# ShockWave vs KQ Sampei Legacy

The clearest difference is review sentiment: KQ Sampei Legacy at 94% against ShockWave's 55%. KQ Sampei Legacy also leads on update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 2 months) and rating (4.9 vs 4.6). ShockWave's advantage is price ($7.99 vs $11.99) and ratings volume (188 vs 19). On ads, in-app purchases, monetization model and device support there is nothing between them.

ShockWave costs $7.99 and KQ Sampei Legacy $11.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

KQ Sampei Legacy holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: ShockWave has 188 ratings behind it against 19, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 55% of ShockWave's written reviews are positive against 94% of KQ Sampei Legacy's.

ShockWave ships an update every 2 months, KQ Sampei Legacy every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 25, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | ShockWave | KQ Sampei Legacy |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **$7.99** | $11.99 |
| Rating | [4.6 (188 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/shockwave-synth-module/id1449844670/reviews) | **[4.9 (19 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/kq-sampei-legacy/id1626784865/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **188** | 19 |
| Positive reviews | 54.7% of reviews | **94.1% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Every 2 weeks** |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Size | 42 MB | 15 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 | **12.4** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Kai Aras](https://appshunter.io/developer/370820899) | [Ryouta Kira](https://appshunter.io/developer/862984358) |

## 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.


### KQ Sampei Legacy

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/kq-sampei-legacy/id1626784865)

This sampler synthesizer allows users to customize sound sets using various formats like Sound Font and DLS. It supports MIDI messages, includes a MIDI file player, and can be used as a plugin with other music apps. Micro-tuning and external storage are also supported.

**Highlights:** Customizable sound sets (Sound Font, DLS), Multi-timbral synthesis, MIDI message support (GM, GS, XG, MPE), MIDI File Player, Audio Unit v3 and Inter-App Audio plugin support, Micro-tuning support, External MIDI device compatibility

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is ShockWave free?

ShockWave costs $7.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is KQ Sampei Legacy free?

KQ Sampei Legacy costs $11.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, ShockWave or KQ Sampei Legacy?

KQ Sampei Legacy is rated higher. ShockWave averages 4.6 out of 5 from 188 ratings, while KQ Sampei Legacy averages 4.9 from 19 ratings.

### Do ShockWave or KQ Sampei Legacy have ads?

Neither ShockWave nor KQ Sampei Legacy shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, ShockWave or KQ Sampei Legacy?

ShockWave ships an update every 2 months, and KQ Sampei Legacy every 2 weeks. Most recently, ShockWave was updated on October 25, 2026 and KQ Sampei Legacy on October 24, 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.*