Comparison

AudioKit Digital D1 Synth vs Human Scale

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

Head to head
About

AudioKit Digital D1 Synth

This app is a virtual analog and PCM synthesizer for iPad, inspired by the digital synthesizers of the 80s and 90s. It offers a vast library of presets, advanced synthesis features, and built-in effects for creating rich, retro-inspired sounds.

Highlights
  • 64-voice hybrid digital poly synthesis
  • 1GB+ of original samples
  • Stand-alone, IAA, and AUv3 support
  • Vintage-style arp/step sequencer
  • 3 LFOs with fun routings
  • Dual independent per-layer filters
  • Built-in FX suite
Read full description

Epic 64-voice Virtual Analog / PCM iPad Synth Inspired by the Digital Synths of the 80s and 90s - ** TOP 3 iOS MUSIC APPS OF 2018 *** - Music Radar Awards (Computer Music & Future Music Magazine) - * Featured By Apple in "New Apps We Love!" ** "Fans of the D-50, JD-990, 01/W, Wavestation... Rejoice!" - Music Radar FULLY LOADED w/ 500+ presets by Brice Beasley, Matthew Fecher, Red Sky Lullaby, Jakob Haq, Dean Daughters (Electronisounds), Sound of Izrael, Brian Funk, and more DIGITAL D1 is AWESOME: - 64-voice Hybrid Digital Poly Synthesis. - Full 1+ Gigabyte of original samples recorded from analog & fm synths over 30+ years old - Stand-alone iPad Synth, plus IAA & Audiobus - Basic AUv3 Plugin support. Works best with AUM. We're working on upgrading Audio Unit support. - Space-saving Compression - The whole app is under 200mb! - Dual layers per voice. Keyboard splits. Velocity Scaling. - Vintage-style Arp/Step Sequencer that can be routed to specific layers. - 3 LFOs. Fun Routings. LFOs can modify other LFOs. - Dual Independent per-Layer filters - Plus, per-voice Harmonic key-tracked Envelope filters. "Digital D1 Sounds and plays AMAZING!" - The Sound Test Room "Rad retro synth sounds" - Cult of Mac, App of the Week "AudioKit Digital D1 is a beautiful Synthesizer app that recreates the spirit of legendary synths" - Synth Anatomy ADDITIONAL FEATURES: - FX: Glorious Reverb, Phaser, Digital Delay, Distortion, Flanger, Chorus, Crush, and more. - Perfect with a MIDI Keyboard - Ableton Link - All kinds of awesome stuff - The Sound. Oh, the sound. You won't believe it. "Digital D1 synth is pure ‘80s and ‘90s digital lushness" - Computer Music/Music Radar "Beautiful. Lush. Modern and Amazing… An Instant Classic." REQUIREMENTS: Requires newer iPads for best performance. May be slow on iPad 4. IAA is being deprecated by Apple in iOS 13. We're moving to AUv3 as well. Please replace IAA with AUv3 in your projects. GarageBand Audio Unit (AUv3): You can run one instance of D1 as an AUv3 in GarageBand. With a host like AUM, you can run 3 or more instances at once. TROUBLESHOOTING: For iPad 4 - Open the "Settings" button (to the upper left above the keyboard). Turn the buffer to 512 or above. And turn the "CPU Efficient" toggle to on. If still having trouble, try closing other music apps and/or rebooting your iPad. Thanks! - * NOMINATED: Best iOS Music Apps of 2018 ** by Computer Music & Future Music magazine. Subscribe to access to premium app features; subscription details are the following: - Length: weekly or yearly - Free trial: only on selected subscriptions - Your payment will be charged to your iTunes Account as soon as you confirm your purchase - You can manage your subscriptions and turn off auto-renewal from your Account Settings after the purchase - Your subscription will renew automatically, unless you turn off auto-renew at least 24 hours before the end of the current period - The cost of renewal will be charged to your account in the 24 hours prior to the end of the current period - When canceling a subscription, your subscription will stay active until the end of the period. Auto-renewal will be disabled, but the current subscription will not be refunded - Any unused portion of a free trial period, if offered, will be forfeited when purchasing a subscription Terms & Conditions: [https://magic-cake-e95.notion.site/AudioKit-Digital-D1-Synth-Terms-Conditions-14dcf6557a0880beb991f20561329664?pvs=4](https://www.notion.so/AudioKit-Digital-D1-Synth-Terms-Conditions-14dcf6557a0880beb991f20561329664?pvs=21) Privacy Policy: [https://magic-cake-e95.notion.site/AudioKit-Digital-D1-Synth-Privacy-Policy-14dcf6557a088042b2beee2382f5d62f?pvs=4](https://www.notion.so/AudioKit-Digital-D1-Synth-Privacy-Policy-14dcf6557a088042b2beee2382f5d62f?pvs=21) - * NOTE: This app has no official affiliation with AudioKit Pro, LLC. It was built using the free AudioKit source code.

About

Human Scale

This app is the primary distribution channel for algorithmic audio compositions. It allows users to access and enjoy unique soundscapes created through algorithms. Experience a new form of auditory art.

Highlights
  • Algorithmic media distribution
  • Audio composition playback
  • Unique soundscape experience
  • Primary distribution channel
Read full description

Human Scale produces and releases algorithmic media. The human scale application is our primary means of distributing audio compositions.

Screenshots

Human Scale3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is monetization model: Human Scale at free against AudioKit Digital D1 Synth's subscription. Human Scale also leads on ads (none vs shown) and review sentiment (100% vs 76%). AudioKit Digital D1 Synth's advantage is update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 7 months) and ratings volume (2.1K vs 3). On price, in-app purchases 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. AudioKit Digital D1 Synth sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days and Human Scale sells 11 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Human Scale holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: AudioKit Digital D1 Synth has 2.1K ratings behind it against 3, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 76% of AudioKit Digital D1 Synth's written reviews are positive against 100% of Human Scale's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

AudioKit Digital D1 Synth ships an update every 3 weeks, Human Scale every 7 months. The most recent releases landed on October 21, 2026 and October 6, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
AudioKit Digital D1 Synth versus Human Scale: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterAudioKit Digital D1 SynthHuman Scale
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (2.1K ratings)5.0 (3 ratings) — better
Positive reviews76.1% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings2.1K — better3
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeks — betterEvery 7 months
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationSubscriptionFree — better
DevicesiPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS13.0 — better14.1
Further details — not scored
Size636 MB40 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAudiobus Pty LtdDavid Diaz

Customer experience

AudioKit Digital D1 Synth

All ratings2,007 ratings
Positive95.4%
Neutral1.7%
Negative2.9%
Written reviews243 reviews
Positive76.1%
Neutral7.4%
Negative16.5%

Human Scale

All ratings3 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Bugs and requests

AudioKit Digital D1 Synth

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Presets not loading correctly
  • MIDI note dropouts and latency
  • Crashes when used with certain DAWs
  • Compatibility issues with newer iOS versions

Requested features

5 requests
  • Add Audio Unit (AUv3) support
  • Improve MIDI integration and responsiveness
  • Implement a built-in recording/sampling feature
  • Expand preset library with more genres and styles
  • Add more sound design controls and modulation options

Human Scale

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

6 purchases

AudioKit Digital D1 Synth

Subscriptions4
  • Weekly premium$4.997 Days
  • Weekly premium7 Days trial$4.997 Days
  • Yearly premium7 Days trial$9.991 Year
Show 1 more
  • Yearly premium$9.991 Year
One-time2
  • D1 PCM Expansion-01Free
  • Platinum Expansion PCM EXP-01Free
11 purchases

Human Scale

One-time11
  • jobs of the great miseryFree
  • prom dateFree
  • nonaligned movementFree
Show 8 more
  • gymnopédie no. 1Free
  • infinite seaFree
  • marginal eternityFree
  • 85% true/minor ecologiesFree
  • day of reflectionFree
  • coulée continueFree
  • the bad harvestFree
  • old straight trackFree

Questions

Is AudioKit Digital D1 Synth free?
AudioKit Digital D1 Synth is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Human Scale free?
Human Scale is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, AudioKit Digital D1 Synth or Human Scale?
Human Scale is rated higher. AudioKit Digital D1 Synth averages 4.8 out of 5 from 2.1K ratings, while Human Scale averages 5.0 from 3 ratings.
Do AudioKit Digital D1 Synth or Human Scale have ads?
AudioKit Digital D1 Synth shows ads; Human Scale does not.
Which is updated more often, AudioKit Digital D1 Synth or Human Scale?
AudioKit Digital D1 Synth ships an update every 3 weeks, and Human Scale every 7 months. Most recently, AudioKit Digital D1 Synth was updated on October 21, 2026 and Human Scale on October 6, 2026.

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