Comparison

Mini Synthesizer vs Quarked

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • 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
Read full description

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.

About

Quarked

Features
Read full description

Quarked is a high-performance granular synthesizer designed for precision sound design. Built around a native C-based audio engine, it prioritizes low-latency manipulation and a functional workflow that stays out of your way. Capture audio directly via the integrated tape-style recorder or import existing samples to begin deconstructing them. Quarked treats sound as a physical material, allowing you to zoom, slice, and re-texture with tactile, high-precision controls. The Engine: Granular Core: Independent control over grain size, density, position, and scan speed. Performance First: A native audio backend ensures smooth parameter interpolation without artifacts. Note-Level ADSR: Professional-grade envelope shaping with exponential curves for natural release. The Workflow Precision Ruler: Navigate waveforms with high-resolution sliders designed for micro-adjustments. Technical Aesthetic: A flat, distraction-free interface inspired by modern studio hardware. Dynamic FX Chain: A reorderable signal path featuring Delay, Reverb, Shimmer, and a 3-band technical EQ. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Quarked4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Mini Synthesizer at $4.99 against Quarked's $14.99. Quarked's advantage is update cadence (every 8 days vs every 4 months) and device support (3 vs 1). On ads, in-app purchases and iOS requirement 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Mini Synthesizer costs $4.99 and Quarked $14.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Mini Synthesizer ships an update every 4 months, Quarked every 8 days. The most recent releases landed on October 18, 2026 and October 9, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Mini Synthesizer versus Quarked: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMini SynthesizerQuarked
Price$4.99 — better$14.99
Rating3.5 (12 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews44.1% of reviews—
Number of ratings12 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 4 monthsEvery 8 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaid—
DevicesiPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS13.013.0
Further details — not scored
Size12 MB23 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperElectro-HarmonixSyam Anand

In-app purchases

None

Mini Synthesizer

No in-app purchases

None

Quarked

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Mini Synthesizer free?
Mini Synthesizer costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Quarked free?
Quarked costs $14.99, with no in-app purchases.
Do Mini Synthesizer or Quarked have ads?
Neither Mini Synthesizer nor Quarked shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Mini Synthesizer or Quarked?
Mini Synthesizer ships an update every 4 months, and Quarked every 8 days. Most recently, Mini Synthesizer was updated on October 18, 2026 and Quarked on October 9, 2026.

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