Comparison

Ripplemaker vs Nambu

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

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • 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
Features
Read full description

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

About

Nambu

This app is a semi-modular FM synthesizer offering a unique sound design experience. It combines traditional FM operators with six distinct operator types, including analog-style oscillators, noise, filters, and resonators.

Highlights
  • Semi-modular FM synthesis
  • Six operator types
  • Analog synth-style oscillators
  • AM synthesis
  • Noise generator
  • Filters and resonators
Features
Read full description

NAMBU is a semi-modular FM synthesizer that allows you to create sounds by combining not only typical FM operators but also six different types of operators: analog synth-style oscillators capable of AM, noise, texture particles, filters, and resonators. For more detailed information about the product, please visit the website. The website offers detailed product descriptions, manuals and videos, as well as important notices. https://icegear.net/

Screenshots

Ripplemaker3 screens
Nambu4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Ripplemaker at $8.99 against Nambu's $16.00. On rating, review sentiment, ratings volume and update cadence 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

Ripplemaker costs $8.99 and Nambu $16.00 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.8 for Ripplemaker against 4.8 for Nambu. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 95 and 48 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 91% of Ripplemaker's written reviews are positive against 92% of Nambu's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Ripplemaker ships an update every 2 weeks, Nambu fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 23, 2026 and October 21, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
Ripplemaker versus Nambu: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterRipplemakerNambu
Price$8.99 — better$16.00
Rating4.8 (95 ratings) — better4.8 (48 ratings)
Positive reviews90.7% of reviews92.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings95 — better48
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeksFortnightly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS12.012.0
Further details — not scored
Size5 MB40 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperBram BosiceWorks, Inc.

Customer experience

Ripplemaker

All ratings95 ratings
Positive97.9%
Neutral0.0%
Negative2.1%
Written reviews54 reviews
Positive90.7%
Neutral1.9%
Negative7.4%

Nambu

All ratings48 ratings
Positive93.8%
Neutral2.1%
Negative4.2%
Written reviews25 reviews
Positive92.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative8.0%

In-app purchases

None

Ripplemaker

No in-app purchases

None

Nambu

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Ripplemaker free?
Ripplemaker costs $8.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Nambu free?
Nambu costs $16.00, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Ripplemaker or Nambu?
Ripplemaker is rated higher. Ripplemaker averages 4.8 out of 5 from 95 ratings, while Nambu averages 4.8 from 48 ratings.
Do Ripplemaker or Nambu have ads?
Neither Ripplemaker nor Nambu shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Ripplemaker or Nambu?
Ripplemaker ships an update every 2 weeks, and Nambu fortnightly. Most recently, Ripplemaker was updated on October 23, 2026 and Nambu on October 21, 2026.

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