Comparison

ShockWave vs VAMono

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

VAMono

This app is a virtual analog monophonic synthesizer inspired by classic 80s synths. It features two oscillators, a versatile filter, and built-in effects like distortion and delay. A 64-step sequencer allows for note and parameter automation.

Highlights
  • Virtual analog monophonic synthesizer
  • Two oscillators with extensive modulation
  • 24 dB lowpass filter
  • Distortion and delay effects
  • 64-step sequencer for notes and parameters
  • AudioUnit Extension (AUv3) and Stand Alone modes
  • Ableton Link and Bluetooth MIDI support
Features
Read full description

VAMono is a virtual analog monophonic synthesizer inspired by iconic monophonic analog synthesizers of the 80's. The oscillators are capable of wide variety of modulation to shape the sound before the filtering stage. Pitch, shape and pulse width can be modulated by LFO, ADSR envelope. Xmod and Ring modulation offers audio rate modulation. Hard Sync offers a characteristic sync sound. Filter section and Amplifier offers classic sound of the iconic analog synthesizer of 80’s. Amp section additionally offers amplitude modulation followed by distortion and delay effect. VAMono offers built-in 64 step sequencer to sequence notes and parameters. Synthesizer and Sequencer can be used as an AudioUnit Extension (AUv3) or Stand Alone. Stand Alone Mode supports Ableton Link, Bluetooth MIDI and MIDI IN/OUT. Main Features AudioUnit Extension (AUv3) - Virtual Analog Monophonic Synthesizer features two oscillators, one LFO, one lowpass filter, three envelope generator, one amplifier, distortion and delay effect. - Oscillators are capable of producing continuously variable wave shapes and offers variety of modulation. - Features two Amp Envelopes, Gate and ADSR. ADSR envelope is analog style non-linear envelope generator. - 24 dB per octave lowpass filter and amplifier produces characteristic sound of iconic analog synthesizer in 80’s - LFO provides seven wave shapes and can be synced with tempo. Distortion and delay effects are included. Sequencer - Sample accurate 64 step sequencer capable of sequencing notes and parameter automation. - Synthesizer and sequencer work as AudioUnit Extension (AUv3) and as Stand Alone. - MIDI input and output - 60 factory patches Stand Alone (AU Host Application) - Support Ableton Link - Support Bluetooth MIDI - MIDI input and output System Requirements - iOS 14.2 or later (VAMono utilizes features introduced in iOS 14 and it is not backward compatible.)

Screenshots

ShockWave4 screens
VAMono4 screens

Verdict

The call

ShockWave and VAMono both sit at 4.6 stars, but that hides the real split: 83% of VAMono's written reviews are positive against 53% of ShockWave's. VAMono also leads on price ($14.99 vs $19.99) and update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 2 months). ShockWave's advantage is ratings volume (190 vs 12). On rating, 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

ShockWave costs $19.99 and VAMono $14.99 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 4.6 for VAMono. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: ShockWave has 190 ratings behind it against 12, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 53% of ShockWave's written reviews are positive against 83% of VAMono's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

ShockWave ships an update every 2 months, VAMono every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 21, 2026 and September 20, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
ShockWave versus VAMono: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterShockWaveVAMono
Price$19.99$14.99 — better
Rating4.6 (190 ratings)4.6 (12 ratings)
Positive reviews52.5% of reviews83.3% of reviews — better
Number of ratings190 — better12
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — better
Requires iOS15.614.2 — better
Further details — not scored
Size42 MB21 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperKai ArasRyo Togawa

Customer experience

ShockWave

All ratings190 ratings
Positive89.5%
Neutral2.6%
Negative7.9%
Written reviews59 reviews
Positive52.5%
Neutral11.9%
Negative35.6%

VAMono

All ratings12 ratings
Positive83.3%
Neutral16.7%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews6 reviews
Positive83.3%
Neutral16.7%
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.

VAMono

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

ShockWave

No in-app purchases

None

VAMono

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is ShockWave free?
ShockWave costs $19.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is VAMono free?
VAMono costs $14.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, ShockWave or VAMono?
ShockWave and VAMono are both rated 4.6 out of 5 on the App Store, from 190 and 12 ratings respectively.
Do ShockWave or VAMono have ads?
Neither ShockWave nor VAMono shows ads.
Which is updated more often, ShockWave or VAMono?
ShockWave ships an update every 2 months, and VAMono every 2 weeks. Most recently, ShockWave was updated on September 21, 2026 and VAMono on September 20, 2026.

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