Minimoog Model D Synthesizer vs NERD Synth A2x + AUv3
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
NERD Synth A2x + AUv3
This virtual analog synthesizer offers a powerful and intuitive sound design experience, inspired by classic hardware. Explore over 40 classic waveforms, a versatile arpeggiator, step sequencer, and lush effects to craft unique electronic music.
- Virtual Analog Synthesizer
- 40+ Classic Waveforms
- Arpeggiator
- Step Sequencer
- Lush Effects Suite
- Four-voice Unison
- AUv3 Plugin Support
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Inspired by the classic sounds of the Nord Lead A1** This is not a Rompler. This is a SYNTH. "I’m impressed. The sounds are FAT, the effects are LUSH, and the interface is a JOY to use." – Audio News Room "This is not a clone, this is BEYOND the hardware, it's a completely new, fantastic beast" – Jade Starr, How to App "An excellent release...app captures the soul of the Nord Lead A1 Synthesizer" – Synth Anatomy "An iOS-based homage to a virtual analogue classic!" – Music Radar / Keyboard Magazine Not imitation, it's Innovation! https://audiokitpro.com/redsynth With Nerd Synth, you’ll have access to all 40+ of the classic lead A1 waveforms! Plus, we gave it some RAW MODERN POWER. FULLY LOADED w/ 550+ presets by Analog Matthew, Electronisounds, DMT Cymatics, Moby Pixel, Red Sky Lullaby, and more NOTE: This is a synth, and contains no hardware preset samples. All presets are completely original. One low price includes Lifetime License and all Features Easy to use. Easy to get great tone! NERD SYNTH A2X: • 64-voice, Retro VA-Synth • Include all 40+ of the Nord A1 waveforms • Arpeggiator! Classic Hardware-style Arp, with extra features • Vintage-style Step Sequencer that can be routed to specific layers • A proper filter envelope ADSR! • NEW: 2x Oversampled Oscillators • 3 LFOs. Fun Routings. LFOs can modify other LFOs • Microtonality, World Scales and Western Scales! • TouchPads! 2 fun assignable pads, -= Create NORD-style SUPER SAWS =- ++ Four-voice Unison with the tap of a button ++ 3 different algorithms: Regular, HYPER, and BEAST! "Astoundingly great sounding and intuitive synth app!" – The GarageBand Guide Modeled sound: It's like a time-capsule. Imagine if there were iPads in 2003? Complete with that "cold" VA sound that ruled the dance floors and stages ADDITIONAL FEATURES: • FX: Glorious Reverb, Analog Tape Delay, Distortion, Flanger, Chorus, Crush, and more. • On board "Record" button, no external hardware required • Works with a MIDI Keyboard EXCLUSIVE TO THIS APP: • "SUPER FM" wild pitch drop controls! Modeled after digital VA-Synths, complete with vintage digital aliasing for old-school vibe! • Crazy aggressive RING MODULATION distortion – It's like robots talking, or fighting? You decide! COOL: • iPad version has "stacked" views for maximum onscreen control! Tap the current Nav Button at the top to change the bottom view • This is a Premium App: No iAP, No Ads, No subscriptions! Use as a plug-in in DAWs like GarageBand & Logic for iPad, Cubasis, AUM, and more! NOTE: This is not a hardware clone, it's a completely new synth. If you're looking for a ROMpler like the "Stage" series, this app may not be for you. This is a SYNTH, not a rompler. All the presets here are new and original. Giving you fresh new sounds that are completely tweak-able This is not a 1:1 clone and will not load hardware presets. Please note that this app's sound is closer to the A1, which is a different sound from the NL1/NL2X. ** This app has no affiliation or endorsement by Clavia DMI AB. This app is not a clone of any their synths, including the Nord Lead and Nord Lead A1. While we were inspired by their wonderful and iconic work, this app is not trying to copy those synths. We created something completely new. It's a synth for synth nerds :) LEGAL STUFF: All product names and images, trademarks and artists names are the property of their respective owners, which are in no way associated or affiliated with the creators of this app, including AudioKit, AudioKit Pro, LLC, and the other contributors. Any use of these names and images does not imply any cooperation or endorsement by Clavia Digital Musical Instruments. Nord Lead, Nord Lead 2X, Nord, and Nord Lead A1 are Clavia trademarks and properties. We appreciate their amazing work in creating such classic and inspiring instruments.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: NERD Synth A2x + AUv3 at $5.99 against Minimoog Model D Synthesizer's $29.99. NERD Synth A2x + AUv3 also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 11) and review sentiment (89% vs 81%). Minimoog Model D Synthesizer's advantage is chart position (#120 vs unranked). On rating, ratings volume, update cadence and ads 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
Minimoog Model D Synthesizer costs $29.99 and NERD Synth A2x + AUv3 $5.99 up front. Minimoog Model D Synthesizer sells 11 one-off in-app purchases. NERD Synth A2x + AUv3 asks for nothing beyond the download.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.8 for Minimoog Model D Synthesizer against 4.9 for NERD Synth A2x + AUv3. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 3K and 1.4K respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 81% of Minimoog Model D Synthesizer's written reviews are positive against 89% of NERD Synth A2x + AUv3's.
Minimoog Model D Synthesizer ships an update monthly, NERD Synth A2x + AUv3 fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 29, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Minimoog Model D Synthesizer | NERD Synth A2x + AUv3 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $29.99 | $5.99 — better |
| Rating | 4.8 (3K ratings) | 4.9 (1.4K ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 80.9% of reviews | 89.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 3K — better | 1.4K |
| Update frequency | Monthly | Fortnightly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases — better | Paid |
| Best chart rank | #120 — better | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — better | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 14.4 | 14.4 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 538 MB | 242 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Moog Music Inc. | AudioKit Pro |
Customer experience
Minimoog Model D Synthesizer
NERD Synth A2x + AUv3
User reviews
Minimoog Model D Synthesizer
From 3K App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 🎶 Authentic Moog sound
- 💻 Works well as a plugin
- 🔊 Impressive sound quality
- 🎹 Great for music production
- 🎨 Versatile sound design
Room to improve
- 🐛 Compatibility issues with newer iOS versions
- 🔍 Small UI elements on smaller screens
- 🔇 Occasional audio glitches and crashes
- 🤔 Preset management could be improved
- 🕹️ Difficult to use with certain MIDI controllers
NERD Synth A2x + AUv3
From 1.4K App Store ratingsWhat we love
- ⭐ Outstanding synth
- 👍 Very nice and rich sounding
- 🎨 Great presets and sound design
- 🔧 Easy to use and intuitive
- 💻 Works well in AUv3 environments
Room to improve
- 🐛 Doesn't show up in Logic
- 🔧 Needs to be more Mac-compatible
- 🔧 Changing presets can be sluggish
- 🔧 Missing aftertouch/expression support
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
NERD Synth A2x + AUv3
Reported bugs
2 issues- Doesn't fit properly in Logic Pro for iPad
- Keyboard keys get stuck when using a controller
Requested features
4 requests- Dark mode option
- Undo/redo functionality
- Improved Logic Pro integration
- Ability to change color scheme
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
NERD Synth A2x + AUv3
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Minimoog Model D Synthesizer free?
Is NERD Synth A2x + AUv3 free?
Which has better reviews, Minimoog Model D Synthesizer or NERD Synth A2x + AUv3?
Do Minimoog Model D Synthesizer or NERD Synth A2x + AUv3 have ads?
Which is updated more often, Minimoog Model D Synthesizer or NERD Synth A2x + AUv3?
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