Comparison

SynthMaster 2 vs VIRAL Synth 2

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

Head to head
About

SynthMaster 2

This powerful software synthesizer offers a vast array of sound design capabilities, including multiple oscillator modes, extensive modulation options, and a wide selection of filters. Explore over 1000 factory presets or create your own unique sounds. Available as a standalone app or AUv3 plugin.

Highlights
  • Multiple oscillator modes (Basic, Additive, Wavetable, Vector)
  • Extensive modulation architecture
  • 6 filter categories
  • Import custom wave files
  • 1000+ factory presets
  • Standalone app and AUv3 plugin
Read full description

KV331 Audio is proud to announce the availability of their award winning software synthesizer SynthMaster 2.9 on iOS platform. As being the first app developed using KV331 Audio’s new cross-platform UI framework, SynthMaster 2 runs as a standalone app or AUv3 plugin on iPads with iOS 11 and above. SynthMaster 2 supports native resolutions of various iPad devices. User interfaces are provided for 9.7, 11 and 12.9 inch iPads in 4 different skins (Blue, White, Dark, Proto). Separate interfaces are provided for the AudioUnit plugin as well. SynthMaster 2 comes with 1000 factory presets designed by world class sound designers such as BigTone, Nori Ubukata, NatLife and Yuli Yolo. Thanks to the comprehensive preset browsing features, users can easily filter presets by author name, bank name, instrument type or preset name and find the sounds that they are looking for. There’s also an IAP Shop, which lets users purchase additional sounds: 1. "Desktop Presets Upgrade": This IAP adds all factory presets in SynthMaster 2.9, increasing the total preset count to 2000. 2. "All Expansions Bundle": This IAP adds all current 38 SynthMaster preset expansion banks. Sound Engine: At the heart of SynthMaster 2’s powerful sound engine lies its oscillators, modulators, and filters. Oscillators: The oscillators can operate in 4 different modes to generate sound: 1. In Basic mode, the oscillator plays single cycle waveforms or samples. With the Oscillator Unison turned on, up to 8 voices per oscillator can be played. 2. In Additive mode, 8 Basic oscillators can be stacked up to create richer tones. 3. In Wavetable mode, the oscillator can play wavetables with up to 256 frames. 4. In Vector mode, 4 Basic oscillators are mixed in 2 dimensions. Modulators: Modulators are simply basic oscillators that can be added to other oscillators or modulate other oscillators’ or modulators’ phases. By connecting modulators to other oscillators or modulators, complex FM tones can be synthesized. Importing Wave Files into SynthMaster: While designing sounds, users can easily import wave files into SynthMaster 2. SynthMaster 2 can categorize those files into waveforms, wavetables or multi samples and import them accordingly. Filters: Once the sound is generated by the oscillators it goes through SynthMaster’s filters, which can operate in 6 different categories: Digital, VAnalog, Ladder, Diode Ladder, State Variable and Bite. Custom distortion can be applied before or after the filters as well. Modulation Architecture: SynthMaster 2 features a comprehensive modulation architecture with a wide range of modulation sources: 1. MIDI controls 2. Macros controls 3. 4 ADSR envelopes per layer 4. 4 Multisegmented envelopes per payer 5. 4 LFOs per layer 6. 4 Sequencers per layer 7. 4 Keyscalers per layer There’s real-time visual feedback that lets users see how modulation sources and targets are changing when a note is being played. This is extremely helpful when designing sounds with SynthMaster 2. New modulations can be created easily by dragging and dropping a modulation source onto a knob or slider control. Users can easily see which controls are modulated by a modulation source by clicking on that source. Controls that are being modulated by that source will display modulation amounts. By long pressing a control, the modulation amount can be edited without the need to go through the mod matrix. Arp/Sequencer: SynthMaster features a comprehensive arpeggiator / sequencer with 32 steps. Users can easily create sequences by recording steps one by one. Effects: Each of the 2 layers in SynthMaster has 5 insert effect slots. 13 different types of effects can be instantiated in any of those slots. There are also 2 global effect send busses which can be used to create more complex effect routings.

About

VIRAL Synth 2

This is a powerful virtual analog synthesizer app for iOS, inspired by classic hardware. It offers a vast library of original presets, advanced sound-shaping tools, and a variety of effects. It can be used as a standalone instrument or as a plugin within DAWs.

Highlights
  • 64-voice Retro VA-Synth engine
  • 48+ Virus TI2 inspired waveforms
  • Advanced Synth Engine (PWM, Osc Morph)
  • Trance Gate and Arpeggiator
  • 3 LFOs with Polarity
  • Vintage-style Step Sequencer
  • Built-in Reverb and FX suite
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

VIRAL SYNTH 2: T2x (Inspired by Virus TI2 Synth series)* NEW T2x: Enjoy New Oscillators, Filters, Microtonality, Scales and more! FULLY LOADED w/ 600+ presets by Analog Matthew, Brice Beasley, Electronisounds, DMT Cymatics, Moby Pixel, Wabi Sabi Waves, Red Sky Lullaby, and more NOTE: This is a synth, and contains no hardware preset samples. All presets are completely original. "HUGE! VIRAL SYNTH sounds like serious hardware!" - GarageBand Guide "Amazing! Possibly my favorite iOS Synth of all time" - DJ Puzzle, iPad Music Reddit founder & Hardware Virus TI Owner "So many inspiring presets, it's inspiring so many songs!" - Loopy Pro, Forum Not imitation, it's Innovation! https://audiokitpro.com/viralsynth FIRST AudioKit Synth app with Trance Gate, LFO Polarity, Triplets, and more! Uses NEW Technology to sound more like Real Hardware Synth VIRAL SYNTH gives you Access (see what we did there?) to 40+ classic waveforms inspired by Virus TI2!* VIRAL SYNTH T2X: • 64-voice, Retro VA-Synth • Includes 48+ Virus TI2 inspired waveforms • Advanced Synth Engine (including PWM, Osc Morph, and waveform shapes) • Plus, Bonus XL exclusive samples, created by Analog Matthew (Not available anywhere else!) • 3 Low-Pass Filter choices, New self-resonating T12 and T24 models • Trance Gate, with routings to different OSC • MICROTONALITY, World Scales, Western Scales • Synth section features 2x Oversampled Oscillators • 3 LFOs, with POLARITY! Fun Routings. LFOs can modify other LFOs • Arpeggiator! Classic Hardware-style Arp, with extra features • Vintage-style Step Sequencer that can be routed to specific layers • A proper filter envelope ADSR, with visual feedback • TouchPads! 2 fun assignable pads, • Four-voice Unison PER Oscillator ++ 3 different Unison algorithms: Regular, HYPER, and BEAST! Modeled sound: It's like a time-capsule. Imagine if there were iPads in 2009? Complete with that Hardware VA sound that ruled the dance floors and stages ADDITIONAL FEATURES: • EPIC Glorious Reverb + Sparkle Verb option • FX: Analog Tape Delay, Distortion, Phaser, Chorus, Crush, and more. • On board "Record" button, no external hardware required • Works with a MIDI Keyboard • FM wild pitch drop controls! Modeled after digital VA-Synths, complete with vintage digital aliasing for old-school vibe! • Crazy aggressive distorted RING MODULATION – 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! * LEGAL NOTICES This app has no affiliation or endorsement from Access Corporation. It is not a clone of the Virus TI2, or any other synthesizer. Nor does it use any Virus ROM or direct waveforms. The wavetables are legally different, and the names have been changed. While we were inspired by the sound and legacy of these iconic instruments, this is an original creation, built from the ground up. All product names, trademarks, and images mentioned are the property of their respective owners and are used only to describe the inspiration behind this app and for purposes of reference. Their inclusion does not imply any association, affiliation, or endorsement. We sincerely respect the incredible work of Access in shaping music history.

Screenshots

VIRAL Synth 24 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: VIRAL Synth 2 at none against SynthMaster 2's 32. VIRAL Synth 2 also leads on ads (none vs shown) and price ($7.99 vs $14.99). On rating, ratings volume, update cadence and iOS requirement 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 2 costs $14.99 and VIRAL Synth 2 $7.99 up front. SynthMaster 2 sells 32 one-off in-app purchases. VIRAL Synth 2 asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

VIRAL Synth 2 holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.8. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 474 and 745 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 68% of SynthMaster 2's written reviews are positive against 89% of VIRAL Synth 2's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

SynthMaster 2 ships an update every 3 weeks, VIRAL Synth 2 every 2 weeks. Both last shipped on October 30, 2026.

Scorecard7 real differences · 4 level
SynthMaster 2 versus VIRAL Synth 2: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSynthMaster 2VIRAL Synth 2
Price$14.99$7.99 — better
Rating4.8 (474 ratings)4.9 (745 ratings) — better
Positive reviews68.5% of reviews89.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings474745 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases — betterPaid
Best chart rank—#188 — better
DevicesiPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS1514.4 — better
Further details — not scored
Size918 MB321 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperKV331 AudioAudioKit Pro

Customer experience

SynthMaster 2

All ratings407 ratings
Positive94.3%
Neutral2.2%
Negative3.4%
Written reviews111 reviews
Positive68.5%
Neutral16.2%
Negative15.3%

VIRAL Synth 2

All ratings718 ratings
Positive99.3%
Neutral0.3%
Negative0.4%
Written reviews100 reviews
Positive89.0%
Neutral4.0%
Negative7.0%

User reviews

SynthMaster 2

From 474 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Best synth on iPad
  • 👍 Delicious sound
  • 👍 Tremendously powerful synth
  • 👍 Great synth with complex possibilities and great sound(s)
  • 👍 Perfeito

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Auswahl der Modulationsquellen funktioniert nicht richtig
  • 🐛 Echt schlecht
  • 🐛 Broken Preset System for a powerful synth
  • 🐛 Please fix the OSC behavior on Square and Saw
  • 🐛 Preset issues

VIRAL Synth 2

From 745 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Awesome synth sounds
  • 👍 Highly customizable
  • 💡 Bridging the gap between genres
  • 🚀 Tons of presets
  • 👍 Easy to program

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Audio crashes every 3 presets

Bugs and requests

SynthMaster 2

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Presets not loading correctly
  • Modulation not working after loading project
  • Skin resets to default
  • App crashes frequently

Requested features

2 requests
  • Pitch bend/glide for imported samples
  • Integration with AUM audio mixer

VIRAL Synth 2

Reported bugs

1 issue
  • Audio crashes every 3 presets

In-app purchases

32 purchases

SynthMaster 2

One-time32
  • BigTone Tableworks Vol.2$1.99
  • Burak Yeter Synth Sounds Vol1$1.99
  • Aiyn Zahev Expansion 1$1.99
Show 29 more
  • BigTone Tableworks Vol.1$1.99
  • Michael Kastrup Expansion$1.99
  • EDM Stars Volume 1$1.99
  • Nori Ubukata Pop Hits Vol.4$1.99
  • Rob Lee EDM Expansion Vol.2$1.99
  • Alonso Sound Future Rave$1.99
  • Nori Ubukata Pop Hits Vol.1$1.99
  • BigTone Techno Bits Vol.1$1.99
  • Club Sequences Vol.1$2.99
  • Historical Synth Giants Vol.3$2.99
  • Dawn of Electronic Music Vol.2$2.99
  • Nori Ubukata Art Rock Basics$2.99
  • BigTone Analog Basics 02$4.99
  • BigTone Analog Basics$4.99
  • BigTone Signature Sounds Vol.1$4.99
  • NU Sounds of the World$4.99
  • Historical Synth Giants Vol.4$4.99
  • Historical Synth Giants Vol.1$4.99
  • Historical Synth Giants Vol.2$4.99
  • Japan Vintage$4.99
  • NatLife Future Bass Sounds$4.99
  • Danyella EDM Expansion Vol.1$4.99
  • Dawn of Electronic Music Vol.1$4.99
  • Dawn of Electronic Music Vol.3$4.99
  • Rob Lee EDM Expansion Vol.3$4.99
  • Natlife Disco Funk$4.99
  • Insigne Essentials 4 Clubbin$4.99
  • Desktop Presets Upgrade$9.99
  • All Expansions Bundle$49.99
None

VIRAL Synth 2

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is SynthMaster 2 free?
SynthMaster 2 costs $14.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Is VIRAL Synth 2 free?
VIRAL Synth 2 costs $7.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, SynthMaster 2 or VIRAL Synth 2?
VIRAL Synth 2 is rated higher. SynthMaster 2 averages 4.8 out of 5 from 474 ratings, while VIRAL Synth 2 averages 4.9 from 745 ratings.
Do SynthMaster 2 or VIRAL Synth 2 have ads?
SynthMaster 2 shows ads; VIRAL Synth 2 does not.
Which is updated more often, SynthMaster 2 or VIRAL Synth 2?
SynthMaster 2 ships an update every 3 weeks, and VIRAL Synth 2 every 2 weeks. Most recently, SynthMaster 2 was updated on October 30, 2026 and VIRAL Synth 2 on October 30, 2026.

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