Comparison

Addictive Synth vs Shimmer AUv3 Audio Plugin

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

Shimmer AUv3 Audio Plugin

Create ethereal soundscapes with this AUv3 compatible audio effect. It combines delay, pitch shifting, reverb, and modulation to add spacious atmosphere to instruments and vocals. Features include beat-synced options and harmonic enhancement.

Highlights
  • AUv3 compatible plugin
  • Combines delay, pitch shifting, and reverb
  • Beat-synced modulation options
  • Harmonic exciter and sustain section
  • Single-screen interface with presets
  • Parameter automation and tempo sync
Read full description

This is an AUv3 compatible effect which must be used as plugin with your favourite DAW such as Cubasis, Meteor, Auria or GarageBand. It supports a modern graphical interface and presets with stereo meters for monitoring signal levels. This shimmer effect is a combination of effects that creates an etherial wall of sound. The effect combines a digital delay and pitch shifter to create multiple harmonies before entering a rich long reverb with controllable filtering. The resulting effect is a monsterously huge sound adding a spacious atmospheric quality to any lead instrument or vocal. The effect also features many beat synced modulation options with various modes of operation such as your basic pans and vibrato effects but including sweeps and morphing harmonies. Finally to give the effect some real 'shimmer' we've added a harmonic exciter and a sustain section which samples and holds on to the sound to pull out and emphesise the harmonics. The effect presents all the most frequently used controls to the user in a single screen, but each effect has it's own distinct set of controls and a total of 7 pre-configured touch pads allowing easy recording of controller data. This plugin allows complete parameter automation and auto synced modulation to master tempo. This is one of a suite of AUv3 compatible plugins which will also soon be available from 4Pockets.

Screenshots

Shimmer AUv3 Audio Plugin4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Addictive Synth at 4.5 against Shimmer AUv3 Audio Plugin's 4.2. Addictive Synth also leads on review sentiment (78% vs 64%) and price ($6.99 vs $7.99). Shimmer AUv3 Audio Plugin's advantage is device support (3 vs 1). On ratings volume, update cadence, 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Addictive Synth costs $6.99 and Shimmer AUv3 Audio Plugin $7.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Addictive Synth holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 4.2. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 15 and 31 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 78% of Addictive Synth's written reviews are positive against 64% of Shimmer AUv3 Audio Plugin's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Addictive Synth ships an update every 4 months, Shimmer AUv3 Audio Plugin every 8 months. The most recent releases landed on June 9, 2026 and August 26, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Addictive Synth versus Shimmer AUv3 Audio Plugin: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterAddictive SynthShimmer AUv3 Audio Plugin
Price$6.99 — better$7.99
Rating4.5 (15 ratings) — better4.2 (31 ratings)
Positive reviews78.1% of reviews — better63.6% of reviews
Number of ratings1531 — better
Update frequencyEvery 4 months — betterEvery 8 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
DevicesiPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS6.0 — better13
Further details — not scored
Size47 MB6 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperHarry Gohs4Pockets.com

Customer experience

Addictive Synth

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

Shimmer AUv3 Audio Plugin

All ratings31 ratings
Positive77.4%
Neutral6.5%
Negative16.1%
Written reviews33 reviews
Positive63.6%
Neutral9.1%
Negative27.3%

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

Shimmer AUv3 Audio Plugin

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Addictive Synth

No in-app purchases

None

Shimmer AUv3 Audio Plugin

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Addictive Synth free?
Addictive Synth costs $6.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Shimmer AUv3 Audio Plugin free?
Shimmer AUv3 Audio Plugin costs $7.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Addictive Synth or Shimmer AUv3 Audio Plugin?
Addictive Synth is rated higher. Addictive Synth averages 4.5 out of 5 from 15 ratings, while Shimmer AUv3 Audio Plugin averages 4.2 from 31 ratings.
Do Addictive Synth or Shimmer AUv3 Audio Plugin have ads?
Neither Addictive Synth nor Shimmer AUv3 Audio Plugin shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Addictive Synth or Shimmer AUv3 Audio Plugin?
Addictive Synth ships an update every 4 months, and Shimmer AUv3 Audio Plugin every 8 months. Most recently, Addictive Synth was updated on June 9, 2026 and Shimmer AUv3 Audio Plugin on August 26, 2026.

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