# Sylo Synthesiser > Create custom musical instruments and sound effects using granular synthesis and audio manipulation. (iPhone/iPad app by Wooji Juice Ltd.) - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sylo-synthesiser/id378074598 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`) - Developer: [Wooji Juice Ltd](https://appshunter.io/developer/284937604) - Category: Music, Entertainment - Price: Free - Rating: 4.10/5 from 24 App Store ratings · 138 written reviews indexed - Age rating: 4+ - Requires: iOS 10.3 · 6 MB - Languages: American English - Released: 2010-07-24 - Data updated: 2026-08-10 - Monetization: paid - User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sylo-synthesiser/id378074598/reviews.md ## What is Sylo Synthesiser? Sylo Synthesiser allows you to play music, or create sound effects, using sounds you can design yourself. Sylo Synth includes a collection of pre-designed sounds which you can use as they are, tweak them to your heart's desire, or you can make new sounds from scratch. Build sounds from basic waveforms, or capture them from the world around you using the iPad's built-in microphone. Then, tinker with Sylo Synthesiser's filters and other settings to make a sound all your own. Sylo Synthesiser features live time-stretching technology based on granular synthesis and a suite of filters: • Speed up or slow down a recorded sound to use as an instrument • With a regular wavetable synthesiser, higher-pitched notes are also faster, like chipmunks, and lower-pitched notes are also slower, as though they are moving through treacle • But enable Sylo's "Sync Speed" feature, and lower or higher-pitched notes still play back at the same speed, keeping them in sync with each other • Fiddle with the speed control even while you're playing notes: Slow, stop or even rewind the sound in the middle of notes — without changing the pitch • Granular synthesis allows you to create instruments or effects from a recording, that do not sound like the original, yet retain its realistic, natural sound • FX units: Frequency modulation, ring modulation, echo/delay, distortion, and a low-pass filter with resonance control Sylo Synthesiser also supports Core MIDI: play music from another device via MIDI. Additional features: • Use existing audio files as the building-blocks of your instrument: import audio from wave, aiff, mp3 and aac/m4a files • Save recordings to your iPad or to online storage providers • Save your new instruments to the preset list for quick access • Exchange audio with other apps via AudioCopy/AudioPaste or "Open in..." (where supported) Please note: The microphone button in Sylo Synthesiser is for recording sound into the synth, to use as the basis for new instruments — not for making a permanent record of what you play! (We've heard from a couple of people confused about this so we thought we'd make it clear!) If you wish to record your performances, you can use the Record button in the toolbar for this purpose. ## Key features - Design sounds from scratch - Capture audio via microphone - Import audio files - Granular synthesis - Live time-stretching - MIDI support - FX units ## What do users think of Sylo Synthesiser? Overall sentiment: positive **Pros** - 🎵 Unique grain synthesis capabilities - 🎹 Intuitive and easy-to-use interface - 🎤 Built-in sampling and recording features - ⚡ Quick sound creation and manipulation - 🎚️ Extensive parameter tweaking options - 📋 Excellent user manual and documentation - 🆓 Free version available with solid features - 🔄 Good copy/paste functionality - 🎧 High-quality sound output - 🎯 Great for sound design and experimentation - 📱 Stable performance (when working properly) - 🎼 MIDI support available **Cons** - 🐛 Frequent crashes and freezing issues - 🔌 No Audiobus support - 🔗 Limited connectivity with other apps - 📱 iPad-only (no iPhone version) - 🎵 Audio quality issues with pops and crackles - 💾 Cannot save custom sounds (in earlier versions) - 🎹 Small keyboard keys difficult to play - ⚠️ Stability issues at extreme control settings - 🔊 Mono microphone input limitation - 📊 Limited factory sound library - 🎯 Steep learning curve for advanced features - 🚫 No IAA or AU plugin support **Commonly reported bugs** - App crashes on startup or when opening microphone - Crashes when rotating dials or using extreme control settings - Pops and clicking noises during playback - Audio distortion and warbling when holding keys - Freezing when using polyphony or complex loops - Keys remain pressed when scrolling between octaves - App won't load certain WAV files - Sound function fails requiring app reboot - Recording playback not functioning - Incompatibility with newer iOS versions - Update-related stability issues **Most requested features** - Audiobus integration - AU/IAA plugin support - iPhone version - Save custom sounds functionality - Larger, more playable keyboard keys - Stereo microphone input support - Expanded sound library - MIDI connectivity improvements - Metronome feature - Sequencer integration - Waveform trimming in sample editor - Core MIDI support - Wave shape editor - Modulation matrix - Hardware compatibility with modern devices - Preset settings for specific sounds ## Recent user reviews (10 of 138) All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sylo-synthesiser/id378074598/reviews.md ### 5/5 — update *2026-03-07, version 1.5* PLEASE, UPDATE THIS SO IT CAN BE USED IN TANDEM WITH MODERN HARDWARE AND MY LIFE IS YOURS ### 4/5 — Updates? *2022-05-28, version 1.5* One of the first iPad synths, what a shame it does not have any connectivity :( ### 5/5 — Great app, great user manual! *2021-03-20, version 1.5* One of the best user manuals I’ve come across on iOS. Super well done. You can figure out how to use this thing in 10 mins (but a lifetime to master -lol!) Sounds great, super intuitive almost don’t even need a manual but I appreciate when they’re done right! A+ would buy again! ### 5/5 — Wish list *2019-06-18, version 1.5* I wish these guys would create new stuff. Their old stuff is fantastic. They created wonder right from the start when IOS was a baby. ### 4/5 — Great old friend back again. *2019-02-14, version 1.5* Thanks for updating this classic. It works with midi and I love to use it with quantum sequencer. Cheers ### 4/5 — Versatile Nice App *2017-05-23, version 1.4* This app has a lot of hidden uses.I often record samples into it and play around with all the effects etc to achieve a certain sound.I love the record feature and audio past etc it works very well with other DAW's. highly recommended instead of wasting money on other apps,this app does the job. ### 1/5 — Good quality *2016-10-22, version 1.4* A bit different. No Audiobus. No AU. No IAA. No point. ### 5/5 — AUDIO-BUSS please! Way over do *2016-08-22, version 1.4* This is the best grain "anything" ..that I've used. Sample something ...then process it ! Fantastic!I literally I use this app on every sound design project in my studio and on jobs for clients. It's a major part of my tool kit ....the most useful grain synth ever! Not kidding it's amazing! But it needs audio buss like a million years ago!peace christo ### 4/5 — potentially one of the most useful *2016-03-01, version 1.4* I so wish Sylo had a better midi integration with the rest of the synth apps on my iPad. and like another reviewer said ... Audiobus support. Sylo was one of the first synth apps I put on my iPad and an early introduction to grain synthesis. you can have hours of entertainment and post production level audio with this app, but there is a very strong need to allow it to "play nicely" with Thor, iMini, Patterning, iSEM, Animoog, etc ... maybe this app is in a phase-out due to mitosynth - I dunno - but if that issue is worked on its 5 stars, seeing that the UI is very simple and there's virtually no learning curve - your kids will LOVE IT!! ### 3/5 — Would be perfect, but... *2015-06-06, version 1.4* ...no audiobus support. I love this app, but audiobus support would make me love it even more. ## Frequently asked questions about Sylo Synthesiser ### What can I do with Sylo Synthesiser? Sylo Synthesiser allows you to create and play music or sound effects by designing your own sounds. You can start with pre-designed sounds, modify them, or build entirely new ones from basic waveforms or by capturing audio from your surroundings. The app offers advanced features like granular synthesis and live time-stretching to sculpt unique audio. ### How do I create new sounds? You can create new sounds by using basic waveforms as a starting point or by capturing audio from the world around you using your device's microphone. Once captured, you can extensively modify these sounds using the app's filters, speed controls, and FX units to achieve your desired sonic outcome. ### Is Sylo Synthesiser free to use? Based on the provided information, Sylo Synthesiser is a paid application. There is no mention of free usage, in-app purchases, or subscriptions, indicating a one-time purchase model. ### What kind of audio files can I import? Sylo Synthesiser supports importing various audio file formats, including wave, aiff, mp3, and aac/m4a files. These imported audio files can then be used as the building blocks for creating your own custom instruments and soundscapes. ### Can I use Sylo Synthesiser with other music apps or hardware? Yes, Sylo Synthesiser supports Core MIDI, allowing you to play music from another device via MIDI. It also facilitates audio exchange with other applications through AudioCopy/AudioPaste or the "Open in..." functionality where supported. ## Version history (last 5 releases) ### 1.5 — 2019-02-07 • Improved support for varying screen sizes • Support for more import/export locations • Compatibility updates ### 1.4 — 2014-06-26 To celebrate both Sylo Synth's upcoming 4th birthday and the launch of our new app Mitosynth, this new version of Sylo Synth is now completely free — including all features that were previously "Sylo Synth Pro" only! I hope you enjoy the features! If you do, please take a moment to check out Wooji Juice's other synths, Grain Science and Mitosynth! ### 1.3 — 2013-09-18 • Compatibility updates • Updated AudioCopy to version 2.0 • Updated Dropbox SDK ### 1.2 — 2013-05-01 • Crisp updated graphics • Various bugfixes • Updated Dropbox SDK ### 1.1.11 — 2012-07-31 In this version: • Improved MIDI compatibility Previously, in version 1.1.10: • Fixed a compatibility issue affecting the upgrade panel ## Apps similar to Sylo Synthesiser | App | Rating | Price | Category | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [touchscaper](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/touchscaper/id1250344299) | 4.9 (147) | $4.99 | Music | | [16 Drones](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/16-drones/id6761003327) | 4.7 (12) | Free | Music | | [DimChorus](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/dimchorus/id6743229137) | 5.0 (4) | Free | Music | | [LayR-Multi Timbral Synthesizer](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/layr-multi-timbral-synthesizer/id1155825562) | 4.5 (95) | $24.99 | Music | | [Helium AUv3 MIDI Sequencer](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/helium-auv3-midi-sequencer/id1563152523) | 4.4 (55) | $7.99 | Music | | [AudioKit Digital D1 Synth](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/audiokit-digital-d1-synth/id1436905540) | 4.8 (2,007) | Free | Music | ## More apps by Wooji Juice Ltd - [Hexterity](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hexterity/id293342071) - [Hokusai Audio Editor](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hokusai-audio-editor/id432079746) - [Grain Science](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/grain-science/id487233637) - [Mitosynth](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mitosynth/id864041340) - [Ferrite Recording Studio](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ferrite-recording-studio/id1018780185) All apps by Wooji Juice Ltd: https://appshunter.io/developer/284937604 --- *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 2026-08-10.*