Poseidon Synth vs WoodStepper
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Poseidon Synth
Explore vast sonic landscapes with this advanced synthesizer. It combines analog synthesis with spectral modeling for unique sound design, offering powerful filters, spatialization, and a vast library of presets and sound models.
- Spectral model oscillator
- F-Domain Filter with variable slope
- Spatializer for stereo movement
- Extensive sound browser
- Arpeggiator with programmable sequences
- Built-in effects suite
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Poseidon Synth - The Ocean of Sound For all creatures in the ocean of sound - Sonic textures from other worlds, Analog signature sounds, Cut-through-the-mix leads and silkily smooth pads: Poseidon sets a new standard for sound design and ease of use. All of this was made possible through a combination of the familiar, conceptual simplicity of the analog synthesis and our frequency domain based Spectral modelling synthesis technology. Spectral model oscillator Select a basic sound model from over hundred delivered with Poseidon. The basic sound model determines the sound characteristic you want to start: taking a artificial model like “Sawtooth” gives you analog style sounds. Use complex models from analyzed samples for earth shaking ambients and evolving pads. Model parameters High level controls allow for changing the spectral shape, the harmonicity and balances the level of residual noise and spectral amount of the oscillator model. F-Domain Filter The newly developed F-Domain filter allow for drastic changes in the resulting sound spectrum. Five filter types including lowpass/highpass characteristic can be used to shape the sound. They have the usual controls like cutoff but also very unusual ones like a variable slope ranging from 0 dB to 72 dB / Octave and independent controls for resonance and bandwidth! This kind of controls are only possible in the context of our F-Domain synthesis technology. This results in an extremely clear filter sound with breathtaking fast modulation possibilities. The filter type “Inverse” interprets the sound model as a "Source" and a resonant body "Filter". The cutoff parameter shifts the filterbase - this is the equivalent to making the instrument body smaller or bigger. Spatializer This simple control gives your sound a distinctive moving distribution in the stereo panorama. Every atomic sound particle has it´s own path through the space ! Sound browser The sound browser in Poseidon gives you a fast selection of sounds based on category and timbre. Spectral modelling synthesis • Harmonic/Inharmonic/Noise sound models • 512 oscillators per voice • 300 Sound models / 600 factory presets Unique sound control • Pitch modulation / Harmonicity control • Time machine • Timbre control • Frequency Domain Filter • Spatializer Arpeggiator • Uses programmable sequences with up to 32 steps. • Can trigger single notes and chords. • Unique randomiser generates Arpeggios with 100% usability. • 32 Arpeggios included, unlimited user arpeggios possible. • For each step you can program tie, accent, transposition and note order Effects • Chorus • Phaser • Flanger • Distortion (aliasing free!) • Equalizer • Echo/Delay • Reverb Global • Audiobus 3 compatible (Input slot) • Audio Unit AUv3 • Inter-app audio compatible (Instrument/Generator) • CoreMIDI / Virtual MIDI / Tempo Sync / MIDI Learn • Audio recorder with Metronome. • Audio pasteboard / File sharing. • Ableton Link support • Bluetooth audio A2DP
WoodStepper
This app is a versatile music production tool that combines sequencing, synthesis, and sampling. It offers multiple independent sequencers that can be linked, and each can function as a synth. It supports both standalone use and as a plugin within a DAW.
- 4 independent 8-step sequencers
- Synth mode for parameter automation
- Sequencers can be linked for longer patterns
- Audio and MIDI output
- Built-in VCOs with modulation
- Sampling from live input or files
- Step-based pitch shifting and filtering
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The WoodStepper is a sequencer/synthesizer/sampler having both audio and midi out. The audio sources can be the track audio, sampled audio (live/track recorded or from file) or the built-in VCO's. The VCO notes can also be set by the Chordulator which finds chord notes in a live stream or recorded track. It consists of 4 independent 8-steps sequencers which can be linked to a 16, 24 or 32 steps sequencer. Each sequencer can independently be set to Synth mode. So WoodStepper can be used in any combinations of sequencers, synths and looper/samplers. Each step can also send 4 midi messages (note on, CC, …) to 2 midi channels. The audio part for each sequencer has a pitch (down) shifter, (Moog lowpass) filter with A(D)SR envelope, saturator, amplitude A(D)SR envelope and delay line which can all be set independently per step. The VCO notes can be set by midi input and WoodStepper has a function to limit the notes produced by VCO + pitch shifters to a specified key and interval scale. The app can be used stand-alone (device audio input and output) or as a plugin in a DAW. The manual can be downloaded from : http://www.woodmansimmaculatemaplesyrupstudio.be/woodstepper/WoodStepperHelp.pdf - IOS plugin type : AUv3 effect, AUv3 instrument and stand-alone app. - Has 4 independent 8-steps sequencers. - Each of the 4 sequencers can be set to Synth mode, the steps can then be used to automate parameters while playing. - Sequencers can be linked to form 16, 24, or 32 steps sequencer(s). - Each sequencer can have a different timing. - Steps can be disabled for non 4/4 patterns. - Each step can send up to 4 midi messages (+ all previous notes off) on 2 midi channels - Audio sources can be the track audio, sampled audio or 3 VCO's (per sequencer). - Sampling (audio coming live or from the DAW track) can be armed (per sequencer) with a button or a midi in CC. - Samples can also be loaded from file (sample files should be in the WoodStepper iCloud folder) - Each sequencer has it’s own gain, clipping led and brick-wall limiter. - VCO’s have the usual waveforms and can be modulated in various ways. - Full polyphonic mode sends 4 subsequent note-ons to the 4 sequencers/synths. - Para-polyphonic mode (per sequencer) sends notes 2&3 to the sequencer/synth VCO's 2&3, giving max 12 voices. - Each sequencer/synth can set the range of receiving midi notes (which allows for up to 4 split keyboard regions). - Each step has a pitch down shifter (sequencer mode only). - Pitch shifters have a glide control. - Pitch shifters can be set to a random value (out of a list of scales). - Pitch values can be harmonically locked to the Just Scale or the Equally Tempered Scale. - VCO + Pitch can be limited to a specified key + interval scale (e.g. C Major Pentatonic) - Each step has a 4-pole Moog Lowpass filter with resonance and ASR (sequencer) or ADSR (synth) envelope. - Steps have an additional high-pass filter and a saturation control. - All steps have an ASR (sequencer) or ADSR (synth) amplitude envelope and a step gain. - Each step has its own delay line with independent timing, feedback, and filtering. - Step audio and delay can be panned independently per step. - Sequencers can be started manually, started with the DAW transport, start after receiving a midi note or start audio gated. - Sequencers can be stopped manually or after a number of bars have been played. - A “Play 1 Step” button allows to finetune step settings - An “All Steps” button allows to set the same parameter value in all steps. - Has a global Dry-Wet, Input gain and Output gain control. - Presets can be stored in iCloud Drive (makes them available on all your devices). - Presets can be switched with Midi Program Changes or with the "Next Preset" button when running. - Major controls can be set with Midi CC messages. - Ableton Link can synchronise tempo, phase and start-stop with other Ableton Link enabled apps.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is update cadence: WoodStepper at every 3 weeks against Poseidon Synth's every 4 months. WoodStepper also leads on rating (4.3 vs 4.0) and device support (3 vs 1). Poseidon Synth's advantage is price ($7.99 vs $10.99). On review sentiment, ratings volume, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
Poseidon Synth costs $7.99 and WoodStepper $10.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
WoodStepper holds the better App Store score, 4.3 against 4.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 33 and 12 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 59% of Poseidon Synth's written reviews are positive against 57% of WoodStepper's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.
Poseidon Synth ships an update every 4 months, WoodStepper every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 7, 2026 and October 6, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Poseidon Synth | WoodStepper |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $7.99 — better | $10.99 |
| Rating | 4.0 (33 ratings) | 4.3 (12 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 58.8% of reviews — better | 57.1% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 33 — better | 12 |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | Every 3 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Devices | iPad | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 12.0 | 11.4 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 328 MB | 112 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Harry Gohs | Woodman's Immaculate Maple Syrup Studio |
Customer experience
Poseidon Synth
WoodStepper
In-app purchases
Poseidon Synth
No in-app purchases
WoodStepper
No in-app purchases








