Comparison

ShockWave vs KnobMaster

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

KnobMaster

Read full description

Where do you set your knobs to sound like that song? KnobMaster tells you, for the gear you actually own. Add your guitar or bass, your amp and your pedals once. Then name a song or describe the sound you're after, and ToneGenie, the AI inside KnobMaster, works out settings for every knob on your rig: gain, EQ, volume, pickup selector, effects. These are settings for your own gear, not presets for amps you don't have. KnobMaster researches the real controls of each piece of gear, so it works with practice amps, modeling amps, vintage tube amps and pedalboards alike. WHAT YOU GET • Knob-by-knob settings for any song, on your rig • Guitar and bass • Several rigs, switch between them in a tap • A library of every tone you've made • Playing tips for each song • 26 languages KNOBMASTER PRO Your first tone is free. Every tone after it needs Pro, and the yearly plan starts with a free week. • 200 tone generations a month • Precision Mode: analyze an MP3 of the song itself • Add gear by taking a photo of it • Unlimited gear Settings are AI-generated starting points: trust your ears and fine-tune from there. Terms of Use: https://knobmastr.com/terms Privacy: https://knobmastr.com/privacy

Screenshots

ShockWave4 screens
KnobMaster4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: KnobMaster at Free against ShockWave's $7.99. KnobMaster also leads on update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 2 months). ShockWave's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 3). On ads, device support and iOS requirement 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

KnobMaster is free to download; ShockWave costs $7.99 up front. KnobMaster sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per month. ShockWave asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

ShockWave ships an update every 2 months, KnobMaster every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 2, 2026 and October 28, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
ShockWave versus KnobMaster: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterShockWaveKnobMaster
Price$7.99Free — better
Rating4.6 (188 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews54.7% of reviews—
Number of ratings188 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaid—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.615.1 — better
Further details — not scored
Size42 MB40 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperKai ArasLancelot Martin

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.

KnobMaster

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

ShockWave

No in-app purchases

3 purchases

KnobMaster

Subscriptions3
  • KnobMaster Pro Monthly$6.991 Month
  • KnobMaster Pro 6 Months$34.996 Months
  • KnobMaster Pro Yearly7 Days trial$39.991 Year

Questions

Is ShockWave free?
ShockWave costs $7.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is KnobMaster free?
KnobMaster is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do ShockWave or KnobMaster have ads?
Neither ShockWave nor KnobMaster shows ads.
Which is updated more often, ShockWave or KnobMaster?
ShockWave ships an update every 2 months, and KnobMaster every 2 weeks. Most recently, ShockWave was updated on November 2, 2026 and KnobMaster on October 28, 2026.

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