# Synthecaster

> Polyphonic synthesizer instrument with guitar-like rows and motion modulation. (iPhone/iPad app by Daniel Resnick.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/synthecaster/id705067086 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Daniel Resnick](https://appshunter.io/developer/705067089)
- Category: Music, Entertainment
- Price: $0.99
- Rating: 4.90/5 from 14 App Store ratings · 40 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 12.0 · 4 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2013-10-30
- Data updated: 2026-08-16
- Monetization: paid
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/synthecaster/id705067086/reviews.md

## What is Synthecaster?

Synthecaster fuses elements from guitars and keyboards into a full range polyphonic instrument that is intuitive, accommodates a wide variety of playing styles, and generates an even wider variety of sounds. The instrument allows for technical playing styles such as shredding and complex chord formation and can be used as a MIDI controller. Now with Motion Modulation, Synthecaster is more expressive than ever.

- Keys are arranged in string-like rows (tuned in perfect fourths by default)
- Sliding across keys in a row results in legato sliding or portamento gliding from note to note
- Sliding a key up or down will bend its pitch in the same direction
- Several notes can be played on the same row simultaneously
- Simultaneously play up to 10 notes on iPad Pro, 7 notes on iPad, or 5 notes on iPhone
- The entire keyboard spans over 6 octaves (not including the range added by oscillator tuning)
- Tune each row individually
- Highlight or show only the notes from any scale

How Motion Modulation works:
- Any slider-based synth parameter with blue or green text can be tapped to view its motion settings
- The parameter can be modulated by the device's roll (tilting vertically clockwise or counterclockwise) or pitch (tilting upward or downward)
- The position of the parameter's slider is the base setting for the parameter
- Tilting the device modulates the value either from its base setting to its minimum or maximum setting depending on the tilt, the modulation amount, and the modulation direction.

Synthecaster's audio is generated by a powerful and highly configurable polyphonic synth engine: 
- Dual oscillators with individual tuning
- Filter with envelope sweeping
- Amplifier ADSR envelope
- Soft clip, hard clip, bitcrush, and downsampling distortion
- LFO assignable to amplitude, filter cutoff, or oscillator tuning
- Stereo flanger, chorus, and delay effects
- Over 55 preloaded synth presets including 7 motion presets
- Create custom presets and share them using AirDrop or Mail
- High quality stereo audio output
- Inter-App Audio support
- Audiobus compatibility with state saving

Synthecaster is Core MIDI compatible as a MIDI controller. In Multi Channel mode, MIDI messages are output in OMNI mode, where each MIDI channel represents a synth voice (channels 1-7 on the iPad, 1-5 on the iPhone). To best replicate Synthecaster’s polyphonic expressiveness, try setting a separate instrument voice for each channel.
The following MIDI messages are supported:
- Note on/off events,  by touching and releasing keys
- Pitch wheel change, by sliding a key up or down
- Polyphonic legato ties by sliding across keys. Compatible with a variety of apps including Animoog and ThumbJam.
- Legato pedal on/off for legato ties, by sliding across keys

For best results, play through speakers or headphones.

Note: Not recommended for iPhone 4 due to performance issues.

## Key features

- Polyphonic synth engine
- String-like key rows
- Motion Modulation for expressiveness
- MIDI controller functionality
- Built-in effects (flanger, chorus, delay)
- Customizable synth presets
- Inter-App Audio and Audiobus support

## Recent user reviews (10 of 40)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/synthecaster/id705067086/reviews.md

### 2/5 — Good app let down by limited midi

*2026-03-01, version 3.5*

Unfortunately despite stating it has full midi core functionality it’s only as a controller.  This is at odds with many others like Synth one J6 or midi org 24. The pitch function tied to x/y movement often sticks requiring closing and restarting the app.  The rest of the functions are ok especially if using on a phone.

### 4/5 — Time to be a plugin

*2025-10-30*

It’s good to see this is still around after all these years. But now it’s time to put the whole thing in an AUv3 wrapper so we can use it in our other software.

### 5/5 — 😄 geil.

*2020-08-26*

Wie geil ist das denn?

### 5/5 — Очень понравилось!

*2019-02-25*

Потрясающе!

### 5/5 — Well done.

*2018-05-03*

I love alternate controllers and this is a straightforward one with a surprising amount of customization available under the hood. I recommend trying it out.

### 5/5 — Small but cool

*2018-04-22*

So many nice sounds and so convenient controls in so small app. That said, you are free to customize the tuning however you wish, like with string instruments (of course, with semitone step).
Buy it, pal.

* i only wish it would start upside down when screen rotation is locked, that is respecting ipad cover used as a stand

### 5/5 — A little gem

*2017-09-05, version 3.3*

This is a great sounding synth I highly recommend. You can get some terrific sliding, wailing lead sounds. A bargain.

### 4/5 — Bargain gizmo, brimming with possibility

*2017-01-11, version 3.3*

Got this on the off-chance it was any good, and was pleasantly surprised. Easy interface and fun for the sonic dabbler. Just not sure how to get sound from more than one midi out. But, it's a really encouraging start!

Nic

### 5/5 — Great fun, cheap, yet 'feels' expensive! 👏🏻

*2016-01-08, version 3.3*

Great little app, lots of nice touches and is way too much fun to use for only 79p!

### 5/5 — Powerful, Fun, and Highly Customizable

*2015-12-25*

So far so good! I've been playing around with this App for a few days on my iPad Air 2 and I'm really impressed. It's really a great way to jam when all I have is my iPad, offering a wide array of customizations for the interface and the instrument. I've also successfully used it to connect over network to my MacBook Pro and control Ableton Live 9, so I'll likely be using this to write and record as well. Highly recommended.

## Frequently asked questions about Synthecaster

### What is Synthecaster?

Synthecaster is a mobile application that provides a unique polyphonic instrument combining guitar and keyboard elements. It's designed to be intuitive for various playing styles and generate a wide range of sounds, functioning as both a standalone instrument and a MIDI controller.

### What are the key features of Synthecaster?

Key features include string-like key rows tuned in perfect fourths by default, sliding for legato and portamento, pitch bending, multi-note polyphony, Motion Modulation for expressive parameter control, a powerful polyphonic synth engine with dual oscillators and effects, and Core MIDI compatibility.

### How much does Synthecaster cost?

Synthecaster is a paid application. The price is a one-time purchase, and there are no in-app purchases or advertisements mentioned in the description.

### What devices is Synthecaster compatible with?

Synthecaster is compatible with iPad and iPhone devices. It supports multi-note polyphony with varying limits based on the device (up to 10 notes on iPad Pro, 7 on iPad, and 5 on iPhone). It is not recommended for iPhone 4 due to performance issues.

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

Synthecaster can be used for creating electronic music, exploring new sonic textures, practicing technical playing styles like shredding, and as an expressive MIDI controller for other music applications. Its ability to generate complex chords and its motion modulation make it suitable for live performance and studio production.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 3.5 — 2024-06-24

Internal updates for more recent iOS versions

### 3.4 — 2017-11-07

This app has been updated by Apple to display the Apple Watch app icon.

- iPhone X support
- Updated Audiobus SDK to 3.0.3

### 3.3 — 2015-12-18

- iPad Pro support, with the ability to play up to 10 notes simultaneously.
- Updated Audiobus SDK to 2.3.1.
- Added ability to handle sample rates other than 44.1 kHz, as well as changes to the sample rate while the app is running. This fixes issues with using the speaker output on iPhone 6S. 
Note: When using speaker output on the 6S, if Audiobus displays errors while attempting to connect to Synthecaster, try plugging in headphones.

### 3.2 — 2015-09-19

- Updated Audiobus SDK to 2.2.1.

### 3.1 — 2015-04-24

- Minor bug fixes.

## Apps similar to Synthecaster

| App | Rating | Price | Category |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
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## More apps by Daniel Resnick

- [Phazr](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/phazr/id1472113449)
- [Spatial Station](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/spatial-station/id6476346004)

All apps by Daniel Resnick: https://appshunter.io/developer/705067089

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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 2026-08-16.*