Ripplemaker vs ShockWave
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Ripplemaker
Explore sound with a West Coast-style modular synthesizer. This app offers a versatile playground for creating evolving drones and morphing basslines, with or without patching cables. It also includes a standalone sequencer with advanced pattern generation and mutation features.
- West Coast-style modular synthesis
- Prewired monosynth functionality
- Virtual patch cables for experimentation
- Standalone sequencer with random pattern generation
- Realtime probability-based mutation engine
- AUv3 plugin support
- Ableton Link and MIDI Clock Sync
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Ripplemaker: a West Coast Flavored (Semi-)Modular Synth The freedom and versatility of a modular synth in a stylish mobile package. In typical West Coast fashion the available modules, such as complex oscillator, lowpass gate, FM, mathematical utilities and slope generator, are designed for exploration and experimentation. The virtual patch cables will let you take your sound wherever you want to take it, from morphing basslines to evolving generative drones. A modular playground Even if you’re not familiar with modulars, wavefolders or control voltage you can dive right in, because all modules are prewired; offering a powerful monosynth without using a single cable. Then whip out the virtual cables and start patching. Ripplemaker is designed for fun - big enough to lose yourself into, yet intuitive enough to not get lost. Standalone sequencer goodness Sometimes you want to get away from your DAW and just play. That’s why Ripplemaker, beside being an AU plugin, also comes with a standalone sequencer app that helps you get creative. It has a random pattern generator with scale locks, a realtime probability-based mutation engine and it syncs with your other apps and hardware via Ableton Link or MIDI Clock. Download the user manual on www.ruismaker.com Connectivity beyond cables: obviously in a modular synth it’s all about cables. But Ripplemaker takes connectivity to the another level: - AUv3 (Audio Unit Plugin) Extension for use in iOS DAWs - Universal design (works on iPad 4+, iPhone 5S+, iPod Touch 6G+) - CoreMIDI, Virtual MIDI, Bluetooth MIDI, - Audiobus 3, including AB3 MIDI IN+OUT and State Saving - Ableton Link - MIDI Clock Sync - WAV export, MIDI file export, AU preset export
ShockWave
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.
- Phase Distortion Synthesis
- Dual PD Oscillators
- Dual 8-step Sequencers
- Dual ASR Envelopes
- Tempo-syncable LFOs
- Extensive Modulation Matrix
- MIDI and MPE Support
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ShockWave is a monophonic Synthesizer designed to bring modular style workflow to the world of iOS & AUv3 plugins. Built around the concept of Phase Distortion (PD) Synthesis, Shockwave includes a pair of PD Oscillators each capable of creating everything from pure Sine Waves over smooth Sawtooth and Square Waves to Resonance & Sync sweeps, filtered Noise and more. In addition to the Synth Voice, ShockWave includes a dedicated control section housing a pair of 8 step sequencers, a sample & hold module as well modules for trigger divisions, logic comparisons and controlled randomness. A pair of Low Frequency Oscillators and 2 Attack/Sustain/Release (ASR) Envelopes serve as main modulation sources and can be used in a number of ways. Envelopes can be triggered from a number of internal sources including other modules such as trigger divider, logic or chance module but can also be connected to each other allowing for a wide range of patches usually only possible in large modular systems. LFOs are individually tempo sync-able and capable of producing total of 5 different waveforms each. The two sequencers can run independently or combine to one 16 step sequence where rate and length can be controlled independently for each of the two. In true modular nature almost any control within ShockWave can be modulated with up to 11 sources - simultaneously. Modulations are setup simply by holding a control and dialling in the desired amount in a list of all available sources. A special X-Ray mode adds a realtime display of all currently active modulations right at their corresponding control making it easy to understand what's happening inside the synthesizer at any given time. Synth Voice and Control Section are accompanied by built-in Delay and Reverb sections placed on send busses with all of their controls including the send levels being available as mod destinations. Last but not least, ShockWave features a solid MIDI implementation including support for, aftertouch, velocity, wheels, custom CC mappings and up to 4 dimensions of expression when using MPE compatible controllers, such as the Roli Seaboard, Linnstrument, Geoshred, KB-1 and others. MIDI Output is supported as well and includes Note and Control Change output generated from various internal sources including Sequencers, Envelopes and LFOs making it possible to control external MIDI gear or chain multiple plugin instances for advanced, self driving patches. Overview: - Semi Modular Monophonic Synth Voice - Phase Distortion Synthesis (PD) - Dual PD Oscillators with 5 Waveforms + Noise - Dual ASR Envelopes with variable trigger source - Dual LFO with Tempo Sync - Cross Modulation with Linear/Exp. FM, PM, AM & RM - Mixer section with individual pan and level controls per oscillator - Output VCA with variable control source - Pattern Generator for generating sequences from various internal sources - Quantizer to force note input into a specific scale (19 Scales + User Scales) - Step Sequencer with 2x8 or 1x16 steps, individual rate and number of steps per row - Trigger Divider for dividing internal trigger sources - Probability Gate for adding controlled randomness - Sample & Hold for additional randomness - Logic Module to create triggers from various internal sources - Built-in Delay & Reverb Effects - MIDI Note and CC output for controlling external gear or chaining multiple instances - Semi Modular Architecture - 11 Modulation Sources - 40 Modulation Destinations - 2 Color Themes MIDI Input: - 4D Expression (Glide, Slide, Pressure & Velocity) - Mod & Pitch-Wheel - Tempo Sync - Custom CC Control MIDI Output: - Note - Control Change Connectivity: - Standalone - AUv3 - AudioBus - IAA
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: Ripplemaker at $8.99 against ShockWave's $19.99. Ripplemaker also leads on review sentiment (91% vs 54%) and update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 2 months). On ratings volume, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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
Ripplemaker costs $8.99 and ShockWave $19.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Ripplemaker holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.6. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 95 and 188 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 91% of Ripplemaker's written reviews are positive against 54% of ShockWave's.
Ripplemaker ships an update every 2 weeks, ShockWave every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 8, 2026 and October 6, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Ripplemaker | ShockWave |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $8.99 — better | $19.99 |
| Rating | 4.8 (95 ratings) — better | 4.6 (188 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 90.7% of reviews — better | 54.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 95 | 188 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 2 weeks — better | Every 2 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 12.0 — better | 15.6 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 5 MB | 42 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Bram Bos | Kai Aras |
Customer experience
Ripplemaker
ShockWave
Bugs and requests
Ripplemaker
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
ShockWave
Reported bugs
20 issues- "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.
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- More than half of the sounds do not play.
- Performance remains but synth loads blank when returning to work after closing.
- App stops producing sound after a few minutes of use.
- Preset browser causes the app to stop producing sound.
- No audio output on iPhone 6 & 7 plus, sometimes noise when changing presets, keyboard doesn't work.
- Randomize button not viewable on iPhone 6.
- App crashes when returning to a project.
- App crashes on the loading screen on iPhone 11, but works on iPhone 7.
- Hangs and freezes, won't load/work in AUM or GarageBand.
- Horribly laggy, almost unusable.
- Volume is noisy and glitchy.
- Response on dials needs more work.
- Modulation tab issues, unable to turn other knobs properly.
- DAW incompatibility issues.
- App crashing, won't even load.
Requested features
6 requests- 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.
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- Increase the number of available patches beyond 128.
In-app purchases
Ripplemaker
No in-app purchases
ShockWave
No in-app purchases








