DXi FM synthesizer vs iVCS3
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
DXi FM synthesizer
Create unique sounds and music with this FM synthesizer app inspired by 80s hardware. Explore a variety of parameters to craft special tones and effects, and even record your creations. Includes a bonus 16-step loop sequencer for added musical exploration.
- 4 operator FM synthesis
- 8 algorithms
- Adjustable operator parameters
- Master LPF and Delay effects
- 16-step loop sequencer
- Audio recording and export
- MIDI keyboard support
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DXi is a FM synthesizer application inspired by 80's most popular FM synthesizer. You will enjoy creating sounds as well as playing music with this application. FM synthesizer is still popular among many people by its unique tone. We carefully selected parameters from original synthesizer so you will be enjoy editing tone with them easily. You need to know some technique to tweak the tone, but you will be able to get DXi's special tone and effects while having some fun! Creating sound effects is another idea to enjoy DXi. We loaded 16 step loop sequencer as a bonus feature! If you remember the days of FM synthesizers, try creating the tone you remember from them. If you have no experience with any FM synthesizer, we are sure you will be enjoying the unique tone world! * 4 operators FM synthesizer * Anti-ailiased oscillator * 8 algorithms * Envelope, frequency (Ratio or Fixed), waveform (12 types) can be set each operators. * Feedback control on operator number 4. * 2 master effects (LPF with Resonance and Delay) * Unison mode * Spectrum and oscilloscope view * Import/Export function to save the tone you created. (URL schema text string format) * Audio recording function. And you can transport recorded audio file, .wav, onto Mac/PC via iTunes file sharing. * Clipboard audio sharing support. You can export recorded waveform to other application via clipboard. It's compatible with Intua's clipboard. * Supports external MIDI keyboards via Core MIDI USB adapters. * Supports background audio and virtual MIDI input port. * Supports Audiobus.
iVCS3
This app is an official emulator of a pioneering analog synthesizer from 1969. It faithfully recreates the original's sound-generating capabilities, including oscillators, filters, and a unique patch board matrix. Explore its vintage interface and powerful sonic potential for music creation and sound design.
- Official EMS VCS3 emulator
- Faithful recreation of original hardware
- Multiple oscillators and LFO
- Voltage-controlled low-pass filter
- Unique patch board matrix
- Includes DK1 keyboard controller emulation
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iVCS3 Official EMS VCS3 emulator The VCS3 was created in 1969 by Peter Zinovieff's EMS company. The electronics were largely designed by David Cockerell and the machine's distinctive visual appearance was the work of electronic composer Tristram Cary. The VCS3 was more or less the first portable commercially available synthesizer—portable in the sense that the VCS 3 was housed entirely in a small, wooden case. The VCS3 was quite popular among progressive rock bands and was used on recordings by The Alan Parsons Project, Jean Michel Jarre, Hawkwind, Brian Eno (with Roxy Music), King Crimson, The Who, Gong, and Pink Floyd, among many others. Well-known examples of its use are on The Who track "Won't Get Fooled Again" (as an external sound processor, in this case with Pete Townshend running the signal of a Lowrey Organ through the VCS3's filter and low frequency oscillators) on Who's Next. Pink Floyd's "On the Run" (from The Dark Side of the Moon) made use of its oscillators, filter and noise generator, as well as the sequencer. Their song Welcome to the Machine also used the VCS3. The bassy throb at the beginning of the recording formed the foundation of the song, with the other parts being recorded in response. The VCS3 was also a staple at the BBC’s Radiophonic Workshop, and was a regular (and most frightening) sound generator for the Dr Who TV series. Many fo the monsters and atmoshere;s created for the show came directly from the VCS3. Description The VCS3 has three oscillators (in reality, the first 2 oscillators are normal oscillators and the 3rd an LFO or Low Frequency Oscillator), a noise generator, two input amplifiers, a ring modulator, a 18dB/octave (pre-1974) or 24dB/octave (after 1974) voltage controlled low pass filter (VCF), a trapezoid envelope generator, joy-stick controller, voltage controlled spring reverb unit and 2 stereo output amplifiers. Unlike most modular synthesizer systems which use cables to link components together, the VCS3 uses a distinctive patch board matrix into which pins are inserted in order to connect its components together. Keyboards controller DK1 keyboard controller Although the VCS3 is often used for generating sound effects due to lack of built-in keyboard, there were external keyboard controllers for melodic play. The DK1 in 1969 was an early velocity sensitive monophonic keyboard for VCS3 with an extra VCO and VCA. Later it was extended for duophonic play, as DK2, in 1972. Also in 1972, Synthi AKS was released, and its digital sequencer with a touch-sensitive flat keyboard, KS sequencer, and its mechanical keyboard version, DKS, were also released. (See: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VCS3)
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: DXi FM synthesizer at $1.99 against iVCS3's $19.99. DXi FM synthesizer also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 10) and iOS requirement (8.4 vs 17.0). iVCS3's advantage is rating (4.9 vs 4.3) and ratings volume (208 vs 19). On review sentiment, update cadence, ads 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
DXi FM synthesizer costs $1.99 and iVCS3 $19.99 up front. iVCS3 sells 10 one-off in-app purchases. DXi FM synthesizer asks for nothing beyond the download.
iVCS3 holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: iVCS3 has 208 ratings behind it against 19, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 88% of DXi FM synthesizer's written reviews are positive against 91% of iVCS3's.
Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 2 months. Both last shipped on November 6, 2026.
| Parameter | DXi FM synthesizer | iVCS3 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1.99 — better | $19.99 |
| Rating | 4.3 (19 ratings) | 4.9 (208 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 87.6% of reviews | 90.8% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 19 | 208 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Every 2 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 8.4 — better | 17.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 5 MB | 107 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Takashi Mizuhiki | apeSoft |
Customer experience
DXi FM synthesizer
iVCS3
Bugs and requests
DXi FM synthesizer
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
iVCS3
Reported bugs
3 issues- Presets not loading
- Crashes on iOS 15.04
- Sampler not functioning properly
Requested features
3 requests- Mac compatibility
- Improved preset management
- Expanded sampling capabilities
In-app purchases
DXi FM synthesizer
No in-app purchases
iVCS3
- Red Sky Lullaby - 180 PresetsFree
- Singe Difficile by RUST(i)KFree
- RUMBLEFree
Show 7 moreShow fewer
- OLD GRIT - COLLECTIONFree
- JEC 2018 Iconic PinkFloydFree
- JEC EMS-50Free
- SINAPSYA - Under The Dust$2.99
- LALA - Sonic Pleasures$3.99
- JEC Mega Bank$4.99
- Essential EMS Modifications$6.99
Questions
Is DXi FM synthesizer free?
Is iVCS3 free?
Which has better reviews, DXi FM synthesizer or iVCS3?
Do DXi FM synthesizer or iVCS3 have ads?
Which is updated more often, DXi FM synthesizer or iVCS3?
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