# rhodopsin — video synthesizer

> Live video performance synthesizer with mixer, effects, and MIDI control. (iPhone/iPad app by Christopher Barth.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/rhodopsin/id6471383189 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Christopher Barth](https://appshunter.io/developer/1715210913)
- Category: Photo & Video, Graphics & Design
- Price: $9.99
- Rating: 5.00/5 from 25 App Store ratings · 11 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 15.0 · 292 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2024-11-15
- Data updated: 2026-08-24
- Monetization: paid
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/rhodopsin/id6471383189/reviews.md

## What is rhodopsin?

rhodopsin is a video synthesizer for live video performances. It feeds video sources into a mixer into three effects in series. Source, mixer and effect parameters can be controlled by LFOs, envelopes and MIDI.

## Key features

- Video source mixing
- Three sequential effects
- LFO and envelope control
- MIDI parameter control
- Live performance focused

## Chart rankings

- #187 in Top Paid · Photo & Video (US App Store)

## Recent user reviews (10 of 11)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/rhodopsin/id6471383189/reviews.md

### 5/5 — Makes Video Synthesis fun and intuitive

*2026-03-30*

I’ve tried a bunch of video synths (hardware and software) and none of them has been as easy to pick up and as fun the mess with as this one! The workflow of the synth is easy to grasp quickly yet so versatile. It’s so easy to get lost in making visuals with this app!

### 5/5 — proper video synthesizer

*2025-11-11*

I've been exploring this app since it was in beta. The developer is always improving and adding more. I've always needed a laptop and applications like cycling 74's Jitter for video synthesis. Not any longer. My only requests would be a method to sync rhodopsin to midi, as well as ableton link. An outstanding video synthesizer. Thank you for releasing this on ios/ipad.

### 5/5 — Worth the moolah

*2025-11-09*

Great video synth! Very powerful and I'm stoked on creating patches with it in the future. Would be nice to have slew on the random modulations so they're not soo jerky with the effect it's modulating. Either way, it's worth the money all day and I will be recommending to anyone in the video synth world!

### 5/5 — My favorite go to for visuals

*2025-06-15*

Incredible amount of generative creativity, way beyond worth the price! The updates have been very impactful and exciting as well.

### 5/5 — Love love love this app

*2025-06-14*

A Vj friend recommended this to me the other day. I’ve been using it on his iPhone for a while and just got it for my iPad for live sets. I’d love to have a landscape mode as I lock my iPad in landscape for other apps to scale with a capture card.

**Developer response:** I'm going to add landscape mode for tablets to rhodopsin's feature request backlog. thanks for the feedback!

### 5/5 — Wow

*2025-05-17*

Saw another reviewer mention Cathodemer and immediately was like, Oh yeah, this is exactly what I’m looking for. UI was intimidating at first (very new to this stuff) but was quite easy to get the hang of. Already getting impressive results. Excited to use this in projects.

### 4/5 — Almost perfect if not for a couple bugs

*2025-04-30*

Incredible generative visual software for the price. Really easy and fun to make hundreds of unique visuals. At least on this current update, there is just a few issues with slider changes. Example: changing FX 2 could change the parameters of the other source oscillators, 
Or mapping an lfo to one parameter could map to other parameters you didn’t assign.
Hoping those bugs can be fixed and then I would rate this 5 stars.

**Developer response:** I have seen this behavior periodically throughout development and have been trying to find a consistent repro for the bug. If you have any specific things you think cause the slider miss-mappings to happen or any sets where the issue more consistently occurs, please feel free to send it my way at rawyawmedia@gmail.com. I have wanted to fix this for a while.

### 5/5 — Excellent app

*2025-03-14*

Thanks for making this. Been wanting a good video synth app for iOS. 😻

### 5/5 — Really simple, complex and fun

*2024-12-07*

Excellent little inspirational app spend a lot of down time creating with it.

### 5/5 — Great for live performances

*2024-11-29*

I normally use a LZX for performances. This is a great companion to my other VJ gear. I love the feedback effects and the MIDI mapping. Just wish I could use a webcam or iPhone as a camera source! Or even pull from a bank of videos. Looking forward to the updates.

## Frequently asked questions about rhodopsin

### What is rhodopsin used for?

rhodopsin is a video synthesizer primarily used for live video performances. It allows for mixing video sources and applying a series of effects in real-time.

### What kind of control does rhodopsin offer?

Users can control source, mixer, and effect parameters within rhodopsin. This control is enhanced by the ability to use LFOs, envelopes, and MIDI inputs.

### What devices does rhodopsin support?

rhodopsin is available for iPhone, iPad, and iPod devices, making it versatile for various mobile performance setups.

### How much does rhodopsin cost?

rhodopsin is a paid application, priced at $9.99. This one-time purchase grants access to all its features.

### Is rhodopsin suitable for beginners?

While designed for live performances, the app's parameter control with LFOs and envelopes may require some familiarity with synthesis concepts. However, its core functionality is straightforward for video manipulation.

### How often is rhodopsin updated?

The latest version, 1.8, was last updated on February 24, 2026. This indicates a developer actively maintaining and improving the application.

### Does rhodopsin have ads?

No, rhodopsin does not contain advertisements. As a paid application, it offers an uninterrupted user experience.

### What is the user sentiment for rhodopsin?

rhodopsin has received overwhelmingly positive feedback, holding a perfect 5.0-star rating from 19 user reviews, suggesting high user satisfaction.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 1.9 — 2026-05-24

SOURCES:
CHECKER
MARBLES
MOIRE.*
OUT.* for per step feedback
TEXT sources merged for slider based font swapping
TUNNEL

EFFECTS:
BARREL
BLOOM
CONTRAST
DILATION
EDGE.DETECT
EMBOSS
FDBK.XY
FILT.BAND, FILT.HIGH, FILT.LOW
HUE.SHIFT
MOIRE.*
RAINBOW.RISO
SATURATE
TRUCHET.* color improvements
VHS.BETA

MOD:
LFO.TRI
SYNC.* tempo synced LFOs

MISC:
Memory improvements
SWAP bug fixes

### 1.8 — 2026-02-24

rhodopsin 1.8

new rect.rgb, rect.ryb, rect.cmyk, rect.riso sources
new max and min mixers
new compress, crt.rgb, crt.ryb, crt.cmyk, crt.riso effects

### 1.7 — 2026-02-01

rhodopsin 1.7:

new RAY source
new INTERLACE effect
new TRUCHET.CIR and TRUCHET.TRI effects
new TILE.HEALTH and TILE.DEATH effects
new LFO.RAND.E and LFO.RAND.L (interpolated rand) modulators 

GLBL.VIDEO has been converted into VIDEO.CH1 and VIDEO.CH2
GLBL.IMAGE source has been converted into IMAGE.CH1 and IMAGE.CH2
RISOGRAPH (effect), GRAIN (effect) and DISSOLVE (mixer) have been split into two effects for different noise sources. *.BI suffix uses bilinear noise source. *.P suffix uses point noise source.
FISHEYE effect now supports circular cropping
bug fixes for VIDEO.* and IMAGE.* mismatched source vs output aspect ratios

note: 1.7 contains a large refactor for codebase reuse in other projects; feel free to reach out on the raw yaw media discord if you encounter any issues.

### 1.6 — 2025-10-06

ipad now supports landscape orientations
new ascii and tile effects
strobe effect has additional button controls
a bug fix for modulator parameter mapping when swapping components

### 1.5 — 2025-06-15

new plaid, trig.circ, trig.sqr sources
new mirror effect
various sources and effects have been updated to include trigger buttons and note midi mapping

a bug fix for dz.* sources when resolutions are changed to 9:16 aspect ratio
a bug fix where ctrl values were getting mapped to the same data for effects

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## More apps by Christopher Barth

- [tangram couture](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tangram-couture/id6737456232)

All apps by Christopher Barth: https://appshunter.io/developer/1715210913

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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 2026-08-24.*