OP vs NERD Synth A2x + AUv3
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
OP
This app provides a wireless screen for the OP-Z synthesizer, displaying real-time musical data like mixer levels and effect amounts. It enhances interaction with multi-touch controls for simultaneous adjustments and a smooth touchpad for effects.
- Wireless screen for OP-Z
- Real-time data visualization
- Mixer level monitoring
- Effect level monitoring
- Multi-touch mixer control
- Touchpad for effects/filters
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This is the official OP-Z companion app. Use your iOS device as a wireless screen for the mighty OP-Z synthesizer. See the numbers and graphs behind the music you create in real time. At a glance, you know how your instruments are balanced in the mixer or just how much effect is applied to each instrument. The app adds another dimension to your interaction with the OP–Z. Unlocking multi-touch features, you can adjust multiple mixer sliders at once or use the smooth touch pad to adjust effects or filters.
NERD Synth A2x + AUv3
This virtual analog synthesizer offers a powerful and intuitive sound design experience, inspired by classic hardware. Explore over 40 classic waveforms, a versatile arpeggiator, step sequencer, and lush effects to craft unique electronic music.
- Virtual Analog Synthesizer
- 40+ Classic Waveforms
- Arpeggiator
- Step Sequencer
- Lush Effects Suite
- Four-voice Unison
- AUv3 Plugin Support
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Inspired by the classic sounds of the Nord Lead A1** This is not a Rompler. This is a SYNTH. "I’m impressed. The sounds are FAT, the effects are LUSH, and the interface is a JOY to use." – Audio News Room "This is not a clone, this is BEYOND the hardware, it's a completely new, fantastic beast" – Jade Starr, How to App "An excellent release...app captures the soul of the Nord Lead A1 Synthesizer" – Synth Anatomy "An iOS-based homage to a virtual analogue classic!" – Music Radar / Keyboard Magazine Not imitation, it's Innovation! https://audiokitpro.com/redsynth With Nerd Synth, you’ll have access to all 40+ of the classic lead A1 waveforms! Plus, we gave it some RAW MODERN POWER. FULLY LOADED w/ 550+ presets by Analog Matthew, Electronisounds, DMT Cymatics, Moby Pixel, Red Sky Lullaby, and more NOTE: This is a synth, and contains no hardware preset samples. All presets are completely original. One low price includes Lifetime License and all Features Easy to use. Easy to get great tone! NERD SYNTH A2X: • 64-voice, Retro VA-Synth • Include all 40+ of the Nord A1 waveforms • Arpeggiator! Classic Hardware-style Arp, with extra features • Vintage-style Step Sequencer that can be routed to specific layers • A proper filter envelope ADSR! • NEW: 2x Oversampled Oscillators • 3 LFOs. Fun Routings. LFOs can modify other LFOs • Microtonality, World Scales and Western Scales! • TouchPads! 2 fun assignable pads, -= Create NORD-style SUPER SAWS =- ++ Four-voice Unison with the tap of a button ++ 3 different algorithms: Regular, HYPER, and BEAST! "Astoundingly great sounding and intuitive synth app!" – The GarageBand Guide Modeled sound: It's like a time-capsule. Imagine if there were iPads in 2003? Complete with that "cold" VA sound that ruled the dance floors and stages ADDITIONAL FEATURES: • FX: Glorious Reverb, Analog Tape Delay, Distortion, Flanger, Chorus, Crush, and more. • On board "Record" button, no external hardware required • Works with a MIDI Keyboard EXCLUSIVE TO THIS APP: • "SUPER FM" wild pitch drop controls! Modeled after digital VA-Synths, complete with vintage digital aliasing for old-school vibe! • Crazy aggressive RING MODULATION distortion – It's like robots talking, or fighting? You decide! COOL: • iPad version has "stacked" views for maximum onscreen control! Tap the current Nav Button at the top to change the bottom view • This is a Premium App: No iAP, No Ads, No subscriptions! Use as a plug-in in DAWs like GarageBand & Logic for iPad, Cubasis, AUM, and more! NOTE: This is not a hardware clone, it's a completely new synth. If you're looking for a ROMpler like the "Stage" series, this app may not be for you. This is a SYNTH, not a rompler. All the presets here are new and original. Giving you fresh new sounds that are completely tweak-able This is not a 1:1 clone and will not load hardware presets. Please note that this app's sound is closer to the A1, which is a different sound from the NL1/NL2X. ** This app has no affiliation or endorsement by Clavia DMI AB. This app is not a clone of any their synths, including the Nord Lead and Nord Lead A1. While we were inspired by their wonderful and iconic work, this app is not trying to copy those synths. We created something completely new. It's a synth for synth nerds :) LEGAL STUFF: All product names and images, trademarks and artists names are the property of their respective owners, which are in no way associated or affiliated with the creators of this app, including AudioKit, AudioKit Pro, LLC, and the other contributors. Any use of these names and images does not imply any cooperation or endorsement by Clavia Digital Musical Instruments. Nord Lead, Nord Lead 2X, Nord, and Nord Lead A1 are Clavia trademarks and properties. We appreciate their amazing work in creating such classic and inspiring instruments.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: OP at Free against NERD Synth A2x + AUv3's $5.99. OP also leads on iOS requirement (12.0 vs 14.4). NERD Synth A2x + AUv3's advantage is rating (4.9 vs 4.2) and review sentiment (89% vs 47%). On ads, in-app purchases and device support 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
OP is free to download; NERD Synth A2x + AUv3 costs $5.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
NERD Synth A2x + AUv3 holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: NERD Synth A2x + AUv3 has 1.4K ratings behind it against 116, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 47% of OP's written reviews are positive against 89% of NERD Synth A2x + AUv3's.
OP ships an update every 6 weeks, NERD Synth A2x + AUv3 fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 27, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | OP | NERD Synth A2x + AUv3 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free — better | $5.99 |
| Rating | 4.2 (116 ratings) | 4.9 (1.4K ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 47.2% of reviews | 89.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 116 | 1.4K — better |
| Update frequency | Every 6 weeks | Fortnightly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free — better | Paid |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 12.0 — better | 14.4 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 127 MB | 242 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Teenage Engineering | AudioKit Pro |
Customer experience
OP
NERD Synth A2x + AUv3
User reviews
OP
From 116 App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 👍 Well-designed software
- 💡 Visual elements are great
- 👍 Easy to use companion app
- 🚀 Fast Bluetooth connection (sometimes)
- 👍 Informative and clear layout
Room to improve
- 🐛 Frequent connection issues
- 🐛 App crashes often
- 🐛 Incompatible with older iOS
- 🐛 Hardware manufacturing defects
- 🐛 Unreliable Bluetooth connectivity
NERD Synth A2x + AUv3
From 1.4K App Store ratingsWhat we love
- ⭐ Outstanding synth
- 👍 Very nice and rich sounding
- 🎨 Great presets and sound design
- 🔧 Easy to use and intuitive
- 💻 Works well in AUv3 environments
Room to improve
- 🐛 Doesn't show up in Logic
- 🔧 Needs to be more Mac-compatible
- 🔧 Changing presets can be sluggish
- 🔧 Missing aftertouch/expression support
Bugs and requests
OP
Reported bugs
26 issues- Manufacturing defects
- App crashes when using videoout feature
- App crashes or hangs with HDMI output
- Unable to connect through Bluetooth or adapter
- App no longer connects after getting a new iPad
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- Won't reliably connect via Bluetooth
- OP-Z won't stay connected to iPhone
- Disconnects after Bluetooth setup
- Won't connect via USB or Bluetooth
- App won't stay connected
- App crashes every time it's opened
- Fails to pair to screenless OP-Z
- Bluetooth still isn't working with current iOS
- Cannot connect, screen button doesn't work
- App not properly connected
- Disconnects
- Doesn't work on iPhone or iPad
- Bluetooth connection not sticking on iOS version 14.2
- Stopped working
- Bluetooth in iPadOS14.2 disconnects
- App no longer displays data from OP-Z
- iPad won't scan for OP-Z
- iPad app won't scan again
- iPad won't scan or recognize OP-Z
- Scan button currently doesn't detect OP-Z
- OP-Z app is stuck in sync mode
Requested features
5 requests- Make compatible for older iOS
- Offline guide available
- Add clear dial metrics
- Import sound plugs via app
- Add own Unity graphics
NERD Synth A2x + AUv3
Reported bugs
2 issues- Doesn't fit properly in Logic Pro for iPad
- Keyboard keys get stuck when using a controller
Requested features
4 requests- Dark mode option
- Undo/redo functionality
- Improved Logic Pro integration
- Ability to change color scheme
In-app purchases
OP
No in-app purchases
NERD Synth A2x + AUv3
No in-app purchases







