iSyn Poly vs Hilda Synthesizer
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
iSyn Poly
Create electronic music with three virtual analog synthesizers and a drum machine. Features a full sequencer for arranging songs and live editing capabilities. Supports external MIDI keyboards for enhanced control.
- Three programmable virtual analog synthesizers
- Sample playback drum machine with 17 kits
- Full-featured four-track sequencer
- Gesture-oriented user interface for live editing
- Support for CoreMIDI compatible hardware keyboards
- Global effects unit with phaser, flanger, chorus, and delay
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iSyn Poly is an electronic music studio for use with Apple iPad. iSyn Poly places an unbelievable number of features including three studio-quality, fully programmable virtual analog synthesizers and a drum machine packed in just three different screens on your iPad ! Each synthesizer is a full-featured analog modeling synth with three oscillators, a classic 24 db/oct ladder-style lowpass filter, independent filter and amp envelope generators, and full modulation routings. With our 10+ years of experience with analog simulations you can expect some serious sound easily covering all those fat frequencies so prevalent in modern production. iSyn Poly also includes a sample playback-based drum machine with seventeen kits, each containing eight samples. Drum samples include 808, 909, modular synth drums and numerous 80's drum machines. Volume, pan and decay time are individually adjustable and pitches are tunable over a wide range for crazy effects. The full fledged sequencer let you arrange complete songs and can record the notes and controller movements of your performance. The unique gesture oriented user interface makes it ideal for live editing of notes and automations. With the Apple iPad Camera Connection Kit you can use a CoreMIDI compatible MIDI Keyboard to control iSyn Poly. iSyn Poly is developed by VirSyn with content from audioMIDI.com. Features: Three Independent Synthesizers One polyphonic synth with eight voices and two monophonic synths with: • Three oscillators with sawtooth, pulse, triangle and sine waves. Modulations routings: LFO->pitch, filter ADSR->cutoff, LFO->pulse width. • White/Pink noise generator. • Classic 24 dB/oct ladder-style lowpass filter with drive parameter. Modulations routings: LFO->Cutoff, Filter ADSR->Cutoff. • Amp section includes distortion with drive, asymmetry and crusher. • Control matrix allows real time control of five parameters using the X/Y touch pad, the modulation wheel and the tilt sensors of the iPad. • Arpeggiator for automated sequences. • 64 factory presets, unlimited user presets can be shared. Drum Machine • Eight simultaneous instruments arranged into eight user-selectable drum kits. • Editor page allows tuning, panning, level and decay time for individual instruments. Effects Section • iSyn Poly features one global effects unit with phaser, flanger, chorus and stereo/cross delay. Live • Play melodies live with onscreen keyboard/drum pads. Drag fingers for slides and vibrato. • Optionally use CoreMIDI compatible hardware keyboard. Full featured Sequencer • Four track sequencer with piano roll and automation editor. • Real time recording with quantize function and metronome. • Arrange your songs with variable length patterns. Move and copy/paste patterns. • Recording and playback of X/Y Pad movements, mod wheel, pitch bend and key velocity. • Full set of editing functions with unlimited undo. Global • Manage unlimited number of songs. • Render song or patterns to audio and midi files. • Audio pasteboard. • Audiobus 2 support (requires iOS 7 or newer). • Exchange songs and user presets with File Sharing in iTunes.
Hilda Synthesizer
This app offers a complex oscillator monosynth with a blend of west-coast and east-coast synthesis techniques. It features a wave folder, lowpass gate, 12-mode filter, and VCA circuit, all meticulously circuit-modelled for authentic analog or digital sound. It functions as a playable synth, MIDI sequencer, and audio effect.
- Complex Oscillator Monosynth
- Wave folder and lowpass gate
- 12-mode filter
- Circuit-modelled analog sound
- Built-in 16-step MIDI Sequencer
- Audio effect for external audio
- AUv3 compatibility
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Hilda is a Complex Oscillator Monosynth, inspired by the most interesting aspects of both west-coast and east-coast synthesis techniques. You'll find a wave folder, lowpass gate, and audio-rate modulations, but also a 12-mode filter and traditional VCA circuit. All parts of the instrument are carefully circuit-modelled to sound as analog (or digital, where applicable) as possible. It's like a best-of-all-worlds semi modular synth, but without the patch cables. The unique mix of different synthesis components adds up to a unique sounding electronic instrument, which can be used as a playable synthesizer, a MIDI sequencer and an audio effect for external audio - or any combination of those three. - Full Audio Unit compatibility (AUv3 instrument, audio effect and MIDI processor modes supported) - Universal design (iPhone and iPad; iPad Air 2 or higher recommended) - Built-in analog style 16 Step MIDI Sequencer with custom scales - 12 mode filter, based on the Oberheim Xpander design - Drone mode lets you [partially] bypass the VCA/LPG and just go with the flow - DIY Lo-Fi digital delay circuit emulation - Live pads with effects that can be triggered via the UI (or via exposed AU Parameters) - All synth settings exposed a AU Parameters (for automation and MIDI learning in your host of choice) - MIDI Processor plugin mode disables synth to save CPU - Carefully handcrafted by yours truly, to capture the essence of my love for tinkering and experimenting with sound :-) Find the user manual on ruismaker.com
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: iSyn Poly at $0.99 against Hilda Synthesizer's $12.99. iSyn Poly also leads on iOS requirement (8.0 vs 12). Hilda Synthesizer's advantage is update cadence (every 9 days vs every 6 months) and review sentiment (90% vs 64%). On 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
iSyn Poly costs $0.99 and Hilda Synthesizer $12.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
iSyn Poly ships an update every 6 months, Hilda Synthesizer every 9 days. The most recent releases landed on October 23, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | iSyn Poly | Hilda Synthesizer |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $0.99 — better | $12.99 |
| Rating | 4.3 (4 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 64.0% of reviews | 90.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 4 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 6 months | Every 9 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Devices | iPad | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 8.0 — better | 12 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 19 MB | 6 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Harry Gohs | Bram Bos |
Customer experience
iSyn Poly
Hilda Synthesizer
In-app purchases
iSyn Poly
No in-app purchases
Hilda Synthesizer
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is iSyn Poly free?
Is Hilda Synthesizer free?
Do iSyn Poly or Hilda Synthesizer have ads?
Which is updated more often, iSyn Poly or Hilda Synthesizer?
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