AudioKit Digital D1 Synth vs DigiKeys AUv3 Sequencer Plugin
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- 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
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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.
DigiKeys AUv3 Sequencer Plugin
This is a pattern-based MIDI sequencer plugin for AUv3 compatible hosts. It can drive external MIDI instruments or its internal sample-based audio engine. Create looped patterns, chain them into songs, and experiment with real-time performance modes.
- Pattern-based MIDI sequencing
- Internal sample-based audio engine
- 16 MIDI tracks per pattern
- Song creation up to 256 patterns
- Random pattern generator
- Live matrix performance mode
- Multi-Bus output support
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DigiKeys is an AUv3 compatible MIDI sequencer plugin for AUM or other AUv3 compatible host applications. DigiKeys is a pattern based sequencer which can be used to drive either external MIDI based AUv3 instruments, or the internal sample based audio engine. It can also be used as a 16 channel multi-timbral sound source accepting MIDI data on each of the 16 MIDI channels and routing to 16 internal instruments. This flexible design allows you to experiment with pattern based song construction using the DigiKeys sound engine, then map to external MIDI based synth engines once an idea needs expanding. The program was created specifically for AUM, but should function fine under any DAW of your choice (routing options permitting). The advantage of AUM is its unlimited routing flexibility, and the ability to split MIDI output in order to feed multiple AV3 sound sources DigiKeys allows you to create looped patterns which can later be chained into songs. Each pattern has 16 tracks (one for each MIDI channel) which can be up to 32 steps in length. Each track can have its own playback speed, transposition and effects routings. You can chain up to 256 of these patterns together into a song, and since each song is tied to a scale, you can use the transpose function to quickly create chord changes without needing to redesign your patterns. DigiKeys was designed to drive other MIDI compatible AUv3 plugins, but comes equiped with its own internal synth engine with over 100 custom presets. If you own the 4Pockets Chameleon sampler plugin, DigiKeys will auotmatically make those instruments available to you, so its easy to expand the library of instruments using Chameleon. The app has its own custom MIDI mixer, which controls incoming / outgoing MIDI velocity levels rather than traditional audio levels. This allows you to control relative volumes of internal as well as external MIDI instruments. It also allows DigiKeys to be used as a multi-timbral sound source with level mixing, by routing MIDI data on each of the 16 incoming ports to seperate instruments. DigiKeys features a sophisticated random pattern generator capable of taking advantage of random velocities, probability, note length, sub beats and reverse hits. It can even randomize targetted notes that comply to a chord in the song scale. The latest update introduces a live matrix performance mode that lets you mix tracks from different patterns in real time, creating scenes to aid your performance. Patterns and scenes can be triggered remotely from MIDI equipment sending simple note data on MIDI channel 16. Also recently added is the ability to route internal sound to different output busses for adding external effects in AUM. We also include 3 global effects, reverb, chorus and digital delay which allow per track routing. Features: • 16 MIDI tracks per pattern. • Randomize Patterns. • Up to 32 beats per pattern. • Songs up to 256 patterns in length. • Supports Multi-Bus out in AUM. • Definable track muting, repeat length and transposing per song step. • Selectable Key, Scale and Chords to use as guides. • Various edit modes allowing fades and drum rolls. • Supports Reverse Mode, Probability, Triplets etc.. • Ability to override the scale for drum tracks. • 16 channel Mixer. • Track Mutes and Solo options. • 8 band EQ. • Build in Delay, Reverb and Chorus. • Live Matrix. (iPad Only) • Remote pattern switching. • Chamelon Instrument Compatability. • Per pattern Automation. • Comprehensive clipboard functionality. • Local and Remote MIDI Sync. • Real time and Step pattern recording. • HTTP interface for backup / restore of songs.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: AudioKit Digital D1 Synth at Free against DigiKeys AUv3 Sequencer Plugin's $9.99. AudioKit Digital D1 Synth also leads on rating (4.8 vs 4.3) and ratings volume (2.1K vs 19). DigiKeys AUv3 Sequencer Plugin's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 6) and ads (none vs shown). On review sentiment, update cadence 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
AudioKit Digital D1 Synth is free to download; DigiKeys AUv3 Sequencer Plugin costs $9.99 up front. AudioKit Digital D1 Synth sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days. DigiKeys AUv3 Sequencer Plugin asks for nothing beyond the download.
AudioKit Digital D1 Synth holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: AudioKit Digital D1 Synth has 2.1K ratings behind it against 19, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 76% of AudioKit Digital D1 Synth's written reviews are positive against 79% of DigiKeys AUv3 Sequencer Plugin's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.
AudioKit Digital D1 Synth ships an update every 3 weeks, DigiKeys AUv3 Sequencer Plugin every 10 days. The most recent releases landed on November 2, 2026 and November 3, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | AudioKit Digital D1 Synth | DigiKeys AUv3 Sequencer Plugin |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free — better | $9.99 |
| Rating | 4.8 (2.1K ratings) — better | 4.3 (19 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 76.1% of reviews | 78.6% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 2.1K — better | 19 |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | Every 10 days — better |
| Ads | Yes | No — better |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Subscription | Paid — better |
| Devices | iPad | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 | 13 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 636 MB | 307 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Audiobus Pty Ltd | 4Pockets.com |
Customer experience
AudioKit Digital D1 Synth
DigiKeys AUv3 Sequencer Plugin
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
DigiKeys AUv3 Sequencer Plugin
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
AudioKit Digital D1 Synth
- Weekly premium$4.997 Days
- Weekly premium7 Days trial$4.997 Days
- Yearly premium7 Days trial$9.991 Year
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- Yearly premium$9.991 Year
- D1 PCM Expansion-01Free
- Platinum Expansion PCM EXP-01Free
DigiKeys AUv3 Sequencer Plugin
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is AudioKit Digital D1 Synth free?
Is DigiKeys AUv3 Sequencer Plugin free?
Which has better reviews, AudioKit Digital D1 Synth or DigiKeys AUv3 Sequencer Plugin?
Do AudioKit Digital D1 Synth or DigiKeys AUv3 Sequencer Plugin have ads?
Which is updated more often, AudioKit Digital D1 Synth or DigiKeys AUv3 Sequencer Plugin?
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