Comparison

SynthMaster One for iPhone vs Nikaya Wavetable and FM Synth

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

Nikaya Wavetable and FM Synth

This app is a polyphonic wavetable and FM synthesizer for musicians and sound designers. It offers flexible wavetable creation, sound design capabilities, and AUv3 plugin support for seamless integration with music production hosts. Share and discover user-created presets within the app.

Highlights
  • 8-voice polyphonic engine
  • Dual wavetable oscillators per voice
  • Bidirectional FM synthesis
  • Global ladder filter
  • AUv3 plugin support
  • iCloud sync for presets
  • Community preset sharing
Features
Read full description

Nikaya Synth is a compact, expressive wavetable synthesizer designed for musicians and sound designers looking for flexibility without complexity. It features an 8-voice polyphonic engine, with each voice containing two independent wavetable oscillators and a pair of FM operators. Each voice includes its own ADSR amplitude envelope, while modulation and filtering are handled globally for efficient performance and unified control. Explore a variety of ways to generate and import wavetables: - Flexible Wavetable Creation - Convert images into wavetables using brightness data - Slice WAV files into multiple waveforms - Import folders of single-cycle waveforms - Browse a curated set of factory wavetables - Generate up to 128 waveforms from a single source - Sound Design Capabilities Nikaya offers a focused feature set for building detailed, evolving sounds: - Two wavetable oscillators per voice with independent wave index control - Bidirectional FM synthesis using the current wavetable waveforms - Global ladder filter with a cycling envelope and morphable curve shapes - Two global LFOs with tempo sync and multiple waveforms - Clear visual feedback for envelope shaping - Workflow and Integration Designed with usability and integration in mind: - AUv3 plugin support for host compatibility - iCloud sync for presets and wavetables - Full parameter automation in supported hosts Community Sharing (iOS 13+) - Access user-created presets from the in-app browser - Like and download new sounds - Share your own presets with others Nikaya Synth offers a practical approach to modern wavetable synthesis—lightweight, responsive, and easy to navigate, while remaining capable of detailed and expressive sound design.

Screenshots

SynthMaster One for iPhone4 screens
Nikaya Wavetable and FM Synth4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: SynthMaster One for iPhone at Free against Nikaya Wavetable and FM Synth's $6.99. SynthMaster One for iPhone also leads on rating (4.8 vs 4.4) and ratings volume (331 vs 8). Nikaya Wavetable and FM Synth's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 10) and update cadence (every 2 days vs every 2 months). On review sentiment, ads and device support 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

SynthMaster One for iPhone is free to download; Nikaya Wavetable and FM Synth costs $6.99 up front. SynthMaster One for iPhone sells 10 one-off in-app purchases. Nikaya Wavetable and FM Synth asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

SynthMaster One for iPhone holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: SynthMaster One for iPhone has 331 ratings behind it against 8, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 66% and 67% positive.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

SynthMaster One for iPhone ships an update every 2 months, Nikaya Wavetable and FM Synth every 2 days. The most recent releases landed on September 19, 2026 and September 16, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
SynthMaster One for iPhone versus Nikaya Wavetable and FM Synth: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSynthMaster One for iPhoneNikaya Wavetable and FM Synth
PriceFree — better$6.99
Rating4.8 (331 ratings) — better4.4 (8 ratings)
Positive reviews66.0% of reviews66.7% of reviews — better
Number of ratings331 — better8
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 2 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases — betterPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS10.0 — better12.0
Further details — not scored
Size297 MB40 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperKV331 AudioCem Olcay

Customer experience

SynthMaster One for iPhone

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

Nikaya Wavetable and FM Synth

All ratings8 ratings
Positive75.0%
Neutral12.5%
Negative12.5%
Written reviews3 reviews
Positive66.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative33.3%

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

Nikaya Wavetable and FM Synth

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

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
None

Nikaya Wavetable and FM Synth

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is SynthMaster One for iPhone free?
SynthMaster One for iPhone is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Nikaya Wavetable and FM Synth free?
Nikaya Wavetable and FM Synth costs $6.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, SynthMaster One for iPhone or Nikaya Wavetable and FM Synth?
SynthMaster One for iPhone is rated higher. SynthMaster One for iPhone averages 4.8 out of 5 from 331 ratings, while Nikaya Wavetable and FM Synth averages 4.4 from 8 ratings.
Do SynthMaster One for iPhone or Nikaya Wavetable and FM Synth have ads?
Neither SynthMaster One for iPhone nor Nikaya Wavetable and FM Synth shows ads.
Which is updated more often, SynthMaster One for iPhone or Nikaya Wavetable and FM Synth?
SynthMaster One for iPhone ships an update every 2 months, and Nikaya Wavetable and FM Synth every 2 days. Most recently, SynthMaster One for iPhone was updated on September 19, 2026 and Nikaya Wavetable and FM Synth on September 16, 2026.

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