Comparison

ShockWave vs TB Flowtones

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

TB Flowtones

This virtual analog synthesizer app offers a true VA synthesis engine with analog-modeled filters and extensive modulation options. Create warm, analog-sounding music with a powerful architecture, diverse waveforms, and pro-grade effects. It also includes an integrated step sequencer and hundreds of presets.

Highlights
  • True virtual analog synthesis engine
  • Analog-modelled non-linear filters
  • Extensive modulation options
  • Pro-grade studio effects
  • Integrated step sequencer
  • Hundreds of presets and intelligent randomizer
Read full description

TB Flowtones Virtual Analog Synthesizer app and AUv3 plug-in Thanks to it's true VA synthesis engine, the use of analog-modelled non-linear filters and extensive modulation options, Flowtones sounds warmer and more analog than digital romplers and wavetable-based synths. TB Flowtones comes as stand-alone app as well as AUv3 plugin. True virtual analog synthesis features: - 4 VCO architecture (two voice layers with two VCOs each) - 4 synthesis engine types, in part modelled after famous analog synthesisers - 36 analog VCO waveforms featuring all classic waveforms and more - All VCO waveforms support pulse width modulation - Full stereo and mono unison modes for each VCO independently - Noise and subharmonic oscillators for each VCO - Unique ring and self-modulation matrix - High-quality, warm, non-linear filters (VCF) with over 30 filter types, including unique multi-resonance filters Modulation features: - Four LFOs with 30 waveforms each - LFOs can modulate other LFOs, including themselves! - Three additional envelope generators, with key velocity modulation - Quick access to modulation strengths through context menus - Hundreds of modulation signal paths available - LFOs can produce noise as waveform to randomly modulate other parameters; for example to simulate slight variations in analog filter parameters as they happen in analog circuits. Pro-grade effects - Studio-quality reverb, delay, and chorus effects - Unique formant filter to add vocal character - Analog and digital distortion / bit crushing effects - Master equaliser and peak limiter for final touch - Non-linear power supply simulation for authentic interaction between notes Step sequencer - Fully integrated, intuitive step sequencer - Can trigger chords and note series / phrases - Can run asynchronously or synchronously to the host - Smart copy/paste of note series to improve workflow - Smart zoom: edit fine details while keeping an overview over the full sequence Presets and intelligent randomizer - Flowtones comes with hundreds of presets to spark your creativity - Intelligent randomizer to explore endless sound synthesis possibilities What you should know: - Licenses acquired for this platform are not compatible with other platforms. - Audio Unit (AUv3) extensions require an iPad mini 2, iPad 4 or later models.

Screenshots

ShockWave4 screens
TB Flowtones4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: TB Flowtones at $9.99 against ShockWave's $19.99. TB Flowtones also leads on review sentiment (83% vs 54%) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.6). ShockWave's advantage is ratings volume (188 vs 39). On rating, update cadence, 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 $19.99 and TB Flowtones $9.99 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 TB Flowtones. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 188 and 39 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 54% of ShockWave's written reviews are positive against 83% of TB Flowtones's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

ShockWave ships an update every 2 months, TB Flowtones every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on October 6, 2026 and October 8, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
ShockWave versus TB Flowtones: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterShockWaveTB Flowtones
Price$19.99$9.99 — better
Rating4.6 (188 ratings)4.7 (39 ratings) — better
Positive reviews54.0% of reviews82.9% of reviews — better
Number of ratings188 — better39
Update frequencyEvery 2 months — betterEvery 3 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.613.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size42 MB17 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperKai ArasToneBoosters

Customer experience

ShockWave

All ratings188 ratings
Positive89.9%
Neutral2.7%
Negative7.4%
Written reviews63 reviews
Positive54.0%
Neutral11.1%
Negative34.9%

TB Flowtones

All ratings39 ratings
Positive89.7%
Neutral7.7%
Negative2.6%
Written reviews35 reviews
Positive82.9%
Neutral11.4%
Negative5.7%

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.

TB Flowtones

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

ShockWave

No in-app purchases

None

TB Flowtones

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is ShockWave free?
ShockWave costs $19.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is TB Flowtones free?
TB Flowtones costs $9.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, ShockWave or TB Flowtones?
TB Flowtones is rated higher. ShockWave averages 4.6 out of 5 from 188 ratings, while TB Flowtones averages 4.7 from 39 ratings.
Do ShockWave or TB Flowtones have ads?
Neither ShockWave nor TB Flowtones shows ads.
Which is updated more often, ShockWave or TB Flowtones?
ShockWave ships an update every 2 months, and TB Flowtones every 3 months. Most recently, ShockWave was updated on October 6, 2026 and TB Flowtones on October 8, 2026.

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