ambient. I don’t understand what some people were expecting. If it’s a “one trick pony” what’s wrong with that? It’s a good one! The increased range on the pitch bend brings it into Theremin territory (another one trick pony?). With all of its other functions it’s a Theremin on steroids. ### 5/5 — Fantastic *2020-02-12* This is just my cup of tea. Brilliant. Versatile. Works great on AUM coupled with various effects processors. Must-buy for lovers of ambient and drone soundscapes. ### 5/5 — Love it *2020-01-31* I'm relatively new to iOS music making, but ambient is my thing, and a drone synth like Mononoke made my creative journey easier, more beautiful, and more fun to learn. I look forward to more from Bram Box. ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — Nothing but crashing *2020-10-21* Opened 3 times in 10 minutes......sound cuts off after a few minutes.....honestly can't even say anything about it cause it just won't run correctly.......I may be on an ipad4 but that's no reason for this app not to be working, as I have plenty other apps from this dev plus many other apps just as new as this app that run flawlessly......and I definitely do want a refund. EDIT I understand that but that does not change the fact that it crashes ...... and for that I would like a refund. It's not asking much. **Developer response:** Sorry to hear that. The app should run perfectly, as it does for most other people. Indeed it is possible that the iPad 4 is unfortunately not powerful enough for this synthesizer because there’s a lot going on inside (and the App Store won’t let me exclude availability on older devices). ### 1/5 — Total waste of $9 *2020-02-28, version 1.1* Does not work with Inter-App Audio in GarageBand. Horrible. ### 1/5 — App Fails to Load *2020-01-20, version 1.0.2* App opens and freezes. Does not work at all. ### 2/5 — Issues with mononoke *2020-10-17, version 1.2.1* The app can’t appear in my iPad whether as inter app or auv3 pls pls fixes the problem because I just purchased it. ### 3/5 — Bad Midi Controllability *2023-06-05* note to dev: learn to take some criticism for your work. its a great app, just needs some attention in some areas. settle down bram wow This app makes notes hang when you press more than one on any midi controller. Also there is no aftertouch which makes playing it with a keyboard even more useless. ty. **Developer response:** Hi, the default control mode is set to MPE. If you want to control it with a standard MIDI controller you can switch to MIDI mode. The switch is in the center of the UI. If you have issues with my apps it’s better to email me than to use the review system. ### 3/5 — Was soll das sein...!? *2020-01-21* Eigentlich sind die Bram Bos Synths alle sehr geil, aber dieser hier klingt einfach immer nur gleich - nach Squarewave. Vielleicht wird ja nochmal nachgebessert. Vielleicht fehlt mir ja aber auch nur die Phantasie für einen Anwendungsfall... **Developer response:** Hi! Only the individual voices sound like simple oscillators, but you have to think of this like a huge FM-synth: use feedback to let multiple voices FM each other to make hugely complex evolving sounds. Check the manual on Ruismaker.com for more details, thanks! ### 4/5 — I’ve been chasing that sound *2023-06-09, version 1.2.2* I finally took the Euro-Rack plunge after hearing a Radigue recording. The Arp 2500 modules are intriguing, but this stunning App takes great strides at the price of a sandwich. And plays with the new Logic Pro. ### 4/5 — Not Your Average Synthsizer *2020-07-06* Actually, Mononoke is not a synthesizer. It is an electronic musical instrument to be sure. But it is not a synthesizer in the normal sense of the word. Lots of good things to say about, but most of them have been said in other reviews. The bottom line is it is a great deal of fun to play around with. The range of music you can do with Mononoke is quite limited. But think of it as a specialty instrument, not a general purpose synthesizer. One of the best features is its playability. Control Voltage structures are limited. The instrument is clearly intended to be played manually, complete with MPE data capabilities. The included ability to use the tunable playing pads as a separate MIDI control surface to play other instruments within an AU host is a great big plus. Shortcomings: ¡¡Mononoke NEEDS a dedicated volume knob!! The lack of a discrete master volume knob is very limiting. You have only one really useful way to control the volume of Mononoke, which is to run it through an AU mixer or host DAW. But that can be awkward, especially in live performance. A simple volume knob seems to me to be a necessary, obvious and very simple item on the upgrade list. ### 4/5 — Bonjour l'ambiance ! *2020-03-31* Profitant de son expérience dans le domaine (voir ses autres applis) le développeur nous pond un synthé orienté uniquement sur les nappes et autres drones de qualité. La notice (dispo en .pdf sur le net) me paraît essentielle pour gagner du temps dans son optimisation. La banque d'origine est assez complète et servira de base à ses propres arrangements. Le coup des 8 pads à variation tactile en direct apporte beaucoup à l'intérêt de cette appli. Un outil performant, assez original, réservé aux amateurs de compos électroniques et aux autres soundmaker pour compléter leurs panoplies. ### 5/5 — This one...!!!!! Incredible...Awesome developer *2026-05-29, version 1.2.2* Unique mpe playability and absolutely incredible aound design...also the Sampler ... Perfect keyboards and Sonic Heaven!!!!! ## Most praised reviews (9 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — Exactly what I was looking for *2026-04-20* Its a mix between a Lyra 8 and an Elmyra 2, very good ### 5/5 — Fun to use *2025-01-14* Mononoke is fun and easy to use. Sounds great. Looks great. It could be mistaken for a toy but it's not. Normally you'd use this as AUv3 in something like Cubasis, GarageBand, Logic, AUM, et cetera (I recommend AUM because it's so fast and easy to work in). Mononoke does not have a record function in standalone, so if you want to capture an impromptu performance record the screen (then separate the audio and video in something like LumaFusion if you just want sound). The best control and most fun is in using the built-in keyboard. Play around with it and you'll quickly see why. ### 5/5 — Awesome! An instrument of a kind..... *2024-04-10* Please continue to update the app as it is-because it is absolutely perfect-almost.. Could use more pads or a play surface page to set up with user input of pads and effect control surfaces live control surface improvements... But please don't change anything as it is, as it's perfect!!! Maybe add on top of it?-it's amazing and unique!!!!! ### 5/5 — Spectacular *2023-10-17, version 1.2.2* This is one of my favorite iOS synths. Absolutely incredible sounds, and a great interface for expressions. Kudos to the devs. I adore Mononoke. ### 5/5 — This can never go away. *2022-07-01, version 1.2.2* I will require this synthesizer in hardware format please.. thank you ;) ### 5/5 — Innovative and very well laid out *2021-11-25, version 1.2.2* I gave initially just one star because it wasn’t working, but Bram replied immediately to my request providing the very simple solution. I’d definitely recommend this unique Synth ### 5/5 — Monster drone synth! *2021-05-26* When I first bought this app, I didn’t know what to make of it. Then, I watched videos on the Lyra-8 and everything fell into place. This app masterfully recreates and improves on the original design. Not only does it have the crazy feedback modulations on the oscillators, it has added LFO waves, wavefolding, and MPE sensitive buttons with individual holds and velocity. This synth is worth every penny, and once you delve into modulating the voices and put the presets aside, you will find that this app is every bit as visceral and organismic as the Lyra-8. In my opinion, it is even more so. ### 5/5 — I’m all about this *2020-11-13* Another future classic from one of ios’ most innovative developers. Don’t think just buy. ### 5/5 — Not working *2020-10-19* App won‘t open in standalone mode on iPad v13.7 and does not show up in Audiobus as audio unit (AUv3) **Developer response:** Please try restarting your device and see if it shows up then. A restart forces iOS to scan for newly installed plugins and solves 99% of such issues. Let us know if that solves it! Thanks. --- *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 2026-08-26.*