Comparison

ShockWave vs BB17 Binaural Auv3 Synth

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

Head to head
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

About

BB17 Binaural Auv3 Synth

This synthesizer allows for the creation of binaural beats and exploration of microtonal scales. It offers various additive and precise waveform generators, along with eight distinct temperaments for unique sound design.

Highlights
  • Additive and precise waveform generation
  • Binaural beat creation slider
  • Eight available temperaments
  • Microtonal scale exploration
  • High-fidelity sound
Features
Read full description

High fidelity Synthesizer designed for generating Binaural beats and exploring alternate scales. ~ Tone Generation (additive & precise) Additive waveform generation allows for a softer sound on the high end while maintaining the distinctive feel of these classic waveforms. Additive oscillators are indicated by a lowercase title. ~ saw The additive sawtooth wave is generated by adding all the overtones one through 17. ~ sqr The additive square wave is generated by adding all the odd overtones 1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 & 17. These two additive oscillators sound a bit smoother on the high end without the near-infinite overtones of their precise counterparts. Uppercase indicates a precise oscillator: ~ SAW Sawtooth Wave, try all SAW waves with some detune & low pass filter for the classic supersaw effect! ~ TRI Triangle Wave, smooth sound, good for pads or lead. ~ SQR Square Wave, good for the classic vintage feel. The precise form is calculated according to the mathematics of their respective equations. ~ Binaural Beats The Binaural Slider to the left of the oscilloscope and will offset the right speaker by the amount of HZ listed above it. This enables the generation and experimentation of binaural beats for scientific and recreational purposes. 8 Currently Available Temperaments: ~ 12 Tone Equal Temperament Standard Tuning with A at 440 Hz ~ 5 Tone Major Just Intonated Major Pentatonic scale ~ 7 Tone Harmonic Just Intonated Arabic double harmonic minor scale ~ 12 tone Just Intonated The twelve tones western listeners are normally familiar with pitched by just ratios and based off a selectable root note. ~ 17 Tone Arabic Arabic Scale Quarter tone Scale, typically 7 are chosen from this set for a modal piece ~ 22 Shruti Indian Much like the Arabic scale often a subset of notes is chosen for a piece. ~ 26 Tone Turkish Turkish Scale ratios provided by Peter Biffin, the spike fiddle maker. ~ 43 Tone Parch Harry Parch was a pioneer in microtonal music and an avid instrument maker. This temperament with a Root note of G and Root Frequency of 392 hz allows parch fans to compose for the chromelodeon on the go. Please report any feature or help requests by selecting the support URL

Screenshots

ShockWave4 screens
BB17 Binaural Auv3 Synth1 screens

Verdict

The call

ShockWave and BB17 Binaural Auv3 Synth both sit at 4.6 stars, but that hides the real split: 100% of BB17 Binaural Auv3 Synth's written reviews are positive against 55% of ShockWave's. BB17 Binaural Auv3 Synth also leads on update cadence (every 5 days vs every 2 months) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 15.6). ShockWave's advantage is ratings volume (188 vs 18). On price, rating, ads and in-app purchases 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

ShockWave costs $7.99 and BB17 Binaural Auv3 Synth $7.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.6 for ShockWave against 4.7 for BB17 Binaural Auv3 Synth. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: ShockWave has 188 ratings behind it against 18, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 55% of ShockWave's written reviews are positive against 100% of BB17 Binaural Auv3 Synth's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

ShockWave ships an update every 2 months, BB17 Binaural Auv3 Synth every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on October 25, 2026 and October 29, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
ShockWave versus BB17 Binaural Auv3 Synth: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterShockWaveBB17 Binaural Auv3 Synth
Price$7.99$7.99
Rating4.6 (188 ratings)4.7 (18 ratings) — better
Positive reviews54.7% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings188 — better18
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 5 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — better
Requires iOS15.612.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size42 MB6 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperKai ArasPaul Wand

Customer experience

ShockWave

All ratings188 ratings
Positive89.9%
Neutral2.7%
Negative7.4%
Written reviews64 reviews
Positive54.7%
Neutral10.9%
Negative34.4%

BB17 Binaural Auv3 Synth

All ratings18 ratings
Positive94.4%
Neutral0.0%
Negative5.6%
Written reviews9 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Bugs and 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.

BB17 Binaural Auv3 Synth

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

ShockWave

No in-app purchases

None

BB17 Binaural Auv3 Synth

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is ShockWave free?
ShockWave costs $7.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is BB17 Binaural Auv3 Synth free?
BB17 Binaural Auv3 Synth costs $7.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, ShockWave or BB17 Binaural Auv3 Synth?
BB17 Binaural Auv3 Synth is rated higher. ShockWave averages 4.6 out of 5 from 188 ratings, while BB17 Binaural Auv3 Synth averages 4.7 from 18 ratings.
Do ShockWave or BB17 Binaural Auv3 Synth have ads?
Neither ShockWave nor BB17 Binaural Auv3 Synth shows ads.
Which is updated more often, ShockWave or BB17 Binaural Auv3 Synth?
ShockWave ships an update every 2 months, and BB17 Binaural Auv3 Synth every 5 days. Most recently, ShockWave was updated on October 25, 2026 and BB17 Binaural Auv3 Synth on October 29, 2026.

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