Modulin vs Pentaholic Synth
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Modulin
This app is a highly customizable analog modeling synthesizer designed for personal expression. It offers a wide range of visual feedback, sound modulation options, and built-in effects. Users can create, record, and share their musical creations.
- Customizable analog modeling synthesizer
- LFO with four wave types
- Low-pass filter and glide effect
- Built-in reverb, delay, and chorus
- Multi-track recording and playback
- Synthesis exploration area
- MIDI CC mapping
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Modulin is the world's most customizable synthesizer. It allows for unique personal expression while providing a wide spectrum of visual feedback. The playful colored strings are visually appealing while providing the user with fluent modulation of Modulin's LFO. The LFO replicates the vibrato effect heard throughout an orchestra or choir. The LFO can be set to four different wave types: Sinuous, Triangle, Sawtooth, and Square. It also can be set to a wide variety of frequency ranges. Modulin's oscillator can also be set to these four waveforms, but its pitch is controlled by the strings and a tuning knob. A simple low-pass filter allows you to cut off the unnecessary frequencies. The glide rate knob on Modulin creates a fluent portamento effect and allows for some pretty cool instrument replications. A slider located in the middle of the effects view can be dragged to reveal different effects and extra sound makers. Modulin includes reverb, delay, and chorus. It also contains a separate white noise module. Modulin simulates paraphonicness by allowing for a second VCO multiplied to form a gap of up to 2 octaves. Below all the knobs, an ADSR control allows you to manipulate the attack, decay, sustain, and release of your sounds. Modulin truly is the complete package for channeling your inner-composer. It can even record and store your works of art. A record button allows you to lay down a beat and overwrite it with complex melodies. The tracks button allows you to manage your tracks as you add them. New to synthesis? No problem. Modulin has an explore section that takes you through every component in an analog synthesizer, describing what it does alongside a diagram of how signals flow through it. Master of all things musical? Modulin's got you covered again. You can change the root note, octave, and type of scale that Modulin uses. If you feel really confident, you could even turn off the note names in the settings and try to memorize where everything is. With over 40 presets and other preset packages to buy, you will never run out of new and unique sounds. Even if you do, you can create your own and save it for later or share it with friends by the swipe of your finger. Fat fingers? Don't worry. With Modulin’s design, you can plug in an external MIDI keyboard and play it however you like. You can even map certain knobs on Modulin to knobs on your keyboard. It's magic! The more you explore Modulin, the more fun it becomes. You can personalize it by adding your own custom color or amp up the expression through the pressure sensitivity setting. FEATURES ・Comes with over 40 presets (More available through Modulin’s store) ・Easily share presets and recordings with friends ・MIDI CC mapping ・Amazing digital synth sounds ・Multi track recordings ・Synthesis exploration area ・22 Scales (With the ability to add your own) ・Save custom presets ・Favoritize presets for quick and easy access ・Built-in metronome for playing in time ・Customizable color ・Toggling of note labels ・Fun flexible strings and an oscilloscope in the upper corner give a great level of feedback ・Effortless and intuitive design SUPPORTS ・All 64-bit iOS devices ・External MIDI controllers ・Bluetooth MIDI controller ・Audiobus and Inter-App Audio ・Share custom preset files over AirDrop, Mail, or other 3rd party applications ・3D Touch LFO Modulation ・Drag and Drop for Presets
Pentaholic Synth
This app digitally recreates a classic polyphonic synthesizer, offering authentic sound design and songwriting inspiration. It features a 300-note sequencer, multiple oscillators per voice, and performance controls like a joystick and expression pedal inputs.
- Authentic 5-voice polyphony
- 3 oscillators per voice with 8 waveforms
- Component-level circuit modeling
- Dual ADSR envelopes
- 300-note polyphonic sequencer
- Joystick and expression pedal support
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Pentaholic is the first digital recreation of the Gleeman Pentaphonic. It's audio signal path is traced at the component level and built specifically for Apple Silicon devices utilizing native Metal 3D graphics featuring classic and clear UI. In 1982, the Gleeman Pentaphonic was released as a "sketchpad synth" with a 300-note polyphonic sequencer boasting 5 voices, 3 digitally controlled oscillators per voice, and 8 waveforms per oscillator, all from an 8-bit microprocessor. After DAC, a trio of CEM chips per voice passes the audio: a 3310 envelope generator, 3320 configured as a 24dB low-pass resonant filter, and a 3360 as dual voltage-controlled amplifiers. Each subsequent stage of audio is summed out to a LM348 op amp, stacking saturation through to output. Add performance controls like expression pedal inputs and a joystick for modulation and pitch bend for a performance powerhouse synth. Pentaholic brings the circuit to life in the digital realm for the first time ever on any platform. The concept of a sketchpad synth was the main inspiration for this - getting back to the fundamentals of songwriting and sound design. Pentaholic is meant to inspire ideas faster and prevent Producer Paralysis induced by too many options on the piano roll. Record your idea to the sequencer and play over it - the keyboard takes precedence over the sequencer notes so you can nail down your melody or adjust your groove with the rate and delay of the sequencer. • Authentic 5-Voice Polyphony: True chorusing detune of OSC 2/3 relative to OSC 1's pitch (not BBD!) - oldest note first voice stealing. • 3 Oscillators Per Voice: 8 waveforms CMP 1 CMP 2 3% PULSE 12% Pulse SQR SAW TRI SIN per OSC and a HIGH or LOW octave mode. • One octave of chromatic pitch: transposing progressions or leads just like you put a capo on a guitar. • Component-Level Modeling: The soul of the synth - a 24dB resonant low-pass filter - self-oscillation, and nonlinear harmonic drive of the legendary CEM 3320 filter chip for a distinct bite with each subsequent gain stage pushing into saturation through a LM348 op amp. • Dual ADSR Envelopes: Precise, vintage-snappy envelope generators for exacting control over amplifier and filter contours. Subtle noise and quick snap attacks from resistor-capacitor networks the envelopes pass through. • The Polyphonic Sketchpad Sequencer: A massive 300-note sequencer honoring the original hardware workflow. Recording polyphonic chords in real time and yielding to performance on the keyboard in playback. • Joystick and expression pedal hookups: +/- 5 step pitch bend, modulation of depth of the LFO destination and cutoff expression all from the joystick even more control with expression pedals. Pentaholic honors the original but Gotham Paradise recognizes the value and convenience of advances for performance available from soft-synths, MIDI 2.0 and Bluetooth. • *MIDI Polyphonic Expression - *MIDI Learn - *6 Octave Pitch Change - *Master Volume - *Re-assignable joystick 0 to 5 steps - *Sync'd parameters for glide, sequencer rate/delay, LFO rate - *Game controller performance using scales to the directional pad and ABXY buttons, stick click sequencer recording and playback - Bluetooth MIDI controller Connectivity *Pentaholic is fully functional from download but the following features are accessible with in-app purchase *Sequencer Volume *Keyboard Volume *Master Volume *6 Octave Pitch *Unison *Sync'd Parameters *Recall or Automation of parameters when hosted in a DAW such as Logic for iPad or Garageband *User Preset Saving *MIDI Learn/MIDI CC Parameter Assignment *M.P.E. *Sequencer records and plays back but resets when stopped *MIDI export of recorded Sequences *Game Controller Performance Mode *Reassignable Joystick Pitch bend Keeping Pentaholic's core functionality free for young and new producers who can't afford the full version is important to Gotham Paradise, purchasing the full featured synth helps pay it forward.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Modulin at 4.3 against Pentaholic Synth's 3.8. Modulin also leads on review sentiment (69% vs 57%) and iOS requirement (10.0 vs 16.0). Pentaholic Synth's advantage is monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases). On price, 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
Both are free to download. Modulin sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Pentaholic Synth sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
Modulin holds the better App Store score, 4.3 against 3.8. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 17 and 6 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 69% of Modulin's written reviews are positive against 57% of Pentaholic Synth's.
Modulin ships an update every 5 days, Pentaholic Synth every 6 days. The most recent releases landed on October 2, 2026 and October 8, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Modulin | Pentaholic Synth |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.3 (17 ratings) — better | 3.8 (6 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 69.2% of reviews — better | 57.1% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 17 — better | 6 |
| Update frequency | Every 5 days — better | Every 6 days |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 10.0 — better | 16.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 29 MB | 21 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Grant Emerson | Andrew Strickland |
Customer experience
Modulin
Pentaholic Synth
In-app purchases
Modulin
- PhilharmodulinFree
Pentaholic Synth
- Full Features$28.00









