Hillman Synth vs Axon 3
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- Analog-inspired sound generation
- 4 selectable waveforms per note
- Adjustable octave offset
- Ensemble chorus effect
- 4-pole phaser effect
- Lush reverb effect
Read full descriptionHide 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/
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.
- 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
Read full descriptionHide 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 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
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.
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.
| Parameter | Hillman Synth | Axon 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $10.99 | $7.99 — better |
| Rating | 4.5 (19 ratings) | 4.8 (17 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 75.0% of reviews | 83.3% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 19 — better | 17 |
| Update frequency | Every 17 months | — |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Devices | iPad | iPad |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 | 12.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 7 MB | 15 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Klevgränd produkter AB | Audio Damage, Inc. |
Customer experience
Hillman Synth
Axon 3
In-app purchases
Hillman Synth
No in-app purchases
Axon 3
No in-app purchases



