Polywave vs Sound Generator Lab
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Polywave
Create unique, evolving sonic experiences with a novel wavetable sequencer inspired by vintage synths. Draw your own waveforms, explore a vast library, and connect to external keyboards or DAWs. Record your creations directly within the app.
- Wavetable sequencer
- Custom waveform drawing
- Expansive waveform library
- 100+ factory presets
- MIDI and Audio Unit support
- Live recording module
- 8-voice polyphony
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From Fingerlab (multiple-time winner of Music App of the Week, 2012 Apple Design Award) and Jordan Rudess (keyboardist of Dream Theater), comes Polywave — a revolutionary wavetable sequencer synthesizer for iPhone, iPad & Mac. Inspired by the legendary Korg Wavestation, Polywave lets you draw your own waveforms with your finger and create unique, ever-evolving sounds that are truly yours. Draw your own waveforms directly on screen 100+ factory presets: leads, pads, loops & FX Connect any MIDI keyboard or load as AUv3 in your DAW Live recording built-in Free version includes 12 factory presets and a selection of core features. Get the Full Version IAP to unlock everything. Features: • 8-voice polyphony & 6 octaves • Wavetable & waveform sequencer • VCO & FM Oscillators • FM Modulation & Detune • ADSR Envelope editor • Moog Ladder filter with ADSR • 2 LFOs with custom modulation waveform • LFO Sync & Loop mode • Waveform drawing editor & library (100 waveforms) • Preset Randomizer & export/import • 5 FX: Tube Amp, Vibrato, Chorus, Delay & Reverb • Live recording & export • Full MIDI & MIDI Mapping support • AudioBus & Inter-App Audio (iOS) • Full AudioUnit AUv3 support • iCloud Family Sharing Questions or feedback? We'd love to hear from you: contact@fingerlab.net Stay tuned! The Fingerlab Team
Sound Generator Lab
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Design your sound freely. Your fingertips become the instrument. This app is a professional-grade synthesizer that combines simplicity with powerful sound-shaping capabilities. It covers the essentials of sound synthesis, featuring four basic waveforms-Sine, Square, Sawtooth, and Triangle-along side LFO modulation and panning controls. With the real-time oscilloscope, you can edit your sounds while "seeing" them move. Key Features: - Four Basic Waveforms: Seamlessly switch between Sine, Square, Sawtooth, and Triangle waves. - Real-time Oscilloscope: Visualize your sound instantly. Experience waveform changes as they happen. - Precision Frequency Control: Intuitive slider adjustments combined with a numeric text input for exact, Hz-level tuning. - LFO Modulation Unit: Adjust Frequency and Depth to add vibrato or create unique modulation effects. - Stereo Panner: Control the spatial positioning of your sound to create immersive width. - Responsive Piano Keyboard: A piano layout optimized for any screen size, ensuring a comfortable playing experience. Recommended For: - Those who want to learn the basics of synthesizer sound design. - Creators looking to easily generate original sound effects (SE). - Musicians seeking a tool for quick musical inspiration. - Anyone who wants to play a high-quality synth on their smartphone without needing physical hardware. Download now and step into the world of infinite sound creation.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is update cadence: Sound Generator Lab at every 5 weeks against Polywave's every 3 months. On price, ads, in-app purchases 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
Both are free to download. Polywave sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Sound Generator Lab sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
Polywave ships an update every 3 months, Sound Generator Lab every 5 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 10, 2026 and October 4, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Polywave | Sound Generator Lab |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.7 (34 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 80.0% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 34 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | Every 5 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — better | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 — better | 15.6 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 44 MB | 23 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Fingerlab | akira ohmachi |
In-app purchases
Polywave
- Full Version$7.99
Sound Generator Lab
- Remove Ads$1.99
Questions
Is Polywave free?
Is Sound Generator Lab free?
Do Polywave or Sound Generator Lab have ads?
Which is updated more often, Polywave or Sound Generator Lab?
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