Comparison

Kronecker vs ShockWave

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

Head to head
About

Kronecker

This synthesizer uses a unique rhythm machine-like mechanism to trigger tones when a key is pressed, offering direct control over timing and sound without traditional sequencers. Explore its innovative approach to rhythmic music creation.

Highlights
  • AUv3 compatible synthesizer
  • Rhythm machine-like triggering
  • Key-press driven sound generation
  • Direct control over timing
  • Unique rhythmic tone generation
Features
Read full description

Kronecker is an AUv3-compatible synthesizer with a rhythm machine-like mechanism. Without relying on sequencers or arpeggiators, it triggers rhythmic tones each time a key is pressed, allowing you to control both timing and sound. For more detailed information about the product, please visit the website. The website offers detailed product descriptions, manuals and videos, as well as important notices. https://icegear.net/

About

ShockWave

This app is a monophonic synthesizer for iOS and AUv3 plugins, utilizing Phase Distortion synthesis. It offers dual PD oscillators, sequencers, LFOs, and envelopes for complex sound design. Almost any control can be modulated by multiple sources, with real-time visual feedback.

Highlights
  • Phase Distortion Synthesis
  • Dual PD Oscillators
  • Dual 8-step Sequencers
  • Dual ASR Envelopes
  • Tempo-syncable LFOs
  • Extensive Modulation Matrix
  • MIDI and MPE Support
Features
Read full description

ShockWave is a monophonic Synthesizer designed to bring modular style workflow to the world of iOS & AUv3 plugins. Built around the concept of Phase Distortion (PD) Synthesis, Shockwave includes a pair of PD Oscillators each capable of creating everything from pure Sine Waves over smooth Sawtooth and Square Waves to Resonance & Sync sweeps, filtered Noise and more. In addition to the Synth Voice, ShockWave includes a dedicated control section housing a pair of 8 step sequencers, a sample & hold module as well modules for trigger divisions, logic comparisons and controlled randomness. A pair of Low Frequency Oscillators and 2 Attack/Sustain/Release (ASR) Envelopes serve as main modulation sources and can be used in a number of ways. Envelopes can be triggered from a number of internal sources including other modules such as trigger divider, logic or chance module but can also be connected to each other allowing for a wide range of patches usually only possible in large modular systems. LFOs are individually tempo sync-able and capable of producing total of 5 different waveforms each. The two sequencers can run independently or combine to one 16 step sequence where rate and length can be controlled independently for each of the two. In true modular nature almost any control within ShockWave can be modulated with up to 11 sources - simultaneously. Modulations are setup simply by holding a control and dialling in the desired amount in a list of all available sources. A special X-Ray mode adds a realtime display of all currently active modulations right at their corresponding control making it easy to understand what's happening inside the synthesizer at any given time. Synth Voice and Control Section are accompanied by built-in Delay and Reverb sections placed on send busses with all of their controls including the send levels being available as mod destinations. Last but not least, ShockWave features a solid MIDI implementation including support for, aftertouch, velocity, wheels, custom CC mappings and up to 4 dimensions of expression when using MPE compatible controllers, such as the Roli Seaboard, Linnstrument, Geoshred, KB-1 and others. MIDI Output is supported as well and includes Note and Control Change output generated from various internal sources including Sequencers, Envelopes and LFOs making it possible to control external MIDI gear or chain multiple plugin instances for advanced, self driving patches. Overview: - Semi Modular Monophonic Synth Voice - Phase Distortion Synthesis (PD) - Dual PD Oscillators with 5 Waveforms + Noise - Dual ASR Envelopes with variable trigger source - Dual LFO with Tempo Sync - Cross Modulation with Linear/Exp. FM, PM, AM & RM - Mixer section with individual pan and level controls per oscillator - Output VCA with variable control source - Pattern Generator for generating sequences from various internal sources - Quantizer to force note input into a specific scale (19 Scales + User Scales) - Step Sequencer with 2x8 or 1x16 steps, individual rate and number of steps per row - Trigger Divider for dividing internal trigger sources - Probability Gate for adding controlled randomness - Sample & Hold for additional randomness - Logic Module to create triggers from various internal sources - Built-in Delay & Reverb Effects - MIDI Note and CC output for controlling external gear or chaining multiple instances - Semi Modular Architecture - 11 Modulation Sources - 40 Modulation Destinations - 2 Color Themes MIDI Input: - 4D Expression (Glide, Slide, Pressure & Velocity) - Mod & Pitch-Wheel - Tempo Sync - Custom CC Control MIDI Output: - Note - Control Change Connectivity: - Standalone - AUv3 - AudioBus - IAA

Screenshots

Kronecker4 screens
ShockWave4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Kronecker at $8.00 against ShockWave's $19.99. Kronecker also leads on review sentiment (89% vs 53%) and rating (4.8 vs 4.6). ShockWave's advantage is ratings volume (190 vs 33). On update cadence, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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

Kronecker costs $8.00 and ShockWave $19.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Kronecker holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: ShockWave has 190 ratings behind it against 33, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 89% of Kronecker's written reviews are positive against 53% of ShockWave's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Kronecker ships an update monthly, ShockWave every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 19, 2026 and September 21, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Kronecker versus ShockWave: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterKroneckerShockWave
Price$8.00 — better$19.99
Rating4.8 (33 ratings) — better4.6 (190 ratings)
Positive reviews88.9% of reviews — better52.5% of reviews
Number of ratings33190 — better
Update frequencyMonthly — betterEvery 2 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS12.0 — better15.6
Further details — not scored
Size9 MB42 MB
Age rating4+4+
DevelopericeWorks, Inc.Kai Aras

Customer experience

Kronecker

All ratings33 ratings
Positive93.9%
Neutral3.0%
Negative3.0%
Written reviews9 reviews
Positive88.9%
Neutral11.1%
Negative0.0%

ShockWave

All ratings190 ratings
Positive89.5%
Neutral2.6%
Negative7.9%
Written reviews59 reviews
Positive52.5%
Neutral11.9%
Negative35.6%

Bugs and requests

Kronecker

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

ShockWave

Reported bugs

20 issues
  • "Bad Signal" errors in AUM, stops sound generation.
  • Intermittent "bad signal" prompt in AUM, requires reloading.
  • Sounds awful, very distorted with glitchy UI.
  • App crashes frequently.
  • No sound coming out of AUv3 in GarageBand.
Show 15 more
  • More than half of the sounds do not play.
  • Performance remains but synth loads blank when returning to work after closing.
  • App stops producing sound after a few minutes of use.
  • Preset browser causes the app to stop producing sound.
  • No audio output on iPhone 6 & 7 plus, sometimes noise when changing presets, keyboard doesn't work.
  • Randomize button not viewable on iPhone 6.
  • App crashes when returning to a project.
  • App crashes on the loading screen on iPhone 11, but works on iPhone 7.
  • Hangs and freezes, won't load/work in AUM or GarageBand.
  • Horribly laggy, almost unusable.
  • Volume is noisy and glitchy.
  • Response on dials needs more work.
  • Modulation tab issues, unable to turn other knobs properly.
  • DAW incompatibility issues.
  • App crashing, won't even load.

Requested features

6 requests
  • Provide a proper manual detailing all parameters and sections with examples.
  • Implement a key trigger option for the sequencer to allow MIDI controller playback.
  • Add a poly mode.
  • Improve documentation and tutorials.
  • Standardize knob appearance and response.
Show 1 more
  • Increase the number of available patches beyond 128.

In-app purchases

None

Kronecker

No in-app purchases

None

ShockWave

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Kronecker free?
Kronecker costs $8.00, with no in-app purchases.
Is ShockWave free?
ShockWave costs $19.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Kronecker or ShockWave?
Kronecker is rated higher. Kronecker averages 4.8 out of 5 from 33 ratings, while ShockWave averages 4.6 from 190 ratings.
Do Kronecker or ShockWave have ads?
Neither Kronecker nor ShockWave shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Kronecker or ShockWave?
Kronecker ships an update monthly, and ShockWave every 2 months. Most recently, Kronecker was updated on September 19, 2026 and ShockWave on September 21, 2026.

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