Synth vs Aparillo
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
Aparillo
This advanced FM synthesizer creates complex soundscapes, atmospheres, and a wide range of timbres for film, TV, and games. It features two interacting FM synths, integrated effects, and an intuitive 'Orbiter' for one-touch sound morphing. Seamlessly integrate with your mobile studio setup via MIDI and Audio Unit v3 support.
- 16-voice FM Synthesizer
- Complex sound design
- Integrated FX (Filter, Delay, Reverb, Spacializer)
- Orbiter for sound morphing
- Standalone & Audio Unit v3 support
- MIDI and Ableton Link integration
- iCloud Preset Sync
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The Cinematic Machine Aparillo is an advanced 16 voice FM synth tailored for complex sound structures , majestic motions, moving and evolving soundscapes and atmospheres that are perfect for film, TV or games. It‘s not limited to the conventional fm sounds but also delivers a huge range of styles from basses to brasses, pads to leads to even percussion. ••• SYNTH ••• It is based on two interacting FM Synthesizers capable of forming the most complex timbres. A clever arrangement of synthesis, wave shaping, filtering, FX and modulation unfolds into a serious sound design tool for epic sonic creation. Aparillo uses many parameters that can be modulated for individual adjustments PER voice. Each of the sixteen voices interact with almost two dozen targets in a variety of ways for a continuous transformation and to create endless rhythms and melodic progressions. ••• FX ••• The integrated effects include a free-signalflow Filter/Spacial Comb device, a polyphonic Auto Pan with multiple waveforms, the obligatory Delay, our finest Reverb algorithm, and a Sugar Bytes innovation, the Spacializer. This is a very special breed of delay based effect, which can work as a delay, reverb or tuned comb filter and can add room, plucked strings or even pinged percussion to your sound. ••• ORBITER ••• The superstar of Aparillo is the Orbiter, an instinctual "mass-controller" you move through Aparillo's endless sonic universes for one-touch sound morphing. That finally gives you unlimited control over new grounds of sound manipulation. Aparillo for iPad will seamlessly integrate with your mobile studio setup. We built in MIDI support (Virtual, Network, External, Bluetooth), Audio Unit v3 and Ableton Link. Syncing your presets to use them accross other devices couldn't be easier with iCloud. Enjoy Aparillo, the more you dig into it the more you fall in love with it! Features: • Standalone & Audio Unit v3 • FM Synthesizer with 16 Voices • Formant Shifting, Wave Folding & Shifting • Multi-Mode Filter with Spacializer • Orbiter for one-touch Sound Morphing • 500 handpicked Presets • Ableton Link Support • Full MIDI Support (Virtual, Network, External, Bluetooth), MIDI Learn & Host Automation • Preset iCloud Sync • Preset Share
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: Aparillo at Free against Synth's $0.99. Aparillo also leads on rating (4.9 vs 3.1) and ratings volume (506 vs 20). Synth's advantage is iOS requirement (8.0 vs 17.6). 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
Aparillo is free to download; Synth costs $0.99 up front. Synth sells 2 one-off in-app purchases and Aparillo sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
Aparillo holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 3.1. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Aparillo has 506 ratings behind it against 20, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 72% of Synth's written reviews are positive against 89% of Aparillo's.
Synth ships an update every 6 months, Aparillo every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on October 4, 2026 and October 9, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Synth | Aparillo |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $0.99 | Free — better |
| Rating | 3.1 (20 ratings) | 4.9 (506 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 71.6% of reviews | 88.6% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 20 | 506 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 6 months | Every 4 months — 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 | 17.6 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 21 MB | 51 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Retronyms Inc | Sugar Bytes GmbH |
Customer experience
Synth
Aparillo
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
Aparillo
From 506 App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 🚀 Powerful sound design capabilities
- 👍 Intuitive and creative interface
- 🎨 Cinematic and otherworldly sounds
- 💡 Innovative orbit and spatial features
- 🔥 Excellent presets and sound quality
Room to improve
- 🐛 Occasional crashes and stability issues
- 🔍 Lack of clear documentation and tutorials
- 📱 UI not optimized for larger iPad screens
- 💰 Paid upgrade required for full functionality
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
Aparillo
Reported bugs
2 issues- Saved patches not compatible across versions
- Orbiter parameters not accessible on latest iOS
Requested features
4 requests- More preset packs and sound libraries
- Improved MIDI and automation support
- Custom tuning and scale options
- Expanded keyboard and note range
In-app purchases
Synth
- Patch Editor$0.99
- Synth Skin Pack$4.99
Aparillo
- Aparillo Full Version$24.99









