Sunrizer synth vs iVCS3
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Sunrizer synth
This virtual analog synthesizer offers a rich, warm sound with advanced features like SuperSaw emulation and morphing parameter control. It integrates seamlessly with MIDI hardware and sequencers, providing a professional-grade sound design experience on iOS.
- SuperSaw sound emulation
- Dual filters with configurable routing
- Morph Group for parameter control
- CoreMidi and background audio support
- Multi-mode oscillator multiplication
- Microtuning support
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"This really is the synth that keeps on giving! Inspiration and intuition truly blend together in this musical instrument." Alan Parsons Sunrizer Synth is a virtual analog synthesizer that takes the definition of iOS synthesizer to the next level. Thanks to carefully designed architecture and heavy usage of coprocessor it blurs the boundaries between iOS and hardware synthesizers. Sunrizer was built to perform and works perfectly with any MIDI keyboard or sequencer. A lot of research has been done in order to achieve unique character, warmth and clarity. HIGHLIGHTS · True SuperSaw sound emulation, first found in the legendary Roland JP-8000 synthesizer. SuperSaw is a layered waveform consisting of multiple saw waves which are detuned to create an extremely full and epic sound. · Two filters per voice with configurable routing. 16 filter types available, including less common like Comb, Formant or Frequency shifter. · The Morph Group function lets you continuously morph of up to 30 parameters in a sound (including effects), using only the modulation wheel. · Full support for CoreMidi, MIDI mapping, Virtual Midi Ports and background audio. · Multi mode lets you multiply oscillators to get unbelievably fat and full sound. · Support for microtuning - load scl and tun files. Create fascinating microtonal music which uses intervals not found in the Western system of 12 equal intervals to the octave. OSCILLATORS · 2 warm-sounding analog modelled oscillators, 2 sub-oscillators (except SuperSaw). Available waveforms: Saw, PWM pulse,Triangle, SuperSaw, FM (frequency of phase modulation). 6 oscillators per voice in multi-sono mode. · Oscillator 2 hard-sync and configurable routing · FM (true frequency modulation) and PM mode · Osc-mix, ring modulator · White noise oscillator FLEXIBLE MULTI FILTERS · Two independent filters per voice with configurable routing. Filter types: LPF, HPF, BPF, Analog LPF, Notch, Comb, All pass, Power LPF, Power BPF, Wave shaper, Resonator, Resampler, LPF+Resampler, Frequency shifter. · Configurable routing: serial or parallel with bypass option. · ADSR envelope, keyboard tracking and full LFO control. MODULATION · Two LFOs per voice. It's possible to assign each LFO to almost any parameter. 3 LFO running modes: trigger, 1 shot, global. 6 waveforms, phase and fade-in knobs. · The Morph Group function lets you continuously morph of up to 30 parameters in a sound (including effects), using only the modulation wheel. · Two Modulation ADSR Envelopes for amplitude and filters cutoff. · Pitch and modulation wheels. EFFECTS · A number of effects are built in: distortion, hi-q reverb, chorus, rotary speaker simulation, equalizer, phaser and stereo delay. Dual-band FX processing. ARPEGGIATOR · Sunrizer incorporates very powerful programmable arpeggiator. You should think of it more like a small step sequencer. OTHER FEATURES · Over 380 presets, 7 additional banks available for FREE in web library (more coming soon) · Hold button allows you to to keep notes sustaining until you play new notes · With Chord Memory function you can play the chord by only pressing single keys · Phrase sequencer · Compatible with AudioBus · Adjustable polyphony: 6-20 voices · Playback modes: poly, solo, arp · Built-in recorder supporting AudioCopy, DropBox and iTunes file sharing. · Supports AUv3, MIDI, IAA, AudioBus 2.0 Visit www.beepstreet.com for user manual and audio demos. * Sunrizer is now available on Mac and PC, check our website for more info "Specs aside, the most important thing is the sound… and it’s great." musicradar.com "Sunrizer is the first truly mature polyphonic synth for the iPad, a real, smooth and powerful sounding option for all sorts of stage and studio performances." Mark Jenkins, author "Analog Synthesizers"
iVCS3
This application emulates the iconic EMS VCS3 synthesizer, a pioneering portable synthesizer from 1969. It recreates the original's unique sound generation capabilities, including its oscillators, filters, and patch matrix, allowing users to explore its distinctive sonic palette.
- Official EMS VCS3 emulation
- Three oscillators (2 VCOs, 1 LFO)
- Noise generator
- Voltage controlled low pass filter (VCF)
- Patch board matrix
- Joy-stick controller
- Voltage controlled spring reverb
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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
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Sunrizer synth at none against iVCS3's 10. Sunrizer synth also leads on price ($12.99 vs $19.99) and iOS requirement (10.3 vs 17.0). iVCS3's advantage is rating (4.9 vs 4.7) and update cadence (every 2 months vs every 6 months). On review sentiment, ratings volume, ads 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
Sunrizer synth costs $12.99 and iVCS3 $19.99 up front. iVCS3 sells 10 one-off in-app purchases. Sunrizer synth asks for nothing beyond the download.
iVCS3 holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.7. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 183 and 206 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 88% of Sunrizer synth's written reviews are positive against 91% of iVCS3's.
Sunrizer synth ships an update every 6 months, iVCS3 every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 23, 2026 and September 21, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Sunrizer synth | iVCS3 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $12.99 — better | $19.99 |
| Rating | 4.7 (183 ratings) | 4.9 (206 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 87.8% of reviews | 90.6% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 183 | 206 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 6 months | Every 2 months — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Paid | Free with in-app purchases — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 10.3 — better | 17.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 28 MB | 107 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | BeepStreet | apeSoft |
Customer experience
Sunrizer synth
iVCS3
User reviews
Sunrizer synth
From 183 App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 🎨 Exceptional sound quality
- 👍 Intuitive and easy-to-use interface
- 🎹 Powerful and flexible synth engine
- 💡 Excellent preset library
- 🎚️ Comprehensive modulation and effects
Room to improve
- 🐛 Occasional crashes and glitches
- 🔌 Compatibility issues with certain DAWs
- 🔇 Limited audio export options
- 🧭 Confusing preset management
iVCS3
From 206 App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 🚀 Faithful recreation of the original
- 👍 Powerful and versatile sound
- 🎨 Gorgeous vintage interface
- 💡 Additional features beyond the original
- 🎛️ Excellent integration with MIDI and other apps
Room to improve
- 🐛 Occasional crashes and bugs
- 🤔 Steep learning curve
- 🔍 Difficult to navigate the matrix
Bugs and requests
Sunrizer synth
Reported bugs
3 issues- Synth freezes when loading certain presets
- Inconsistent behavior when using multiple instances
- Graphical issues on newer iPad models
Requested features
4 requests- Improved MIDI integration and control
- Expanded arpeggiator and sequencing capabilities
- More advanced sound design tools
- Ability to save custom tunings
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
Sunrizer synth
No in-app purchases
iVCS3
- Red Sky Lullaby - 180 PresetsFree
- Singe Difficile by RUST(i)KFree
- RUMBLEFree
Show 7 moreShow fewer
- 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









