Retromulator

Retromulator

Classic Hardware Emulator

3 ratings
6 reviews
$4.99

Details

  • Released
  • Updated

Features

Retromulator screenshot #1 for iPhone
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About

This app recreates legendary vintage synthesizers, samplers, and keyboards through accurate emulation. It functions as a standalone application or an AUv3 plugin, offering classic electronic music hardware sounds on iOS devices.

Cycle-accurate hardware emulation
AUv3 plugin support
Standalone app functionality
Full MIDI control
ROM firmware loading
Background audio support
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What's New in Retromulator

1.4.2

May 13, 2026

New SID GoatTracker .sid bank loading (PSID/RSID) — extracts instruments and macro tables from files packed by GoatTracker 2's exporter, with automatic detection of per-export feature flags (nopulse, nofilter, noinstrvib, fixedparams). Fixed SID program combo showing only the index (e.g. "001") with no instrument name after bank load — the patch-name update path was clearing the authoritative name from the bank file.

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User reviews

Shows Awesome potentials and possibilities!!!!!

I dunno about the other comments on here but i personally love this app and look forward to iap s for extra other platforms which ca emu,ate actual devices and thus handle those devices' native files and in turn use them to emulate the whole of any hardware within virtual space, not just sound like certain synthesizers,but BEactual virtually scaled software versions which results in taking those hardsynths up a notch and unifying those with other synth designs collectively having True access to what is otherwise imagination food...
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Sadly Disappointed

I wish I had more completely read the information about the app before purchase. It’s simply unusable on my hardware.

Works okay iPad Pro latest

The sounds work alright.Closed snd opened again. Menus are a little finicky and some menu items like key sizes wont work past default ,but it works poly and sounds pretty unique.for 5, cant beat with Auv3 inclusion

Buyer Beware

App-waste. Does not work on my A14; constant dropouts and nothing even close to serviceable. I doubt this works any better on an M-class, but feel free to roll the dice

RE: Developers Reply

I can now request a refund as you’ve processed payment; I await your approval given your reply.

Your own description says a modern device like one with an A14 or M1 core is needed to run the DSP based cores, so change your copy.
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Response from developer

Apple does refund App Store purchases, requested at reportaproblem.apple.com. Stating otherwise in a public review is misinformation. For context: OPL3, OpenWurli, S1000 and DX7 run flawlessly on A14. Performance on heavier cores (56k emulators) is constrained by JITless iOS and we disclaim this clearly before purchase. If you had reached us via web support first, we could have pointed you to cores that work on your device or helped you with the Apple refund.

I TAKE IT BACK THIS APPS AWESOME

Way too complicated to even get a sound out of this
Also just loads presets
Nothing tweakable really
I’ve followed all the install steps and GitHub bs and it took forever to get a sound out of this
FINALLY GOT IT WORKING

Response from developer

Thank you! We're glad you're having fun.

Developer apps

FAQ

What classic hardware does Retromulator emulate?

Retromulator emulates a variety of classic hardware, including Access Virus A, B, and C, Clavia Nord Lead 2X, Roland JP-8000, Waldorf microQ, Yamaha DX7, Commodore 64 SID, Wurlitzer 200A, and Akai S1000.

Does Retromulator have ads?

No, Retromulator does not contain advertisements. It is a paid application.

What devices is Retromulator compatible with?

Retromulator is compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch devices.

How often is Retromulator updated?

The latest version, 1.4.2, was released on May 13, 2026, indicating recent development activity.

What is the price of Retromulator?

Retromulator is available for a one-time purchase of $4.99.

Can I use Retromulator with other music apps?

Yes, Retromulator supports native AUv3 plugin functionality, allowing it to be used with DAWs like AUM, Cubasis, GarageBand, and Logic Pro.

What are the performance limitations of Retromulator on iOS?

Due to iOS sandbox restrictions, DSP cores run in interpreter mode, which is slower than desktop versions. This may result in higher CPU usage, reduced polyphony, and limited multitimbral capability, especially on older devices. A modern device (A14/M1 or newer) and a high audio buffer size are recommended for optimal performance.

What is the age rating for Retromulator?

Retromulator has an age rating of 4+, making it suitable for a wide range of users.