# VHS Synth \| 80s Synthwave — user reviews > 88 indexed App Store user reviews of VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave by Audiobus Pty Ltd, rated 4.00/5 from 132 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/vhs-synth-80s-synthwave/id1615208667/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/vhs-synth-80s-synthwave/id1615208667.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 90 · 4★ 6 · 3★ 7 · 2★ 2 · 1★ 27 ## What do users think of VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave? Overall sentiment: negative **Pros** - 🎵 Excellent lo-fi and retro 80s sound quality - 🎹 Extensive library of high-quality presets - 💰 Affordable pricing (at original purchase) - 🎨 Intuitive and clean interface design - 🔊 Versatile sounds for multiple genres - ⭐ Great value for money initially - 🎼 Capable MIDI implementation - 👨‍🎨 Featured preset artist (Mark Hupkins) creates exceptional sounds **Cons** - 💸 Aggressive subscription model for previously purchased app - 🔄 Conversion from AudioKit broke existing projects - 📊 User data tracking added without clear benefit - 🚫 Removed access to previously purchased presets/banks - 😠 Lack of developer communication about changes - 🎯 Disrespectful treatment of original AudioKit legacy - 💼 Perceived as 'hijacking' of abandoned app - 🤝 Loss of customer trust due to business model shift **Commonly reported bugs** - GarageBand compatibility broken after updates - App not recognized in Logic Pro after updates - Inconsistent sound quality across different registers - Patch/preset settings not retained after closing DAW - Audio Unit Extension crashes in GarageBand - Duplicate track sounds different from original - Display shows 'Welcome' instead of loaded patch - Thin black keys difficult to hit on keyboard - Missing top C key on keyboard - Sounds inconsistent when exported from GarageBand - App disappears from projects after ownership change **Most requested features** - Mac OS version for DAW compatibility - Velocity sensitivity settings for keyboard - Pitch bend and modulation wheels with actual functionality - Better keyboard design with proper key sizing - Improved UI layout to reduce wasted space in AUv3 mode - Access to original synth parameters instead of sample-based playback - Direct routing to IAA output for FL Studio Mobile ## Newest reviews (13 of 88) ### 4/5 — Love this app. But there is one problem. *2025-09-25* I’ve been using this app for a couple years now and it is amazing. I just learned how to use it in GarageBand. After I updated my iPhone 16 Pro Max to iOS 26 the app will no longer work in GarageBand as an Extension. Here is the error message that I get every time I try to load it as an extension. “Audio Unit Extension Quit: The Audio Unit Extension has quit unexpectedly. Tap Reload to reload the extension, or tap Disable to disable the extension and continue.” I would love to continue using this app as an extension in GarageBand. Would you guys please fix this? Thanks much. ### 1/5 — Rent seeking *2025-03-28* I bought this app when it came out, and it’s has a few presets on it that I liked and used. Then the developer broke all of my projects that used it when they switched over from AudioKit because AUM doesn’t recognize it as the same app. Now all of my saved presets are behind a paywall, making it harder to fix all the projects that got broken. I won’t be paying rent for a mediocre app I already paid for, even if it means I’ve lost some songs. ### 1/5 — User Data Now Tracked (?) *2025-03-17* What’s with user data now tracked? Shame… I really liked this app. Deleted. **Developer response:** Thank you for your feedback, we are sorry for your issue. Please contact audiobus.help@gmail.com for support. ### 1/5 — Scam *2025-03-14* Paid for the app when it was released. I don’t expect magical updates and features for life - but I did expect the application I paid for to remain on my device and usable. Now it has tracking software in it and I can’t use the app unless subscribing to pay for something I already have? Restore purchase does nothing. New owners seem to be out for a very different goal than the creators. **Developer response:** Thank you for your feedback, we are sorry for your issue. Please contact audiobus.help@gmail.com for support. ### 1/5 — Extrême déçu de l’abonnement 👎👎👎👎👎👎 *2025-03-11* Je suis extrêmement choqué de voir que vous avez mis en place un abonnement annuel et mensuel sur un synthé 🤦‍♂️, qu’il va falloir s’embêter à payer tous les mois ou juste pour une année, et vous imaginez si tout les développeurs font la même chose en nous fessant payer un abonnement à chacun ????? C’est scandaleux de faire ça alors personne d’autre ne le fait, vous êtes les seules ! J’achèterai ce produit que si vous proposés un seul achat définitif pour tout le complet et à vie comme tout les autres développeurs procèdent !!! I am extremely shocked to see that you have set up an annual and monthly subscription on a synthesizer 🤦‍♂️, that you will have to bother to pay every month or just for a year, and can you imagine if all the developers do the same thing by making us pay a subscription to each ???? It's scandalous to do that so no one else does it, you're the only ones! I will only buy this product if you offer a single final purchase for all the complete and for life as all other developers proceed!!! ### 2/5 — Dissapointed *2025-03-09* This was one of my most used apps. Some of the absolute best patches in the App Store. Nearly every project I worked on had an instance of this app. Since these new developers took over for AudioKit this synth doesn’t open in any of my projects. Whether it be GarageBand, Logic, or Cubasis. No amount of updates or deleting and reinstalling has helped. It’s such a disappointment and headache. ### 3/5 — Good, but not the best *2025-02-21* Ah, VHS Synth. Earlier today, I rated another old AudioKit app(Bass 808, if you wanna try to find it) and I’m ready to rate another one. The problem is not the subscription, that is fine. I’d even say it’s what you should do if you’re gonna put a subscription on your synth. It’s that some of the sounds just aren’t that amazing. It’s a decent app, and I’d say it’s a middle ground for all synths. If you’re better than this, you are a worthy app. If you are worse than this, you, well, aren’t that great. VHS Synth isn’t bad, and I use it sometimes. But to say it’s one of the best is insane. With that being said, this is a 3-star app. And yes, all my AUv3 ratings end with that. You can check. ### 1/5 — Not showing up in Logic *2025-02-19, version 1.2.1* It’s always a new problem with audiokit. This app and some others from audiokit after working for over a year all of a sudden isn’t showing up in Audio Units in login pro for iOS ### 1/5 — Loved when this app was with AudioKit… *2025-02-18* But now, it seems like the new company’s transforming it into a subscription only app. I paid for this for when it first released back in 2022. Why should I pay for a monthly subscription that closes off my ability to use all of the presents and banks for something I’ve had for years? It just feels like an insult and a slap in the face to me for those reasons, as I’ve been using those banks for years. Please drop it and restore the banks and presets to those who’ve already paid for the app, otherwise, I’m keeping my rating as is. Edit: According to an email I got from customer support after I sent one airing out my grievances, from what I can gather, they’re working on developing versions of the apps they acquired where users who paid for the apps originally will have full access without the need for a subscription. If that’s the case, then I’ll change my rating later on when it’s been reflected in the AUV3 version of the apps. That said, in the meantime, I do appreciate the response I got in that email. I really do wish for the best for this app. ### 1/5 — ye screw these guys *2025-02-16, version 1.2.1* bought all there synths now they want me to rent them. not happening ### 1/5 — auv3 ui not woking after last update *2025-02-12* i can’t so anything in window app after last update, when u’ll fix it? **Developer response:** Thank you for your feedback, we are sorry for your issue. Please contact audiobus.help@gmail.com for support. ### 1/5 — Nice synth with awful price strategy *2025-02-05, version 1.2* That was a very good software, but now we need to pay subscription for the same software for some reason. ### 1/5 — Loved when this app was with AudioKit… *2025-02-05* But now, it seems like the new company’s transforming it into a subscription only app. I paid for this for when it first released back in 2021. Why should I pay for a monthly subscription that closes off my ability to use all of the presents and banks for something I’ve had for years? It just feels like an insult and a slap in the face to me for those reasons, as I’ve been using those banks for years. Please drop it and restore the banks and presets to those who’ve already paid for the app, otherwise, I’m keeping my rating as is. ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — 根本他妈进不去 *2026-08-12* 根本进不去 ### 1/5 — Pricing is absurd *2026-03-17* I’ve never seen any other synth with the option to rent it weekly, and this synth is not worth a monthly or even yearly subscription at any cost, compared to the other iOS synths, it should be what the weekly cost is to just buy it outright. You can get synth one (both regular and j6) and a free lo fi/tape effect and get better results that aren’t just playing back multi samples of stuff that was run through a tape vst. **Developer response:** Thank you for sharing your thoughts. If there's anything else we can assist you with, feel free to contact us at audiobus.help@gmail.com. ### 1/5 — Scam *2026-01-27, version 1.2.2* They made the newest few updates break when putting it in GarageBand so you’d have to buy their new subscription based app. Pretty scummy. ### 1/5 — high jacked by audiobus … *2026-01-23* i remember this app (& a few others now under the audiobus pty banner) was initially developed & released by audiokit pro a few years ago & after a while considered deprecated & time consuming so I assume in good faith passed on these apps to audiobus pty to maintain to allow audiokit pro to focus on newer apps (of which there is a version 2 of this one & others?) i gather some other audiokit pro apps were also passed on to some other devs, but i digress.. now there is a subscription gate here & on the other ex audiokit pro apps & the claim this app & others was made using audiokit pro code system implying not by audiokit pro initially now this isn’t exactly true is it & a disrespect to audiokit pro who don’t engage in subscription shenanigans. this comes across as hijacking to be fair & i dont care about the arrangement/agreement between audiokit pro & audiobus pty as a lay customer who obviously had nothing to do with it & didn’t know anything about it. “but I need to feed my family” says the audiobus pty dev. well, don’t we all …. Dass vhs teknik… Dass oder benetzoid ist grosse kaputznik muss. Dass Uber zuber boomber gerecht. Schnell flammėn, langseim Schön… **Developer response:** We value your input and appreciate your feedback. If there's anything we can assist you with, please get in touch with us at audiobus.help@gmail.com. ### 1/5 — Data collection *2025-09-26* Deleted the app once user data started being collected. Wont buy any more. **Developer response:** We apologize for the inconvenience and understand your frustration. Your feedback is essential in helping us improve, and we'd love the chance to assist you. Reach out to us anytime at audiobus.help@gmail.com for further support. ### 1/5 — Bad *2025-07-30, version 1.2.2* Very bad ### 1/5 — Thieves *2025-07-03, version 1.2.2* My purchases and downloads were taken away after subscription model 0 Stars ### 1/5 — Way to kill the vibe (subscription model nonsense) *2025-06-14, version 1.2.2* I owned this - until they decided to try and monetize even further by converting it into a subscription based app! Now it’s gone from my devices forever. Cautionary tale for other devs. ### 1/5 — Subscription needed’ must be a joke?! *2025-04-26* This is a first to me… this free synth app is below average without the effects or the full package. But… requiring a subscription for the rest? Really? I will NEVER buy one of your products 🙂 ### 1/5 — Data Tracking *2025-04-23* Seriously? You need to track what musicians are doing, huh? No thanks. ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — Awesomeness *2026-07-01, version 1.2.2* Excellent features and great sounds! ### 5/5 — Great fun *2026-06-26* Lots of fun, easy controls, like it a lot, wish could one time buy but 12 bucks for a year is forgettable enough, ### 5/5 — Love this synth *2026-01-23* I love the lo-fi vibes. This is one of my favorites. So far I’ve just been having fun tweaking the presets, there are some good ones. I’m sure I’ll get some great results once I initialize a patch and see what I can come up with. Seems like a very capable little synth with great vibes. ### 5/5 — So many great presets. The subscription model is garbage *2025-11-08* Bummer how they chose this absurd subscription model, immediate hate from the community and absolute silence from the developer. I love the presets in this and VHS, they are really really good and there's a preset artist featured (Mark Hupkins) who is an absolute mastermind and doesn't appear in any of the other audiokit apps to my knowledge. It's a great app, one that I use often- the choir and bell presets are so lush. It really is a bummer that the subscription mode thing is preventing folks from even considering it- but that's understandable. ### 5/5 — Time Travel *2025-07-12* This app has so much to offer ! Two banks, multiple samples, comprehensive effects - and a serious MIDI implementation. Top marks team ! 😎 ### 5/5 — Great Synth *2025-05-22* Great Synth. ### 5/5 — Some Updates: *2025-02-26* Old Review: But now, it seems like the new company’s transforming it into a subscription only app. I paid for this for when it first released back in 2022. Why should I pay for a monthly subscription that closes off my ability to use all of the presents and banks for something I’ve had for years? It just feels like an insult and a slap in the face to me for those reasons, as I’ve been using those banks for years. Please drop it and restore the banks and presets to those who’ve already paid for the app, otherwise, I’m keeping my rating as is. Edit 1: According to an email I got from customer support after I sent one airing out my grievances, from what I can gather, they’re working on developing versions of the apps they acquired where users who paid for the apps originally will have full access without the need for a subscription. If that’s the case, then I’ll change my rating later on when it’s been reflected in the AUv3 version of the apps. That said, in the meantime, I do appreciate the response I got in that email. I really do wish for the best for this app. Edit 2: They fixed the issues I’ve been having with the Presets and Banks outside of the starter bank, as well as the New Init, New Bank, More and FX buttons in the AUv3 version with this most recent February 26th update. While I’m still not crazy on the freemium idea, I do appreciate that, as I said, they were willing to listen to me and let me show my problems via email and worked to fix these issues, so, I can let that slide for now. So, as such, I’m returning my rating to as it originally was when I bought the app in 2022: 5 stars. I really want to thank you guys for taking the time to go above and beyond. It really means a lot. ### 5/5 — ótimo plugin *2025-01-29* Sons convincentes dos synths dos anos 80’s, fácil de programar e muito intuitivo. Vale muito a pena comprar. ### 5/5 — Gooooooooooood *2024-12-28, version 1.1* Gooooooooooooooood bueno ### 5/5 — Clever and fun *2024-12-27, version 1.1* A great buy for this synth that is easy to understand and makes some useful sounds. It definitely invokes memories of the 80’s for me. --- *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 2026-09-08.*