SynthMaster One vs Hilda Synthesizer
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- Wavetable synthesis
- Semi-modular architecture
- 650 factory presets
- AUv3 support
- Cross-platform cloud sync
- Real-time modulation feedback
- 32-step arpeggiator/sequencer
Read full descriptionHide 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
Hilda Synthesizer
This app offers a complex oscillator monosynth with a blend of west-coast and east-coast synthesis techniques. It features a wave folder, lowpass gate, 12-mode filter, and VCA circuit, all meticulously circuit-modelled for authentic analog or digital sound. It functions as a playable synth, MIDI sequencer, and audio effect.
- Complex Oscillator Monosynth
- Wave folder and lowpass gate
- 12-mode filter
- Circuit-modelled analog sound
- Built-in 16-step MIDI Sequencer
- Audio effect for external audio
- AUv3 compatibility
Read full descriptionHide full description
Hilda is a Complex Oscillator Monosynth, inspired by the most interesting aspects of both west-coast and east-coast synthesis techniques. You'll find a wave folder, lowpass gate, and audio-rate modulations, but also a 12-mode filter and traditional VCA circuit. All parts of the instrument are carefully circuit-modelled to sound as analog (or digital, where applicable) as possible. It's like a best-of-all-worlds semi modular synth, but without the patch cables. The unique mix of different synthesis components adds up to a unique sounding electronic instrument, which can be used as a playable synthesizer, a MIDI sequencer and an audio effect for external audio - or any combination of those three. - Full Audio Unit compatibility (AUv3 instrument, audio effect and MIDI processor modes supported) - Universal design (iPhone and iPad; iPad Air 2 or higher recommended) - Built-in analog style 16 Step MIDI Sequencer with custom scales - 12 mode filter, based on the Oberheim Xpander design - Drone mode lets you [partially] bypass the VCA/LPG and just go with the flow - DIY Lo-Fi digital delay circuit emulation - Live pads with effects that can be triggered via the UI (or via exposed AU Parameters) - All synth settings exposed a AU Parameters (for automation and MIDI learning in your host of choice) - MIDI Processor plugin mode disables synth to save CPU - Carefully handcrafted by yours truly, to capture the essence of my love for tinkering and experimenting with sound :-) Find the user manual on ruismaker.com
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Hilda Synthesizer at none against SynthMaster One's 11. Hilda Synthesizer also leads on update cadence (every 9 days vs every 2 months) and review sentiment (90% vs 64%). SynthMaster One's advantage is ratings volume (743 vs 58) and price ($9.99 vs $12.99). 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
SynthMaster One costs $9.99 and Hilda Synthesizer $12.99 up front. SynthMaster One sells 11 one-off in-app purchases. Hilda Synthesizer asks for nothing beyond the download.
Hilda Synthesizer holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: SynthMaster One has 743 ratings behind it against 58, 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 90% of Hilda Synthesizer's.
SynthMaster One ships an update every 2 months, Hilda Synthesizer every 9 days. The most recent releases landed on October 26, 2026 and October 25, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | SynthMaster One | Hilda Synthesizer |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $9.99 — better | $12.99 |
| Rating | 4.7 (743 ratings) | 4.9 (58 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 63.8% of reviews | 90.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 743 — better | 58 |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Every 9 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases — better | Paid |
| Best chart rank | #188 — better | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 10.0 — better | 12 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 402 MB | 6 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | KV331 Audio | Bram Bos |
Customer experience
SynthMaster One
Hilda Synthesizer
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
Hilda Synthesizer
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
SynthMaster One
- BigTone Club Construction Set$4.99
- True Trance Sounds Volume 1$4.99
- Vandalism Future House$4.99
Show 8 moreShow fewer
- 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
Hilda Synthesizer
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is SynthMaster One free?
Is Hilda Synthesizer free?
Which has better reviews, SynthMaster One or Hilda Synthesizer?
Do SynthMaster One or Hilda Synthesizer have ads?
Which is updated more often, SynthMaster One or Hilda Synthesizer?
Other comparisons















