# FM Essential vs Raven Audio

FM Essential and Raven Audio are too close to call on the numbers: across 5 compared parameters — price, ads, in-app purchases and device support among them — neither pulls far enough ahead to decide it. What separates them is feature set and interface, not measurable difference.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

## The numbers

| Metric | FM Essential | Raven Audio |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[3.0 (70 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/fm-essential-us/id1121442614/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **70** | — |
| Positive reviews | 40.0% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 15 months | — |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Size | 88 MB | 1 MB |
| Requires iOS | **16.0** | 17.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, Apple TV** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Yamaha Corporation of America](https://appshunter.io/developer/408058585) | [James Connell](https://appshunter.io/developer/1186826449) |

## What reviewers say

### FM Essential

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/fm-essential-us/id1121442614)

This app is an FM tone generator and synthesizer for iPhone and iPad, offering real-time performance capabilities and voice editing. It includes a variety of presets, arpeggiator patterns, chord pads, and scales, along with drum functionalities. The app also supports external hardware integration and advanced sound manipulation through effects, EQ, and a ball controller.

**Highlights:** FM tone generator, Real-time synth performance, Voice editing, Arpeggiator and chord pads, Effects and EQ edit, Ball controller for sound modulation, Step sequencer

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🎶 Fantastic sound quality
- 👍 Easy to use
- ✨ Amazing synth capabilities
- 💡 Great FM synth app
- 🎵 Wonderful, flexible, intuitive synth

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🔓 App locked by hardware
- 🔌 Connection issues
- 💸 Expensive hardware required
- ❓ Deceptive free app
- 😩 Limited functionality

**Reported bugs**

- Does not unlock with USB-C adapter
- App crashes when loading combinations
- Preset menus crash the app
- Combined Sounds no longer read from keyboard after iPad update
- Instruments stop working if effect filters are turned off

**Requested features**

- Unlock without hardware purchase
- Allow in-app purchase to unlock
- Bring back Tenori On apps
- Fix LFO delay parameter
- Add separate volume control for drums


### Raven Audio

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/raven-audio/id6780316741)

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is FM Essential free?

FM Essential is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Raven Audio free?

Raven Audio is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Do FM Essential or Raven Audio have ads?

Neither FM Essential nor Raven Audio shows ads.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*