WoodSynth vs MelodyBud Generative Sequencer
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
WoodSynth
This powerful synthesizer app offers four independent layers, each with its own sound engine, filters, and envelopes. Create complex sounds using VCOs, samples, or wavetables, and control them with a polyphonic touch bar and MPE support. It functions as a standalone app or a plugin within a DAW.
- Four independent synthesizer layers
- VCOs, samples, and wavetable sources
- Polyphonic touch bar with pitch bending
- MPE and MIDI V2 support
- AUv3 plugin and standalone app
- 16-step sequencers per layer
- Advanced modulation options
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WoodSynth is a synthesizer with 4 independent layers. Each layer is in fact a synthesizer on its own. Each layer has 3 VCO’s plus a samples or wavetable based source, coming from a file or from recording the audio track. Up to 16 voices can be set per layer. Layers can be used in parallel, assigned to a region of the keyboard or used in a sequential mode where the first note(s) on are played by layer 1 and the next note(s) by layer 2 and so on. This last mode allows to have a different sound per note played (and independent from a keyboard region). WoodSynth has a polyphonic pitch-bending touch bar which also displays notes received from a keyboard. Each layer has its own filter and envelope with ADSR per voice, a pitch shifting envelope per VCO, a delay, a basic reverb, a modulator LFO per VCO, 2 general LFO’s and a 16 steps sequencer. Key tracking can be applied on the ADSR attack and release, on the filter cutoff and on the VCO modulation. The app can be used stand-alone (device audio input and output) or as a plugin in a DAW. - IOS plugin type : AUv3 and stand-alone app. - Has 4 independent synthesizers, each with up to 16 voices. - Supports MPE and Midi V2. - Has a polyphonic touch bar with polyphonic pitch bending. - Velocity, channel pressure, (polyphonic) aftertouch, CC74 can be used to modulate several synth parameters. - VCO’s have the usual waveforms (sine, saw, square, triangle, pulse and noise) and can be modulated in various ways (FM, AM, Pulse Width, Slew rate) - Samples can be recorded from the audio input/track or loaded from file (sample files should be in the WoodSynth iCloud folder) - Wavetables can be loaded from file or converted from loaded or recorded samples. - Each voice has a 4-pole Moog Lowpass filter with resonance and ADSR envelope. - An offset can be set in the Filter cutoff for the R channel to create a stereo effect. - Each voice has a pitch shifting ADSR envelope which can be independently enabled for each VCO. - Has Key tracking for VCO pan, Filter cutoff, ADSR Envelope Attack and Release. - Each layer has a delay unit (which can be separately panned) and a basic reverb. - Each layer has a 16 steps sequencer which can run on multiple voices (poly mode). - Each layer can set the midi channel and range of receiving midi notes (which allows for up to 4 split keyboard regions). - Layers can be set in sequential mode : first note(s) played on layer1, next note(s) on layer2, etc. - Layers have an additional high-pass filter saturation and crush control. - Synth audio and delay can be panned independently. - The 2 general LFO’s can have their source from the samples or wavetables (or track input). - Supports Ableton Link to sync tempo and start-stop. - Has 4 User Control rotaries which can be freely assigned. - The User Controls can be controlled by a midi CC which can be set or learned. - Presets can be stored in iCloud Drive (makes them available on all your devices). - Supports CV out and Sequencer Midi out.
MelodyBud Generative Sequencer
This app is a powerful AUv3 MIDI sequencer that allows for generative sequencing with randomized notes, velocity, octave, and gate length. It features parameter-locking for individual step customization and supports over 40 scales, with Ableton Link synchronization in its standalone version.
- Generative sequencing with randomization
- Parameter-locking for individual steps
- Support for over 40 musical scales
- Ableton Link synchronization (standalone)
- AUv3 plugin for hosting in audio apps
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MelodyBud is an AUv3 MIDI sequencer with great generative sequencing capabilities. Instead of a traditional sequencer, you can randomise your notes, velocity, octave, and gate length of your steps, add ratchets and glide to make it more interesting! One of the most powerful feature of MelodyBud is "parameter-locking". With parameter-locks, you can set a step's randomisation values individually. That lets you create richer melodies. For entering the parameter-locking mode, you can simply tap a step's number on the top of the sequencer. The step and the control knobs turn orange when you enter the parameter-locking mode. If you edit a control when you are in the parameter-lock mode, the sequencer will execute that configuration for that step instead of the global configuration. You can tap the step's number again for exiting the parameter-lock mode. You can work in more than 40 scales, you can even change them while the sequencer is running. With the AUv3 plugin, you can change them with the AU parameters and even modulate/automate them along with other parameters. The standalone version supports Ableton Link which lets you in-sync with other Ableton Link enabled apps. Please note that MelodyBud is a MIDI app. The standalone version has an optional internal synth where you can enable or disable on the settings menu. The AUv3 plugin requires an audio app for output. For the AUv3 functionality, it needs to be hosted within an app such as AUM, Loopy Pro, Cubasis, Logic Pro, Nanostudio, Drambo, or apeMatrix etc.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: MelodyBud Generative Sequencer at $6.99 against WoodSynth's $15.99. MelodyBud Generative Sequencer also leads on rating (4.5 vs 4.1) and review sentiment (70% vs 60%). On ratings volume, 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
WoodSynth costs $15.99 and MelodyBud Generative Sequencer $6.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
MelodyBud Generative Sequencer holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 4.1. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 28 and 13 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 60% of WoodSynth's written reviews are positive against 70% of MelodyBud Generative Sequencer's.
WoodSynth ships an update every 5 weeks, MelodyBud Generative Sequencer every 6 weeks. Both last shipped on November 3, 2026.
| Parameter | WoodSynth | MelodyBud Generative Sequencer |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $15.99 | $6.99 — better |
| Rating | 4.1 (28 ratings) | 4.5 (13 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 60.0% of reviews | 70.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 28 — better | 13 |
| Update frequency | Every 5 weeks — better | Every 6 weeks |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 | 13.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 203 MB | 7 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Woodman's Immaculate Maple Syrup Studio | Cem Olcay |
Customer experience
WoodSynth
MelodyBud Generative Sequencer
In-app purchases
WoodSynth
No in-app purchases
MelodyBud Generative Sequencer
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is WoodSynth free?
Is MelodyBud Generative Sequencer free?
Which has better reviews, WoodSynth or MelodyBud Generative Sequencer?
Do WoodSynth or MelodyBud Generative Sequencer have ads?
Which is updated more often, WoodSynth or MelodyBud Generative Sequencer?
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