Comparison

DXi FM synthesizer vs iVCS3

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

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • 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
Features
Read full description

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.

About

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.

Highlights
  • 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
Features
Read full description

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

DXi FM synthesizer4 screens
iVCS34 screens

Verdict

The call

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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

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.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

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.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 2 months. Both last shipped on November 6, 2026.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
DXi FM synthesizer versus iVCS3: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterDXi FM synthesizeriVCS3
Price$1.99 — better$19.99
Rating4.3 (19 ratings)4.9 (208 ratings) — better
Positive reviews87.6% of reviews90.8% of reviews — better
Number of ratings19208 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 2 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaidPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS8.4 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size5 MB107 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperTakashi MizuhikiapeSoft

Customer experience

DXi FM synthesizer

All ratings19 ratings
Positive84.2%
Neutral5.3%
Negative10.5%
Written reviews153 reviews
Positive87.6%
Neutral3.3%
Negative9.2%

iVCS3

All ratings208 ratings
Positive96.6%
Neutral1.4%
Negative1.9%
Written reviews195 reviews
Positive90.8%
Neutral2.6%
Negative6.7%

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

None

DXi FM synthesizer

No in-app purchases

10 purchases

iVCS3

One-time10
  • Red Sky Lullaby - 180 PresetsFree
  • Singe Difficile by RUST(i)KFree
  • RUMBLEFree
Show 7 more
  • 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?
DXi FM synthesizer costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is iVCS3 free?
iVCS3 costs $19.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, DXi FM synthesizer or iVCS3?
iVCS3 is rated higher. DXi FM synthesizer averages 4.3 out of 5 from 19 ratings, while iVCS3 averages 4.9 from 208 ratings.
Do DXi FM synthesizer or iVCS3 have ads?
Neither DXi FM synthesizer nor iVCS3 shows ads.
Which is updated more often, DXi FM synthesizer or iVCS3?
DXi FM synthesizer ships an update every 2 months, and iVCS3 every 2 months. Most recently, DXi FM synthesizer was updated on November 6, 2026 and iVCS3 on November 6, 2026.

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