Addictive microSynth vs Kalimba Keys
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Addictive microSynth
Create beautiful sounds and driving loops with a powerful wavetable synthesizer and a 4-track loop recorder. Explore vast sonic territories with intelligent randomization and real-time editing. Compatible with hardware controllers for an enhanced experience.
- 4-track loop recorder with overdubbing
- Dynamic wavetable synthesizer
- Live performance keyboard
- Programmable arpeggiator
- Audiobus 2 support
- MIDI keyboard compatibility
- Export audio and MIDI files
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Combines the synthesis power of Addictive Synth with an easy to use 4 track loop phrase recorder. #1 Staff Favorites on US App Store ! 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. 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. With Version 1.1 you get instant hardware access together with the AKAI SynthStation 25. Use the hardware buttons for scrolling through presets and arpeggios, operating the Arpeggiator and rolling our famous dice to get instant new arpeggio creations ! Features: 4 track Loop recorder • Live recording/playback of phrases divided in up to 4 tracks with unlimited overdubbing. • Mute/Solo for each track. • Paste loops from other music Apps in one of the 4 tracks. • Loop length can be set from one to eight bars. Dynamic wavetable synthesizer • Six dynamic wavetable oscillators per voice, up to 48 total. • Continous 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 MIDI Breath and Footcontroller, the modulation wheel and the tilt sensors. • Monophonic or polyphonic with 4 voices. ( 2 voices on older devices ) • 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 onscreen keyboard pads. Drag fingers for slides and vibrato. • Use a CoreMIDI compatible interface to play with a MIDI Keyboard. • Musical scale setting makes for easy playing. 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 user arpeggios possible. • For each step you can program tie, accent, transposition and note order Global • Audiobus 2 support (requires iOS 7 or newer) • Export loops as audio and midi files. • Audio pasteboard for exchange with other Apps • Exchange user presets with File Sharing in iTunes.
Kalimba Keys
This app offers a realistic and expressive Kalimba instrument experience with studio-quality sound. It features detailed sampling, a variety of built-in effects, and cross-platform preset management for seamless creativity.
- Individually-sampled Kalimba notes
- Multiple Kalimba sound variations
- Modulation and Space & Time FX
- Adjustable effects order
- 35 included presets
- Cross-platform preset sharing
- Standalone app and AUv3 compatibility
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Kalimba Keys is your gateway to expressive Kalimba sounds. Experience the richness of Kalimba Keys, the go-to Kalimba instrument app that brings studio-quality sound to your fingertips. Immerse yourself in authenticity with round robin and per-key sampling, allowing for genuine and nuanced playback. Elevate your compositions with essential effects, including tape-style delay, powerful stereo reverb, and versatile modulation FX (Chorus, Phaser, Flanger, Tremolo, Auto Pan). Unlock the simplicity of creativity as you save and load configurations with cross-platform presets, ensuring seamless compatibility across sessions. Enjoy the freedom of full automation control, sculpting your ideal sound effortlessly. AUv3 compatible for use with your favorite host apps like Cubasis, GarageBand, AUM, & more! Explore the world of expressive Kalimba Keys – where simplicity meets precision. Features - Individually-sampled Kalimba notes - 4X Kalimba Sounds (Original, Classic, Large, & Small) - Modulation Multi-FX: Multiple FX section with 6 modes including Chorus, Flanger, Phase, Vibrato, Tremolo, Auto Pan - Space & Time FX: Further customize your sounds with natural reverb and tape-style delay effects - Effects Pre/Post Mode: Space & Time and Modulation effects orders can be swapped. - 35 Presets include for instant playability and inspiration - Cross-platform support: presets can be shared between iOS and macOS & Windows - Preset Manager included for saving, editing, and loading different presets - Standalone app and AUv3 included
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Kalimba Keys at 5.0 against Addictive microSynth's 3.0. Kalimba Keys also leads on review sentiment (100% vs 81%). Addictive microSynth's advantage is price ($0.99 vs $4.99) and iOS requirement (5.1.1 vs 12.0). 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
Addictive microSynth costs $0.99 and Kalimba Keys $4.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Kalimba Keys holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 6 and 14 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 81% of Addictive microSynth's written reviews are positive against 100% of Kalimba Keys's.
Addictive microSynth ships an update every 13 months, Kalimba Keys every 6 months. The most recent releases landed on October 11, 2026 and September 23, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Addictive microSynth | Kalimba Keys |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $0.99 — better | $4.99 |
| Rating | 3.0 (6 ratings) | 5.0 (14 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 81.1% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 6 | 14 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 13 months | Every 6 months — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 5.1.1 — better | 12.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 21 MB | 112 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Harry Gohs | OSC Audio |
Customer experience
Addictive microSynth
Kalimba Keys
In-app purchases
Addictive microSynth
No in-app purchases
Kalimba Keys
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Addictive microSynth free?
Is Kalimba Keys free?
Which has better reviews, Addictive microSynth or Kalimba Keys?
Do Addictive microSynth or Kalimba Keys have ads?
Which is updated more often, Addictive microSynth or Kalimba Keys?
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