# ZX Plectrum — Musical toy with AUv3 support > ZX Spectrum loading sound synthesizer for iOS with AUv3 support. (iPhone/iPad app by Dave Sapien ltd.) - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/zx-plectrum/id477244691 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`) - Developer: [Dave Sapien ltd](https://appshunter.io/developer/430607180) - Category: Music, Entertainment - Price: $3.99 - Rating: 3.75/5 from 4 App Store ratings · 25 written reviews indexed - Age rating: 4+ - Requires: iOS 18.0 · 8 MB - Languages: English - Released: 2011-11-04 - Data updated: 2026-07-07 - Monetization: paid - User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/zx-plectrum/id477244691/reviews.md ## What is ZX Plectrum? Play the ZX Spectrum loading sounds as a musical instrument on your iPhone or iPad! Relive the crisp sounds of your youth! Change the loading sounds (and visuals) phase and pitch to make some weird, wonderful and familiar sounds! Plugin to your favourite AUv3 host and make unique music unlike anything else. BeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeBOP!! "As seen on TV" on Dara O Briain's Go 8 Bit Used by multi-Platinum band Placebo in their live envents. "ZX Plectrum lets you make music Spectrum style on your iPhone" pocket-lint.com "Utterly pointless but also utterly engaging" bamm.tv "For Nostlagia lovers of a very specific demographic this will sound like heaven" calmdowntom.com "The Greatest iPad App of ALL TIME" conoroneill.net ## Key features - ZX Spectrum loading sound recreation - Adjustable phase and pitch - Visual customization - AUv3 plugin support - Live performance integration ## Recent user reviews (10 of 25) All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/zx-plectrum/id477244691/reviews.md ### 3/5 — Fun, but… *2025-07-19, version 2.1* Super fun and nostalgic app! However, I bought it to create chippy sound FX for sampling, but unfortunately, there’s some kind of constant chorus or other phasing effect on it (maybe it’s the crossfading between different noises?). This ruins it for that purpose for me, as I wanted it totally raw. Still fun, though! ### 5/5 — Possibly best AUv3 ever *2025-05-10, version 2.0* Works on Mac too, thank you so much for this bit of nostalgia! ### 1/5 — Are you serious *2023-04-14, version 1.012* Money back play! Not worth 1/2 pence ### 5/5 — I love this app. *2021-12-07, version 1.012* I’ve had this app for years and it makes me smile every time. Thank you Dave, ZX Plectrum is simultaneously both total genius and absolutely bonkers. ### 2/5 — No sound on iPhone *2018-12-29, version 1.012* Sadly. Looks like it is working but just no sound Someone else reported this problem on iPhone too ### 4/5 — Great on iPad no sound on iPhone *2017-05-27, version 1.007* The iPad version is brilliant, it's a fun way to make the noises of the Spectrum load up screen and bring back nostalgia. I also have it loaded to my iPhone, but there is no sound. The screen shows as normal, but with no sound it's pointless. ### 5/5 — Buuuuuuuuu-zit, buuuuu-zoooo *2015-03-23, version 1.007* Brings back my childhood! ### 5/5 — I'm impressed! *2015-02-06, version 1.007* I think I was looking up emulators, perhaps not even Spectrum ones, can't remember. This came up anyway and it just so happened that on one of my to-do lists was to get some samples of classic home computers loading. This discovery is far superior to that as now I can control exactly how I want it to sound! More than just a gimmick if you either want it for game design (me) or write music with these sounds (yes, really, check out Richard D James by Aphex Twin) then it's better than messing with limited options in some sample collection. ### 5/5 — Great app! *2014-09-06, version 1.007* Me and my friend had a great time playing on this app, I can see why it is the best iPad app ever! Great fun for a Saturday afternoon eating sweets on the sofa. ### 5/5 — Audiobus suggestion seconded! *2013-08-18, version 1.006* Oh, i dunno. Anyway still a laugh. Something like this may be cool in recordings. Hey hey 16k (R tape loading terror, 0:1) The hold down then let go gesture bottom right does the initial 'dooo bip' that we all know and love, nice touch. . . . . . . . . . SCROLL?... ## Frequently asked questions about ZX Plectrum ### What devices does ZX Plectrum support? ZX Plectrum is compatible with both iPhone and iPad devices. It was released on 2011-11-04 and last updated on 2025-05-28. ### How much does ZX Plectrum cost? ZX Plectrum is a paid application, priced at $3.99. It does not feature in-app purchases or advertisements. ### What is the age rating for ZX Plectrum? ZX Plectrum has an age rating of 4+, making it suitable for a wide range of users. The app's latest version is 2.1. ### Can ZX Plectrum be used with other music software? Yes, ZX Plectrum supports AUv3 hosting, allowing it to be used as a plugin within your favorite AUv3 compatible music production applications. ### What kind of sounds can I create with ZX Plectrum? You can recreate the distinctive ZX Spectrum loading sounds and manipulate their phase and pitch to generate a variety of unique and familiar audio textures. ### Is ZX Plectrum good for live performances? The app has been used by bands like Placebo in live events, suggesting it is suitable for live performance due to its unique sound capabilities and integration options. ### What is the user sentiment for ZX Plectrum? While the app has a rating of 3.8 stars from 4 ratings, reviews have described it as 'utterly pointless but also utterly engaging' and 'The Greatest iPad App of ALL TIME' for nostalgia lovers. ## Version history (last 5 releases) ### 2.1 — 2025-05-28 Thank you to everyone who has supported ZX Plectrum over the years. I'm excited to announce our new CRT effect, really feel like its the 80's once again! This update adds better stability and features to the AUv3 plug-in ‧ Mod wheel support added to the AUv3 plug-in ‧ New CRT mode added (toggle on and off in the iOS settings for ZX Plectrum) ### 2.0 — 2025-04-21 Thank you to everyone who has supported ZX Plectrum over the years. Its been a wild ride seeing what you guys do with it! This update modernises and introduces performance stability, improved device support, and preparing for future developments. ‧ New rendering engine with scan lines. ‧ Basic AUv3 support added, with more to come. ‧ New options in iOS settings page (to turn off scantiness) ### 1.012 — 2018-06-19 This app has been updated by Apple to display the Apple Watch app icon. Minnor bug fixes for screen rotation. Added new URL Scheme "zxplectrum://" so ZX Plectrum can be opened by a link or by such apps like Bandhelper. ### 1.010 — 2017-10-25 Updated for iOS 11. -Removed info screen for a pure full screen experience. -Added iPhone X and iPad Pro support. ### 1.007 — 2013-12-21 New Icon and fixed a few issues on iOS7. ## More apps by Dave Sapien ltd - [PooBarr the pooping bear](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/poobarr-the-pooping-bear/id650755340) - [Kanso, your moment of Zen](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/kanso-your-moment-of-zen/id1384257762) - [Paint It Demo](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/paint-it-demo/id1514927174) - [Painting Books 2+](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/painting-books-2-plus/id1617993769) - [Kids Coloring, Painting Books](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/kids-coloring-painting-books/id6670751769) All apps by Dave Sapien ltd: https://appshunter.io/developer/430607180 --- *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 2026-07-07.*