Comparison

SpectrumGen vs RingsFX

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

Head to head
About

SpectrumGen

Create unique sounds by drawing their spectral representation. This synthesizer offers real-time sound generation and export options, with customizable octaves and MIDI support for enhanced musical expression.

Highlights
  • Draw sound spectrum in real-time
  • Export to WAV format
  • Eight predefined timbres
  • Adjustable octaves (2-8)
  • MIDI keyboard support
  • Audiobus and IAA compatible
Features
Read full description

SpectrumGen is a spectral synthesizer with a minimalistic pixel interface. It's a bit like the PixelWave, but now you can draw the spectrum of sound! Key features: • it is possible to draw the spectrum and play it at the same time; • export to WAV; • eight predefined timbres; • changeable number of octaves (from 2 to 8); • MIDI keyboard support; • Audiobus and IAA support. Dark colors - low frequencies (bass). Bright colors - high frequencies.

About

RingsFX

This music app emulates a renowned physical modeling synthesizer, offering diverse synthesis techniques and polyphonic capabilities. It allows for real-time parameter manipulation and can process external audio, creating unique sonic textures and rhythms.

Highlights
  • Physical modeling synthesis emulation
  • Multiple polyphony modes (Mono, Duo, Quad, True Polyphonic)
  • Supports MIDI MPE and velocity sensitivity
  • External audio excitation
  • Mod Matrix for real-time parameter control
  • 7 unique synthesis modes
  • 6 mod-able and 6 global effects
Features
Read full description

RingsFX is an AUv3 plugin based on the famous Mutable Instruments Rings, one of the most dedicated and fully-featured Physical Modeling Eurorack modules ever created. At its core is a resonator that needs to be 'excited' or 'strummed' by MIDI input, noise, or external audio excitation. RingsFX emulates vibrations of structures simulated by 3 different synthesis techniques that can be plucked or process external signals: Modal Synthesis, Sympathetic Strings, and Inharmonic Strings. Traditionally, Rings was only monophonic but used a unique approach to polyphony that allowed the previous note to 'ring' out and decay while a new note was played. Rings FX provides these same modes (Mono, Duo, and Quad), but expands it with a true Polyphonic mode. RingsFX also expands the capabilities of the original engine by adding support for velocity sensitivity and MIDI MPE mode. The new polyphonic mode allows RingsFX to play up to 12 notes of true polyphony, depending on the settings. Doing so requires RingsFX to use multiple Rings resonators, but the more true polyphony you use, the more processing power it requires. Running in the traditional Monophonic, Duophonic, or Quadrophonic modes may be preferred in order to keep CPU usage under control. RingsFX has 7 modes in total, by combining the 3 basic modes with additional properties such as chords or specially tuned reverbs. The original hardware also had a secret 'Easter Egg' mode, which in RingsFX is simply calling 'Synthesizer' mode, rumoured to be based on one of the early Korg synthesis methods. This mode supported a number of mutable effects which now work on in all resonator modes. RingsFX also has a Mod-Matrix which allows you to combine the built-in LFOs and FEGs to great effect by manipulating parameters and mutable effects in realtime. Finally, RingsFX can be loaded as an AUv3 effect plugin. Set the Exciter Source to 'INPUT', and you can pass any audio through RingsFX and use this audio as an external exciter. For example, it can be used to great affect on a drum beat to create some crazy rhythms. Use the Output Mix to combine the original audio with the synthesised resonator output to create some stunning effects. Features ○ 7 unique synthesis modes. ○ Supports Mono, Duo, Quad and true polyphony. ○ Supports 2 fluid LFO's per note. ○ Up to 4 FEG's per note. ○ External Exciter modes. ○ White noise Pulse Sequencer. ○ Supports 6 mod-able effects and 6 global effects. ○ Mod Matrix ○ Input and white noise filters. ○ Program Manager with drag and drop. ○ Preset Search and Favourites. ○ Easy export and import of banks and presets. ○ Extensive help manual. ○ Web Transfer for backing up to PC/Mac. ○ MPE Support.

Screenshots

SpectrumGen1 screens
RingsFX4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: RingsFX at 4.9 against SpectrumGen's 4.4. RingsFX also leads on update cadence (fortnightly vs every 14 months) and review sentiment (100% vs 74%). SpectrumGen's advantage is price ($0.99 vs $7.99). On ratings volume, 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

SpectrumGen costs $0.99 and RingsFX $7.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

RingsFX holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.4. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 10 and 26 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 74% of SpectrumGen's written reviews are positive against 100% of RingsFX's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

SpectrumGen ships an update every 14 months, RingsFX fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on September 17, 2026 and September 21, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
SpectrumGen versus RingsFX: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSpectrumGenRingsFX
Price$0.99 — better$7.99
Rating4.4 (10 ratings)4.9 (26 ratings) — better
Positive reviews73.7% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings1026 — better
Update frequencyEvery 14 monthsFortnightly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS12.0 — better13.0
Further details — not scored
Size3 MB23 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAlexander Zolotov4Pockets.com

Customer experience

SpectrumGen

All ratings10 ratings
Positive80.0%
Neutral20.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews19 reviews
Positive73.7%
Neutral21.1%
Negative5.3%

RingsFX

All ratings26 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews5 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

SpectrumGen

No in-app purchases

None

RingsFX

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is SpectrumGen free?
SpectrumGen costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is RingsFX free?
RingsFX costs $7.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, SpectrumGen or RingsFX?
RingsFX is rated higher. SpectrumGen averages 4.4 out of 5 from 10 ratings, while RingsFX averages 4.9 from 26 ratings.
Do SpectrumGen or RingsFX have ads?
Neither SpectrumGen nor RingsFX shows ads.
Which is updated more often, SpectrumGen or RingsFX?
SpectrumGen ships an update every 14 months, and RingsFX fortnightly. Most recently, SpectrumGen was updated on September 17, 2026 and RingsFX on September 21, 2026.

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