CV Mod vs NERD Synth A2x + AUv3
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
CV Mod
This app provides two LFO/VCO oscillators for modular and semi-modular synthesizers. Connect your device's headphone output to your hardware to add modulation and sound sources. Create custom waveforms and control parameters via MIDI.
- 2 LFO/VCO oscillators
- Custom drawable waveforms
- MIDI CC control
- Tempo sync
- Envelope generators
- XY pad control
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CV Mod is a 2 LFO/VCO Oscillator Module meant to be used with modular or semi-modular synth hardware. Simply connect the headphone output of your iPhone or iPad to one or more CV or audio inputs on your hardware. To get the most out of this module, use a stereo breakout cable to separate the left and right audio channels. Just like that, you now have 2 additional LFOs or full range oscillators added to your rig! CV Mod can also send out signals via a connected DC-coupled audio interface. With Audiobus 3 and Inter-app audio support, you'll have an easier time routing CV Mod's outputs to wherever you need them to go. In the spirit of modular synthesis, you have complete control over each oscillator’s parameters via external MIDI. You can also modulate one oscillator’s frequency and phase with the other oscillator’s rate and depth controls. With two drawable wave table editors, you can create whatever crazy wave forms you like, unleashing a vast sea of possibilities. Instant grit! Intuitive controls via the main faders, XY pad, or MIDI CC make this an incredibly easy way to add more modulation and sound sources to your gear. Download now and have some good old-yet-new-fashioned creative fun! Key Features: 2 Oscillators that function as LFOs or sound sources with 5 frequency ranges: 1 Hz, 4 Hz, 40 Hz, 120 Hz, and VCO mode (full range). This wide set of ranges allows for ultra slow ambient filter sweeps and rip roaring ring-mod madness Choose from 8 different waveforms: Sine, Triangle, Sawtooth, Reverse Sawtooth, Square, Random, and two user defined shapes Wave Table grid editor allows you to draw 2 custom waveforms Each oscillator has its own envelope generator, which can be synchronized to subdivisions of the current tempo or the rate of one of the oscillators Multi-touch control of each oscillator’s rate, depth, and phase with easy to use faders Fine tuning control of each oscillator, + or - one octave Separate glide controls for each oscillator, with a configurable maximum glide time of 120 seconds! MIDI Keyboard control of an oscillator’s frequency allows you to play notes and use this app as an additional sound source in VCO mode Duophonic mode allows you to play two notes at once when both oscillators are controlled by MIDI keyboard in VCO mode XY Pad allows you to control up to 3 parameters, with the Z-axis mapped to touch pressure (if your device supports it) Tempo Sync feature that constrains each oscillator’s rate to subdivisions of the current tempo, when operating in one of the LFO modes Rich MIDI implementation allows you to control all oscillator settings via MIDI CC with MIDI learn. In addition, you can control each oscillator’s rate and the overall depth via pitch wheel, mod wheel, velocity, aftertouch, and note values (key tracking) Cross modulation capabilities allow you to modulate one oscillator’s phase and frequency with the rate and depth of the other oscillator Turn either oscillator into a trigger pulse, which can be synchronized to subdivisions of the current tempo or the rate of the other oscillator Ability to save presets and wave tables Other settings include: Tempo override from external MIDI clock or via Ableton Link Ableton Link integration Pitch bender range control (maximum of 2 octaves) Background audio mode Oscillator pan controls: each oscillator can be panned to the left channel, right channel, or center Aftertouch sensitivity control (allows you to take it easy on those older keybeds) Bit depth resolution reduction controls for each oscillator, which opens up even more possibilities
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 rating: NERD Synth A2x + AUv3 at 4.9 against CV Mod's 4.0. NERD Synth A2x + AUv3 also leads on ratings volume (1.3K vs 8) and review sentiment (90% vs 80%). CV Mod's advantage is price ($1.99 vs $5.99) and iOS requirement (11.0 vs 14.4). 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
CV Mod costs $1.99 and NERD Synth A2x + AUv3 $5.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
NERD Synth A2x + AUv3 holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: NERD Synth A2x + AUv3 has 1.3K ratings behind it against 8, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 80% of CV Mod's written reviews are positive against 90% of NERD Synth A2x + AUv3's.
CV Mod ships an update every 3 weeks, NERD Synth A2x + AUv3 fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on September 8, 2026 and September 26, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | CV Mod | NERD Synth A2x + AUv3 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1.99 — better | $5.99 |
| Rating | 4.0 (8 ratings) | 4.9 (1.3K ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 80.0% of reviews | 90.4% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 8 | 1.3K — better |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | Fortnightly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 11.0 — better | 14.4 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 19 MB | 242 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Steven Connelly | AudioKit Pro, LLC |
Customer experience
CV Mod
NERD Synth A2x + AUv3
Bugs and requests
CV Mod
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
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
CV Mod
No in-app purchases
NERD Synth A2x + AUv3
No in-app purchases








