shapesynth vs BLEASS Shimmer
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
shapesynth
Create unique retro-inspired sounds by drawing oscillator waveforms. This polyphonic synthesizer offers extensive modulation options, built-in effects, and recording capabilities. Seamlessly integrate with other music apps and hardware for a versatile creative experience.
- Draw custom oscillator waveforms
- 16-voice polyphony
- Arpeggiator and stereo delay
- Resonant filter
- Parameter modulation via keyboard, MPE, accelerometer
- Tape recorder with infinite overdubs
- Inter-app audio and AUv3 support
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Shape is a polyphonic synthesiser allowing the user to draw the shape of the oscillator waveform. The first half of the oscillator is represented by 32 blocks and the second half is its mirror, generating all sorts of possible raw retroish sounds. 16 pages per oscillator allows to interpolate between different shapes. Add effects like arpeggio, stereo delay and a resonant filter and record your sounds on a classic tape. Modulate any parameter with keyboard, MIDI MPE or the device accelerometer. Connect to other apps with AudioBus, IAA, AUv3 and midi. +++ 16 voice polyphony +++ 2 oscillators, draw your own shape +++ 3 oscillator mixing functions (add, subtract or multiply) +++ Lfo modulation with ADSR: envelope, pitch, duty cycle, square, page or filter +++ Record on tape with infinite overdubs (save, load, import, export) +++ Arpeggiator +++ Stereo delay +++ Resonant filter (low, band and high pass) +++ Modulate any parameter using keyboard, MIDI MPE or accelerometer (Built in or Sphero) +++ Mini linear sequencer with euclidean rhythm +++ On screen 25 key stylophone style keyboard +++ AudioBus, Inter App Audio and AUv3 +++ Ableton link or AUv3 host sync +++ CoreMIDI, IAA MIDI, Bluetooth MIDI, limited MPE and MIDI out +++ Audio Paste, files app drag’n drop or open with
BLEASS Shimmer
This app offers a unique pitch-shifting reverb effect to enhance musical performances. It allows for creative sound design by emphasizing harmonics and revealing new tonal colors through its versatile processing stages. The intuitive interface and included presets make it easy to explore a wide range of spatial and ambient effects for various instruments and vocals.
- Unique pitch shifting reverb
- Harmonic emphasis and tonal color
- Multi-mode input filter
- Dual pitch shift modules
- Clean and rich reverb
- Integrated ducker for rhythmic effects
- Intuitive user interface
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The unique pitch-shifting reverb in BLEASS Shimmer makes performances dance and sing in ways you never imagined possible. Harmonics are emphasised and new tonal colours emerge as luscious washes of reverb thicken and harmonise with your performance, opening up a whole new creative dimension of spatial and ambient effects. The flexible processing architecture makes BLEASS Shimmer a highly versatile plugin overflowing with creative musical possibilities. Shape the incoming sound with the multi-mode input filter, place the two pitch-shift modules at different points in the signal chain for wildly different results, and combine them with a clean, rich reverb. An integrated ducker helps the direct signal stand out from the reverb and is perfect for rhythmic and blooming effects. This vast sonic potential is easy to tame, both live and in the studio, thanks to a clear and tactile interface designed for hands-on exploration. More than 30 included presets reveal the depth of possibilities on offer while providing great starting points for your own sound designs. From guitars and synth pads to leads, vocals and drums, BLEASS Shimmer brings exciting new dimensions to your musicianship. More information and technical specifications available on https://www.bleass.com/shimmer/ BLEASS Shimmer can be launched as an AUv3 plugin or as a standalone app. BLEASS Shimmer is also available for Windows, and macOS.
Screenshots
Verdict
shapesynth and BLEASS Shimmer both sit at 4.9 stars, but that hides the real split: 100% of BLEASS Shimmer's written reviews are positive against 65% of shapesynth's. BLEASS Shimmer also leads on chart position (#186 vs unranked). shapesynth's advantage is update cadence (every 2 months vs every 10 months) and price ($4.99 vs $6.99). On rating, ratings volume, 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
shapesynth costs $4.99 and BLEASS Shimmer $6.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.9 for shapesynth against 4.9 for BLEASS Shimmer. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 24 and 36 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 65% of shapesynth's written reviews are positive against 100% of BLEASS Shimmer's.
shapesynth ships an update every 2 months, BLEASS Shimmer every 10 months. The most recent releases landed on September 25, 2026 and September 20, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | shapesynth | BLEASS Shimmer |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $4.99 — better | $6.99 |
| Rating | 4.9 (24 ratings) | 4.9 (36 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 65.0% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 24 | 36 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months — better | Every 10 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Best chart rank | — | #186 — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 9.0 — better | 15.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 8 MB | 21 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Erik Sigth | BLEASS |
Customer experience
shapesynth
BLEASS Shimmer
In-app purchases
shapesynth
No in-app purchases
BLEASS Shimmer
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is shapesynth free?
Is BLEASS Shimmer free?
Which has better reviews, shapesynth or BLEASS Shimmer?
Do shapesynth or BLEASS Shimmer have ads?
Which is updated more often, shapesynth or BLEASS Shimmer?
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