Comparison

Twelve Tone vs NERD Synth A2x + AUv3

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

Head to head
About

Twelve Tone

This app helps musicians and teachers compose and analyze music using dodecaphonic and set theory. It allows users to enter tone rows, automatically generates musical matrices, and provides playback and sharing options for compositions.

Highlights
  • Enter tone rows via staff or piano keyboard
  • Automatic generation of Prime, Inversion, Retrograde, RI matrices
  • Real-time Interval Vectors and Circular Analysis updates
  • Save and manage tone rows with names and markings
  • Share PDF of notation, keyboard, and analysis
  • Listen to row playback with selected rhythm patterns
  • Matrix audio playback for pitch identification
Read full description

An extensive music composition and analysis tool. An indispensable resource for any musician or music teacher interested in dodecaphonic and set theory analysis. • Enter a tone row by touching the staff or playing the piano keyboard. • It lets you know if any notes are repeated by highlighting both notes, checking enharmonic values regardless of octave or accidentals. • Automatically creates the Prime, Inversion, Retrograde, and Retrograde Inversion Magic Square. • Constantly updates the Interval Vectors and Circular Analysis of the tone row as you edit it. • Save your rows (rows may contain from 1 to 12 notes), complete with name and current P, R, I, RI matrix markings. Saved rows appear in a list with their name and midi numbers to help you identify them. • Share a pdf of the notation, piano keyboard, and circular analysis. • Watch and listen to your row played with a selected rhythm pattern. • Playback: - Prime - Prime then Retrograde - Retrograde then Prime - Retrograde - Inversion - Inversion then Retrograde Inversion - Retrograde Inversion then Inversion - Retrograde Inversion • Each can be repeated and transposed with each iteration. • The Root is kept within an octave above and below the original pitch when looping and transposing. • Matrix Audio: Hear the pitches as you mark them in the matrix square. The marks indicate the row form in which the pitch belonged; Prime, Inversion, Retrograde, and Retrograde Inversion. • Lock the prime row and transpose it to C to use the Absolute Pitch Method for row labeling in the matrix. Comes preloaded with the following rows: Alban Berg's Lyric Suite Babbitt's Composition for Four Instruments Schoenberg's Variations for Orchestra Op.31 Schoenberg's Piano Piece Op.33a Webern's Concerto Op.24 Webern's Piano Variations Op.27 Webern's String Quartet Op.28

About

NERD Synth A2x + AUv3

This virtual analog synthesizer offers a powerful and intuitive sound design experience, inspired by classic hardware. Explore over 40 classic waveforms, a versatile arpeggiator, step sequencer, and lush effects to craft unique electronic music.

Highlights
  • Virtual Analog Synthesizer
  • 40+ Classic Waveforms
  • Arpeggiator
  • Step Sequencer
  • Lush Effects Suite
  • Four-voice Unison
  • AUv3 Plugin Support
Features
Read full description

Inspired by the classic sounds of the Nord Lead A1** This is not a Rompler. This is a SYNTH.  "I’m impressed. The sounds are FAT, the effects are LUSH, and the interface is a JOY to use."  – Audio News Room "This is not a clone, this is BEYOND the hardware, it's a completely new, fantastic beast" – Jade Starr, How to App "An excellent release...app captures the soul of the Nord Lead A1 Synthesizer"  – Synth Anatomy "An iOS-based homage to a virtual analogue classic!" – Music Radar / Keyboard Magazine Not imitation, it's Innovation! https://audiokitpro.com/redsynth With Nerd Synth, you’ll have access to all 40+ of the classic lead A1 waveforms! Plus, we gave it some RAW MODERN POWER. FULLY LOADED w/ 550+ presets by Analog Matthew, Electronisounds, DMT Cymatics, Moby Pixel, Red Sky Lullaby, and more NOTE: This is a synth, and contains no hardware preset samples. All presets are completely original. One low price includes Lifetime License and all Features Easy to use. Easy to get great tone! NERD SYNTH A2X: • 64-voice, Retro VA-Synth • Include all 40+ of the Nord A1 waveforms • Arpeggiator! Classic Hardware-style Arp, with extra features • Vintage-style Step Sequencer that can be routed to specific layers • A proper filter envelope ADSR! • NEW: 2x Oversampled Oscillators • 3 LFOs. Fun Routings. LFOs can modify other LFOs • Microtonality, World Scales and Western Scales! • TouchPads! 2 fun assignable pads, -= Create NORD-style SUPER SAWS =- ++ Four-voice Unison with the tap of a button ++ 3 different algorithms: Regular, HYPER, and BEAST! "Astoundingly great sounding and intuitive synth app!" – The GarageBand Guide Modeled sound: It's like a time-capsule. Imagine if there were iPads in 2003? Complete with that "cold" VA sound that ruled the dance floors and stages ADDITIONAL FEATURES: • FX: Glorious Reverb, Analog Tape Delay, Distortion, Flanger, Chorus, Crush, and more. • On board "Record" button, no external hardware required • Works with a MIDI Keyboard EXCLUSIVE TO THIS APP: • "SUPER FM" wild pitch drop controls! Modeled after digital VA-Synths, complete with vintage digital aliasing for old-school vibe! • Crazy aggressive RING MODULATION distortion – It's like robots talking, or fighting? You decide! COOL: • iPad version has "stacked" views for maximum onscreen control! Tap the current Nav Button at the top to change the bottom view • This is a Premium App: No iAP, No Ads, No subscriptions! Use as a plug-in in DAWs like GarageBand & Logic for iPad, Cubasis, AUM, and more! NOTE: This is not a hardware clone, it's a completely new synth. If you're looking for a ROMpler like the "Stage" series, this app may not be for you. This is a SYNTH, not a rompler. All the presets here are new and original. Giving you fresh new sounds that are completely tweak-able This is not a 1:1 clone and will not load hardware presets. Please note that this app's sound is closer to the A1, which is a different sound from the NL1/NL2X. ** This app has no affiliation or endorsement by Clavia DMI AB. This app is not a clone of any their synths, including the Nord Lead and Nord Lead A1. While we were inspired by their wonderful and iconic work, this app is not trying to copy those synths. We created something completely new. It's a synth for synth nerds :) LEGAL STUFF: All product names and images, trademarks and artists names are the property of their respective owners, which are in no way associated or affiliated with the creators of this app, including AudioKit, AudioKit Pro, LLC, and the other contributors. Any use of these names and images does not imply any cooperation or endorsement by Clavia Digital Musical Instruments. Nord Lead, Nord Lead 2X, Nord, and Nord Lead A1 are Clavia trademarks and properties. We appreciate their amazing work in creating such classic and inspiring instruments.

Screenshots

Twelve Tone4 screens
NERD Synth A2x + AUv34 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: NERD Synth A2x + AUv3 at fortnightly against Twelve Tone's every 18 months. NERD Synth A2x + AUv3 also leads on ratings volume (1.4K vs 16) and review sentiment (89% vs 70%). Twelve Tone's advantage is price ($4.99 vs $5.99). On ads, in-app purchases, monetization model and device support 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

Twelve Tone costs $4.99 and NERD Synth A2x + AUv3 $5.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

NERD Synth A2x + AUv3 holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: NERD Synth A2x + AUv3 has 1.4K ratings behind it against 16, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 70% of Twelve Tone's written reviews are positive against 89% of NERD Synth A2x + AUv3's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Twelve Tone ships an update every 18 months, NERD Synth A2x + AUv3 fortnightly. Both last shipped on October 27, 2026.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Twelve Tone versus NERD Synth A2x + AUv3: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterTwelve ToneNERD Synth A2x + AUv3
Price$4.99 — better$5.99
Rating4.7 (16 ratings)4.9 (1.4K ratings) — better
Positive reviews70.0% of reviews89.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings161.4K — better
Update frequencyEvery 18 monthsFortnightly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS26.014.4 — better
Further details — not scored
Size50 MB242 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperPatrick Q. KellyAudioKit Pro

Customer experience

Twelve Tone

All ratings16 ratings
Positive93.8%
Neutral6.3%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews10 reviews
Positive70.0%
Neutral10.0%
Negative20.0%

NERD Synth A2x + AUv3

All ratings1,342 ratings
Positive99.1%
Neutral0.6%
Negative0.3%
Written reviews163 reviews
Positive89.0%
Neutral7.4%
Negative3.7%

Bugs and requests

Twelve Tone

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

NERD Synth A2x + AUv3

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • Doesn't fit properly in Logic Pro for iPad
  • Keyboard keys get stuck when using a controller

Requested features

4 requests
  • Dark mode option
  • Undo/redo functionality
  • Improved Logic Pro integration
  • Ability to change color scheme

In-app purchases

None

Twelve Tone

No in-app purchases

None

NERD Synth A2x + AUv3

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Twelve Tone free?
Twelve Tone costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is NERD Synth A2x + AUv3 free?
NERD Synth A2x + AUv3 costs $5.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Twelve Tone or NERD Synth A2x + AUv3?
NERD Synth A2x + AUv3 is rated higher. Twelve Tone averages 4.7 out of 5 from 16 ratings, while NERD Synth A2x + AUv3 averages 4.9 from 1.4K ratings.
Do Twelve Tone or NERD Synth A2x + AUv3 have ads?
Neither Twelve Tone nor NERD Synth A2x + AUv3 shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Twelve Tone or NERD Synth A2x + AUv3?
Twelve Tone ships an update every 18 months, and NERD Synth A2x + AUv3 fortnightly. Most recently, Twelve Tone was updated on October 27, 2026 and NERD Synth A2x + AUv3 on October 27, 2026.

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