# ShockWave - Synth Module — Phase Destructor Synth

> Monophonic Phase Distortion synthesizer with modular workflow for iOS and AUv3. (iPhone/iPad app by Kai Aras.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/shockwave-synth-module/id1449844670 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Kai Aras](https://appshunter.io/developer/370820899)
- Category: Music
- Price: $7.99 (on sale, was $19.99)
- Rating: 4.60/5 from 190 App Store ratings · 59 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 15.6 · 42 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2019-12-04
- Data updated: 2026-08-20
- Monetization: paid
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/shockwave-synth-module/id1449844670/reviews.md

## What is ShockWave?

ShockWave is a monophonic Synthesizer designed to bring modular style workflow to the world of iOS & AUv3 plugins. 

Built around the concept of Phase Distortion (PD) Synthesis, Shockwave includes a pair of PD Oscillators each capable of creating everything from pure Sine Waves over smooth Sawtooth and Square Waves to Resonance & Sync sweeps, filtered Noise and more. 

In addition to the Synth Voice, ShockWave includes a dedicated control section housing a pair of 8 step sequencers, a sample & hold module as well modules for trigger divisions, logic comparisons and controlled randomness. 

A pair of Low Frequency Oscillators and 2 Attack/Sustain/Release (ASR) Envelopes serve as main modulation sources and can be used in a number of ways. Envelopes can be triggered from a number of internal sources including other modules such as trigger divider, logic or chance module but can also be connected to each other allowing for a wide range of patches usually only possible in large modular systems. LFOs are individually tempo sync-able and capable of producing total of 5 different waveforms each.

The two sequencers can run independently or combine to one 16 step sequence where rate and length can be controlled independently for each of the two. 

In true modular nature almost any control within ShockWave can be modulated with up to 11 sources - simultaneously. Modulations are setup simply by holding a control and dialling in the desired amount in a list of all available sources. A special X-Ray mode adds a realtime display of all currently active modulations right at their corresponding control making it easy to understand what's happening inside the synthesizer at any given time. 

Synth Voice and Control Section are accompanied by built-in Delay and Reverb sections placed on send busses with all of their controls including the send levels being available as mod destinations. 

Last but not least, ShockWave features a solid MIDI implementation including support for, aftertouch, velocity, wheels, custom CC mappings and up to 4 dimensions of expression when using MPE compatible controllers, such as the Roli Seaboard, Linnstrument, Geoshred, KB-1 and others. 

MIDI Output is supported as well and includes Note and Control Change output generated from various internal sources including Sequencers, Envelopes and LFOs making it possible to control external MIDI gear or chain multiple plugin instances for advanced, self driving patches. 

Overview:
- Semi Modular Monophonic Synth Voice
- Phase Distortion Synthesis (PD)
- Dual PD Oscillators with 5 Waveforms + Noise 
- Dual ASR Envelopes with variable trigger source 
- Dual LFO with Tempo Sync
- Cross Modulation with Linear/Exp. FM, PM, AM & RM
- Mixer section with individual pan and level controls per oscillator
- Output VCA with variable control source 
- Pattern Generator for generating sequences from various internal sources
- Quantizer to force note input into a specific scale (19 Scales + User Scales)
- Step Sequencer with 2x8 or 1x16 steps, individual rate and number of steps per row 
- Trigger Divider for dividing internal trigger sources 
- Probability Gate for adding controlled randomness 
- Sample & Hold for additional randomness 
- Logic Module to create triggers from various internal sources 
- Built-in Delay & Reverb Effects 
- MIDI Note and CC output for controlling external gear or chaining multiple instances 
- Semi Modular Architecture 
- 11 Modulation Sources 
- 40 Modulation Destinations 
- 2 Color Themes 

MIDI Input:
- 4D Expression (Glide, Slide, Pressure & Velocity)
- Mod & Pitch-Wheel 
- Tempo Sync
- Custom CC Control

MIDI Output:
- Note
- Control Change 

Connectivity:
- Standalone
- AUv3
- AudioBus
- IAA

## Key features

- Phase Distortion Synthesis
- Dual PD Oscillators
- Dual 8-step Sequencers
- Dual ASR Envelopes
- Tempo-syncable LFOs
- Extensive Modulation Matrix
- MIDI and MPE Support

## What do users think of ShockWave?

Overall sentiment: mixed

**Pros**

- ✨ Unique and amazing sounds
- 🔊 Heavy and brutal tones
- 💡 Innovative phase distortion synthesis
- 🎨 Beautiful and deep sound sculpting
- 🎹 Great for bass sounds
- 🌟 Inspiring presets
- 🎛️ Tweakable parameters
- ✨ Gorgeous sounds
- 🎶 Weighty sound generation
- 🎛️ Semi-modular like interface
- 🚀 Fast loading in some apps
- 👍 Developer responsiveness (mentioned by some)
- 💎 Little treasure of an app
- 🎵 Dark and atmospheric synthesizer

**Cons**

- 🐛 Frequent crashes and glitches
- ❌ Not working in AUM/AUv3
- 🔇 No sound output in certain apps
- ❓ Difficult to use without a manual
- 📉 Laggy UI and slow patch loading
- ⚠️ "Bad Signal" errors
- 🎛️ Glitchy UI
- 📉 Poor performance on some devices
- 💸 Waste of money for some users
- 🚫 Unreliable for performance
- 🔋 Potential battery drainer
- 🔊 Noisy and glitchy volume
- 🎛️ Dials need more work
- 😵 Overwhelming without guidance

**Commonly reported bugs**

- "Bad Signal" errors in AUM, stops sound generation.
- Intermittent "bad signal" prompt in AUM, requires reloading.
- Sounds awful, very distorted with glitchy UI.
- App crashes frequently.
- No sound coming out of AUv3 in GarageBand.
- More than half of the sounds do not play.
- Performance remains but synth loads blank when returning to work after closing.
- App stops producing sound after a few minutes of use.
- Preset browser causes the app to stop producing sound.
- No audio output on iPhone 6 & 7 plus, sometimes noise when changing presets, keyboard doesn't work.
- Randomize button not viewable on iPhone 6.
- App crashes when returning to a project.
- App crashes on the loading screen on iPhone 11, but works on iPhone 7.
- Hangs and freezes, won't load/work in AUM or GarageBand.
- Horribly laggy, almost unusable.
- Volume is noisy and glitchy.
- Response on dials needs more work.
- Modulation tab issues, unable to turn other knobs properly.
- DAW incompatibility issues.
- App crashing, won't even load.

**Most requested features**

- Provide a proper manual detailing all parameters and sections with examples.
- Implement a key trigger option for the sequencer to allow MIDI controller playback.
- Add a poly mode.
- Improve documentation and tutorials.
- Standardize knob appearance and response.
- Increase the number of available patches beyond 128.

## Recent user reviews (10 of 59)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/shockwave-synth-module/id1449844670/reviews.md

### 5/5 — Heavy tones

*2025-04-07*

My go to for harsh sounds. Play this through a 1000 watt pa and experience total brutality.

### 1/5 — BADSIGNALAUv3INAUMNotWork

*2024-12-02*

Developer Kai Aras, when you finish loading the Shockwave app in AUM, as auv3, it immediately shows me “BAD SIGNAL”, and it no longer generates sound, you can’t hear anything, even if I select or change any of its presets. I press where it says “BAD SIGNAL” and I get the following as a warning: “Bad Signal, some node in this channel is producing invalid signal values ​​(NaN or inf) Try to see which plugin is causing the issue and let their developer know about it.”. I have read all the reviews of this app, and they all refer to problems with the volume and other things, which you in 4 years have not deigned to repair or solve with some update. That is what we call irresponsibility.

### 2/5 — Bad signal

*2024-11-29*

Getting intermittent bad signal prompt in AUM then fails to work and needs reloading

### 2/5 — Glitchty

*2024-03-13*

Sounds awful, very distorted with glitchy UI. Needs an update, this one.

### 3/5 — Lovely and infuriating

*2024-01-25*

Gorgeous sounds but glitchy with no proper manual

### 1/5 — 🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨

*2023-11-13, version 1.1.3*

He can make great apps but he doesn’t maintain or fix the Bugs doesn’t look safe to purchase from this developer anymore

### 5/5 — As close to a semimodular there is!

*2023-04-18, version 1.1.3*

Thank you Jacob Haq for turning me on to this awesome synth!

### 1/5 — aber

*2023-02-04*

wirklich klasse soundmöglichkeiten…
aber in AUM werden die verwendeten sounds nicht gespeichert, bein neu laden immer nur INIT, das ist nervig.
das speichern drr einstellungen sollte eigentlich selbstverständlich sein!
schade, deshalb irgendwie unbrauchbar und viel punkteabzug.
bitte korrigieren, denn dann wäre es wirklich ein klasse synth.

### 5/5 — Simply a great synth

*2022-12-22*

Phase Distortion seems to make such weighty sounds. Great app.

### 2/5 — Brilliant synth but w/o manual…forget it!

*2022-09-20*

Kai Aras is brilliant, and all his apps are among the best. If all you want to do with this app is use the presets, great. You’ll hear some incredible sounds.

But if you’d actually like to design your own presets, or even creatively modify existing presets, good luck.

Without a manual that details the function and examples of every parameter and section of this very deep synth, it’s extremely difficult to understand and use.

I cannot understand why the dev, after spending so much time to create such a wonderful product, would throw this beast into the wild and expect the majority of people buying it to somehow understand how to use it.

Based on my experience with this and other similar difficult apps, I will never again purchase a product from a developer that doesn’t have a well written manual.

To Kai and other developers: please take the time to produce a well written manual that not only describes the function of every parameter and section in your software but also gives examples of how to use it.

Help us to understand and enjoy your amazing apps. Otherwise, what’s the point?

**Developer response:** Message received, thank you!

## Frequently asked questions about ShockWave

### What is ShockWave?

ShockWave is a monophonic synthesizer application designed for iOS and AUv3 plugin environments. It specializes in Phase Distortion synthesis, offering a modular-style workflow for creating a wide range of sounds.

### What are the key features of ShockWave?

Key features include dual Phase Distortion oscillators, dual 8-step sequencers, dual ASR envelopes, tempo-syncable LFOs, an extensive modulation matrix with real-time visual feedback, and comprehensive MIDI/MPE support.

### How much does ShockWave cost?

ShockWave is a paid application. The price is a one-time purchase, and there are no in-app purchases or subscription fees associated with its use.

### What devices is ShockWave compatible with?

ShockWave is compatible with iOS devices that support AUv3 plugins. This includes many modern iPhones and iPads, allowing it to be used within compatible DAWs and audio apps.

### What are some common use cases for ShockWave?

Common use cases include creating unique basslines, leads, and atmospheric textures. Its modular nature and extensive modulation capabilities make it suitable for experimental sound design and complex electronic music production.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 1.1.6 — 2026-05-21

- Fixed an issue where the standalone app would not start properly
- Improved iPhone AUv3 UI

### 1.1.5 — 2026-05-20

- Fixed an issue where the plugin would sometimes crash when loading host sessions with many plugins

### 1.1.4 — 2025-02-28

- Fixed an issue where the AUv3 would not load properly in some cases

### 1.1.3 — 2020-09-21

- Fixed an issue where the AUv3 version would scroll the UI when adjusting the volume sliders

### 1.1.2 — 2020-09-18

1.1.2 (141)
- Fixed an issue where loading patches would not work on iOS 14.
- Fixed an issue where midi settings would be initialized to "Regular Mode" in some cases making it seem as if the synth wasn't working when using the on-screen keyboard.
- Fixed an issue where the AUv3 would not restore note priority settings
- Fixed an issue where the AUv3 would not show the main screen when first launching 
- Minor visual tweaks

## Apps similar to ShockWave

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| --- | --- | --- | --- |
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| [BLEASS Alpha Synthesizer](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bleass-alpha-synthesizer/id1476042892) | 4.9 (107) | $14.99 | Music |
| [Poseidon Synth](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/poseidon-synth/id1045058006) | 4.0 (33) | $7.99 | Music |
| [BLEASS Megalit](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bleass-megalit/id1596728818) | 4.5 (30) | $9.99 | Music |
| [Addictive Pro](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/addictive-pro/id1130398188) | 4.7 (18) | $5.99 | Music |
| [Phosphor 3](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/phosphor-3/id1499115553) | 4.7 (9) | $5.99 | Music |

## More apps by Kai Aras

- [MIDIBrute](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/midibrute/id1010753735)
- [RP-1 Delay](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/rp-1-delay/id1079530569)
- [RF-1 Reverb](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/rf-1-reverb/id1097763239)
- [VC-1 Chorus](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/vc-1-chorus/id1130683829)
- [Italizer](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/italizer/id1133091743)
- [VOLT Synth](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/volt-synth/id1185984394)

All apps by Kai Aras: https://appshunter.io/developer/370820899

## Related topics

[shockwave](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/shockwave) · [nikaya wavetable and fm synth](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/nikaya-wavetable-and-fm-synth) · [bb17 binaural auv3 synth](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/bb17-binaural-auv3-synth)

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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 2026-08-20.*