Comparison

DrumComputer vs NERD Synth A2x + AUv3

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

Head to head
About

DrumComputer

This app is a powerful tool for creating synthetic drum sounds and beats. It combines advanced synthesis techniques with flexible modulation and sequencing capabilities, offering intelligent randomizers and pattern editing for endless creative possibilities. Users can design unique drum hits, build complex patterns, and mix them for professional-sounding results.

Highlights
  • 8 layered sound engines
  • Flexible modulation matrix
  • Intelligent sound randomizers
  • 16-step sequencer with pattern generation
  • Auto and manual remixing/fills
  • AUv3 plugin and standalone operation
  • MIDI file export
Read full description

DrumComputer is the new specialist for synthetic drums, combining classic and modern synthesis with flexible modulations and luxurious sequencing. Intelligent randomizers, elegant pattern editing and import of your own samples are just a few of the mind blowing possibilities. Enjoy new drums everyday and get inspired by all the creativity that DrumComputer sets free. Just because, there still is all the unheard of... More than 400 global presets and 450 engine presets are shipping with DrumComputer. Add the Sound Randomizer and you have an unlimited source of cool sounds. ::FEATURES:: • 8 Sound Engines, each one layering a Resonator, Wavetable/Analogue, Resynth and Sampler • Filter, Compressor, Overdrive and 2 kinds of Send Reverbs: Room and Hall • 2x Env/LFO, plus Synth-Engine-Modulators, Sequencer-Modulators, ModMatrix • Intelligent Randomizers for endless Drum Sounds • 16 Step Sequencer and Pattern Generator, Probability, Rolls, +/- Step Delay, Swing, Humanize • Auto- und Manual Remixing/Fills • Easy Keyboard Mapping for Patterns, Mutes and Engine Triggers • Keyzones for Rolls, Pitch and Modulation • AUv3 plug-in with MIDI FX support & Standalone • Audio Bounce • MIDI File Export • Multiple Audio/MIDI Outputs • Virtual, Network, External & Bluetooth MIDI • Ableton Link • MIDI Learn & Host Automation • Preset iCloud Sync • Preset Share ••• Sound Engines ••• 8 individual 3-layer synth engines to design, shape and sculpt powerful drum hits. Depth modulation area with envelopes, LFOs, and a complex modulation matrix to change most parameters using a wide array of sources. Finest noise table conversion technology, followed by a filter, distortion and side chain compressor. ••• Sequencer ••• Enjoy smart randomization to create patterns that feel natural and organic and add some feeling to the pattern with swing and 'humanization'. Move various parameters along to match the notes, such as velocity, pitch, decay, probability, roll and offset. ••• Kit Page ••• Bring all the individual sounds together in one place, select new sound presets or even randomly generate new sounds based on various sound type profiles and give your kit some character, punch and an analogue feel! ••• Mix ••• With Volume, Mute, Solo, Pan as well as two reverb return channels you can send any of your sounds to at any time and also assign the mixer parameters as modulation destinations. The Room reverb gives you a nice familiar space, letting you glue together multiple drum sounds, while the Hall reverb gives a massive space you can use either as a utility, or as way to fire your sounds off into the cosmos! ••• Mapping ••• Create up to 16 individual patterns (from scratch, or using the easy copy/paste function), and chain these together into a sequence, up to 16 patterns long. Use your MIDI keyboard or controller to send values that quickly and seamlessly switch between patterns on the fly. Quickly remove and add the individual hits, trigger rolls of different speeds, or even have them as pitch modifiers. ••• Auto- and Manual Remixing/Fills ••• Mash up your patterns with one simple parameter and produce all sorts of automatic and random edits to your sound. Add creative fills and variations to your loop to keep it constantly moving with fresh ideas - great for jamming or to prevent audio stagnation. ••• Wavetable/Resynth Import & Sampler ••• Import your own audiofiles to create Wavetables. Resynthesize Hihats, Snares, even Chords with the Resynth import feature or switch to Sampler mode to play back samples the ordinary way.

About

NERD Synth A2x + AUv3

This virtual analog synthesizer offers a powerful and intuitive sound design experience, inspired by classic hardware. Explore over 40 classic waveforms, a versatile arpeggiator, step sequencer, and lush effects to craft unique electronic music.

Highlights
  • Virtual Analog Synthesizer
  • 40+ Classic Waveforms
  • Arpeggiator
  • Step Sequencer
  • Lush Effects Suite
  • Four-voice Unison
  • AUv3 Plugin Support
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

Inspired by the classic sounds of the Nord Lead A1** This is not a Rompler. This is a SYNTH.  "I’m impressed. The sounds are FAT, the effects are LUSH, and the interface is a JOY to use."  – Audio News Room "This is not a clone, this is BEYOND the hardware, it's a completely new, fantastic beast" – Jade Starr, How to App "An excellent release...app captures the soul of the Nord Lead A1 Synthesizer"  – Synth Anatomy "An iOS-based homage to a virtual analogue classic!" – Music Radar / Keyboard Magazine Not imitation, it's Innovation! https://audiokitpro.com/redsynth With Nerd Synth, you’ll have access to all 40+ of the classic lead A1 waveforms! Plus, we gave it some RAW MODERN POWER. FULLY LOADED w/ 550+ presets by Analog Matthew, Electronisounds, DMT Cymatics, Moby Pixel, Red Sky Lullaby, and more NOTE: This is a synth, and contains no hardware preset samples. All presets are completely original. One low price includes Lifetime License and all Features Easy to use. Easy to get great tone! NERD SYNTH A2X: • 64-voice, Retro VA-Synth • Include all 40+ of the Nord A1 waveforms • Arpeggiator! Classic Hardware-style Arp, with extra features • Vintage-style Step Sequencer that can be routed to specific layers • A proper filter envelope ADSR! • NEW: 2x Oversampled Oscillators • 3 LFOs. Fun Routings. LFOs can modify other LFOs • Microtonality, World Scales and Western Scales! • TouchPads! 2 fun assignable pads, -= Create NORD-style SUPER SAWS =- ++ Four-voice Unison with the tap of a button ++ 3 different algorithms: Regular, HYPER, and BEAST! "Astoundingly great sounding and intuitive synth app!" – The GarageBand Guide Modeled sound: It's like a time-capsule. Imagine if there were iPads in 2003? Complete with that "cold" VA sound that ruled the dance floors and stages ADDITIONAL FEATURES: • FX: Glorious Reverb, Analog Tape Delay, Distortion, Flanger, Chorus, Crush, and more. • On board "Record" button, no external hardware required • Works with a MIDI Keyboard EXCLUSIVE TO THIS APP: • "SUPER FM" wild pitch drop controls! Modeled after digital VA-Synths, complete with vintage digital aliasing for old-school vibe! • Crazy aggressive RING MODULATION distortion – It's like robots talking, or fighting? You decide! COOL: • iPad version has "stacked" views for maximum onscreen control! Tap the current Nav Button at the top to change the bottom view • This is a Premium App: No iAP, No Ads, No subscriptions! Use as a plug-in in DAWs like GarageBand & Logic for iPad, Cubasis, AUM, and more! NOTE: This is not a hardware clone, it's a completely new synth. If you're looking for a ROMpler like the "Stage" series, this app may not be for you. This is a SYNTH, not a rompler. All the presets here are new and original. Giving you fresh new sounds that are completely tweak-able This is not a 1:1 clone and will not load hardware presets. Please note that this app's sound is closer to the A1, which is a different sound from the NL1/NL2X. ** This app has no affiliation or endorsement by Clavia DMI AB. This app is not a clone of any their synths, including the Nord Lead and Nord Lead A1. While we were inspired by their wonderful and iconic work, this app is not trying to copy those synths. We created something completely new. It's a synth for synth nerds :) LEGAL STUFF: All product names and images, trademarks and artists names are the property of their respective owners, which are in no way associated or affiliated with the creators of this app, including AudioKit, AudioKit Pro, LLC, and the other contributors. Any use of these names and images does not imply any cooperation or endorsement by Clavia Digital Musical Instruments. Nord Lead, Nord Lead 2X, Nord, and Nord Lead A1 are Clavia trademarks and properties. We appreciate their amazing work in creating such classic and inspiring instruments.

Screenshots

NERD Synth A2x + AUv34 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: DrumComputer at Free against NERD Synth A2x + AUv3's $5.99. NERD Synth A2x + AUv3's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and update cadence (fortnightly vs every 5 weeks). On rating, ratings volume and ads 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

DrumComputer is free to download; NERD Synth A2x + AUv3 costs $5.99 up front. DrumComputer sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. NERD Synth A2x + AUv3 asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.8 for DrumComputer against 4.9 for NERD Synth A2x + AUv3. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 621 and 1.4K respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 81% of DrumComputer's written reviews are positive against 89% of NERD Synth A2x + AUv3's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

DrumComputer ships an update every 5 weeks, NERD Synth A2x + AUv3 fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 20, 2026 and October 21, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard8 real differences · 3 level
DrumComputer versus NERD Synth A2x + AUv3: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterDrumComputerNERD Synth A2x + AUv3
PriceFree — better$5.99
Rating4.8 (621 ratings)4.9 (1.4K ratings) — better
Positive reviews81.0% of reviews89.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings6211.4K — better
Update frequencyEvery 5 weeksFortnightly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases — betterPaid
Best chart rank—#183 — better
DevicesiPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS17.614.4 — better
Further details — not scored
Size1.6 GB242 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSugar Bytes GmbHAudioKit Pro

Customer experience

DrumComputer

All ratings621 ratings
Positive95.0%
Neutral2.3%
Negative2.7%
Written reviews147 reviews
Positive81.0%
Neutral8.2%
Negative10.9%

NERD Synth A2x + AUv3

All ratings1,342 ratings
Positive99.1%
Neutral0.6%
Negative0.3%
Written reviews163 reviews
Positive89.0%
Neutral7.4%
Negative3.7%

User reviews

DrumComputer

From 621 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Best iOS drum machine
  • 👍 Wicked easy to use interface
  • 👍 Great sound and workflow
  • 👍 Powerful and flexible sequencer
  • 👍 Tons of customization options

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Occasional crashes
  • 🔋 High CPU usage and battery drain
  • 👎 Confusing and complex interface
  • 👎 Lack of MIDI mapping for live use
  • 👎 Inability to record beats from pads

NERD Synth A2x + AUv3

From 1.4K App Store ratings

What we love

  • ⭐ Outstanding synth
  • 👍 Very nice and rich sounding
  • 🎨 Great presets and sound design
  • 🔧 Easy to use and intuitive
  • 💻 Works well in AUv3 environments

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Doesn't show up in Logic
  • 🔧 Needs to be more Mac-compatible
  • 🔧 Changing presets can be sluggish
  • 🔧 Missing aftertouch/expression support

Bugs and requests

DrumComputer

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Crashes on startup with iOS 14.2
  • Inability to import samples in some cases
  • MIDI out only supports single channel

Requested features

7 requests
  • Add real-time beat recording
  • Improve MIDI mapping capabilities
  • Add randomization options for tempo, sequence length, and mixing
  • Improve preset management (ability to delete presets)
  • Optimize for better performance and battery life
Show 2 more
  • Add a dedicated envelope for mixer level control
  • Improve signal flow visualization and clarity

NERD Synth A2x + AUv3

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • Doesn't fit properly in Logic Pro for iPad
  • Keyboard keys get stuck when using a controller

Requested features

4 requests
  • Dark mode option
  • Undo/redo functionality
  • Improved Logic Pro integration
  • Ability to change color scheme

In-app purchases

1 purchases

DrumComputer

One-time1
  • DrumComputer Full Version$29.99
None

NERD Synth A2x + AUv3

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is DrumComputer free?
DrumComputer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is NERD Synth A2x + AUv3 free?
NERD Synth A2x + AUv3 costs $5.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, DrumComputer or NERD Synth A2x + AUv3?
NERD Synth A2x + AUv3 is rated higher. DrumComputer averages 4.8 out of 5 from 621 ratings, while NERD Synth A2x + AUv3 averages 4.9 from 1.4K ratings.
Do DrumComputer or NERD Synth A2x + AUv3 have ads?
Neither DrumComputer nor NERD Synth A2x + AUv3 shows ads.
Which is updated more often, DrumComputer or NERD Synth A2x + AUv3?
DrumComputer ships an update every 5 weeks, and NERD Synth A2x + AUv3 fortnightly. Most recently, DrumComputer was updated on October 20, 2026 and NERD Synth A2x + AUv3 on October 21, 2026.

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