# ShockWave vs Rotary Mod

The clearest difference is price: Rotary Mod at $7.99 against ShockWave's $19.99. Rotary Mod also leads on review sentiment (80% vs 54%) and iOS requirement (11.0 vs 15.6). ShockWave's advantage is rating (4.6 vs 4.3) and ratings volume (188 vs 23). On update cadence, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

ShockWave costs $19.99 and Rotary Mod $7.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ShockWave holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 4.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: ShockWave has 188 ratings behind it against 23, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 54% of ShockWave's written reviews are positive against 80% of Rotary Mod's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

ShockWave ships an update every 2 months, Rotary Mod every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on October 6, 2026 and October 14, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | ShockWave | Rotary Mod |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $19.99 | **$7.99** |
| Rating | **[4.6 (188 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/shockwave-synth-module/id1449844670/reviews)** | [4.3 (23 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/rotary-mod/id1463786028/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **188** | 23 |
| Positive reviews | 54.0% of reviews | **80.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 2 months** | Every 3 months |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Size | 42 MB | 24 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 | **11.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Kai Aras](https://appshunter.io/developer/370820899) | [Eventide](https://appshunter.io/developer/546518026) |

## What reviewers say

### ShockWave

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/shockwave-synth-module/id1449844670)

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:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- ✨ Unique and amazing sounds
- 🔊 Heavy and brutal tones
- 💡 Innovative phase distortion synthesis
- 🎨 Beautiful and deep sound sculpting
- 🎹 Great for bass sounds

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent crashes and glitches
- ❌ Not working in AUM/AUv3
- 🔇 No sound output in certain apps
- ❓ Difficult to use without a manual
- 📉 Laggy UI and slow patch loading

**Reported bugs**

- "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.

**Requested features**

- 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.


### Rotary Mod

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/rotary-mod/id1463786028)

This app emulates a Leslie speaker, creating a pulsing vibrato effect for instruments and vocals. It offers precise control over rotor and horn speeds, cabinet size, and includes advanced features like frequency modulation and a unique Ribbon control for simultaneous parameter adjustments.

**Highlights:** Independent rotor and horn speed control, Frequency modulation with secondary LFO, Selectable cabinet size (Standard/Giant), Hicut control for tone shaping, Tap Tempo for BPM sync, Innovative Ribbon control, Mix Lock for preset scrolling

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is ShockWave free?

ShockWave costs $19.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Rotary Mod free?

Rotary Mod costs $7.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, ShockWave or Rotary Mod?

ShockWave is rated higher. ShockWave averages 4.6 out of 5 from 188 ratings, while Rotary Mod averages 4.3 from 23 ratings.

### Do ShockWave or Rotary Mod have ads?

Neither ShockWave nor Rotary Mod shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, ShockWave or Rotary Mod?

ShockWave ships an update every 2 months, and Rotary Mod every 3 months. Most recently, ShockWave was updated on October 6, 2026 and Rotary Mod on October 14, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*