Comparison

iSequence HD vs Core Synth HD

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

Head to head
About

iSequence HD

Create professional music on your iPad with an intuitive 8-track sequencer, a vast library of instruments, and flexible mixing with DSP effects. Record, edit, and arrange loops, beats, and melodies in real-time, controlling every aspect of your music project.

Highlights
  • 8-track sequencer
  • 160+ built-in instruments
  • Custom instrument sampler
  • Real-time recording and automation
  • Step sequencer and FX editor
  • Flexible mixer with DSP effects
  • Wi-Fi file sharing
Read full description

iSequence is a long-running iPad music app appreciated for its speed, simplicity, and distinctive workflow. Build beats, melodies, and arrangements with an intuitive 8-track sequencer with 32-step patterns, shape sounds with its sampler, and mix everything with flexible DSP effects. Whether you are sketching loops or building full tracks, iSequence keeps music creation direct and hands-on. FAST, FLUID WORKFLOW Create patterns, record parts in real time, and edit them without interrupting playback. Switch between tracks, instruments, step sequencing, and automation as you build your song. iSequence is built for sketching ideas quickly, jamming with loops, and arranging complete tracks in a simple, focused environment. INSTRUMENTS • 160 built-in instruments, including acoustic sounds, drum kits, pads, leads, sweeps, and ambient textures • Additional sound banks available in the BankShop • Play with the on-screen piano keyboard or drum pads • Create custom instruments with the built-in sampler • Supports CoreMIDI and MIDI instruments REAL-TIME RECORDING AND AUTOMATION • Record notes as you play • Change tracks and instruments during playback • Use the metronome and slowdown mode for easier recording • Record parameter changes in real time STEP SEQUENCER • 8 tracks with FX curve editing • 32 steps per row / pattern • Instruments are not tied to tracks, allowing flexible sequencing and layering • Edit notes with the piano keyboard, drum pads, and other controls • Adjust note duration, panning, velocity, and gliss • Copy, paste, move, and transpose patterns and selections • Arrange patterns into full song structures MIXER AND EFFECTS • Adjust tempo, master volume, and shuffle • Mute, solo, and set levels for each track • Route tracks to 5 configurable effect channels • Includes Filter, Reverb, Flanger, Delay, Ring Modulator, EQ, Lo-Fi Crusher, Live Looper, and Distortion SAMPLER • Import, record, or paste samples to build custom instruments • Edit loop points, ADSR envelope, and sample mapping • Slice loops and synchronize them to tempo automatically FILE SHARING • Export songs as HSQ, MIDI, or WAV • Import samples and presets • Copy tracks to the audio clipboard • Import HSQ songs

About

Core Synth HD

Create music with a powerful monophonic synthesizer for iPad. Explore dual oscillators, customizable filters, and an arpeggiator. Save your custom sounds and enhance your live performances with intuitive controls.

Highlights
  • Dual overlapping oscillators
  • Four wave patterns
  • Low Pass Filter with ADSR
  • Volume Envelope Shaper (ADSR)
  • Arpeggiator with multiple modes
  • Save unlimited patches
Read full description

Top free iPad music app in 5 countries, top 10 in more than 50! Get your groove on with Core Synth HD, the definitive monophonic synthesizer for the iPad. With tons of features packed into a small package, Core Synth is great for live performing. A Pitch Wheel replicates perfectly the real thing! This free app has the following features: - Pitch Wheel - 2 Octave keyboard - Keys light up in different colors when pressed Oscillator Module - Dual overlapping oscillators - Four wave patterns: Square, Triangle, Sawtooth and Reverse Sawtooth * Select from 5 octaves * Adjust glide between notes * Fine tune Oscillator 2 with option to sync with Oscillator 1 Volume Envelope Shaper - Edit ADSR (Attack, Decay, Sustain, Release) Low Pass Filter Module - Adjust Cutoff and Resonance - Edit ADSR (Attack, Decay, Sustain, Release) Upgrade to the full version within the app for the following additional features: - 7 Octave Keyboard - Octave control to move along entire range - Modulation Wheel Patches Module - Save an unlimited number of individually named patches - Browse through your collection before applying patch - Delete unwanted patches Modulation Module - Four wave patterns: Square, Triangle, Sawtooth and Reverse Sawtooth - Modulate Filter, Pitch or Wave - Adjust LFO Rate and amount Arpeggiator Module - Arpeggio moves up to 5 octaves - Four step modes: Up, Down, Up/Down, Random - Adjust rate Many more exciting enhancements to follow! Core Synth HD includes open source code from MobileSynth developed by Allen Porter.

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: iSequence HD at 77% against Core Synth HD's 31%. iSequence HD also leads on rating (4.2 vs 3.4) and ratings volume (33 vs 5). Core Synth HD's advantage is iOS requirement (8.0 vs 15.6). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases 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

Both are free to download. iSequence HD sells 8 one-off in-app purchases and Core Synth HD sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

iSequence HD holds the better App Store score, 4.2 against 3.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: iSequence HD has 33 ratings behind it against 5, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 77% of iSequence HD's written reviews are positive against 31% of Core Synth HD's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

iSequence HD ships an update every 3 months, Core Synth HD every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on October 23, 2026 and October 20, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
iSequence HD versus Core Synth HD: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameteriSequence HDCore Synth HD
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.2 (33 ratings) — better3.4 (5 ratings)
Positive reviews76.6% of reviews — better30.6% of reviews
Number of ratings33 — better5
Update frequencyEvery 3 months — betterEvery 4 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPadiPad
Requires iOS15.68.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size156 MB10 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperBeepStreetCore Engine Apps

Customer experience

iSequence HD

All ratings32 ratings
Positive78.1%
Neutral0.0%
Negative21.9%
Written reviews222 reviews
Positive76.6%
Neutral9.0%
Negative14.4%

Core Synth HD

All ratings5 ratings
Positive40.0%
Neutral40.0%
Negative20.0%
Written reviews62 reviews
Positive30.6%
Neutral17.7%
Negative51.6%

User reviews

iSequence HD

From 33 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Powerful sequencer
  • 👍 Intuitive interface
  • 🎨 Great sound quality
  • 💰 Good value for money
  • 🎶 Excellent for music creation

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Crashes and stability issues
  • 🔇 Limited audio export options
  • 🔒 Lack of Audiobus/Inter-App Audio support
  • 🔢 Limited track count
  • 🔀 Difficulty with time signatures and polyrhythms

Core Synth HD

From 5 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Good for learning basics
  • 🎶 Nice retro sound emulation
  • 💰 Great value for free/low cost
  • 🎹 All controls visible
  • 💡 Simple and clear interface

Room to improve

  • 🔇 No sound issues
  • 🔇 Sound stopped working
  • 🔇 No sound after purchase
  • 🔇 No sound on specific iOS versions
  • 🐛 Glitching/microclicks

Bugs and requests

iSequence HD

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Crashes on startup or during use
  • Issues with sample loading and playback
  • Inconsistent behavior with certain features
  • Compatibility problems with newer iOS versions

Requested features

6 requests
  • Expanded track count
  • More effects and sound design capabilities
  • Audiobus and Inter-App Audio integration
  • Improved sample import and management
  • Support for more time signatures and rhythms
Show 1 more
  • Ability to save and load full projects

Core Synth HD

Reported bugs

21 issues
  • No sound on iPad Pro
  • No sound on iOS 12
  • No sound since last update
  • Program doesn't start after update
  • Ad blocks view
Show 16 more
  • App crashes on load
  • App crashed frequently
  • Rarely produced sound
  • Annoying clicking noise when playing a note
  • Stopped playing notes after a while
  • App reset to free module after purchase
  • Lost saved presets after update
  • CS doesn't work after iOS6 update
  • Sound quit working suddenly
  • No sound after purchase
  • No audio on iPad 2
  • Keyboard stops making noise after playing
  • Crashes on every load
  • Clipping pops and clicks
  • Audible clicks between notes
  • Constant click with the sounds

Requested features

17 requests
  • Add MIDI support
  • Add Audiobus support
  • Add recording with copy/paste
  • Add sine wave for sub basses
  • Add polyphony option
Show 12 more
  • Add tempo sync delay, flange, chorus
  • Add bit reduction
  • Fix modulation clipping
  • Fix clicking/popping sounds
  • Add manual
  • Add more presets
  • Add noise generator
  • Add detuning on both oscillators
  • Add ability to map LFO to mod wheel
  • Add switch to turn arpeggiator on/off
  • Add Core Midi and MIDI over wifi support
  • Fix Osc Octave Text numbering

In-app purchases

8 purchases

iSequence HD

One-time8
  • Funny farm bank$1.99
  • Chiptunes bank$1.99
  • Acoustic bank$2.99
Show 5 more
  • Electro/house bank$2.99
  • Trance waves$2.99
  • Loops vol.1$2.99
  • Loops vol.2$2.99
  • Beat elements bank$2.99
1 purchases

Core Synth HD

One-time1
  • Full Version Upgrade$1.99

Questions

Is iSequence HD free?
iSequence HD is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Core Synth HD free?
Core Synth HD is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, iSequence HD or Core Synth HD?
iSequence HD is rated higher. iSequence HD averages 4.2 out of 5 from 33 ratings, while Core Synth HD averages 3.4 from 5 ratings.
Do iSequence HD or Core Synth HD have ads?
Neither iSequence HD nor Core Synth HD shows ads.
Which is updated more often, iSequence HD or Core Synth HD?
iSequence HD ships an update every 3 months, and Core Synth HD every 4 months. Most recently, iSequence HD was updated on October 23, 2026 and Core Synth HD on October 20, 2026.

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