ShockWave vs VAPoly
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- Phase Distortion Synthesis
- Dual PD Oscillators
- Dual 8-step Sequencers
- Dual ASR Envelopes
- Tempo-syncable LFOs
- Extensive Modulation Matrix
- MIDI and MPE Support
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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
VAPoly
This virtual analog synthesizer offers 8-voice polyphony with built-in effects, a sequencer, and parameter automation. It functions as a standalone app or an Audio Unit Extension, supporting iCloud Drive and various MIDI and audio export options.
- Virtual analog 8-voice polyphony
- Built-in effects (delay, chorus, reverb, etc.)
- 16-bar sequencer with parameter automation
- Oscillators with modulation capabilities
- Standalone app and AUv3 extension
- iCloud Drive support for cross-device projects
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VAPoly is a virtual analog 8 voice polyphonic synthesizer for iPhone, iPad and Mac. VAPoly features built-in effects, built-in sequencer, parameter automation, oscilloscopes and spectrum analyzer. VAPoly works as a stand alone or as an Audio Unit Extension (AUv3). Stand Alone supports Ableton Link, Bluetooth MIDI, MIDI IN/OUT and audio file export. The synth features two oscillators, two ADSR envelopes, a high pass filter, a low pass filter and an amplifier per voice. The oscillators are capable of wide variety of modulation to shape the sound. The low pass filter is modeled on cascaded OTA filter circuit for classic analog sound. The Effects include delay, chorus, flanger, reverb, eq, and compressor. The sequencer offers ability to program 16 bar pattern per clip for total 16 clips and parameter automation. Project files can be saved in iCloud Drive to work on iPhone, iPad and Mac. Main Features Virtual analog 8 voice polyphonic synthesizer Sequencer 16 bar patterns per clip. Total 16 clips. Parameter automation. Audio Export Linear PCM format (AIFF, WAV and CAF) and compressed format (AAC) Support iCloud Drive. Support Ableton Link, Bluetooth MIDI, MIDI In / Out. Support Audio Unit Extension (AUv3) Support Universal Purchase. VAPoly works on iPhone, iPad and Mac. System Requirements - For iOS Devices, A10 Fusion or above is recommended. - AudioUnit Extension (AUv3) requires host application which support AudioUnit Extension. - AudioUnit Extension (AUv3) is supported by Apple Garage Band on iOS and macOS, and Apple Logic on Mac. For any other DAW, it depends on the application and some of them don’t support AudioUnit Extension (AUv3).
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: VAPoly at 5.0 against ShockWave's 4.6. VAPoly also leads on review sentiment (80% vs 53%) and price ($14.99 vs $19.99). ShockWave's advantage is ratings volume (190 vs 16). On update cadence, 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
ShockWave costs $19.99 and VAPoly $14.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
VAPoly holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: ShockWave has 190 ratings behind it against 16, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 53% of ShockWave's written reviews are positive against 80% of VAPoly's.
ShockWave ships an update every 2 months, VAPoly every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on September 21, 2026 and September 20, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | ShockWave | VAPoly |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $19.99 | $14.99 — better |
| Rating | 4.6 (190 ratings) | 5.0 (16 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 52.5% of reviews | 80.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 190 — better | 16 |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months — better | Every 3 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — better |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 | 15.2 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 42 MB | 19 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Kai Aras | Ryo Togawa |
Customer experience
ShockWave
VAPoly
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.
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- 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.
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- Increase the number of available patches beyond 128.
VAPoly
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
ShockWave
No in-app purchases
VAPoly
No in-app purchases








