Theremin Synth vs Tandem MIDI Canvas
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Theremin Synth
Create unique soundscapes with this multitouch synthesizer. Record, loop, and overdub your creations, then export them as WAV files to share. Experiment with various waveforms and effects for endless sonic possibilities.
- Multitouch synthesis
- Record, loop, and overdub
- Adjustable delay, feedback, and scuzz effects
- Four waveform options
- Export recordings as WAV files
- Offline functionality
Read full descriptionHide full description
This is a multitouch synth instrument. Play it by touching and swiping the screen, changing the waveforms and sliding the effects to create anything from traditional sci-fi theremin sounds to deep scuzzy soundscapes. Use the looper controls to record, loop and overdub layers. Then if you wish to save or share your recording, hit the download button to send your wav file to other compatible apps like Messages, Email, Dropbox etc. The original Theremin went live in 2014 on the web at femurdesign.com/theremin. Over a million hits later and hundreds of requests for a record button, I have redesigned it. Now the Theremin is ready for you to experiment with. Happy playing! -- SPECIFICATIONS -- • Record, loop and overdub options. • Multitouch allows up to 8 tones to be played simultaneously with your fingers • 3 sliders: delay, feedback and scuzz • 4 waveforms: sine, square, triangle and saw • No internet needed, works both online and offline • Download the loop as a .wav file • Loops can be shared with other apps like Mail, Message and more. • 1000+ installs • Compatible with iOS versions 8 - 10 • Optimized for iPhone, iPad & iPad Pro -- REVIEWS -- Gizmodo "Just mess around! Twiddle those faders! Swipe and click with reckless abandon! Turn the volume all the way up, give the dog a panic fit, and make your neighbours think the street's being invaded by giant cabbage people from planet Zok. Trust me, this will never get old.” Dangerous Minds “New online theremin simulator kind of sounds cooler than the real thing. Check it out and annoy your co-workers.” Mashable “Messing around with this virtual theremin is completely addicting” -- CONTACT -- To find out about my other musical app projects, please go to femurdesign.com and share your loops with me on Facebook and Twitter. Facebook: facebook.com/femurdesign Twitter: @femurdesign For any queries and support contact me here: femurdesign.com/support
Tandem MIDI Canvas
Design and build custom MIDI controllers on your iPhone or iPad. Save presets, perform with motion and snapshots, and collaborate in real-time with others. Features smart snapping, layout templates, and morphing between states.
- Build custom MIDI controller layouts
- Save and recall presets
- Perform with motion and snapshots
- Real-time collaboration
- Smart MIDI setup
- Morphing between states
Read full descriptionHide full description
Tandem turns your iPhone or iPad into a customizable MIDI controller you can actually trust on stage. Build your own layouts in minutes, map them fast, save reusable presets, and perform with powerful features like snapshots, morphing, motion control, and real-time collaboration. Whether you’re producing in the studio, playing live, teaching, or building DJ performance layouts, Tandem gives you a fast, flexible way to create controllers that fit your workflow instead of forcing you into someone else’s. BUILD THE CONTROLLER YOU ACTUALLY WANT Create custom layouts with knobs, faders, XY pads, drum pads, buttons, toggles, momentary buttons, endless encoders, transport controls, and gyroscope-based motion. Start from a blank canvas or jump in quickly with templates for mixers, synth performance rigs, drum layouts, dashboards, and more. Save your setups as presets and reuse them whenever you want. FAST WORKFLOW, BUILT FOR REAL USE Tandem is designed to help you build quickly and perform confidently. Features include: • Smart snapping and responsive grids • Spacing tools for clean layouts • Focus Mode for precision editing • Fast MIDI Learn • Helpful hints and a replayable tutorial walkthrough • Smart MIDI setup so new controls can automatically map to unused assignments SHAPESHIFT YOUR PERFORMANCE This is where Tandem becomes more than a controller. Save up to 8 snapshots of an entire layout, including all control values. Instantly jump between states or smoothly interpolate between them using a Morph Driver. It’s perfect for live performance, evolving sound design, transitions, and expressive macro control. RANDOMIZATION YOU CAN PLAY Map Randomize to a button or pad and generate musical variation on demand. Great for experimentation, happy accidents, sound design, and live moments that feel alive instead of static. COLLABORATE IN REAL TIME With Tandem Mode, multiple devices can share and control the same layout together. Host or join a session and collaborate live across devices—ideal for bands, classrooms, writing rooms, rehearsals, and shared performance setups. Locally and Remotely via SharePlay! DJ AND PERFORMANCE READY Tandem isn’t just for synths and studio control. It can also power performance-oriented layouts for transport, mixing, browser access, FX control, looping, hot cues, waveforms, and more. Build focused pages for the way you actually perform. THEMES THAT LOOK GOOD AND HOLD UP ON STAGE Use high-contrast, stage-ready themes or create your own look. Tandem includes a redesigned Theme Maker plus import/export support for themes and preset packages so you can share setups and visual styles. FLEXIBLE CONNECTIVITY Connect with: • USB-C • Bluetooth MIDI • Wi-Fi Background processing helps keep MIDI flowing while you work. Tandem isn’t just a MIDI controller app. It’s a controller builder with performance features you usually only get from dedicated hardware—wrapped in a workflow that’s fast, modern, and easy to come back to. Design your ideal controller, save your favorite setups, morph entire layouts, and perform anywhere—solo or together.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: Theremin Synth at $2.99 against Tandem MIDI Canvas's $14.99. Theremin Synth also leads on iOS requirement (12.1 vs 17.0). Tandem MIDI Canvas's advantage is rating (5.0 vs 3.2) and review sentiment (100% vs 64%). On ratings volume, update cadence, 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
Theremin Synth costs $2.99 and Tandem MIDI Canvas $14.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Tandem MIDI Canvas holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.2. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 6 and 3 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 64% of Theremin Synth's written reviews are positive against 100% of Tandem MIDI Canvas's.
Theremin Synth ships an update every 2 months, Tandem MIDI Canvas every 5 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 16, 2026 and October 10, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Theremin Synth | Tandem MIDI Canvas |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2.99 — better | $14.99 |
| Rating | 3.2 (6 ratings) | 5.0 (3 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 63.6% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 6 — better | 3 |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Every 5 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 12.1 — better | 17.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 1 MB | 24 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Luke Phillips | Mitchell Cohen |
Customer experience
Theremin Synth
Tandem MIDI Canvas
In-app purchases
Theremin Synth
No in-app purchases
Tandem MIDI Canvas
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Theremin Synth free?
Is Tandem MIDI Canvas free?
Which has better reviews, Theremin Synth or Tandem MIDI Canvas?
Do Theremin Synth or Tandem MIDI Canvas have ads?
Which is updated more often, Theremin Synth or Tandem MIDI Canvas?
Other comparisons















