Comparison

Hillman Synth vs Axon 3

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Hillman Synth

This app emulates vintage combo-organs and string machines with analog-inspired sound generation. It offers four selectable waveforms per note, adjustable octaves, and built-in ensemble, phaser, and reverb effects for rich soundscapes.

Highlights
  • Analog-inspired sound generation
  • 4 selectable waveforms per note
  • Adjustable octave offset
  • Ensemble chorus effect
  • 4-pole phaser effect
  • Lush reverb effect
Read full description

Hillman is a synthlike instrument inspired by old combo-organs, string machines and similar vintage gear. 4 voices per note, each with selectable waveform (transistorish, tubeish, sine and special plasma), octave switch and a level control. Sounds are generated with an analog approach, but does not use samples or sampled wavetables. --- User interface --- Voices Level - Level control. Type - Select between Transistor, Tube, Sine-wave or a special plasma oscillator. Octave - Octave offset for each note voice. (-1 to +2). --- ADSR Envelope controls --- FXs Ensemble - A classic ensemble chorus with 3 different modes Phaser - 4 pole phaser with 2 different modes with different frequency ranges and notch depths. Reverb - Lush reverb which ranges from small room to churchlike halls. Output level - Overall level control --- Full documentation available inside the app or at https://klevgrand.se/downloads/hillman-docs/

About

Axon 3

This is an AUv3 plugin drum sequencer that uses an artificial neural network for unique rhythm generation. It features seven powerful synth voices with subtractive and FM synthesis, a full mixer, and built-in effects like delay and compression. It requires a host DAW to function.

Highlights
  • Neural network sequencer
  • Seven FM/VA percussion voices
  • Full mixer with mute/solo
  • Built-in stereo delay
  • Rough Rider compressor
  • MIDI in and out
  • Resizable vector interface
Features
Read full description

PLEASE READ: AXON 3 IS NOT A STAND-ALONE APP. IT IS AN AUv3 PLUGIN AND DOES NOTHING WITHOUT A HOST DAW. IT REQUIRES LOGIC, GARAGEBAND, CUBASIS, AUM, OR SIMILAR HOST APPS TO WORK. A drum sequencer that thinks outside the box, where each beat is a live wire, sparking and connecting to create a rhythm that's alive. That's Axon 3 for you - not just an update but a complete overhaul of our legendary Axon series. This isn't your ordinary drum machine; it's a sonic adventure, blending the familiar with the futuristic. At the heart of Axon 3 lies a sequencer inspired by the complex workings of artificial neural networks. Picture neurons, buzzing with energy, passing triggers in a dance of precision and chaos. When a neuron hits its trigger threshold, it doesn't just respond; it sings, through its internal synth voice, sends a pulse out into the MIDI universe, or both. The connections between these neurons aren't random; they're the building blocks of a rhythm sequencer unlike any. And with a dash of probability magic, we've introduced a drum programming style that's utterly unique. But that's not all. Each neuron in Axon 3 comes equipped with a powerhouse of a synth voice, drawing on the best of both subtractive and FM synthesis, supercharged with a model inspired by our Boomtschack analog hardware drum module. Axon 3 wraps all this rhythmic innovation in a sleek interface complete with a full mixer, crystalline delay, punchy compressor, and multiple outputs. Whether you're crafting yout next IDM masterpiece, scoring a film, or just exploring new sonic territories, Axon 3 is your co-pilot in this thrilling journey into sound. So, are you ready to break the rhythm barrier? Welcome to Axon 3. CHANGES FROM VERSION 2 • Greatly expanded synthesizer voice, with a full model of our Boomtschack analog drum synthesizer hardware (RIP). • Pitch and scale quantizing of the internal synthesizer voices, for easier melodic programming. • Extensive randomizer for changing some or all parameters. • Cymbal oscillator from Tattoo added to noise section. • Rough Rider compressor added to master output. • Likelihood of trigger event and ratcheting added to sequencer, to greatly expand the rhythmic potential. FEATURES • Artificial Neural Network sequencer features seven neurons, and is easily programmed to create strange new repeating rhythms. • Seven FM/VA percussion voices that also buss together to create a single monolithic complex percussion synthesizer, via AM and FM busses. • Full mixer with pan, level, mute, and solo on each voice. • Built-in stereo delay, for live playability. • Built-in Rough Rider compressor on the main outputs. • MIDI in and out, for driving Axon's voices from DAW and hardware sequencers, or driving other software and hardware from Axon. • Internal transport for non-synchronized playback. • Resizable vector-based user interface. • XML-based cross-platform, human-readable preset system, with copy/paste, for easy transferring of your own presets and third-party offerings.

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Axon 3 at 4.8 against Hillman Synth's 4.5. Axon 3 also leads on price ($7.99 vs $10.99) and review sentiment (83% vs 75%). On ratings volume, 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Hillman Synth costs $10.99 and Axon 3 $7.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Axon 3 holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.5. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 19 and 17 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 75% of Hillman Synth's written reviews are positive against 83% of Axon 3's.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Hillman Synth versus Axon 3: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterHillman SynthAxon 3
Price$10.99$7.99 — better
Rating4.5 (19 ratings)4.8 (17 ratings) — better
Positive reviews75.0% of reviews83.3% of reviews — better
Number of ratings19 — better17
Update frequencyEvery 17 months—
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
DevicesiPadiPad
Requires iOS13.012.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size7 MB15 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperKlevgränd produkter ABAudio Damage, Inc.

Customer experience

Hillman Synth

All ratings18 ratings
Positive83.3%
Neutral5.6%
Negative11.1%
Written reviews12 reviews
Positive75.0%
Neutral8.3%
Negative16.7%

Axon 3

All ratings15 ratings
Positive93.3%
Neutral6.7%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews6 reviews
Positive83.3%
Neutral16.7%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

Hillman Synth

No in-app purchases

None

Axon 3

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Hillman Synth free?
Hillman Synth costs $10.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Axon 3 free?
Axon 3 costs $7.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Hillman Synth or Axon 3?
Axon 3 is rated higher. Hillman Synth averages 4.5 out of 5 from 19 ratings, while Axon 3 averages 4.8 from 17 ratings.
Do Hillman Synth or Axon 3 have ads?
Neither Hillman Synth nor Axon 3 shows ads.

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