# Troublemaker vs ShockWave

The clearest difference is price: Troublemaker at $8.99 against ShockWave's $19.99. Troublemaker also leads on review sentiment (78% vs 54%) and update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 2 months). On rating, ratings volume, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Troublemaker costs $8.99 and ShockWave $19.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.6 for Troublemaker against 4.6 for ShockWave. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 64 and 188 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 78% of Troublemaker's written reviews are positive against 54% of ShockWave's.

Troublemaker ships an update every 2 weeks, ShockWave every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 8, 2026 and October 6, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Troublemaker | ShockWave |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **$8.99** | $19.99 |
| Rating | [4.6 (64 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/troublemaker/id1180892130/reviews) | [4.6 (188 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/shockwave-synth-module/id1449844670/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 64 | **188** |
| Positive reviews | **77.9% of reviews** | 54.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 2 weeks** | Every 2 months |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Size | 4 MB | 42 MB |
| Requires iOS | **12.0** | 15.6 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Bram Bos](https://appshunter.io/developer/325340444) | [Kai Aras](https://appshunter.io/developer/370820899) |

## What reviewers say

### Troublemaker

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/troublemaker/id1180892130)

This app emulates the iconic TB-303 bassline synthesizer, offering its distinctive sound with a diode filter, sawtooth, and square wave oscillators. It provides extensive MIDI and sequencer features, allowing for creative sound design and integration with DAWs.

**Highlights:** Diode filter emulation, Sawtooth and square wave oscillators, Realtime Mutation Probability Engine, Standalone sequencer (1-64 steps), Audio Unit (AUv3) compatibility, MIDI CC controllers, MIDI Clock Sync

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


### ShockWave

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/shockwave-synth-module/id1449844670)

This app is a monophonic synthesizer for iOS and AUv3 plugins, utilizing Phase Distortion synthesis. It offers dual PD oscillators, sequencers, LFOs, and envelopes for complex sound design. Almost any control can be modulated by multiple sources, with real-time visual feedback.

**Highlights:** Phase Distortion Synthesis, Dual PD Oscillators, Dual 8-step Sequencers, Dual ASR Envelopes, Tempo-syncable LFOs, Extensive Modulation Matrix, MIDI and MPE Support

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- ✨ Unique and amazing sounds
- 🔊 Heavy and brutal tones
- 💡 Innovative phase distortion synthesis
- 🎨 Beautiful and deep sound sculpting
- 🎹 Great for bass sounds

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent crashes and glitches
- ❌ Not working in AUM/AUv3
- 🔇 No sound output in certain apps
- ❓ Difficult to use without a manual
- 📉 Laggy UI and slow patch loading

**Reported bugs**

- "Bad Signal" errors in AUM, stops sound generation.
- Intermittent "bad signal" prompt in AUM, requires reloading.
- Sounds awful, very distorted with glitchy UI.
- App crashes frequently.
- No sound coming out of AUv3 in GarageBand.

**Requested features**

- Provide a proper manual detailing all parameters and sections with examples.
- Implement a key trigger option for the sequencer to allow MIDI controller playback.
- Add a poly mode.
- Improve documentation and tutorials.
- Standardize knob appearance and response.


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Troublemaker free?

Troublemaker costs $8.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is ShockWave free?

ShockWave costs $19.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Troublemaker or ShockWave?

Troublemaker and ShockWave are both rated 4.6 out of 5 on the App Store, from 64 and 188 ratings respectively.

### Do Troublemaker or ShockWave have ads?

Neither Troublemaker nor ShockWave shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Troublemaker or ShockWave?

Troublemaker ships an update every 2 weeks, and ShockWave every 2 months. Most recently, Troublemaker was updated on October 8, 2026 and ShockWave on October 6, 2026.

---

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