# VA-1 — Virtual-analog synthesizer > Virtual-analog synthesizer (iPhone/iPad app by Richard Gillespie.) - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/va-1/id6763180976 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`) - Developer: [Richard Gillespie](https://appshunter.io/developer/1887994349) - Category: Music - Price: $24.99 - Age rating: 4+ - Requires: iOS 26.0 · 10 MB - Languages: American English - Released: 2026-04-24 - Data updated: 2026-07-23 - User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/va-1/id6763180976/reviews.md ## What is VA? VA-1 is a focused virtual-analog synthesizer for musicians, producers, and sound designers who want a fast, hands-on way to create their own sounds. Play, sequence, record, and shape sounds from one direct interface inspired by classic hardware synths. No subscription. No in-app purchases. No ads. No account required. — SYNTHESIZER — • Up to 16-voice polyphony • Two oscillators plus a sub oscillator • Independent oscillator noise controls • Multi-mode filter with resonance • Amp and filter ADSR envelopes • One LFO per voice • Chorus, phaser, delay, and reverb effects Explore the included factory sounds, customize any preset, mark favorites, and save your own creations. — SEQUENCER & WAV EXPORT — Record and loop sequences while shaping the sound, change the pattern length, or use KEY mode to transpose a sequence from the keyboard. Capture VA-1’s stereo output while you play, then preview, save, or share the recording as a WAV file. Sequencer loops can also be exported directly to WAV using the current sound, tempo, and effects. Recording captures only VA-1’s internally generated output. It does not use the microphone or record audio-interface inputs. — MIDI & AUv3 — • External MIDI input and output • Send MIDI from the keyboard or sequencer to external instruments • MIDI Learn for mapping hardware controls • Standard MIDI CC support • AUv3 instrument support in compatible hosts • Background audio • Support for class-compliant USB audio interfaces — ONE PURCHASE, ALL YOUR DEVICES — VA-1 is a universal purchase. Buy it once and install it on iPhone, iPad, and Mac at no additional cost. ## Version history (last 3 releases) ### 1.2.0 — 2026-07-12 VA-1 1.2 adds powerful new recording, export, and MIDI features: • Record VA-1’s stereo synth output while you play, then preview, save, share, or delete the WAV. • Export sequencer loops directly to stereo WAV using the current preset, tempo, and effects. • Expanded MIDI output lets you control external instruments from VA-1’s keyboard or sequencer. • Improved support and status monitoring for class-compliant USB audio interfaces. • Major audio, DSP, MIDI, and AUv3 reliability improvements for dense chords, long release tails, demanding effects, rapid control changes, app switching, and audio-route changes. • Additional fixes for stuck notes, sequencer timing, parameter automation, audio recovery, and overall performance. WAV recording captures only VA-1’s generated output and does not use the microphone. ### 1.1.0 — 2026-05-04 VA-1 1.1.0 is a major update focused on AUv3 support, MIDI control, preset workflow, sound-engine stability, and smoother day-to-day performance across iPhone, iPad, and Mac. New in this version: • AUv3 instrument support Use VA-1 inside compatible AUv3 host apps. The AUv3 version includes the synth engine, plugin editor, factory preset access, MIDI input, parameter automation, and saved plugin state, so VA-1 can fit into more mobile and desktop production workflows. • MIDI Learn Map hardware controls to VA-1 parameters with a cleaner tap-to-learn workflow. MIDI Learn now works more consistently across platforms, with persistent mappings and less visual clutter while you play. • Expanded MIDI performance support External MIDI input is improved for note playing, control changes, program changes, pitch bend in the standalone app, all-notes-off handling, and panic/all-sound-off messages. Standard MIDI CCs are still mapped out of the box for common controls like mod wheel, master volume, filter cutoff, resonance, attack, decay, and release. • Dedicated user preset area Your saved sounds now have their own place in the preset browser, making them easier to find, manage, favorite, and return to alongside the factory sound library. • Independent oscillator noise Oscillator 1 and Oscillator 2 now each have their own noise control, giving you more ways to add air, grit, texture, transient bite, and analog-style movement to a patch. • Smoother sound engine behavior VA-1 now has improved gain staging, smoother output dynamics, safer release-tail handling, and better behavior under dense chords, long releases, and heavy effect use. • Fixed sine-wave chord clicking/crackling Fixed an issue where sine-wave chords could produce clicking or crackling. Polyphonic sine and chord playback is now smoother, especially with longer releases, stacked voices, and sustained playing. • Improved sequencer timing Sequencer playback timing has been tightened for live use, including while opening preset and effects controls. Loop wrap behavior and KEY mode performance have also been refined so patterns feel steadier while you play and tweak. • Better audio/device recovery Improved recovery when switching audio devices, changing Bluetooth routes, returning from interruptions, or resuming audio after system-level route changes. • Cleaner MIDI Learn interface Removed extra MIDI Learn marker clutter and replaced the old Mac right-click workflow with a more consistent MIDI Learn experience across iPhone, iPad, and Mac. • AUv3 preset improvements Factory presets are now available from the AUv3 version of VA-1, making it easier to start from the same sounds whether you are using the standalone app or a host. • Effects and output polish The chorus, phaser, delay, and reverb chain has received stability and behavior improvements, with safer handling during heavier patches and smoother final output under load. • Performance and stability improvements This update includes CPU and stability improvements for demanding patches, including smarter voice handling, safer output limiting, effect-load management under pressure, render-load guarding, and general audio-engine hardening. • Platform polish Includes layout refinements for iPhone and iPad, improved Mac performance workflows, stronger shared behavior across platforms, and better consistency between the standalone app and AUv3 instrument. • General bug fixes and polish Includes MIDI mapping fixes, sequencer fixes, audio recovery fixes, UI layout refinements, preset browser improvements, release-tail fixes, and other reliability improvements throughout the app. ### 1.0 — 2026-04-24 No release notes. ## More apps by Richard Gillespie - [Ambient Meditation](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ambient-meditation/id6761142199) - [TEMPO-1](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tempo-1/id6768481470) All apps by Richard Gillespie: https://appshunter.io/developer/1887994349 --- *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 2026-07-23.*