Comparison

Nave vs ButterSynth

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

ButterSynth

This powerful synthesizer app offers a hybrid approach, combining wavetable, FM, and sample-based synthesis. Create unique sounds with a vast sonic range, advanced modulation, and a built-in effects rack. It caters to both experienced sound designers and beginners with extensive presets.

Highlights
  • Hybrid 6-oscillator synthesis (wavetable, FM, sample)
  • Built-in wavetable editor
  • FM engine with 4 operators
  • Sample and Granulator engines
  • 32-slot modulation matrix
  • Internal FX rack with 16 modules
  • Extensive preset library
Features
Read full description

ButterSynth is a hybrid 6-oscillator wavetable/FM/sample-based AUV3 and standalone synthesizer with a vast sonic range, from gentle pads to screaming leads and basslines. Mix any combination of wavetable, FM, sample and other synthesis engines for one truly massive sound. For the more advanced users, you'll love using ButterSynth's thoughtfully designed interface, incredibly powerful modulation matrix, fully-featured internal FX rack, factory waveform and sample libraries, and almost limitless scope for fun, experimentation and sound design. For less experienced synth programmers, ButterSynth includes a library of hundreds of ready-to-use presets, sparking your creativity to start making music right away. Headline features include - Mix and match any combination of 6 synthesis engines to either emulate your favourite synths of yester-year or build a synth ready for the future. - Dual-wavetable engines also feature 9 phase modes, wave folding, and deep unison controls modelled on vintage hardware synths. - Built-in wavetable editor gives you the ability to tweak, morph, and hand-draw your own custom wavetables, with each wavetable supporting up to 256 frames. - FM engine offers 4 operators with a selection of 12 modulation paths. Each operator can be loaded with any waveform from the factory or user library, and can also self-modulate via the feedback dial. - Sample and Granulator engines both let you load samples (either imported or from the factory library) and control precisely how they are chopped, triggered and layered. Both also feature the same powerful unison modes available in the WT engine. - Highly configurable 32-slot modulation matrix featuring precise mix/max ranges, self-modulation (via the amount target), plus configurable response curves and layer modes. Simply long-tap any parameter to set it as a Mod destination! - Full suite of versatile control sources which includes: 4x MSEG-style looping curve envelopes, 4x LFOs, 4x step sequencers, X/Y pad with motion recording, 8x Macro dials and a powerful arpeggiator inspired by Kirnu Interactive’s Cream. - The EFX rack lets you build your own insert effects chain using any combination of the 16 built-in FX modules. Modules available at launch include delay, reverb, distortion, chorus, OTT compression etc. Note - FX parameters can also be targeted by the mod matrix, unlocking the possibility to program ‘per voice’ modulated effects. - All presets, wavetables, samples and other settings are stored in the Files app, making bulk import/export, backup and community sharing quick and easy. - All of this is housed in an irresistibly designed 4-tab UI that makes synth programming quick and fun.

Screenshots

ButterSynth4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Nave at 4.5 against ButterSynth's 4.0. Nave also leads on review sentiment (87% vs 60%) and iOS requirement (10.3 vs 14.0). ButterSynth's advantage is device support (3 vs 1). On price, ratings volume, update cadence 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 ButterSynth $19.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Nave holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 4.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 77 and 62 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 87% of Nave's written reviews are positive against 60% of ButterSynth's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Nave ships an update every 3 months, ButterSynth every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 1, 2026 and October 3, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Nave versus ButterSynth: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterNaveButterSynth
Price$19.99$19.99
Rating4.5 (77 ratings) — better4.0 (62 ratings)
Positive reviews87.2% of reviews — better59.6% of reviews
Number of ratings77 — better62
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsEvery 2 months — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
DevicesiPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS10.3 — better14.0
Further details — not scored
Size198 MB468 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperWaldorf MusicArto Vaarala

Customer experience

Nave

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

ButterSynth

All ratings62 ratings
Positive72.6%
Neutral8.1%
Negative19.4%
Written reviews57 reviews
Positive59.6%
Neutral10.5%
Negative29.8%

User reviews

Nave

From 77 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Powerful sound engine
  • 👍 Intuitive and visually appealing interface
  • 🎨 Vast sound design capabilities
  • 💯 High-quality presets
  • 🎹 Excellent on-screen keyboard

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Stability issues and crashes
  • 🔋 High battery consumption
  • 🔀 Preset navigation could be improved
  • 🔒 Lack of AUv3 support
  • 🔇 Some presets rely heavily on built-in effects

ButterSynth

From 62 App Store ratings

What we love

  • ✨ Deep sound design capabilities
  • 🎛️ Versatile modulation matrix
  • 🔊 Great sound quality
  • 💡 Innovative wavetable generator
  • 🌟 Serum-like experience

Room to improve

  • 📱 Fiddly on small screens
  • 🐛 Crashes frequently
  • 🐛 Disappears in Cubasis
  • 🐛 Spikes CPU usage
  • 🐛 Crashes on patch change

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

ButterSynth

Reported bugs

39 issues
  • App crashing with AUM
  • Disappears in Cubasis randomly
  • Crashes all the time inside Logic
  • Changing a patch spikes CPU to 99%
  • Crashes on every patch change
Show 34 more
  • No audio when rendering or freezing track
  • Keyboard doesn't load on iPhone
  • iOS18 broke ButterSynth (audio recording issues)
  • Failed to load as Auv3
  • Crashes as soon as a preset is selected
  • Some patches hanging/sounding without input
  • CPU spikes to 100% on preset switching
  • Audio crackles on preset switching
  • Sample module has consistent buzz
  • LFOs are extremely simple (no phase offset)
  • Square wave LFO is not square (has slew)
  • Step sequencer always has glide/slew
  • Cannot save custom presets
  • No undo function in wave table editor
  • AUv3 plugin resets when ButterSynth crashes
  • Does not show up as auv3 in Cubasis, AUM, or Audio Evolution
  • Crashes regularly even on newest iPad
  • Preset changes every time play is pressed
  • Not resizing appropriately on smaller screens
  • Crashes with unison function in AUM
  • White noise on crash with unison
  • Sound continues after song stops in GarageBand
  • Preset changes on stop, rewind, or play in GarageBand
  • Keeps crashing in GarageBand (AUv3)
  • Patches in standalone sound different as AUv3
  • Crashes when hitting play with arpeggiator/sequencer on iPhone
  • No keyboard appears in iPhone standalone mode
  • Audio Unit Extension quit error on export
  • Lots of crashes in standalone and hosted in AUM
  • MIDI not working
  • Automation still doesn’t work in Logic Pro
  • Random LFO is great for recording sequences
  • Preset browser closes each time a new preset is selected
  • Works as AUv3 after starting in standalone mode

Requested features

20 requests
  • MPE popup possible on top of the auv3
  • Button to hide built-in keyboard
  • Buffer size option
  • Additional MIDI mappings (e.g., arpeggiator toggle)
  • Sustain pedal support
Show 15 more
  • Longer LFO speed for evolving soundscapes
  • Alternative skins/color themes
  • Pinable preset browser
  • Virtual keyboard to remain active while browser is pinned
  • Make app take up whole screen (no black borders)
  • Master detune
  • Parameter lock
  • More presets
  • Fix square wave LFO to be truly square
  • Fix step sequencer glide/slew for discrete steps
  • Undo function in wave table editor
  • Filter key follow button
  • Adjust envelope curves (especially release)
  • Easier way to adjust modulation matrix amount
  • Phase distortion inclusion

In-app purchases

None

Nave

No in-app purchases

None

ButterSynth

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Nave free?
Nave costs $19.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is ButterSynth free?
ButterSynth costs $19.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Nave or ButterSynth?
Nave is rated higher. Nave averages 4.5 out of 5 from 77 ratings, while ButterSynth averages 4.0 from 62 ratings.
Do Nave or ButterSynth have ads?
Neither Nave nor ButterSynth shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Nave or ButterSynth?
Nave ships an update every 3 months, and ButterSynth every 2 months. Most recently, Nave was updated on October 1, 2026 and ButterSynth on October 3, 2026.

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