Comparison

Addictive Synth vs ShockWave

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

Head to head
About

Addictive Synth

Create unique sounds and driving loops with a powerful wavetable synthesizer. Explore a vast sonic universe with dynamic oscillators, spectral noise generation, and intelligent randomizers. Play live with an onscreen keyboard or connect a MIDI controller.

Highlights
  • Dynamic wavetable synthesis
  • Spectral noise generator
  • Intelligent randomizer for sounds and arpeggios
  • Onscreen keyboard with live playing capabilities
  • MIDI keyboard compatibility
  • Programmable arpeggiator
  • Audiobus and Inter-app audio support
Read full description

It was never so easy to create beautiful sounds and driving loops. The unique dynamic wavetable synthesis allows you to explore an unprecedented wide range of sonic territory. From acid loops, crystal clear percussions, realistic human choirs to complex musical soundscapes nothing seems impossible with only a handful parameters to tweak. The new spectral noise generator adds a new dimension to the already huge sound universe of Addictive Synth. This generator is the first of its kind and allows for extraordinarily detailed control over the dynamic spectrum of the noisy part of sounds. Despite its complexity it's pretty easy to use and integrates naturally into the sound design philosophy of Addictive Synth. Together with the intelligent randomizer for both sounds and arpeggios you will loose any sense of time and space while exploring unknown sonic territories. Right from the beginning you'll understand why it's named Addictive. ***Best iPad Apps of the Week*** AppAdvice.com "Addictive Synth fixes your craving for a massively customizable synthesizer experience on the iPad." - AppAdvice.com "App Of The Week" at iDesignSound.com Features: Dynamic wavetable synthesizer • Six dynamic wavetable oscillators per voice, up to 48 total. • Continuous morphing between two oscillator sets. • Realtime editing of up to 128 partials (overtones). • Realtime editing of filter structure to create arbitrary body resonances. • Extensive modulation possibilities using up to 4 LFOs and 4 Envelopes. • 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.  • Monophonic or polyphonic with 8 voices. • 128 factory presets, unlimited user presets can be shared.  • Up to three effects concurrently usable selected from: equalizer, phaser, flanger, chorus and stereo/cross delay. Live  • Play melodies live with the onscreen keyboard. Drag fingers for slides and vibrato.  • With the Apple iPad Camera Connection Kit you can use a CoreMIDI compatible MIDI Keyboard to control Addictive Synth. • Line 6 MIDI Mobilizer compatible. • Velocity sensitive keyboard. • Select from dozens of scales and play them with scale optimized keyboard layout.   Full featured programmable Arpeggiator • Uses programmable sequences with up to 32 steps.  • Can trigger single notes and chords. • Unique randomizer generates Arpeggios with 100% usability. • 32 Arpeggios included, unlimited useer arpeggios possible. • For each step you can program tie, accent, transposition and note order Global • Audiobus 2 compatible (Output) (requires iOS7 or newer). • Inter-app audio compatible (Instrument/Generator) • Export loops as audio and midi files. • Audio pasteboard for exchange with other Apps • Exchange user presets with File Sharing in iTunes.

About

ShockWave

This app is a monophonic synthesizer for iOS and AUv3 plugins, utilizing Phase Distortion synthesis. It offers dual PD oscillators, sequencers, LFOs, and envelopes for complex sound design. Almost any control can be modulated by multiple sources, with real-time visual feedback.

Highlights
  • Phase Distortion Synthesis
  • Dual PD Oscillators
  • Dual 8-step Sequencers
  • Dual ASR Envelopes
  • Tempo-syncable LFOs
  • Extensive Modulation Matrix
  • MIDI and MPE Support
Features
Read full description

ShockWave is a monophonic Synthesizer designed to bring modular style workflow to the world of iOS & AUv3 plugins. Built around the concept of Phase Distortion (PD) Synthesis, Shockwave includes a pair of PD Oscillators each capable of creating everything from pure Sine Waves over smooth Sawtooth and Square Waves to Resonance & Sync sweeps, filtered Noise and more. In addition to the Synth Voice, ShockWave includes a dedicated control section housing a pair of 8 step sequencers, a sample & hold module as well modules for trigger divisions, logic comparisons and controlled randomness. A pair of Low Frequency Oscillators and 2 Attack/Sustain/Release (ASR) Envelopes serve as main modulation sources and can be used in a number of ways. Envelopes can be triggered from a number of internal sources including other modules such as trigger divider, logic or chance module but can also be connected to each other allowing for a wide range of patches usually only possible in large modular systems. LFOs are individually tempo sync-able and capable of producing total of 5 different waveforms each. The two sequencers can run independently or combine to one 16 step sequence where rate and length can be controlled independently for each of the two. In true modular nature almost any control within ShockWave can be modulated with up to 11 sources - simultaneously. Modulations are setup simply by holding a control and dialling in the desired amount in a list of all available sources. A special X-Ray mode adds a realtime display of all currently active modulations right at their corresponding control making it easy to understand what's happening inside the synthesizer at any given time. Synth Voice and Control Section are accompanied by built-in Delay and Reverb sections placed on send busses with all of their controls including the send levels being available as mod destinations. Last but not least, ShockWave features a solid MIDI implementation including support for, aftertouch, velocity, wheels, custom CC mappings and up to 4 dimensions of expression when using MPE compatible controllers, such as the Roli Seaboard, Linnstrument, Geoshred, KB-1 and others. MIDI Output is supported as well and includes Note and Control Change output generated from various internal sources including Sequencers, Envelopes and LFOs making it possible to control external MIDI gear or chain multiple plugin instances for advanced, self driving patches. Overview: - Semi Modular Monophonic Synth Voice - Phase Distortion Synthesis (PD) - Dual PD Oscillators with 5 Waveforms + Noise - Dual ASR Envelopes with variable trigger source - Dual LFO with Tempo Sync - Cross Modulation with Linear/Exp. FM, PM, AM & RM - Mixer section with individual pan and level controls per oscillator - Output VCA with variable control source - Pattern Generator for generating sequences from various internal sources - Quantizer to force note input into a specific scale (19 Scales + User Scales) - Step Sequencer with 2x8 or 1x16 steps, individual rate and number of steps per row - Trigger Divider for dividing internal trigger sources - Probability Gate for adding controlled randomness - Sample & Hold for additional randomness - Logic Module to create triggers from various internal sources - Built-in Delay & Reverb Effects - MIDI Note and CC output for controlling external gear or chaining multiple instances - Semi Modular Architecture - 11 Modulation Sources - 40 Modulation Destinations - 2 Color Themes MIDI Input: - 4D Expression (Glide, Slide, Pressure & Velocity) - Mod & Pitch-Wheel - Tempo Sync - Custom CC Control MIDI Output: - Note - Control Change Connectivity: - Standalone - AUv3 - AudioBus - IAA

Screenshots

ShockWave4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Addictive Synth at $6.99 against ShockWave's $19.99. Addictive Synth also leads on review sentiment (78% vs 53%) and iOS requirement (6.0 vs 15.6). ShockWave's advantage is update cadence (every 2 months vs every 4 months) and ratings volume (190 vs 15). On rating, 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

Addictive Synth costs $6.99 and ShockWave $19.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.5 for Addictive Synth against 4.6 for ShockWave. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: ShockWave has 190 ratings behind it against 15, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 78% of Addictive Synth's written reviews are positive against 53% of ShockWave's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Addictive Synth ships an update every 4 months, ShockWave every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on June 9, 2026 and September 21, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Addictive Synth versus ShockWave: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterAddictive SynthShockWave
Price$6.99 — better$19.99
Rating4.5 (15 ratings)4.6 (190 ratings) — better
Positive reviews78.1% of reviews — better52.5% of reviews
Number of ratings15190 — better
Update frequencyEvery 4 monthsEvery 2 months — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
DevicesiPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS6.0 — better15.6
Further details — not scored
Size47 MB42 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperHarry GohsKai Aras

Customer experience

Addictive Synth

All ratings15 ratings
Positive86.7%
Neutral6.7%
Negative6.7%
Written reviews114 reviews
Positive78.1%
Neutral7.0%
Negative14.9%

ShockWave

All ratings190 ratings
Positive89.5%
Neutral2.6%
Negative7.9%
Written reviews59 reviews
Positive52.5%
Neutral11.9%
Negative35.6%

User reviews

Addictive Synth

From 15 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🎵 Unique additive synthesis sound palette
  • 🎛️ Intuitive and clean interface design
  • 🎲 Randomizer/dice feature for creative exploration
  • 🎹 Excellent arpeggiator with extensive customization
  • ✏️ Ability to draw custom waveforms and filters

Room to improve

  • 🔊 Harsh, metallic, or shrill sound character
  • 🐛 Crashes on certain iOS versions
  • ⏱️ Tempo drift and synchronization issues
  • 🎹 Small, difficult-to-use on-screen controls
  • 📡 Poor MIDI latency and responsiveness

ShockWave

From 190 App Store ratings

What we love

  • ✨ Unique and amazing sounds
  • 🔊 Heavy and brutal tones
  • 💡 Innovative phase distortion synthesis
  • 🎨 Beautiful and deep sound sculpting
  • 🎹 Great for bass sounds

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Frequent crashes and glitches
  • ❌ Not working in AUM/AUv3
  • 🔇 No sound output in certain apps
  • ❓ Difficult to use without a manual
  • 📉 Laggy UI and slow patch loading

Bugs and requests

Addictive Synth

Reported bugs

13 issues
  • App crashes upon opening on iOS 15.1
  • Static/audio glitches on startup
  • Keyboard width inconsistency across pages
  • Stuck notes with external MIDI controllers
  • Audio playback at 2x speed when pasting from certain apps
Show 8 more
  • Backing track audio silences when switching apps
  • Recording menu doesn't allow selection of new recordings
  • Monophonic playback over virtual MIDI with chords
  • Keyboard lag behind keystrokes
  • Oscillator phase inconsistency
  • Fundamental sine wave audible even when all harmonics disabled
  • Flaky sequence saving functionality
  • App crashes during audio recording/export

Requested features

19 requests
  • MIDI learn functionality
  • Audiobus and IAA sync support
  • MIDI clock/start/stop synchronization
  • Ableton Link integration
  • White/pink noise generator
Show 14 more
  • Better patch/preset organization and banking
  • Undo button for waveform/filter drawing
  • WiFi and email export options
  • Improved recording with flexible bar counts
  • Drawable modulation signals
  • Traditional filter types (LPF, HPF, BPF)
  • MIDI volume control (CC7)
  • Metronome on/off toggle
  • Better visualization of harmonics/partials
  • Evenly spaced harmonic controls
  • Click track during looping
  • Tempo saving with presets
  • More modulation options and FM synthesis
  • Hardware synth versions

ShockWave

Reported bugs

20 issues
  • "Bad Signal" errors in AUM, stops sound generation.
  • Intermittent "bad signal" prompt in AUM, requires reloading.
  • Sounds awful, very distorted with glitchy UI.
  • App crashes frequently.
  • No sound coming out of AUv3 in GarageBand.
Show 15 more
  • More than half of the sounds do not play.
  • Performance remains but synth loads blank when returning to work after closing.
  • App stops producing sound after a few minutes of use.
  • Preset browser causes the app to stop producing sound.
  • No audio output on iPhone 6 & 7 plus, sometimes noise when changing presets, keyboard doesn't work.
  • Randomize button not viewable on iPhone 6.
  • App crashes when returning to a project.
  • App crashes on the loading screen on iPhone 11, but works on iPhone 7.
  • Hangs and freezes, won't load/work in AUM or GarageBand.
  • Horribly laggy, almost unusable.
  • Volume is noisy and glitchy.
  • Response on dials needs more work.
  • Modulation tab issues, unable to turn other knobs properly.
  • DAW incompatibility issues.
  • App crashing, won't even load.

Requested features

6 requests
  • Provide a proper manual detailing all parameters and sections with examples.
  • Implement a key trigger option for the sequencer to allow MIDI controller playback.
  • Add a poly mode.
  • Improve documentation and tutorials.
  • Standardize knob appearance and response.
Show 1 more
  • Increase the number of available patches beyond 128.

In-app purchases

None

Addictive Synth

No in-app purchases

None

ShockWave

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Addictive Synth free?
Addictive Synth costs $6.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is ShockWave free?
ShockWave costs $19.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Addictive Synth or ShockWave?
ShockWave is rated higher. Addictive Synth averages 4.5 out of 5 from 15 ratings, while ShockWave averages 4.6 from 190 ratings.
Do Addictive Synth or ShockWave have ads?
Neither Addictive Synth nor ShockWave shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Addictive Synth or ShockWave?
Addictive Synth ships an update every 4 months, and ShockWave every 2 months. Most recently, Addictive Synth was updated on June 9, 2026 and ShockWave on September 21, 2026.

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