VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave vs AudioKit Synth One J6 + AUv3
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave
This app creates unique synth sounds by recording classic synths to VHS tape and then resampling them. It offers a vast library of presets and effects to achieve lo-fi, retro vibes for various music genres. An AUv3 plugin and standalone app are included.
- VHS-recorded and resampled synths
- Over 280+ presets
- Standalone app and AUv3 plugin
- VCR sound effects
- VCR FX section for customization
- Free expansion pack included
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VHS Synth features synths recorded with a VCR, then resampled. Perfect for Synthwave, Hip Hop, Indie, Rock, Movie Soundtracks, Lo-Fi, Ambient, Vaporwave, Retro Pop, and more. Create instant lo-fi and cool retro vibes. Press a key. Elevate your music. Includes over 280+ Presets by Jakob haQ, Red Sky Lullaby, The GarageBand Guide, DJ Puzzle, Sound of Izrael, DJ Montra, Marc Hupkens, AnalogMatthew, JEC, Da Fingaz, Brian Funk, and more. "BEST Lo-Fi instrument I’ve ever played, seriously good sounds!" - The SoundTest Room "VHS Synth is a Retrowave dream!" - iPad Loops "Turns Your iOS Device Into An 80s Time Machine" - Synthtopia Classic Synths were recorded to VHS Tape with a VCR, then re-sampled. "VHS Synth is the ULTIMATE Retro Synth App" - The GarageBand Guide FEATURES: • Standalone app + iOS AUv3 Plugin • Over 280+ presets to inspire you • Compressed to under 140mb to save space • VCR Sound Effects (Buttons, Tape Hiss, More) • VCR FX section to customize the sounds • FREE Expansion Pack: OP-1 recorded with a VCR ++ iPhone & iPad version included for one low price Real analog feel and dirt. Vintage hardware was recorded into a VCR and then re-sampled. Subscribe to access to premium app features; subscription details are the following: - Length: weekly or yearly - Free trial: only on selected subscriptions - Your payment will be charged to your iTunes Account as soon as you confirm your purchase - You can manage your subscriptions and turn off auto-renewal from your Account Settings after the purchase - Your subscription will renew automatically, unless you turn off auto-renew at least 24 hours before the end of the current period - The cost of renewal will be charged to your account in the 24 hours prior to the end of the current period - When canceling a subscription, your subscription will stay active until the end of the period. Auto-renewal will be disabled, but the current subscription will not be refunded - Any unused portion of a free trial period, if offered, will be forfeited when purchasing a subscription Terms & Conditions: [https://magic-cake-e95.notion.site/VHS-Synth-80s-Synthwave-Terms-Conditions-150cf6557a0880aca270f4f8ccee8d3e?pvs=4](https://www.notion.so/VHS-Synth-80s-Synthwave-Terms-Conditions-150cf6557a0880aca270f4f8ccee8d3e?pvs=21) Privacy Policy: [https://magic-cake-e95.notion.site/VHS-Synth-80s-Synthwave-Privacy-Policy-150cf6557a088019bec6ccb33ae5bb09?pvs=4](https://www.notion.so/VHS-Synth-80s-Synthwave-Privacy-Policy-150cf6557a088019bec6ccb33ae5bb09?pvs=21) * NOTE: This app has no official affiliation with AudioKit Pro, LLC. It was built using the free AudioKit source code.
AudioKit Synth One J6 + AUv3
This app offers a professional-quality virtual analog synthesizer inspired by classic hardware. It provides a vast library of presets, real-time effects control, and a user-friendly interface for both beginners and experienced musicians. It can be used as a standalone instrument or as an AUv3 plugin.
- 400+ Presets
- Dual Assignable Touch Pads
- Real-time FX Control
- 3 LFOs with extensive modulation
- MIDI Keyboard and MIDI Learn support
- Classic Step Sequencer
- AUv3 Plugin support
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SYNTH ONE J6 (Inspired by Juno-6 & Jupiter series*) Trusted by over 250,000 iPhone & iPad musicians, Synth One J6 is now on Mac too! Pro Quality. Actually Cool. And Yes, Totally Free. Synth One J6 delivers lush pads, deep basses, classic keys, and vibrant leads that feel truly alive. No ads. No subscriptions. No in-app purchases (unless you want to leave a tip). CREATED BY VOLUNTEERS Musicians, Educators, and Sound Designers over 4 years. Synth One J6 is used in Schools and Higher Education institutions across the world. Just pure, expressive sound designed for creators of every level. EASY TO USE The interface is intuitive and welcoming. Each function has a dedicated slider or knob. Simple for beginners and deep enough for pros. WHAT MAKES IT DIFFERENT? Major accessibility improvements and Voice Over have been added throughout the app to make Synth One J6 a much more enjoyable instrument for blind and visually impaired musicians. LEARN THE EXCITING STORY: audiokitpro.com/synthonej6 Inspired by legendary synths like the Juno, Jupiter, and DeepMind series. It's not a clone. It's a new classic: built from the ground up with a custom, non-vibe coded sound engine. You’ll hear the warmth, the punch, the vibe. INSTANT INSPIRATION With over 400+ presets, a classic step sequencer, dual arpeggiators, analog-style filters, tape delay, reverb, chorus, 3 LFOs, and real-time FX control, your creativity will never hit a wall. FEATURES: ∙ 400+ Presets and Features Included, ∙ Pro Version Included, Nothing to Buy! ∙ Microtonality and World Scales ∙ Accessibility and Voice over for the Blind and Hearing Impaired ∙ Lush, Expressive Vintage Synthesizer Sound ∙ FX: Glorious Reverb, Analog Tape Delay, Chorus, Crush, and more. ∙ 3 LFOs, over 60+ possible destinations, almost everything can be modulated! LFOs can even modify other LFOs ∙ Control it with a MIDI Keyboard, MIDI Learn to map your controls to the app ∙ Classic Arpeggiator & Vintage-style Step Sequencer, with extra features ∙ Dual Assignable Touch Pads, manipulate FX in real time! ∙ Preset Sync between iPhone, iPad & Mac! Create a sound on one device and continue working with it on another. ∙ Created by volunteers to support music education and access for all PLUGIN ON iOS and MAC: ∙ iOS: Works as a Plug-in Instrument in GarageBand and Logic for iPad, AUM, Cubasis, and MORE! ∙ Mac: Tested in Ableton, GarageBand, Logic, and more! WORKS BY ITSELF ∙ “RECORD” button: Easily record your synth and sound fx, then export wav fileNo other apps needed! PERFECT FOR CLASSROOMS AND... STUDIOS Synth One J6 was built for musicians of all levels, with an interface that is intuitive for beginners and deep enough for pros. Especially great for schools and students who may not have access to paid apps. BUILT BY MUSICIANS, SHARED WITH THE WORLD MADE FOR MUSIC. MADE FOR EVERYONE. Music should be for everyone. That is why Synth One J6 is truly free. No fees. Please help us share it. Tell a teacher. Tell a student. Tell anyone who’s dreamed of experiencing a vintage synthesizer but lacked the opportunity. Because music belongs to everyone. * LEGAL NOTICES This app has no affiliation or endorsement from Roland Corporation. It is not a clone of the Juno-6, Juno-60, Juno-106, Jupiter-8, or any other synthesizer. 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. This project is free and was created solely to promote music creation and education. We sincerely respect the incredible work of Roland and other manufacturers in shaping music history.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: AudioKit Synth One J6 + AUv3 at 4.9 against VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave's 4.0. AudioKit Synth One J6 + AUv3 also leads on review sentiment (94% vs 52%) and monetization model (free with in-app purchases vs subscription). On price, update cadence, 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. VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days and AudioKit Synth One J6 + AUv3 sells 5 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
AudioKit Synth One J6 + AUv3 holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: AudioKit Synth One J6 + AUv3 has 2.5K ratings behind it against 135, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 52% of VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave's written reviews are positive against 94% of AudioKit Synth One J6 + AUv3's.
VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave ships an update every 2 weeks, AudioKit Synth One J6 + AUv3 every 11 days. Both last shipped on October 30, 2026.
| Parameter | VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave | AudioKit Synth One J6 + AUv3 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.0 (135 ratings) | 4.9 (2.5K ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 51.5% of reviews | 94.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 135 | 2.5K — better |
| Update frequency | Every 2 weeks | Every 11 days — better |
| Ads | Yes | No — better |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Subscription | Free with in-app purchases — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — better |
| Requires iOS | 14.5 — better | 15.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 167 MB | 72 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Audiobus Pty Ltd | AudioKit Pro |
Customer experience
VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave
AudioKit Synth One J6 + AUv3
User reviews
VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave
From 135 App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 🎵 Excellent lo-fi and retro 80s sound quality
- 🎹 Extensive library of high-quality presets
- 💰 Affordable pricing (at original purchase)
- 🎨 Intuitive and clean interface design
- 🔊 Versatile sounds for multiple genres
Room to improve
- 💸 Aggressive subscription model for previously purchased app
- 🔄 Conversion from AudioKit broke existing projects
- 📊 User data tracking added without clear benefit
- 🚫 Removed access to previously purchased presets/banks
- 😠 Lack of developer communication about changes
AudioKit Synth One J6 + AUv3
From 2.5K App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 🚀 Amazingly inspirational
- 👍 Awesome and free
- 👍 Ridiculously good UI
- 👍 Must have
- 👍 Great for AUv3
Bugs and requests
VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave
Reported bugs
11 issues- GarageBand compatibility broken after updates
- App not recognized in Logic Pro after updates
- Inconsistent sound quality across different registers
- Patch/preset settings not retained after closing DAW
- Audio Unit Extension crashes in GarageBand
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- Duplicate track sounds different from original
- Display shows 'Welcome' instead of loaded patch
- Thin black keys difficult to hit on keyboard
- Missing top C key on keyboard
- Sounds inconsistent when exported from GarageBand
- App disappears from projects after ownership change
Requested features
7 requests- Mac OS version for DAW compatibility
- Velocity sensitivity settings for keyboard
- Pitch bend and modulation wheels with actual functionality
- Better keyboard design with proper key sizing
- Improved UI layout to reduce wasted space in AUv3 mode
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- Access to original synth parameters instead of sample-based playback
- Direct routing to IAA output for FL Studio Mobile
AudioKit Synth One J6 + AUv3
No bugs or feature requests surfaced in reviews.
In-app purchases
VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave
- Weekly premium7 Days trial$4.997 Days
- Weekly premium$4.997 Days
- Yearly premium$9.991 Year
Show 1 moreShow fewer
- Yearly premium7 Days trial$9.991 Year
AudioKit Synth One J6 + AUv3
- Thanks, Awesome Supporter!$2.99
- Thanks, Awesome Supporter!$4.99
- Thanks, Awesome Supporter!$9.99
Show 2 moreShow fewer
- Thanks, Awesome Supporter!$14.99
- Thanks, Awesome Supporter!$19.99
Questions
Is VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave free?
Is AudioKit Synth One J6 + AUv3 free?
Which has better reviews, VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave or AudioKit Synth One J6 + AUv3?
Do VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave or AudioKit Synth One J6 + AUv3 have ads?
Which is updated more often, VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave or AudioKit Synth One J6 + AUv3?
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