Minimoog Model D Synthesizer vs H4essential Control
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Minimoog Model D Synthesizer
This app is a digital recreation of a legendary analog synthesizer, offering classic sound design with modern features like polyphony, an arpeggiator, and a looping recorder. Explore vast sonic possibilities with included presets or craft your own unique sounds.
- Over 160 included presets
- Up to 4-note polyphony
- Arpeggiator module
- Real-time looping recorder
- Stereo ping-pong delay
- Bender time modulation effect
- AUv3 Audio Unit extensions support
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The Minimoog Model D App is a software transmutation of the world’s first portable synthesizer, the Minimoog Model D®. Anyone can jump in and play with over 160 included presets or lay fingers to the controls and begin exploring vast magical realms of creative potential for iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch and Mac. The Minimoog Model D App incorporates a number of inspiring sound creation tools and capabilities not present on its analog antecedent. New functions include the ability to play chords with up to four-note polyphony, an easy-to-use arpeggiator for rhythmic pattern creation, a real time looping recorder with unlimited overdubbing capacity, a tempo-synchronizable stereo ping pong delay module, and the Bender -- a wide-range stereo time modulation effect module. The Minimoog Model D App also supports AUv3 Audio Unit extensions, which allows multiple instances of this powerful instrument to be used simultaneously within compatible iOS apps supporting AUv3. A BRIEF HISTORY Introduced by Moog in 1970, the Minimoog Model D served as the archetype for all electronic keyboards that followed. It gave users the ability to design their own sounds, translating imagination into reality. The Minimoog’s portability, affordability and accessibility made it the go-to instrument for musicians looking to expand beyond the traditional sounds of the time. Bernie Worrell used the Minimoog Model D to establish Parliament Funkadelic’s futuristic funk sound. Kraftwerk employed the Minimoog Model D on the successful concept album Autobahn, sparking an entirely new genre. Gary Numan replaced his live band’s guitars with Minimoog Model Ds, creating the prototype for industrial music. The classic sound of the Minimoog Model D can be heard on Bob Marley’s Catch A Fire, Michael Jackson’s Thriller and Dr. Dre’s The Chronic; Detailed in the mini-doc series “A Brief History Of The Minimoog”. FEATURES • Ships with over 160 presets (hundreds more available in the Minimoog Model D App Store) • Up to 4-notes of polyphony • Easily share presets and audio recordings with friends • Arpeggiator module with note-hold and chord latch capability • Stereo ping-pong delay effect • Bender time modulation effect • Real-time looping recorder with overdub and immediate sharing • Selectable envelope shapes and triggering behavior • Effortless MIDI CC mapping • Seamlessly backup presets to iCloud • Play mode for easier panel and keyboard interaction • A new take on the classic feedback/overload path SUPPORTS • All 64-bit iOS devices • AUv3 Audio Unit Extensions (Including GarageBand) • MPE Controller Support • Ableton Link • Inter-App Audio and Audiobus • 7 and 14-Bit MIDI • MIDI Program Change Support • Bluetooth LE MIDI controllers • Share over AirDrop, Mail, or other iOS applications
H4essential Control
Control your ZOOM H4essential Handy Recorder wirelessly from your iPhone or iPad. Manage recording, playback, parameters, and monitor vital information like waveforms and battery life.
- Wireless remote control
- Start/stop recording and playback
- Add marks
- Set parameters
- Monitor waveforms
- Check battery and recording time
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H4essential Control is an app that enables wireless control of the ZOOM H4essential Handy Recorder. An iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch can be used as a remote control for an H4essential. In addition to the fundamental operations of starting/stopping recording/playback and searching forward/backward, this app can be used to add marks and to set various parameters. The app can also be used to check the waveforms of input signals and the remaining battery charge as well as to monitor the remaining recording time. Note: A BTA-1 wireless adapter is necessary to operate an H4essential with H4essential Control.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: H4essential Control at Free against Minimoog Model D Synthesizer's $29.99. H4essential Control also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 11). Minimoog Model D Synthesizer's advantage is rating (4.8 vs 2.4) and review sentiment (81% vs 50%). On ads and iOS requirement 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
H4essential Control is free to download; Minimoog Model D Synthesizer costs $29.99 up front. Minimoog Model D Synthesizer sells 11 one-off in-app purchases. H4essential Control asks for nothing beyond the download.
Minimoog Model D Synthesizer holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 2.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Minimoog Model D Synthesizer has 3K ratings behind it against 5, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 81% of Minimoog Model D Synthesizer's written reviews are positive against 50% of H4essential Control's.
Minimoog Model D Synthesizer ships an update monthly, H4essential Control every 14 months. The most recent releases landed on October 29, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Minimoog Model D Synthesizer | H4essential Control |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $29.99 | Free — better |
| Rating | 4.8 (3K ratings) — better | 2.4 (5 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 80.9% of reviews — better | 50.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 3K — better | 5 |
| Update frequency | Monthly — better | Every 14 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — better | iPhone, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 14.4 | 13.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 538 MB | 28 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Moog Music Inc. | ZOOM CORPORATION |
Customer experience
Minimoog Model D Synthesizer
H4essential Control
Bugs and requests
Minimoog Model D Synthesizer
Reported bugs
3 issues- UI elements not displaying properly on iPad Pro
- Preset selection not working consistently
- Synth not responding to input in certain DAWs
Requested features
5 requests- Global tempo setting
- Ability to create and organize custom presets
- Expanded MIDI mapping options
- Improved integration with DAWs
- Resizable UI for better usability on various devices
H4essential Control
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Minimoog Model D Synthesizer
- Minimoog ClassicsFree
- Model D Anthology$0.99
- Astral Explorations$1.99
Show 8 moreShow fewer
- Cabinet Of Curiosities$1.99
- Sonic Mayhem 2$1.99
- Hyperdimensional Pads$1.99
- Electrified Ensemble$4.99
- Mercurial Strategies 2$4.99
- Sound Workshop$4.99
- Sea Moss$4.99
- Velluto Giallo$4.99
H4essential Control
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Minimoog Model D Synthesizer free?
Is H4essential Control free?
Which has better reviews, Minimoog Model D Synthesizer or H4essential Control?
Do Minimoog Model D Synthesizer or H4essential Control have ads?
Which is updated more often, Minimoog Model D Synthesizer or H4essential Control?
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