Mini Synthesizer vs Black Distortion
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Mini Synthesizer
This app faithfully recreates a classic analog synthesizer from the 1980s, offering vintage sounds with modern updates. It features intuitive controls for pitch, filters, and delay, allowing for extensive sound shaping and preset saving.
- Faithful analog synthesizer recreation
- Vintage and modern sound updates
- Intuitive controls with sliders and switches
- Extensive sound shaping (pitch, filters, delay, reverb)
- Preset management with unlimited user storage
- Audiobus compatibility
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Electro-Harmonix, a pioneer since 1968 in the field of sound effects pedals for musicians, has produced an app which is a faithful digital re-creation of their circa 1980 analog cult-classic, The MINI-SYNTHESIZER. Available for iPad and iPhone (IOS version 15.0 or later), the EHX MINI-SYNTHESIZER accurately delivers all the vintage synth sounds of the original plus modern updates. EHX President and Founder, Mike Matthews stated: “Fans of vintage synths will appreciate the apps ability to recreate the original’s warm analog sounds and deep funky bass, but because it’s so affordable ($2.99 for phone, $4.99 for tablet) and user-friendly, parents, educators and non-musicians will love it, too.” The MINI-SYNTHESIZER app comes with 25 presets and the ability to store an almost unlimited number of user presets programs. Audiobus capabilities are also included. Intuitive, flexible and powerful control are provided by the MINI-SYNTHESIZER’s 12 sliders and nine switches. Here’s a breakdown of the user interface: OSC Section - PITCH slider lets the player raise or lower the pitch of the note by +/- 1 octave - SUB-OCTAVE slider introduces a note one octave below what’s being played for extra bottom - OCTAVE UP switch causes the note being played to jump up one octave. - TUNE knob lets the player tune the MINI-SYNTHESIZER to other instruments and sound sources over a +/- 50 cents range. FILTERS Section - PHASE RATE slider adjusts the speed of the phase shifter - FILTER START sets the start frequency of the filter sweep - FILTER STOP sets the stop frequency of the filter sweep - SWEEP RATE controls the speed of the filter sweep - PHASE switch turns the effect on/off - 2X FILTER switch changes how the audio passes through the filters (either in parallel or in series) - Q switch sets the amount of resonance on the filter sweep - RETRIGGER switch turns the filter retrigger on/off DELAY Section - TIME slider adjusts the delay time up to two seconds - FEEDBACK controls the number of echo repeats - BLEND adjusts the mix of the original signal and the echo repeats - DELAY switch turns the effect on/off - TIME label can be tapped for tap tempo REVERB Section - AMOUNT slider adjusts the reverb effect level - BLEND slider controls the mix of the wet and dry signals - REVERB switch turns reverb on/off - REVERB>DELAY switch lets the user place either Delay or Reverb first in the effects chain for a variety of cool sound effects. MISCELLANEOUS CONTROLS - VOL (Volume) slider adjusts the MINI-SYNTHESIZER’s overall sound output level - POLY/MONO switch toggles between polyphonic (four notes can be played simultaneously) or monophonic (only one note can be played at a time) modes - PRESETS pop-down menu displays the presets available and allows the user to instantly select one - HORIZONTAL slider lets the player adjust the keyboards sounding range over an expansive eight-octave range. - RIBBON Interface lets the player perform portamento (glide up or down to pitch), vibrato and other expressive playing. The easy-to-use Electro-Harmonix MINI-SYNTHESIZER App is loaded with great sounds and features and is sure to appeal to serious musicians and non-musicians alike. LIMITATIONS - InterApp Audio experiences periodic crashes and graphics issues. - The MINI SYNTH runs at 48 kHz sample rate; using the MINI SYNTH in an environment with 44.1 kHz sample rate (such as Garageband for iOS) may cause aliasing. - Presets saved in the standalone app cannot be accessed when using the MINI SYNTH as an AudioUnit, and vice versa.
Black Distortion
This audio plugin emulates a classic distortion pedal, offering versatile gain levels from mild overdrive to fuzzy tones. It features a unique filter control to shape high-end frequencies and a volume control for perfect integration with your existing sound. Use it as a primary distortion, a dirty channel for amplifiers, or a boost for solos.
- RAT2 distortion pedal emulation
- Adjustable gain from overdrive to fuzz
- Legendary filter control for treble shaping
- Volume control for clean tone matching
- Standalone, AudioUnit v3, and Inter-App Audio support
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The Black Distortion plugin modeled on RAT2* distortion pedal will be your go-to distortion plugin for every recording, whether it’s rock, blues, punk, or jazz. The beauty of the Black Distortion plugin lies in its versatility. Used as a primary distortion, it excels at arena rock rhythm tones and soaring leads. Do you have an amplifier plugin with too much headroom? Let the Black Distortion plugin be your dirty channel. Maybe you already love your amplifier plugin distortion. Use the Black Distortion plugin as a boost for solos and get the extra kick you need. The Black Distortion plugin features the legendary filter control. Turn it to the right to roll off brittle high-end frequencies. Having trouble cutting through the mix? Turn it to the left and allow the natural brightness of your instrument to shine through. Black Distortion plugin dials in the perfect amount of gain, from mild overdrive to full out fuzzy assault, and the volume control lets you dial it in just perfectly against your bypassed clean tone. Legal Disclaimer: *All product names are trademarks of their respective owners, which are in no way associated or affiliated with Nembrini Audio SRL. These product names, descriptions and images are provided for the sole purpose of identifying the specific products that were studied during Nembrini Audio’s sound design process. Works as a standalone app, AudioUnit v3 effect, or Inter-App Audio effect
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: Black Distortion at Free against Mini Synthesizer's $4.99. Black Distortion also leads on rating (5.0 vs 3.5) and review sentiment (67% vs 44%). Mini Synthesizer's advantage is update cadence (every 4 months vs every 61 months) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15). On 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
Black Distortion is free to download; Mini Synthesizer costs $4.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Black Distortion holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.5. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 12 and 24 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 44% of Mini Synthesizer's written reviews are positive against 67% of Black Distortion's.
Mini Synthesizer ships an update every 4 months, Black Distortion every 61 months. The most recent releases landed on November 2, 2026 and November 3, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Mini Synthesizer | Black Distortion |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $4.99 | Free — better |
| Rating | 3.5 (12 ratings) | 5.0 (24 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 44.1% of reviews | 66.7% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 12 | 24 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months — better | Every 61 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | Free with in-app purchases — better |
| Devices | iPad | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 — better | 15 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 12 MB | 42 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Electro-Harmonix | Nembrini Audio |
Customer experience
Mini Synthesizer
Black Distortion
In-app purchases
Mini Synthesizer
No in-app purchases
Black Distortion
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Mini Synthesizer free?
Is Black Distortion free?
Which has better reviews, Mini Synthesizer or Black Distortion?
Do Mini Synthesizer or Black Distortion have ads?
Which is updated more often, Mini Synthesizer or Black Distortion?
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