Comparison

ShockWave vs ThermoSynth

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

ThermoSynth

This app is a generative synthesizer that creates evolving sonic structures inspired by thermodynamic systems. It features a self-regulating hyper oscillator engine with a feedback matrix and stochastic modulators for unique, never-repeating drone synthesis and organic textures.

Highlights
  • Self-regulating hyper oscillator engine
  • Generative synthesis at waveform level
  • 4x4 feedback matrix for oscillator interaction
  • Stochastic modulators for sonic changes
  • User-controlled injections for system perturbation
  • MPE support
  • High-resolution rotary encoder MIDI mapping
Read full description

Welcome to the politics of sound ! ThermoSynth is a self regulating hyper oscillator engine inspired by thermodynamic systems. ThermoSynth extends the classical oscillator concept, it is a generative synthesizer at the waveform level, which does not express only static / interference waveforms but also an evolution of a sonic structure by internal communication and its actions inside certain controllable margins.  The oscillator of ThermoSynth establishes its own engine environment and begin its signal path with a waveform generator ( pure mathematical, not samples nor optimized tables ) rendering basic waveforms and capable of morphing in between. The 4 oscillators of the Thermo are in continuous interaction sending each other their signals thanks to a 4X4 feedback matrix. Many type of changes in this system are introduced by the stochastic modulators which sonicLAB is known for and also by the user through some perturbations called the injections into the system. Each oscillator engine continuously checks its environment conditions and takes decisions, “self regulates”, in reaction to these changes applied. The result is unique never ending and never repeating drone synthesis, pure organic textures for electronic music; and hours can easily pass with experimenting on ThermoSynth. Detailed app description can be found at https://www.sonic-lab.com/thermo/ And you can download the manual here : https://www.sonic-lab.com/Thermo/Thermo-iOS_manual.pdf ThermoSynth is identical to the desktop sonicLAB Thermo version.  For external control, it comes with MPE support and sonicLAB high resolution rotary encoder midi mapping feature as on the desktop version.

Screenshots

ShockWave4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: ShockWave at $19.99 against ThermoSynth's $34.99. ShockWave also leads on ratings volume (188 vs 4) and device support (3 vs 1). ThermoSynth's advantage is rating (5.0 vs 4.6) and iOS requirement (9.3 vs 15.6). On review sentiment, 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 ThermoSynth $34.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

ThermoSynth holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: ShockWave has 188 ratings behind it against 4, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 54% of ShockWave's written reviews are positive against 50% of ThermoSynth's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 2 months. Both last shipped on October 6, 2026.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
ShockWave versus ThermoSynth: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterShockWaveThermoSynth
Price$19.99 — better$34.99
Rating4.6 (188 ratings)5.0 (4 ratings) — better
Positive reviews54.0% of reviews — better50.0% of reviews
Number of ratings188 — better4
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 2 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPad
Requires iOS15.69.3 — better
Further details — not scored
Size42 MB25 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperKai ArasSonicPlanet Audio Video Teknolojileri Anonim Sti.

Customer experience

ShockWave

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

ThermoSynth

All ratings4 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews4 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral50.0%
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.

ThermoSynth

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

ShockWave

No in-app purchases

None

ThermoSynth

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is ShockWave free?
ShockWave costs $19.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is ThermoSynth free?
ThermoSynth costs $34.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, ShockWave or ThermoSynth?
ThermoSynth is rated higher. ShockWave averages 4.6 out of 5 from 188 ratings, while ThermoSynth averages 5.0 from 4 ratings.
Do ShockWave or ThermoSynth have ads?
Neither ShockWave nor ThermoSynth shows ads.
Which is updated more often, ShockWave or ThermoSynth?
ShockWave ships an update every 2 months, and ThermoSynth every 2 months. Most recently, ShockWave was updated on October 6, 2026 and ThermoSynth on October 6, 2026.

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