Comparison

Nave vs Synclavier Go! App and Plugin

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

Head to head
About

Nave

This app is a powerful wavetable synthesizer for creating complex and evolving sounds. It features advanced oscillators, a versatile filter, and extensive modulation options. Users can craft unique wavetables from audio files or speech synthesis, and record their musical ideas.

Highlights
  • Advanced Wavetable Oscillators
  • Überwave Oscillator Module
  • Multimode Filter
  • Extensive Modulation Matrix
  • Speech and Audio File Wavetable Creation
  • 4-Track Recorder
  • Blades for Polyphonic Modulation
Features
Read full description

Nave - next generation Wavetable Synthesis Nave is Waldorf’s first synthesizer App development – created by chief engineer and 
director Stefan Stenzel, NLog mastermind Rolf Wöhrmann and Design Guru Axel Hartmann. The Nave sound engine includes two novel Wavetable oscillators, leaving every previous attempt in wavetable synthesis far behind. The spectrum of a sound can be transposed independently of its pitch. The waves are being rendered periodically to noisy. Especially sounds with an accent on formants can be reproduced easily, which made us integrate a speech synthesizer for the easy creation of wavetables. The clearly structured UI invites both beginners and advanced users to experiment, and the large display of 
the iPad makes Wavetable creation and editing a blast. Besides Speech Synthesis, Wavetables can also be made by analysing audio files. Further stretching, rotating and shifting in spectral domain allows Wavetables to be further refined or distorted. All factory Wavetables from Microwave, Wave and Blofeld are included, complemented by new ones that make extensive useof the enhanced possibilities. In addition to the Wavetable Oscillators, Nave offers an oscillator module featuring the novel Überwave that can fatten your sound by up to eight detuned oscillators. The filter offers the familiar outstanding Waldorf sound, featuring lowpass, bandpass and highpass with either 12dB or 24dB slope. The Drive section offers different characteristics, and it can be positioned in the signal path: before or after the filter, or as a summing overdrive before or after the equalizer - for those who prefer harsh screaming sounds over delicate Wavetable sweeps. An extended modulation matrix and diverse real time control functionality is waiting for animating Nave sounds in any desired direction. Besides the classic virtual chromatic keyboard, Nave can be played with the “Blades” that allow for dynamic triggering of polyphonic modulation by sliding the fingers in x or y direction. The 4-track recorder can be used to build your own Nave songs or to simply sketch your music, inspired by the sounds of Nave. Audio Demos: nave.waldorfmusic.de/sound Nave Specifications per Voice: · Two independent advanced Wavetable Oscillators · Osc module with up to 8 oscillator Überosc with sawtooth, triangle, PWM, white or pink noise · Two Ring Modulators · Multimode Filter with LP,BP and HP, each either 12 dB or 24 dB · 3 Envelopes · 2 LFO · 10 Modulation Matrix Entries · Drive with adjustable curve, depth and position Effects: · Modulation Effect with either Chorus, Flanger or Phaser · Modulation Delay · High Quality Reverb · Three band parametric Equalizer · Compressor Additional Features: · Keyboard with adjustable size, scrolling and glissando modes · Blades with musical scales and optional chord mode · Polyphonic X/Y finger modulation on keyboard and blades · Modulation Wheel and Pitch Bender · Up to 3 X/Y Control Pads · Four Track Recorder with clip based editing · Core MIDI in / out support · MIDI device manager for external hardware and virtual connections · Sync to MIDI Clock or WIST · MIDI Learn · Audiobus compatible · Background Audio · Arpeggiator · Polyphonic Unisono · Speech Synthesizer for Wavetables · 3D Wavetable Editing · Generation of Wavetables from external audio files · Audio Copy / Paste Support · Patch Management with unlimited user banks and categories · Import / Export audio and sound patches from iTunes

About

Synclavier Go! App and Plugin

Experience the legendary Synclavier sound on your mobile device. This app offers a powerful vintage synthesizer and sampler with modern MPE and AUv3 compatibility, allowing for deep sound design and integration with iOS DAWs.

Highlights
  • Vintage synthesizer and sampler
  • AUv3 client for iOS DAWs
  • MPE compatibility
  • 12 Partial Timbres
  • 16-track mixing console
  • Artist Preset Libraries
  • Sample Library
Features
Read full description

“Nothing sounds quite like a Synclavier” World-class iOS synthesis has arrived! The Synclavier® II helped shape a generation of popular music and film soundtracks. Now this beast of an emotional vintage synthesizer has been incarnated on iOS using much of the core DSP code from the original and keeping the authentic red-button interface that is both deep and immediate. Not only retro, but decidedly modern: fully compatible with MPE, Ableton Link, Audiobus 3, MIDI. And the included AUv3 client can run inside of iOS DAWs such as GarageBand, NanoStudio 2, BeatMaker 3, Cubasis 3, Auria Pro. The powerful Synclavier DSP Engine affords 12 Partial Timbres, Timbre Frames, Samples, FM-Synthesis and Additive-Synthesis methodologies. It’s so easy to create playable rich string sounds, fantastic Moog esque drones, Prophet like pads, crazy FM brass noises, or Roland 808 style drum hits. It’s a sound designer’s dream and a synthesist’s wonderland. But there’s more! We’ve added a ton of stuff. The original hardware was 8-bit. With newer technology, we can pack more fidelity and more features in this already awesome synth. MPE compatibility, seven timbre “quick-change” character buttons, 16-track mixing console, crazy-good Artist Preset Libraries from world-renowned sound designers, and lots more. The Synclavier was always a versatile attention-getting instrument, but now it’s a powerhouse synth to be reckoned with! Release 1.30 features include - • iPad, iPhone and iPad Touch compatibility iOS9 or later • 96-button authentic VPK interface • AUv3 client compatibility for use within iOS DAWs • 16 original “Factory Preset Libraries” (8 banks x 8 entries) - 979 timbres • 3 “Artist Libraries” - 127 all-new timbres • Sample Library with 116 high-quality soundfiles • Audio Setup 44.1/48 kHz and sample latency controls • 16-track multi-timbral implementation with mix controls (iPad only, iPhone is mono-timbral) • Audiobus-compatible stereo output • Meticulous re-creation of the Synclavier FM sound using hardware modelling • Soundfile playback, pitch-shifting, looping, and keyboard mapping • iCloud compatibility to easily share Timbres (or via Audiobus) • iTunes file sharing for backup of user timbres and mixes • Direct expression routing for pitch bend, mod wheel, velocity and pressure • Full compatibility with MPE interfaces • Ableton Link synchronization with Repeat/Arpeggiate • 7 character buttons to quickly sculpt any timbre • Embedded “Tour” pages detailing setup and operation • Library browser for saving and calling up Timbres Synclavier DSP Engine • 12 Partial Timbres • Delay-Attack-Decay-Release envelope generators • 100 Timbre Frames per Partial • Noise Floor and Bit Depth controls • Micro-tuning controls • Dynamic and Keyboard Envelopes • Vibrato and Tremolo LFOs • Authentic re-creation of the original instrument and sounds, adjustable from 4-bit grunge to 24 bit silky smoothness. Synclavier Go! is compatible with all iPad, iPhone and iPad Touch models that can operate iOS 9.0 or later. Soundfile playback and AUv3 compatibility require iOS11 or later. The latest iOS version that is compatible with your device is recommended. The Synclavier® knob is as unique today as it was revolutionary at the time of its introduction. The knob is a rate-of-change controller; close your eyes and let your right-brain kick in to the sound design process. Forget the numbers; forget the digits; let your ears guide the process. Sound design with a touch-screen and Synclavier® knob is as different from a mouse-driven GUI as, well, Synclavier® was different than the Fairlight CMI! The Synclavier Knob is an exciting and authentic option, but is not required for Synclavier Go! since a virtual knob is provided in the app. Note to Parents: Synclavier Go! is as educational as it is historic and authentic. This app can introduce your teenager to the technical aspects of sound and sound design in a fun and informative environment.

Screenshots

Synclavier Go! App and Plugin4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Synclavier Go! App and Plugin at every 3 weeks against Nave's every 3 months. Synclavier Go! App and Plugin also leads on rating (4.7 vs 4.5) and device support (3 vs 1). Nave's advantage is iOS requirement (10.3 vs 12.0). On price, review sentiment, ratings volume and ads 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

Nave costs $19.99 and Synclavier Go! App and Plugin $19.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Synclavier Go! App and Plugin holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.5. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 77 and 52 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 87% of Nave's written reviews are positive against 81% of Synclavier Go! App and Plugin's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Nave ships an update every 3 months, Synclavier Go! App and Plugin every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 1, 2026 and September 29, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Nave versus Synclavier Go! App and Plugin: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterNaveSynclavier Go! App and Plugin
Price$19.99$19.99
Rating4.5 (77 ratings)4.7 (52 ratings) — better
Positive reviews87.2% of reviews — better81.1% of reviews
Number of ratings77 — better52
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
DevicesiPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS10.3 — better12.0
Further details — not scored
Size198 MB94 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperWaldorf MusicSynclavier Digital Corporation Ltd

Customer experience

Nave

All ratings77 ratings
Positive88.3%
Neutral6.5%
Negative5.2%
Written reviews288 reviews
Positive87.2%
Neutral6.3%
Negative6.6%

Synclavier Go! App and Plugin

All ratings52 ratings
Positive90.4%
Neutral5.8%
Negative3.8%
Written reviews37 reviews
Positive81.1%
Neutral13.5%
Negative5.4%

Bugs and requests

Nave

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Audio dropouts and glitches when used with other apps
  • Presets not saving correctly
  • Keyboard issues like lack of lock function

Requested features

4 requests
  • Add AUv3 support for better integration with other apps
  • Improve preset management and organization
  • Implement a basic sequencer or MIDI recording
  • Add more modulation options and deeper sound design capabilities

Synclavier Go! App and Plugin

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Nave

No in-app purchases

None

Synclavier Go! App and Plugin

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Nave free?
Nave costs $19.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Synclavier Go! App and Plugin free?
Synclavier Go! App and Plugin costs $19.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Nave or Synclavier Go! App and Plugin?
Synclavier Go! App and Plugin is rated higher. Nave averages 4.5 out of 5 from 77 ratings, while Synclavier Go! App and Plugin averages 4.7 from 52 ratings.
Do Nave or Synclavier Go! App and Plugin have ads?
Neither Nave nor Synclavier Go! App and Plugin shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Nave or Synclavier Go! App and Plugin?
Nave ships an update every 3 months, and Synclavier Go! App and Plugin every 3 weeks. Most recently, Nave was updated on October 1, 2026 and Synclavier Go! App and Plugin on September 29, 2026.

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