Comparison

SynthMaster One vs Hammerhead Rhythm Station

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

Head to head
About

SynthMaster One

This powerful wavetable synthesizer app offers an intuitive workflow for creating unique sounds. It features a rich library of wavetables, inspiring presets, and a semi-modular architecture for deep sound design. Easily sync data across devices and integrate with DAWs.

Highlights
  • Wavetable synthesis
  • Semi-modular architecture
  • 650 factory presets
  • AUv3 support
  • Cross-platform cloud sync
  • Real-time modulation feedback
  • 32-step arpeggiator/sequencer
Read full description

SynthMaster One iOS is KV331 Audio's first full blown universal synth app on iOS platform. It's a powerful wavetable synth with an intuitive workflow. With its simple layout, rich wavetable/waveform content and inspiring factory presets library, designing new sounds with SynthMaster One iOS is a joy. SynthMaster One iOS is feature wise identical to the desktop version except the following: * 16 voice polyphony (32 for the desktop version) * Comes with 650 presets (1250 for the desktop version) FEATURES * Universal App: SynthMaster One is now a universal standalone/AUv3 synth app running on iPhone 7 and above. * 650 Factory Presets: SynthMaster One iOS comes with inspiring factory presets from a world class team of sound designers: Arksun, Aiyn Zahev, BigTone Studios, Brian Transeau, Bluffmunkey, Bulent Biyikoglu, Gercek Dorman, Dejavu Sound, Fragment Audio, Kurt Ader, Mirko Ruta, Nori Ubukata, Rob Lee, Ufuk Kevser, Selcuk Ergen, The Machine, Vandalism Sound, Venus Theory, Vorpalsound and Xenos Soundworks * AUv3: SynthMaster One iOS supports AudioUnits V3, allowing multiple instances to run under supporting DAW apps like GarageBand, Cubasis or Beat Maker. * Files App Integration: Easily import/export presets, waveforms or scales using the common file browser UI (requires iOS 11+). * Real-time Modulation Feedback: See in real-time how modulation sources and targets change. This is a very helpful feature when designing sounds! * Cross Platform Cloud Synchronization: Easily synchronize your SynthMaster One related data across multiple platforms (Windows, MacOS, iPad, iPhone) * Semi-Modular Architecture: For each SynthMaster One instance, there are 2 oscillators with 2 sub oscillators, 2 Filters, 4 ADSR Envelopes, 3 LFOs, a powerful 16 step arpeggiator/sequencer and also 11 different effects that can be inserted on to 6 FX insert slots. The sub oscillators can be connected to the oscillators in 5 different modes which let you use it as a regular sub oscillator or do complex modulations such as ring modulation, amplitude modulation, phase modulation or frequency modulation. * 32 Step Arpeggiator/Sequencer: The arpeggiator in SynthMaster One features classic arpeggiator modes such as Up, Down, UpDown, DownUp, UpDown2, DownUp2, AsPlayed as well as Sequence, Chord and Arpeggiate modes. * Wavetable Synthesis: SynthMaster One implements true wavetable synthesis which opens up new possibilities for sound design. It comes with a rich content library with hundreds of waveforms and wavetables. * Stereo Oscillators with up to 16 voices Unison: Each of the 2 oscillators in SynthMaster One have stereo output, and can have up to 16 voices "unison". Using the "voices", "voices mix", "detune curve", "detune spread", "pan stread", "tone spread" and "phase spread" parameters, each oscillator can generate a rich "supersaw" type sound. * Zero Delay Feedback Filters: All of the 4 filter categories in SynthMaster One are developed using the zero delay feedback filter technology. With advanced filter parameters like input gain, drive, acid, filter nonlinearities and up to 4 times oversampling you can get that "analog" sound from the filters! * Rich Set of Effects: SynthMaster One features 11 different effect types: Distortion, LoFi, Ensemble, Phaser, 6 Band EQ, Compressor, Vocoder, Delay, Chorus, Tremolo, Reverb. * Microtuning: SynthMaster One supports Scala tuning, so tuning can be set either for each preset or globally by loading from a Scala tuning file. SynthMaster One comes with 300+ scales ranging from 5 note equal tempered scales to 12 note alternate tuning scales. * Preset Browser: SynthMaster One features a comprehensive preset browser with separate search criterias for instrument type, preset attributes, music style or preset author. SUPPORTS * All 64-bit iPad devices * AUv3 Audio Unit Extensions * Note-per-channel MIDI controllers (MPE) * Ableton Link * Bluetooth LE MIDI Controllers * AirDrop

About

Hammerhead Rhythm Station

This mobile app is a modern take on a classic software drum computer, offering a playful and intuitive way to create rhythms. It features a built-in drum synth, extensive sound options, and the ability to import custom audio, all within a pocket-sized groovebox experience.

Highlights
  • Import custom WAV sounds
  • Built-in drum synthesizer
  • Standalone and AUv3 plugin support
  • MIDI input and output
  • One-click compression and distortion
  • Random pattern generator
  • Create polyrhythms
Features
Read full description

The little shark is back. After 25 years, the new Hammerhead is a fresh, mobile reinterpretation of the classic software drum computer that started it all. Hammerhead is still simple, fun and playful. It still feels like a little 90s groovebox. Except this time it fits in your pocket, it integrates in your plugin ecosystem and comes with a lot more creative possibilities... - Pick from dozens of classic sounds and loops, or import your own WAVs - Use the built-in drum synth to design your own kicks, bobs, tocks and thwacks - Runs standalone and as a state-of-the art AUv3 Audio Unit plugin (e.g. in Garageband) - AU plugin supports individual outputs per channel, MIDI output and fullscreen modes - Trigger sounds and patterns using MIDI (when hosted as an AU plugin) - One-click compression and distortion, with several sound models - Let the universe decide: random pattern generator, mutation, glitch and much more - Easily create complex evolving polyrhythms - Designed for creative fun: no menu diving or arcane expert settings. Just dive in and create Find the manual on Ruismaker.com

Screenshots

SynthMaster One4 screens
Hammerhead Rhythm Station4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Hammerhead Rhythm Station at none against SynthMaster One's 11. Hammerhead Rhythm Station also leads on review sentiment (98% vs 64%) and update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 2 months). SynthMaster One's advantage is ratings volume (742 vs 108) and iOS requirement (10.0 vs 12.0). On ads and device support 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

SynthMaster One costs $9.99 and Hammerhead Rhythm Station $7.99 up front. SynthMaster One sells 11 one-off in-app purchases. Hammerhead Rhythm Station asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Hammerhead Rhythm Station holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: SynthMaster One has 742 ratings behind it against 108, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 64% of SynthMaster One's written reviews are positive against 98% of Hammerhead Rhythm Station's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

SynthMaster One ships an update every 2 months, Hammerhead Rhythm Station every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 22, 2026 and October 17, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard8 real differences · 2 level
SynthMaster One versus Hammerhead Rhythm Station: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSynthMaster OneHammerhead Rhythm Station
Price$9.99$7.99 — better
Rating4.7 (742 ratings)4.9 (108 ratings) — better
Positive reviews63.8% of reviews98.5% of reviews — better
Number of ratings742 — better108
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases — betterPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS10.0 — better12.0
Further details — not scored
Size402 MB172 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperKV331 AudioBram Bos

Customer experience

SynthMaster One

All ratings743 ratings
Positive92.9%
Neutral2.6%
Negative4.6%
Written reviews207 reviews
Positive63.8%
Neutral10.6%
Negative25.6%

Hammerhead Rhythm Station

All ratings108 ratings
Positive98.1%
Neutral0.0%
Negative1.9%
Written reviews65 reviews
Positive98.5%
Neutral0.0%
Negative1.5%

User reviews

SynthMaster One

From 742 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Powerful synth engine
  • 👍 Extensive preset library
  • 🎨 Versatile sound design capabilities
  • 💡 Free desktop version expansions on iPad
  • 🎹 Excellent sound quality and tone

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Crashes and stability issues
  • 🔋 Battery drain in background
  • 🤔 Confusing in-app purchase system
  • 👎 UI/UX could use improvement
  • 🔇 Audio issues and no sound

Hammerhead Rhythm Station

From 108 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Easy to use and intuitive workflow
  • 💡 Great for improvisational music making
  • 🎶 Excellent sound quality and presets
  • 🚀 Quick to use with amazing results
  • 💾 Ability to import own audio samples

Room to improve

  • ❓ Some users want more features
  • 🎛️ Limited effects per voice
  • 🎚️ MIDI mapping could be more extensive
  • 🎛️ Drum synth engine could be deeper
  • 🎚️ User folder for voices in-app needed

Bugs and requests

SynthMaster One

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Stuck notes and MIDI issues
  • Preset loading crashes
  • Restore purchases not working
  • Incompatibility with certain DAWs

Requested features

4 requests
  • Add custom wavetable support
  • Improve MIDI mapping and MPE functionality
  • Optimize performance on older devices
  • Streamline preset management and browsing

Hammerhead Rhythm Station

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • AUv3 starts playing in sequence mode on pattern 2 instead of pattern 1
  • Mute buttons are somewhat hard to tap reliably
  • Upper knobs are somewhat hard to tune
  • Chan. Config button makes pattern settings disappear

Requested features

18 requests
  • Deeper drum synth engine
  • More extensive MIDI mapping (solo per voice)
  • User folder for voices in-app
  • Ability to send presets into user storage
  • Effects per voice
Show 13 more
  • Solo/mutes for MIDI mapping
  • Ableton Link support
  • At least 32-step sequences
  • 16 steps per page formatted option
  • Control over setting locking randomization parameters on each sound individually
  • Show note designation under pitch control
  • Export loops to .wav files
  • MIDI export function
  • Repeat patterns like in Rozeta Cells
  • Basic EQ for each sound (high pass/low pass)
  • Option to alter the attack of sounds
  • Reverse option
  • Allow usage on M1 Mac

In-app purchases

11 purchases

SynthMaster One

One-time11
  • BigTone Club Construction Set$4.99
  • True Trance Sounds Volume 1$4.99
  • Vandalism Future House$4.99
Show 8 more
  • NatLife Retrowave Sounds Vol.1$4.99
  • Demis Hellen Euphoric Trance$4.99
  • Venus Theory Trap Sounds$4.99
  • Vandalism Shocking Future Bass$4.99
  • NatLife Progressive&Deep Vol.1$4.99
  • Bluffmunkey Cinematic Sounds$4.99
  • Desktop Presets Upgrade$7.99
  • SM One Expansions Bundle$24.99
None

Hammerhead Rhythm Station

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is SynthMaster One free?
SynthMaster One costs $9.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Is Hammerhead Rhythm Station free?
Hammerhead Rhythm Station costs $7.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, SynthMaster One or Hammerhead Rhythm Station?
Hammerhead Rhythm Station is rated higher. SynthMaster One averages 4.7 out of 5 from 742 ratings, while Hammerhead Rhythm Station averages 4.9 from 108 ratings.
Do SynthMaster One or Hammerhead Rhythm Station have ads?
Neither SynthMaster One nor Hammerhead Rhythm Station shows ads.
Which is updated more often, SynthMaster One or Hammerhead Rhythm Station?
SynthMaster One ships an update every 2 months, and Hammerhead Rhythm Station every 2 weeks. Most recently, SynthMaster One was updated on October 22, 2026 and Hammerhead Rhythm Station on October 17, 2026.

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