Comparison

SynthMaster One for iPhone vs OCTANE Mobile

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

Head to head
About

SynthMaster One for iPhone

This powerful wavetable synthesizer app offers an intuitive workflow for creating new sounds. It features a rich library of wavetables, inspiring factory presets, and real-time modulation feedback for sound design.

Highlights
  • Wavetable synthesis
  • 300 factory presets
  • AUv3 support
  • Files App integration
  • Real-time modulation feedback
  • Semi-modular architecture
  • 32-step arpeggiator/sequencer
Read full description

SynthMaster One for iPhone is KV331 Audio's first full blown synth app for iPhone. It's a powerful wavetable synth with an intuitive workflow. With its simple layout, rich wavetable/waveform content and inspiring factory presets library, designing new sounds with SynthMaster One for iPhone is a joy. SynthMaster One for iPhone is feature wise identical to the desktop version except the following: * 8 voice polyphony (32 for the desktop version) * Comes with 300 presets (1250 for the desktop version) FEATURES * 300 Factory Presets: SynthMaster One iOS comes with inspiring factory presets from a world class team of sound designers: Arksun, Aiyn Zahev, BigTone Studios, Brian Transeau, Bluffmunkey, Bulent Biyikoglu, Gercek Dorman, Dejavu Sound, Fragment Audio, Kurt Ader, Mirko Ruta, Nori Ubukata, Rob Lee, Ufuk Kevser, Selcuk Ergen, The Machine, Vandalism Sound, Venus Theory, Vorpalsound and Xenos Soundworks * AUv3: SynthMaster One iOS supports AudioUnits V3, allowing multiple instances to run under supporting DAW apps like GarageBand, Cubasis or Beat Maker. * Files App Integration: Easily import/export presets, waveforms or scales using the common file browser UI (requires iOS 11+). * Real-time Modulation Feedback: See in real-time how modulation sources and targets change. This is a very helpful feature when designing sounds! * Cross Platform Cloud Synchronization: Easily synchronize your SynthMaster One related data across multiple platforms (Windows, MacOS, iPad, iPhone) * Semi-Modular Architecture: For each SynthMaster One instance, there are 2 oscillators with 2 sub oscillators, 2 Filters, 4 ADSR Envelopes, 3 LFOs, a powerful 16 step arpeggiator/sequencer and also 11 different effects that can be inserted on to 6 FX insert slots. The sub oscillators can be connected to the oscillators in 5 different modes which let you use it as a regular sub oscillator or do complex modulations such as ring modulation, amplitude modulation, phase modulation or frequency modulation. * 32 Step Arpeggiator/Sequencer: The arpeggiator in SynthMaster One features classic arpeggiator modes such as Up, Down, UpDown, DownUp, UpDown2, DownUp2, AsPlayed as well as Sequence, Chord and Arpeggiate modes. * Wavetable Synthesis: SynthMaster One implements true wavetable synthesis which opens up new possibilities for sound design. It comes with a rich content library with hundreds of waveforms and wavetables. * Stereo Oscillators with up to 16 voices Unison: Each of the 2 oscillators in SynthMaster One have stereo output, and can have up to 16 voices "unison". Using the "voices", "voices mix", "detune curve", "detune spread", "pan stread", "tone spread" and "phase spread" parameters, each oscillator can generate a rich "supersaw" type sound. * Zero Delay Feedback Filters: All of the 4 filter categories in SynthMaster One are developed using the zero delay feedback filter technology. With advanced filter parameters like input gain, drive, acid, filter nonlinearities and up to 4 times oversampling you can get that "analog" sound from the filters! * Rich Set of Effects: SynthMaster One features 11 different effect types: Distortion, LoFi, Ensemble, Phaser, 6 Band EQ, Compressor, Vocoder, Delay, Chorus, Tremolo, Reverb. * Microtuning: SynthMaster One supports Scala tuning, so tuning can be set either for each preset or globally by loading from a Scala tuning file. SynthMaster One comes with 300+ scales ranging from 5 note equal tempered scales to 12 note alternate tuning scales. * Preset Browser: SynthMaster One features a comprehensive preset browser with separate search criterias for instrument type, preset attributes, music style or preset author. SUPPORTS * All 64-bit iPad devices * AUv3 Audio Unit Extensions * Note-per-channel MIDI controllers (MPE) * Ableton Link * Interapp Audio and AudioBus * Bluetooth LE MIDI Controllers * AirDrop

About

OCTANE Mobile

This audio plugin offers a vast library of over 1,000 instruments and presets, along with extensive effects and layering capabilities. It allows producers to quickly find and shape sounds for their music, with new content added weekly. The app also features a 6-band equalizer and dynamics tools for precise sound manipulation.

Highlights
  • 1,000+ Instruments & Presets
  • Reverb, Delay, Filter, Distortion
  • Layering with ADSR & Arpeggiator
  • 6-Band Equalizer
  • Dynamics & Lo-Fi Effects
  • Weekly Sound Pack Updates
Features
Read full description

OCTANE AUV3 Plugin OCTANE, designed by producers for producers, is the new go-to audio plug-in for producers. With tons of presets and effects ready to go, OCTANE is designed to set the vibe for any music producer and find the sound for your next hit in seconds! EFFECTS + Reverb + Delay + Filter + Distortion + Trance Gate + 2 Arpeggiators + Distortion + Stereo Image + More... OCTANE STORE With over 1,000 sounds available, the New OCTANE Store brings new sounds weekly right to your favorite DAW! You no longer have to browse the internet to find new sounds and import them into your AUV3 or DAW. Just open the OCTANE Store, install a sound pack, and you’re ready to make hits! LAYERS With OCTANE Layers you’re able to give that extra thickness to your sounds by layering samples! Reverse one sample and add an arpeggiator to another, why not? + ADSR + Tuning + Arpeggiator + Reverse + Ring Modulation + Tremolo EQUALIZER Need to get the sounds and frequencies just right? No problem! You can do just that with our 6-Band Equalizer DYNAMICS Make your 808’s hit harder and bring your sounds to the forefront of your production with our Dynamics tab. + Exciter + Compressor + Expander LO-FI Looking for that Lo-Fi sound? With our Lo-Fi section, you’ll be able to easily add to and tune any sound to get that Lo-Fi feel you’ve been looking for. Cross-Platform One OCTANE account will give you access to the Desktop and Mobile VST, VST3, AU, and AUV3 versions of the plugin. *This is a free download for users that already have purchased OCTANE or have an OCTANE+ subscription If you do not own OCTANE already you will be asked to purchase OCTANE for $3.99 during the sign-up process*

Screenshots

SynthMaster One for iPhone4 screens
OCTANE Mobile4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: SynthMaster One for iPhone at 66% against OCTANE Mobile's 20%. SynthMaster One for iPhone also leads on rating (4.8 vs 3.4) and ratings volume (331 vs 89). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases 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

Both are free to download. SynthMaster One for iPhone sells 10 one-off in-app purchases and OCTANE Mobile sells 10 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

SynthMaster One for iPhone holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 3.4. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 331 and 89 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 66% of SynthMaster One for iPhone's written reviews are positive against 20% of OCTANE Mobile's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

SynthMaster One for iPhone ships an update every 2 months, OCTANE Mobile monthly. The most recent releases landed on September 19, 2026 and August 15, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
SynthMaster One for iPhone versus OCTANE Mobile: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSynthMaster One for iPhoneOCTANE Mobile
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (331 ratings) — better3.4 (89 ratings)
Positive reviews66.0% of reviews — better20.0% of reviews
Number of ratings331 — better89
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsMonthly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS10.09.3 — better
Further details — not scored
Size297 MB76 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperKV331 AudioSoundWare, Inc.

Customer experience

SynthMaster One for iPhone

All ratings331 ratings
Positive94.9%
Neutral2.1%
Negative3.0%
Written reviews50 reviews
Positive66.0%
Neutral6.0%
Negative28.0%

OCTANE Mobile

All ratings89 ratings
Positive57.3%
Neutral5.6%
Negative37.1%
Written reviews90 reviews
Positive20.0%
Neutral6.7%
Negative73.3%

User reviews

SynthMaster One for iPhone

From 331 App Store ratings

What we love

  • ✨ Excellent sound quality
  • 🤩 Incredible features for free
  • 👍 Easy to use interface
  • 🎛️ Versatile sound design capabilities
  • 🎵 Great for GarageBand integration

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Frequent crashes
  • 🔌 Issues with GarageBand integration
  • 💸 In-app purchase problems
  • 🔄 Presets not saving
  • 📉 App appears abandoned

OCTANE Mobile

From 89 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🎵 Rich, high-quality sound packs
  • 🎨 Intuitive and visually appealing GUI
  • 💰 Affordable pricing for features offered
  • 🔄 Cross-platform access (iOS, desktop, iPad)
  • 🎹 Diverse layering and sound editing options

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Frequent crashes and freezing
  • 🚫 Incompatible with GarageBand and Logic Pro
  • 🔐 Mandatory account creation before use
  • 📥 Download failures at 99% completion
  • ⚠️ Requires internet connection to function

Bugs and requests

SynthMaster One for iPhone

Reported bugs

10 issues
  • App crashes when loading saved presets
  • App crashes when setting default sound
  • AUv3 option disappears in GarageBand
  • Inability to reload user patches without crashing
  • Inability to purchase certain IAP packs
Show 5 more
  • Cells don't save, revert to first synth
  • App doesn't function or open in GarageBand
  • Every note is 1 note or lower
  • GUI is cut off on iPhone SE
  • IAA not loading in FL mobile

Requested features

10 requests
  • Fix in-app purchase issues
  • Improve GarageBand AUv3 stability
  • Enable saving of custom presets
  • Address crashing when loading presets
  • Fix note pitch issues
Show 5 more
  • Ensure app is not abandonware
  • Improve UI scaling on smaller screens
  • Fix wavetable scrolling issues
  • Make IAA work properly
  • Allow recording of music

OCTANE Mobile

Reported bugs

20 issues
  • App crashes on launch or during initial download
  • Download failures at 99.9% completion
  • Login page not found or account creation fails
  • Password authentication not working despite correct credentials
  • App doesn't appear as AUv3 in GarageBand or Logic Pro
Show 15 more
  • Crashes when opening in DAW hosts
  • Sound packs show as locked despite purchase
  • Preset load failures and freezing
  • Random sound muting during playback
  • Keys getting stuck
  • Connection errors despite stable WiFi/5G
  • App requires re-login on every launch
  • Purchased content not accessible after update
  • Crashes when downloading specific sound packs
  • GarageBand integration causing lag and crashes
  • Sound pack purchase UI disappears after selection
  • Duplicate presets appearing
  • Audible loop points in multisamples
  • Inconsistent sample brightness in multisamples
  • Tuning issues when pitching sounds

Requested features

16 requests
  • Free trial or demo before purchase
  • Transparent pricing in app description
  • Offline mode capability
  • Keyboard zoom and stretch options
  • Next/previous preset buttons
Show 11 more
  • Multiple sound pack queuing for downloads
  • User SFZ file import capability
  • Additional filter types (high-pass, band-pass, etc.)
  • Improved EQ section with better frequency control
  • Preset organization by category or folders
  • Better multi-sample consistency
  • Improved ADSR envelope release behavior
  • Faster spectrum analyzer response
  • Better DAW integration and stability
  • Ability to purchase sound packs individually
  • Automatic login persistence

In-app purchases

10 purchases

SynthMaster One for iPhone

One-time10
  • BigTone Club Construction Set$4.99
  • True Trance Sounds Volume 1$4.99
  • Vandalism Future House$4.99
Show 7 more
  • NatLife Retrowave Sounds Vol.1$4.99
  • Demis Hellen Euphoric Trance$4.99
  • NatLife Progressive&Deep Vol.1$4.99
  • Vandalism Shocking Future Bass$4.99
  • Venus Theory Trap Sounds$4.99
  • Desktop Presets Upgrade$9.99
  • SM One Expansions Bundle$24.99
10 purchases

OCTANE Mobile

One-time10
  • In My Bag (Drum Kits)$1.99
  • Industry Standards$1.99
  • LoFi Vibes$1.99
Show 7 more
  • Trap Star$1.99
  • Cinematic Pack$1.99
  • Love Lust Pack$1.99
  • In My Bag 2$1.99
  • Guitar Pack$1.99
  • 808 Legends$1.99
  • OCTANE$3.99

Questions

Is SynthMaster One for iPhone free?
SynthMaster One for iPhone is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is OCTANE Mobile free?
OCTANE Mobile is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, SynthMaster One for iPhone or OCTANE Mobile?
SynthMaster One for iPhone is rated higher. SynthMaster One for iPhone averages 4.8 out of 5 from 331 ratings, while OCTANE Mobile averages 3.4 from 89 ratings.
Do SynthMaster One for iPhone or OCTANE Mobile have ads?
Neither SynthMaster One for iPhone nor OCTANE Mobile shows ads.
Which is updated more often, SynthMaster One for iPhone or OCTANE Mobile?
SynthMaster One for iPhone ships an update every 2 months, and OCTANE Mobile monthly. Most recently, SynthMaster One for iPhone was updated on September 19, 2026 and OCTANE Mobile on August 15, 2026.

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