Synth vs BeatMaker 3
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Synth
This app is a polyphonic synthesizer for iPad, allowing users to create unique sounds. It offers professional control and sound design capabilities, and can be integrated with other music production tools.
- Polyphonic synthesis
- Microphone sound creation
- Parameter editor (in-app purchase)
- Tabletop integration
- Mod wheel
- Pitch-bend wheel
- Adjustable delay and distortion
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Synth is an incredible polyphonic synthesizer for your iPad. Create your own sounds with the microphone, and relive all of your Casio SK1 dreams. Synth was used by Gorillaz in recording their album, “The Fall.” Synth’s parameter editor provides professional control and sound design via an in-app purchase. Connect Synth to drum machines, sequencers, and more in Tabletop for iPad. Tabletop is an expandable studio with over a dozen included musical devices. Tabletop is a modular environment where you can mix and match different devices. Select from over 40 devices including samplers, mixers, effects, sequencers and more. Buy only the gear you need from an expanding catalog. Need help? Email support@retronyms.com and we’ll answer your questions. Main Features: - Mod wheel - Pitch-bend wheel - Adjustable delay - Adjustable distortion
BeatMaker 3
This music production studio offers an intuitive audio and MIDI workstation, combining desktop software power with hardware efficiency. Create, perform, and record your musical ideas with advanced sampling, sequencing, and mixing tools. Integrate external apps and export your finished tracks.
- Streamlined performance and recording workflow
- Advanced sampling engine with live stretching
- Classic timeline and flexible scene-based sequencing
- Full-fledged mixer with multi-channel routing
- AUv3 and IAA app integration
- Inspirational sound library and export options
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▸ REDEFINING MUSIC PRODUCTION BeatMaker brings unmatched efficiency and depth in an intuitive audio and MIDI workstation. Look no further, the power of traditional desktop software and real hardware is now united into one single production studio. ▸ PLAY • PERFORM • RECORD Its streamlined workflow lets you perform and shape your ideas quickly and effectively, turning your instruments into full productions. Inspirational performance tools such as repeat, roll, swing, key scales & chords and macro controls will boost your creativity tenfold. Take control of it all with your MIDI gear and the new smart binding system. ▸ CRAFT YOUR OWN INSTRUMENTS 128 banks of 128 pads, where each one of them is a full-fledged instrument with multiple dimensions. Record and chop live, assemble, mangle and resample: our state of the art sampling engine will sculpt your ideas, giving life to your instruments with a full modulation and layering system. With ZPlane’s Elastique live stretch and pitch shift, adjust your loops and instruments to match the tempo or go experimental. You can even integrate your favorite synth & effect apps with full AUv3 and IAA support. ▸ PRECISE SEQUENCING The classic timeline based pattern & song editor gives all the modern sequencing features you‘d want to arrange complete tracks. Adding to this foundation, the new flexible Scene Mode opens up opportunities for remixing and live performances, looping and arranging clips in new ways. All the patterns, automations and sequencing tools are available right where you would expect. Add audio tracks to the mix, stretch them, turn your arrangements into a complete masterpiece. You can even play in sync with other software using Ableton Link. ▸ INSPIRATIONAL LIBRARY The ever growing sound store will bring premium and exclusive content to your own library. The genius of our sound designers will enhance your productions instantly, whether you’re looking for a classic 808 bass or exploring new musical genres. ▸ FULL FLEDGED MIXER Multi-channel recording & input/output routing is now a reality with the support of USB audio interfaces. Fine-tune your mix with the modern mixing board: every track, every pad has its own channel with unlimited effects and up to 8 sends. Add new depths to your sound with our palette of effects (internal or external AUv3/IAA). ▸ EXPORT AND SHARE Export your compositions and separated elements into single stems to share, re-use, re-work, re-master within a traditional studio setup Read the full specs on http://intua.net ! ▸ COMPATIBILITY - Works with 32-bits and 64-bits iPads. - Native iPad Pro support - iOS 9.3+ required - Best experience on newer models - iPhone version coming soon ▸ Documentation - Full documentation and tutorials available at http://support.intua.net
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: Synth at $0.99 against BeatMaker 3's $24.99. Synth also leads on review sentiment (72% vs 63%) and iOS requirement (8.0 vs 11.0). BeatMaker 3's advantage is rating (4.7 vs 3.1) and update cadence (monthly vs every 6 months). 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
Synth costs $0.99 and BeatMaker 3 $24.99 up front. Synth sells 2 one-off in-app purchases and BeatMaker 3 sells 11 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
BeatMaker 3 holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 3.1. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: BeatMaker 3 has 4.5K ratings behind it against 20, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 72% of Synth's written reviews are positive against 63% of BeatMaker 3's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.
Synth ships an update every 6 months, BeatMaker 3 monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 4, 2026 and October 6, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Synth | BeatMaker 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $0.99 — better | $24.99 |
| Rating | 3.1 (20 ratings) | 4.7 (4.5K ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 71.6% of reviews — better | 62.6% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 20 | 4.5K — better |
| Update frequency | Every 6 months | Monthly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPad | iPad |
| Requires iOS | 8.0 — better | 11.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 21 MB | 216 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Retronyms Inc | INTUA |
Customer experience
Synth
BeatMaker 3
User reviews
Synth
From 20 App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 👍 Great synth with lots of settings and options
- 🎨 Awesome retro/vintage sounds
- 💡 Useful for creating sound effects
- 🎹 Simple and easy to use keyboard
Room to improve
- 🐛 No MIDI support
- 🔌 Not compatible with other apps like Tabletop
- 🔒 Lacks advanced features like ADSR, filters, LFO
- 🔇 No recording or export functionality
BeatMaker 3
From 4.5K App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 🚀 Powerful sampler
- 🚀 Versatile DAW capabilities
- 👍 Great for live performance
- 👍 Excellent value for money
- 👍 Seamless AUv3 integration
Room to improve
- 🐛 Frequent crashes
- 🐛 Stability issues with plugins
- 🐛 Buggy MIDI functionality
- 🔋 High battery consumption
- 👎 Confusing file management
Bugs and requests
Synth
Reported bugs
2 issues- Pitch bend control reverts back to default
- Occasional crashes or freezes
Requested features
4 requests- Add MIDI support
- Integrate with Tabletop and other music apps
- Implement ADSR, filters, LFO, and other synthesis controls
- Add recording and export capabilities
BeatMaker 3
Reported bugs
5 issues- Crashes when switching sound banks
- MIDI keyboard disconnects on stop
- Samples losing sync after export
- Glitches with AUv3 plugin loading
- Inconsistent behavior with touch controls
Requested features
6 requests- Ability to rearrange pads
- Improved MIDI sync and control
- More sound packs and updates
- Custom color themes
- Streamlined project management
Show 1 moreShow fewer
- Expanded piano roll functionality
In-app purchases
Synth
- Patch Editor$0.99
- Synth Skin Pack$4.99
BeatMaker 3
- Starter Pack #1: July 2017Free
- Starter Pack #2: August 2017Free
- ThudRumble Gigantic Balls BassFree
Show 8 moreShow fewer
- Modularism$0.99
- Aquatronika$0.99
- Beatlab$0.99
- Ashes II$0.99
- Arpism$0.99
- INTUA 808 Science$1.99
- MSXII The Constituent$1.99
- MSXII The Fly Life$1.99








