Comparison

TB Flowtones vs Mini Orchestra

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

Head to head
About

TB Flowtones

This virtual analog synthesizer app offers a true VA synthesis engine with analog-modeled filters and extensive modulation options. Create warm, analog-sounding music with a powerful architecture, diverse waveforms, and pro-grade effects. It also includes an integrated step sequencer and hundreds of presets.

Highlights
  • True virtual analog synthesis engine
  • Analog-modelled non-linear filters
  • Extensive modulation options
  • Pro-grade studio effects
  • Integrated step sequencer
  • Hundreds of presets and intelligent randomizer
Read full description

TB Flowtones Virtual Analog Synthesizer app and AUv3 plug-in Thanks to it's true VA synthesis engine, the use of analog-modelled non-linear filters and extensive modulation options, Flowtones sounds warmer and more analog than digital romplers and wavetable-based synths. TB Flowtones comes as stand-alone app as well as AUv3 plugin. True virtual analog synthesis features: - 4 VCO architecture (two voice layers with two VCOs each) - 4 synthesis engine types, in part modelled after famous analog synthesisers - 36 analog VCO waveforms featuring all classic waveforms and more - All VCO waveforms support pulse width modulation - Full stereo and mono unison modes for each VCO independently - Noise and subharmonic oscillators for each VCO - Unique ring and self-modulation matrix - High-quality, warm, non-linear filters (VCF) with over 30 filter types, including unique multi-resonance filters Modulation features: - Four LFOs with 30 waveforms each - LFOs can modulate other LFOs, including themselves! - Three additional envelope generators, with key velocity modulation - Quick access to modulation strengths through context menus - Hundreds of modulation signal paths available - LFOs can produce noise as waveform to randomly modulate other parameters; for example to simulate slight variations in analog filter parameters as they happen in analog circuits. Pro-grade effects - Studio-quality reverb, delay, and chorus effects - Unique formant filter to add vocal character - Analog and digital distortion / bit crushing effects - Master equaliser and peak limiter for final touch - Non-linear power supply simulation for authentic interaction between notes Step sequencer - Fully integrated, intuitive step sequencer - Can trigger chords and note series / phrases - Can run asynchronously or synchronously to the host - Smart copy/paste of note series to improve workflow - Smart zoom: edit fine details while keeping an overview over the full sequence Presets and intelligent randomizer - Flowtones comes with hundreds of presets to spark your creativity - Intelligent randomizer to explore endless sound synthesis possibilities What you should know: - Licenses acquired for this platform are not compatible with other platforms. - Audio Unit (AUv3) extensions require an iPad mini 2, iPad 4 or later models.

About

Mini Orchestra

Create symphonic orchestral sounds with a high-quality sample-playback synthesizer. Easily control dynamics and expression with adjustable parameters for nine distinct instrument sections. Offers a built-in reverb and programmer for creating custom sounds.

Highlights
  • 9 orchestral instrument sections
  • Adjustable velocity, aftertouch, and expression sensitivity
  • Programmable velocity zones
  • Mute groups for section control
  • 256 voices of polyphony
  • Built-in stereo reverb effect
  • Unlimited program creation
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

GSi Mini Orchestra is a sample-playback synthesizer based on a selection of high quality stereo samples with long loops, that helps reproducing the sound of a symphonic orchestra easily and quickly. It offers 9 sections including: bass brasses (tubas, trombones), cellos and contrabass, french horns, woodwinds (flutes, oboe, fagotto), treble brasses (trumpets and trombones), treble strings (violins, violas), choirs, glockenspiel and percussions (timpani and cymbals). Each section can be programmed independently to have a given response to velocity, expression pedal, aftertouch, and velocity zone. The "aftertouch lag" parameter lets you adjust the response to the aftertouch messages in order to obtain smooth dynamic transitions. Main features - Includes 9 sections, each with adjustable volume, pan, attack, release - Individual sections can be adjusted to velocity, aftertouch and expression sensitivity - Each section can be limited to a programmable velocity range - Three mute groups allow muting and unmuting sections at the push of a button - 256 voices of Polyphony - Built-in Stereo Reverb effect - Built-in programmer with unlimited Programs - Embedded user's' manual - Available as Stand-alone App and audio AUv3 plugin - Very low CPU and RAM usage

Screenshots

TB Flowtones4 screens
Mini Orchestra3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: TB Flowtones at $9.99 against Mini Orchestra's $19.99. TB Flowtones also leads on update cadence (every 3 months vs every 30 months) and ratings volume (39 vs 8). Mini Orchestra's advantage is review sentiment (100% vs 83%) and rating (4.9 vs 4.7). On ads, in-app purchases, monetization model 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

TB Flowtones costs $9.99 and Mini Orchestra $19.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Mini Orchestra holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.7. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 39 and 8 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 83% of TB Flowtones's written reviews are positive against 100% of Mini Orchestra's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

TB Flowtones ships an update every 3 months, Mini Orchestra every 30 months. The most recent releases landed on October 8, 2026 and October 6, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 5 level
TB Flowtones versus Mini Orchestra: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterTB FlowtonesMini Orchestra
Price$9.99 — better$19.99
Rating4.7 (39 ratings)4.9 (8 ratings) — better
Positive reviews82.9% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings39 — better8
Update frequencyEvery 3 months — betterEvery 30 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
Best chart rank—#191 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS13.012.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size17 MB9 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperToneBoostersGenuine Soundware

Customer experience

TB Flowtones

All ratings39 ratings
Positive89.7%
Neutral7.7%
Negative2.6%
Written reviews35 reviews
Positive82.9%
Neutral11.4%
Negative5.7%

Mini Orchestra

All ratings8 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews6 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

TB Flowtones

No in-app purchases

None

Mini Orchestra

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is TB Flowtones free?
TB Flowtones costs $9.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Mini Orchestra free?
Mini Orchestra costs $19.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, TB Flowtones or Mini Orchestra?
Mini Orchestra is rated higher. TB Flowtones averages 4.7 out of 5 from 39 ratings, while Mini Orchestra averages 4.9 from 8 ratings.
Do TB Flowtones or Mini Orchestra have ads?
Neither TB Flowtones nor Mini Orchestra shows ads.
Which is updated more often, TB Flowtones or Mini Orchestra?
TB Flowtones ships an update every 3 months, and Mini Orchestra every 30 months. Most recently, TB Flowtones was updated on October 8, 2026 and Mini Orchestra on October 6, 2026.

Other comparisons