Comparison

Synth vs iMPC Pro 2

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

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • Polyphonic synthesis
  • Microphone sound creation
  • Parameter editor (in-app purchase)
  • Tabletop integration
  • Mod wheel
  • Pitch-bend wheel
  • Adjustable delay and distortion
Features
Read full description

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

About

iMPC Pro 2

This app is a comprehensive music creation tool that combines a powerful sampler and beatmaker with advanced features for vocal tracks and Audio Units integration. It allows for real-time audio manipulation, flexible song sequencing, and offers a vast library of sound kits and packs to enhance your productions.

Highlights
  • Audio track recording and real-time manipulation
  • Audio Units instrument integration
  • Advanced song sequencing and mixing
  • Extensive sound kits and free sound packs
  • Multi-touch audio clip editing
  • Tutorial series for music production
Features
Read full description

iMPC Pro 2 fuses innovative song creation with the iconic MPC workflow. iMPC Pro gave us a powerful sampler and beatmaker, and now iMPC Pro 2 has evolved into a full fledged song creation tool with the addition of vocal tracks, Audio Units integration, a sleek new design and tons of new features! AUDIO TRACKS: Within the audio tracks, you can time warp, pitch shift, and rearrange your audio clips in real time. The sophistication of real time manipulation is captured in a simple workflow and sleek interface. You can choose from multiple input sources to record, including external mic channels, hardware audio interfaces, and IAA. Import existing projects from iMPC Pro and add your vocal tracks easily. AUDIO UNIT TRACKS: You can now load any Audio Units instrument into an Audio Unit Track! Control your AU instrument with a classic piano keyboard interface and an iMPC interface with note variation, Flux Link, Note Repeat, 16 Levels, and more. The app also features an improvement to the workflow for song creation. Song sequencing is faster, more powerful, and more flexible, so you have complete creative control. 100% NEW SOUND KIT AND MORE: Designed exclusively for iMPC Pro 2, these kits cover some of the most iconic and cutting-edge beat genres available, from producers including ADSR, Rawcutz, SampleTools by Cr2, Niche Audio, and Sample Magic. Each kit includes 16 Hi Quality samples featuring sounds from 808’s to melodic hits and stabs, designed for the best user experience possible. iMPC Pro 2 also comes with 5 additional Sound Packs for FREE (valued at $35). Grab these packs in the AudioCopy Content Store: Essential Club Collection, Classic Cuts, Dub 2 DnB, Melodic Collection, and The Diploma! You can use them in hundreds of AudioCopy compatible apps (including iMPC and iMPC Pro). iMPC UNIVERSITY: Unlock producer secrets and learn how to become a full fledged song creator with this tutorial series. iMPCU unlocks one course per day and gives you the tools you need to take your music to the next level. Fun for both new and experienced users, iMPC Pro 2 offers an expansive dive into the world of beatmaking and song editing through these courses. We’re excited for you to try it! FEATURES: Audio Tracks: - Record from built in mic, external mics, audio interfaces, instruments, etc. - Record from Inter App Audio Apps - Warp Tracks and Clips to match tempo - Access several quick editing features on Audio Clips (Pitch shift, Time Stretch, Amplify, Crop, Split, Duplicate) - Drag to arrange Audio Clips, snap them to an adjustable grid setting - Advanced waveform editing AudioUnit integration: - Audio Unit tweak mode with full keyboard support (including 2 dozen scale modes from Chromatic to Blues to Aeolian) --- - 100% New Sound Set, with 5 additional free Sound Packs - Sample sounds from Spotify - 64 Track Mixer with EQ and 4 FX sends (Reverb, Delay, Chorus/Flange, and one Inter App Audio Effect) - Chop-shop provides intuitive multi-touch editing, trimming, auditioning, splicing, splicing and processing samples - Tracks View shows an overview of all the tracks in your song - 16 Levels mode with attack, velocity, length, and tuning settings for quickly creating variations of sounds - Live Sequence queuing for real-time performance and playback - Time correct: 1/8 note - 1/32T with variable swing - MPC Note Repeat featuring 1/8 note - 1/32T timing with latch - IAA and Ableton Link support - Share beats and songs seamlessly to YouTube - 4 Mute Groups and custom-designed envelopes for all pads - AudioCopy and AudioPaste support - Improved integration and support for iMPC Pro Packs and other Sound Packs from the AudioCopy Content Store - Expert MIDI support including multiple maps and more - New Song Arrangement workflow and integrated Song Mode makes song creation easier than ever Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: iMPC Pro 2 at 4.4 against Synth's 3.1. iMPC Pro 2 also leads on ratings volume (1.1K vs 20). Synth's advantage is review sentiment (72% vs 34%) and price ($0.99 vs $6.29). On update cadence, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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

Synth costs $0.99 and iMPC Pro 2 $6.29 up front. Synth sells 2 one-off in-app purchases and iMPC Pro 2 sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $7.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

iMPC Pro 2 holds the better App Store score, 4.4 against 3.1. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: iMPC Pro 2 has 1.1K 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 34% of iMPC Pro 2's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Synth ships an update every 6 months, iMPC Pro 2 every 5 months. The most recent releases landed on October 4, 2026 and October 9, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Synth versus iMPC Pro 2: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSynthiMPC Pro 2
Price$0.99 — better$6.29
Rating3.1 (20 ratings)4.4 (1.1K ratings) — better
Positive reviews71.6% of reviews — better34.4% of reviews
Number of ratings201.1K — better
Update frequencyEvery 6 monthsEvery 5 months — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPadiPad
Requires iOS8.0 — better15.6
Further details — not scored
Size21 MB328 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperRetronyms IncAkai Professional

Customer experience

Synth

All ratings20 ratings
Positive55.0%
Neutral10.0%
Negative35.0%
Written reviews250 reviews
Positive71.6%
Neutral7.6%
Negative20.8%

iMPC Pro 2

All ratings1,069 ratings
Positive85.9%
Neutral4.9%
Negative9.3%
Written reviews294 reviews
Positive34.4%
Neutral15.6%
Negative50.0%

User reviews

Synth

From 20 App Store ratings

What 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

iMPC Pro 2

From 1.1K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Great workflow
  • 👍 Powerful features
  • 🔥 Awesome sound quality
  • 💡 Spotify sampling
  • 🎨 Attractive interface

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Frequent crashes
  • 🔍 Difficult to import own samples
  • 🤔 Confusing UI elements
  • 🔇 Lack of metronome in playback
  • 🔌 Compatibility issues with controllers

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

iMPC Pro 2

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Audio track recording issues
  • Disappearing samples and projects
  • Unstable performance on iPad Pro
  • Exporting problems with static and glitches

Requested features

5 requests
  • Ability to customize pad sizes
  • Per-track effects and EQ
  • Improved MIDI support
  • Seamless project transfer from previous versions
  • Expanded file management options

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Synth

One-time2
  • Patch Editor$0.99
  • Synth Skin Pack$4.99
4 purchases

iMPC Pro 2

Subscriptions4
  • Producer Subscription (Monthly)1 Month trial$7.991 Month
  • iMPC Pro Professional Subscription1 Month trial$9.991 Month
  • Producer Subscription (Annual)1 Year trial$69.991 Year
Show 1 more
  • Professional Subscription (Annual)1 Year trial$79.991 Year

Questions

Is Synth free?
Synth costs $0.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Is iMPC Pro 2 free?
iMPC Pro 2 costs $6.29, and also offers in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Synth or iMPC Pro 2?
iMPC Pro 2 is rated higher. Synth averages 3.1 out of 5 from 20 ratings, while iMPC Pro 2 averages 4.4 from 1.1K ratings.
Do Synth or iMPC Pro 2 have ads?
Neither Synth nor iMPC Pro 2 shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Synth or iMPC Pro 2?
Synth ships an update every 6 months, and iMPC Pro 2 every 5 months. Most recently, Synth was updated on October 4, 2026 and iMPC Pro 2 on October 9, 2026.

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