Comparison

Crystal Synth XT vs Mandolin Tuner Pro and Chords

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

Head to head
About

Crystal Synth XT

Create lush, evolving soundscapes with a powerful semi-modular synthesizer for mobile devices. Explore subtractive and FM synthesis, extensive modulation, and built-in effects. Share sounds with the desktop version and connect MIDI keyboards for a full hardware synth experience.

Highlights
  • Semi-modular synthesis engine
  • Subtractive and FM synthesis
  • Extensive modulation control (>90 parameters)
  • Multi-stage envelopes with graphical editors
  • Tempo-synced envelopes, LFOs, and delays
  • Built-in effects (chorus, flanger, echo)
  • MIDI keyboard input and virtual MIDI support
Features
Read full description

Crystal Synth XT is a full featured semi-modular synthesizer, ideally suited to creating lush evolving soundscapes. Crystal VST has long been a popular synthesizer on the desktop. Crystal Synth XT brings that same powerful synthesis engine to the iPad and iPhone. Crystal Synth XT features MIDI keyboard input via Apple's camera adapter and sharing of sounds with the desktop version of Crystal. == Features == Browse through the included sounds and use the 2 octave keypad or keyboard to trigger notes to produce evolving, rhythmic, or melodic sounds. Create your own sounds with a single button press using the breed feature. When using an iPad, you can delve into a tweaker's dream by using the extensive editing features to sculpt sounds to your heart's content (editing features are only available when used on an iPad). Crystal features both subtractive synthesis and frequency modulation (FM) synthesis. It offers abundant modulation control with over 90 parameters which may be modulated, multi-stage envelopes with graphical editors, extensive tempo sync of envelopes/lfo rates/delay times, built-in effects for chorus/flanging/comb filtering/echoes, and a band splitter for effects processing by frequency band. Not only that, Crystal has wave sequencing and granular synthesis. The musical applications for Crystal are literally boundless. == MIDI == With MIDI keyboard input, you can connect a MIDI keyboard to your iPad or iPhone and play Crystal Synth XT like a hardware synth. == Virtual MIDI == Use virtual midi to play Crystal Synth XT from a midi controller app. Use the Settings app to turn on the Background Audio mode to enable Crystal to play audio when in the background. You can then play Crystal from a midi controller app which supports virtual midi. == Sharing == With patch sharing you can create sounds on your iPad or iPhone while away from the studio, then transfer them to the desktop Crystal when you get back to the studio to use in recording projects. Or, create banks of sounds on the desktop Crystal, then transfer them to the iPad/iPhone Crystal to use in a live performance for a truly portable rig. Use Audio copy/paste to record your performance on Crystal and transfer that performance to another app. Or copy your recorded performance to your computer. == Inter App Audio and Audiobus == To use IAA or Audiobus to record into other apps, turn on Background Audio for Crystal Synth XT in the Settings app. See demonstration videos on the greenoak.com website. == Different Versions == If you don't need all the features of Crystal Synth XT, try the basic version of Crystal, also available in the app store from Green Oak Software. With the basic version you can browse sounds, play notes, and create new sounds, taking advantage of its powerful semimodular synthesis engine. The XT version adds features like MIDI keyboard input via the iPad's camera adapter, IAA/Audiobus, and patch sharing with the desktop version. Choose the app that is best for you! == Notes == Important note for iPhone users: Crystal Synth XT runs on both the iPad and the iPhone. Because of the limited screen space on the iPhone however, the editing pages, which contain the edit controls, are not available when running on that device. However, on the iPhone you can still browse sounds, play notes from the keypad, create new sounds with the Breed feature, modify patches with the Design feature, and share sounds with desktop Crystal VST. For videos and information about Crystal Synth XT, visit: http://www.greenoak.com

About

Mandolin Tuner Pro and Chords

This application provides precise and easy tuning for mandolins, suitable for all skill levels. It features a smart chord library, tuning fork, and advanced settings with a responsive interface and visual indicators.

Highlights
  • Precise frequency detection
  • Smart chord library
  • Tuning fork
  • Advanced settings
  • Intuitive UI with LED indicator
  • Visual string indicators
Features
Read full description

Tune your mandolin quickly and confidently with Mandolin Tuner Pro and Chords. Designed for players of every level, it listens through your device’s microphone and shows the detected note and exact frequency in Hz, so you can see whether each course is flat, sharp, or in tune. Choose from 12 tunings for mandolin-family instruments: • Standard (GDAE) • GDAD, ADAE, Cross G, Open G, Cross A, Cross D, Cajun, and Calico • Mandola, octave mandolin, and mandocello Clear LED guidance and visual string indicators make tuning easy to follow. Fine-tune your setup with adjustable A4 calibration, microphone sensitivity, frequency display, sound confirmation, and reference string sounds. More useful tools are built in: • Browse a chord library with fretboard diagrams and chord variants • Play reference notes with the tuning fork • Keep your selected tuning and settings ready for your next session • Use one app on iPhone and iPad Questions or suggestions? Visit our website or email feedback@daikyoujulabs.com.

Screenshots

Crystal Synth XT1 screens
Mandolin Tuner Pro and Chords4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Crystal Synth XT at 4.9 against Mandolin Tuner Pro and Chords's 4.4. Crystal Synth XT also leads on review sentiment (78% vs 54%) and price ($4.99 vs $9.99). Mandolin Tuner Pro and Chords's advantage is ratings volume (76 vs 22). 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

Crystal Synth XT costs $4.99 and Mandolin Tuner Pro and Chords $9.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Crystal Synth XT holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.4. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 22 and 76 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 78% of Crystal Synth XT's written reviews are positive against 54% of Mandolin Tuner Pro and Chords's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Crystal Synth XT ships an update every 4 months, Mandolin Tuner Pro and Chords every 5 months. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and November 11, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Crystal Synth XT versus Mandolin Tuner Pro and Chords: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCrystal Synth XTMandolin Tuner Pro and Chords
Price$4.99 — better$9.99
Rating4.9 (22 ratings) — better4.4 (76 ratings)
Positive reviews78.4% of reviews — better53.8% of reviews
Number of ratings2276 — better
Update frequencyEvery 4 months — betterEvery 5 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS11.0 — better15.6
Further details — not scored
Size36 MB23 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperGreen Oak SoftwarePedro Daniel Macalupu Cumpen

Customer experience

Crystal Synth XT

All ratings20 ratings
Positive95.0%
Neutral5.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews74 reviews
Positive78.4%
Neutral8.1%
Negative13.5%

Mandolin Tuner Pro and Chords

All ratings76 ratings
Positive85.5%
Neutral6.6%
Negative7.9%
Written reviews13 reviews
Positive53.8%
Neutral7.7%
Negative38.5%

Bugs and requests

Crystal Synth XT

Reported bugs

15 issues
  • App not working, splash screen disappears
  • Screen in background
  • Envelope points not moving
  • Breed fan not working properly
  • Crashing on launch
Show 10 more
  • Clicks and crashes when adjusting parameters
  • Sounds distorted and buggy
  • Won't play any sounds
  • Crashes when hitting record
  • Play surface stopped responding
  • Crash when trying record function
  • Crackles and pops in sound engine
  • Audiobus fails, breaks up when switching apps
  • Preset name editing gone after iOS 7 update
  • Splash screen appears for a second, then disappears

Requested features

22 requests
  • AUv3 support
  • Update to an AU3 standard
  • Newer interface
  • Fix breed fan access to all presets
  • Fix preset system variations between devices
Show 17 more
  • AUv3 implementation
  • Update the envelope points
  • AUv3 standard transformation
  • Multiple instances in DAWs
  • Dark mode option
  • Advanced analytics dashboard
  • Fix preset name editing
  • In-app purchase for a second instance
  • Load/Save banks
  • Metronome or timer capability
  • Newer app icon
  • Redesign for Retina Display
  • Polyphony on iOS version
  • Recording facility
  • Keyboard option
  • Virtual MIDI support
  • Advanced patch editing on iPod version

Mandolin Tuner Pro and Chords

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Crystal Synth XT

No in-app purchases

None

Mandolin Tuner Pro and Chords

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Crystal Synth XT free?
Crystal Synth XT costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Mandolin Tuner Pro and Chords free?
Mandolin Tuner Pro and Chords costs $9.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Crystal Synth XT or Mandolin Tuner Pro and Chords?
Crystal Synth XT is rated higher. Crystal Synth XT averages 4.9 out of 5 from 22 ratings, while Mandolin Tuner Pro and Chords averages 4.4 from 76 ratings.
Do Crystal Synth XT or Mandolin Tuner Pro and Chords have ads?
Neither Crystal Synth XT nor Mandolin Tuner Pro and Chords shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Crystal Synth XT or Mandolin Tuner Pro and Chords?
Crystal Synth XT ships an update every 4 months, and Mandolin Tuner Pro and Chords every 5 months. Most recently, Crystal Synth XT was updated on November 1, 2026 and Mandolin Tuner Pro and Chords on November 11, 2026.

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