# variant:SONiC

> Generative audiovisual artwork with interactive music and evolving visuals. (iPhone/iPad app by Interval Studios.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/variantsonic/id1027149718 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Interval Studios](https://appshunter.io/developer/364824624)
- Category: Entertainment, Music
- Price: Free
- Rating: 4.40/5 from 9 App Store ratings · 8 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 8.0 · 53 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2015-09-23
- Data updated: 2026-08-14
- Monetization: free
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/variantsonic/id1027149718/reviews.md

## What is variant?

variant:SONiC is an audiovisual artwork that creates beautiful, ever-changing music and imagery. The app combines user input and built-in randomness to create images and music that will continually change, grow and evolve, offering a new and different experience every time. For users of all ages, variant:SONiC is a chance to explore and experience a unique work of generative art. 

variant:SONiC was commissioned by the American Composers Orchestra for the 2015 SONiC Festival. The musical composition is built entirely from individual notes played by different participants in the festival, including: 

Andy Akiho
Alarm Will Sound (Miles Brown, Michael Clayville, Erin Lesser, Courtney Orlando, Jason Price)
Clarice Assad
Christopher Cerrone
The Crossing
Melody Eötvös
Angelica Negron
Nieuw Amsterdams Peil (Gerard Bouwhuis, Heleen Hulst)
Nina C. Young

To interact with variant:SONiC, tap the screen; each tap will trigger a randomly selected fragment of the musical composition, as well as a visual element that responds to it. You can steer the visuals by dragging after tapping, and you can trigger up to 10 sounds at one time. To repeat a sound, keep your finger held down and that sound will loop. By using some fingers to loop sounds and others to trigger individual elements, you can build up complex combinations of sound and visuals.

You can view the indeterminate audio engine by tapping the dot in the lower right. The display shows the different elements of the musical composition as they are loaded by the engine through a combination of chance and user input. The center button opens a menu of settings for the app, and the button to the right allows you to take screenshots of the visuals, automatically saving them to your photo library.

The Variant apps are a new series of generative audiovisual artworks from Interval Studios featuring visuals by Joshue Ott and music by Kenneth Kirschner. Each Variant features a unique visual composition by Ott based on his superDraw visual performance software, as well as a new indeterminate musical composition by Kirschner. Each Variant app also offers a different set of interactive controls for the user, ranging from the ability to subtly influence the development of the piece to total interactive control over both visuals and sound. All of the Variants are generative artworks: through a varying combination of built-in randomness and user input, each Variant will continually grow and evolve over time without ever directly repeating itself either visually or musically, offering the user an ever-changing, ever-evolving audiovisual experience.

## Key features

- Generative audiovisual artwork
- Interactive music generation
- Evolving visual imagery
- User input for control
- Screenshot functionality
- Indeterminate audio engine display

## Recent user reviews (8 of 8)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/variantsonic/id1027149718/reviews.md

### 5/5 — Awesome

*2020-04-04*

Instant five stars worth. Awesome sound generator, touch based interaction with stunning psychedelic visuals. Hope for more updates. Cudos to dev.

### 5/5 — One of the best apps I’ve ever used

*2019-03-11*

I love spooky sounds so this is amazing

### 4/5 — Super

*2018-04-01*

Bester samplebasirter Fx Sound generator. Cool für Übergänge oder modern Dance. #10oP

### 5/5 — Wow!

*2017-05-20*

Get all the Variant apps. 

Each of these apps are spectacular both visually and aurally. A feast for both the eyes and the ears. 

Wonderfully done!

### 5/5 — Well...

*2016-02-21*

I was hoping to have it just generate music that i could listen to while walking, like the Immersion apps by Steve Roach, the Adrift app by Loscil, or the Longplayer app. I really like the sounds this app uses, but it seems to be specifically interactive audiovisual. It requires user input, and won't play in the background. Still, i have to rate it 5 stars, since it's great for what it was designed to do.

### 5/5 — Love it

*2015-10-23*

It's really mesmerizing and in somehow peaceful.

### 5/5 — PewDiePie

*2015-10-07*

This app helps me defeat the barrels and it definitely scares them away! :D *brofist* highly recommended

### 5/5 — Great app!

*2015-09-26*

These apps are fantastic and beautiful. There's great finds to be found interacting with the app. There's a good deal of remixing to construct deep environments for tracks. Great support from developer.

## Frequently asked questions about variant

### What is SONiC?

SONiC is an audiovisual artwork that creates beautiful, ever-changing music and imagery. It combines user input and randomness to offer a unique generative art experience.

### How do I interact with SONiC?

Tap the screen to trigger randomly selected musical fragments and responsive visuals. Drag after tapping to steer the visuals, and hold down a finger to loop sounds.

### Can I save my creations in SONiC?

Yes, the app allows you to take screenshots of the visuals, which are automatically saved to your photo library.

### What devices does SONiC support?

SONiC is available for iPhone, iPad, and iPod. It is designed for iOS devices.

### Is SONiC suitable for children?

SONiC has an age rating of 4+, making it suitable for users of all ages to explore and experience.

### Does SONiC have ads?

No, SONiC does not contain advertisements. It is a free application without any ad interruptions.

### When was SONiC last updated?

The latest version of SONiC was released on June 3, 2016, with version 1.05.

### What is the musical composition in SONiC based on?

The musical composition in SONiC was built from individual notes played by various participants in the 2015 SONiC Festival.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 1.05 — 2016-06-03

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

-fixed issue that could result in stuck touches.

### 1.04 — 2016-05-20

-fixes
-updates to the More Variants section

### 1.03 — 2015-11-16

This update includes small performance improvements and a new V: button to help you collect all the variants.

### 1.01 — 2015-10-07

- Fixed iPhone 6, 6s and Plus sizes not rendering in native resolution
- Fixed issue with screenshots not rendering correctly on iOS 9
- Fixed issue with audio playing at higher speed over HDMI
- Added information about the new variant:cascade
- Lots of other bug fixes

If you like the Variant series, please leave a review on the App Store!

### 1.0 — 2015-09-23

No release notes.

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## More apps by Interval Studios

- [Thicket:Classic](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/thicketclassic/id364824621)
- [3draw](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/3draw/id413109413)
- [variant:blue](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/variantblue/id996684408)
- [variant:flare](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/variantflare/id996685061)
- [variant:cascade](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/variantcascade/id1044094657)

All apps by Interval Studios: https://appshunter.io/developer/364824624

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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 2026-08-14.*