ZENOLOGY GX User Reviews

Name: ZENOLOGY GX - Synthesizer
Rating: 3.33333 (27 reviews)

ZENOLOGY GX - Synthesizer

Roland Corporation

🎵 Music

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Very low output

I have to agree with the other claims about low output. Even if I route the iPad’s output to an amplified Bluetooth speaker, it’s very low. Interface-wise, it’s pretty consistent with what I’ve seen in Galaxias so far, so I look forward to seeing what this new engine can do - I just need to be able to hear it at a level to where I can properly judge. UPDATE: I must have gotten an update while writing this review because the audio is much better now. Bumping this up to a 4 star review from 3. :)

EDIT: I’ve also experienced some of the pop’s reported by others when activating other partials and playing notes in quick succession. Admittedly, I have a 6th gen iPad with A10 processor, so this may be the culprit, but hopefully, Roland can find ways to optimize this for slightly older iPads. UPDATE: I can easily reproduce this when I touch keys near the screen edge, so maybe it’s more of a hit detection issue near the bottom edge of the screen keys?

PlayDoh003

2 months ago

Response from developer

Hi PlayDoh003, ** Update** We just launched an update to ZENOLOGY GX that addresses the low volume issue and more. Check it out and let us know if the issue is resolved for you by updating your review. Thanks for updated review! We'll be addressing the volume issue (and some issues reported with the on-screen keys) for the next patch, which is in testing now. I'll update this review once it is 100% rolled out. ZENOLOGY GX is using the same ZEN-Core engine found in ZENOLOGY Pro, and ZENOLOGY GX in GALAXIAS. With that said, performance capabilities will be less on older processors such as the A10. Contact us at https://www.roland.com/cloud/contact-us if you have more feedback to share and thanks again!

No AUV3

Why is this stand alone only? Will this be ported over to AUV3 eventually?

Dbboy16

2 months ago

Response from developer

Hi Dbboy16, Yes! AU Plugin support is our top priority and will be released in an upcoming update. I'll update this review, when it is ready.

Roland has work to do

Unfortunately, Zenology GX for iPad is not really ready for prime time yet. As of 19 May 2026, the app has numerous bugs, including:

menus being unresponsive to clicks when using a mouse;
.svz export function creates 0kb files;
non-compatible with Logic Pro or other DAWs;
tiny UI which practically requires an Apple Pencil;
inability to see or directly enter parameter values as numbers;
difficult to use on screen controls;
complete lack of documentation;

Perhaps the worst sin of all, though, is that it appears to have been created using a cross platform development tool in Visual Studio or the like, on a PC, rather than in Xcode on a Mac. The app deviates completely from the user interface standards that Apple has set out, and does not use any of the standard controls or UI elements. While it does mostly work, it's the most un-iOS app I've ever used on an iPad, aside from ZenBeats. The UI is an improvement over ZenBeats, but it still carries Roland's signature disregard for the human element. Roland makes good sounds, and good hardware, but even on the hardware, they have failed to grasp the importance of visual elements and of a clean, beautiful user interface. I hope that as Roland goes through this preview phase they will remedy not just the clear bugs but also some of the usability problems. As for right now though, Zenology GX for iPad is not really ready to be a serious tool for music creation.

For reference, I own several recent Roland and Boss hardware synthesizers and other devices.

TraxusIV

2 months ago

Response from developer

Hi TraxusIV Thank you for checking out ZENOLOGY GX and an extra thanks for your detailed and candid feedback. As with any initial release, there will be lots of things found that can be improved. The team is on it and we'll be releasing updates to address some of these issues soon, including the SVZ export you mentioned. If you have more feedback you wish to share or need additional support, contact us at https://www.roland.com/cloud/contact-us and we'll be here to listen and help!

Not up to Roland’s usual standards

No AUv3, low audio output volume, and no way to import Roland’s Zencore sound packs that I’ve purchased. Interface feels clunky and almost like an indie synth project. Sounds great, but I’m hoping this gets a LOT or polish in the future. Unsure why such an established company would release such a “beta” feeling project. However, I’m glad Zencore synth engine is available on iOS finally.

legittristan

2 months ago

Response from developer

Hi legittristan. ** Update** We just launched an update to ZENOLOGY GX that addresses a low volume issue along with some additional audio engine improvements. Check it out and let us know if your volume issue is improved by updating your review. Thanks for taking the time to send us your feedback! Good news is that we are just getting started. You can expect that we'll be updating ZENOLOGY GX to address feedback, add of polish and new features. AU plugin support is a top priority and will be released within our free promo period. We'll also be bringing support for additional Zenology packs in the future too.

Lots of promise - but so quiet

Shows a ton of promise - nice sounds. But why is the output so incredibly quiet? Assumed this could be fixed in settings, but no. At full volume, can’t even hear with decent iPad speakers. Headphones aren’t much help.

sbaugh

2 months ago

Response from developer

Hey Sbaugh, ** Update** We just launched an update to ZENOLOGY GX that addresses a low volume issue along with some additional audio engine improvements. Check it out and let us know if your volume issue is improved by updating your review. Thanks for taking the time to review and provide feedback. We're working to address the low volume issues with certain presets in the next release. I'll update this reply when the issue is resolved.

Thanks Roland

Longtime desktopZenology and Zenbeats user. Very excited to see this on iPad finally. Now I can take my iPad and darkness gear out and and enjoy the summer exploring the synth. Limited time freeness was also a very nice touch and definitely a way to sort our your existing users. Because I know the power of Zenology it almost feels too good to be true. Thank you again..bravo

diasporah

2 months ago

Response from developer

Thanks for the review, Diasporah! We'll be continuously improving ZENOLOGY GX throughout the free period so stay tuned for more exciting updates.

This is the best

Best iPad synth out here, I am very excited for the auv3 update!

I love loopy

2 months ago

Response from developer

Thanks for review! We'll update this reply when the AU plugin is ready.

Too quiet

Love having access to all these great sounds. And, with the consumer samplers being released, there’s lots of opportunities to use them. It seems like the audio being played is too low, though. I’ve tried tweaking what I can in the app, but I can’t even hear any of the instruments playing over Apple Music (with Background Audio on) unless it’s playing very quietly.

A. Toonguy

2 months ago

Response from developer

Hi A. Toonguy, ** Update** We just launched an update to ZENOLOGY GX that addresses the low volume issue and more. Check it out and let us know if the issue is resolved for you by updating your review. Thanks for the review and feedback. We are working on a solution to the quite output and I will update this review when a release has been fixed. If you have more feedback to share, please contact us at https://www.roland.com/cloud/contact-us Thanks and enjoy ZENOLOGY GX

we’ll see

fantastic sounds so far, we’ll see how it functions as an auv3 and how expensive it is for a lifetime key when that releases. i have high hopes.

the_last_jedi

2 months ago

Response from developer

Hi there! Thanks for the review! We're working on the AU plugin now along with many other improvements! I'll update this reply when the AU has been released. If you have more feedback to share, contact us directly at https://www.roland.com/cloud/contact-us

No AUv3

I am waiting update support AUv3. Without AUv3 this app is practically useless

Sergeyfire888

2 months ago

Response from developer

Amazing! Absolute Power House! Cannot wait for Auv3!

Wow, thank you so much for this amazing synth! I am so excited for the Auv3 update! The instruments sound so good, I don’t think we as iPad users have had such great sounding guitars! Thank you!

Thirdnail

2 months ago

Stunning Sounds on iOS

This is the new must-have for synthesis on iOS. Sounds just as good as the desktop version. Works great even on my older iPad.

Sonibellus

2 months ago

Awesome !!😎

Thanks a lot Roland ! 🤟🤩

Pancho Villa80s

2 months ago

This is not auv3

Very disappointed did even play with it once I found out I can’t use it in Zenbeats or Cubasis. Instant delete.

Monkey chunker

2 months ago

Response from developer

Hi Monkey Chunker, We are actively working on AU support now! We'll update this review once we release it and we hope you'll check it out again.

Several bugs

First upon opening the app there are loud pops first on the right speaker then goes to the right speaker individually…then once open the sound even when cranked is very very very low…then when playing the keyboard notes get stuck and you have to change the preset then go back to the preset the note got stuck on to try and use the patch again..then when playing it some notes don’t sound at all and you hear the pops and noise similar again to distortion….it glitches..it’s just not playable at all which is very disappointing and disheartening because I love Roland and have been a long time user of their products for over 20 years…and as the iPad is part of my equipment use and workflow again it was a let down not being able to use it as of now..almost uninstalled it it was that disheartening…I hope they get it right and ready to be used as intended..Thank You Roland for the introductory opportunity but it would be nice if upon launch it’s actually ready to use..oh and I’m using it on my M5 2026 iPad Pro..my interface is the second gen SSL+2

Polabearmusic

2 months ago

Response from developer

Hi Polabearmusic, ** Update** We just launched an update to ZENOLOGY GX that addresses a low volume issue along with some additional audio engine improvements. Check it out and let us know if the issue is resolved for you by updating your review. That is certainly not the experience. If you have the time, open a support ticket here and let us help troubleshoot. https://www.roland.com/cloud/contact-us