Comparison

miniSynth 2 vs Discovery AUv3 Synth

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

Head to head
About

miniSynth 2

This app offers a powerful yet simple virtual analog synthesizer experience, building on the legacy of the first iOS synthesizer. It provides real-time synthesis with professional DSP and production-friendly features for both beginners and experienced musicians.

Highlights
  • Virtual analog synthesis
  • Dual analog-modelling oscillators
  • Low-Pass Filter with ADSR
  • Delay and Reverb effects
  • Audiobus Output
  • MIDI In support
  • 30 Factory Presets
Read full description

Back in 2008 when the App Store was very young, Yonac released miniSynth, the very first iOS synthesizer. Compact and user-friendly, it introduced hundreds of thousands of iOS users to synths and paved the way for the great things to come in mobile music making. We have come a long way since, continuing innovation with our flagship synth Magellan. As our apps grow more and more sophisticated, we wanted to also continue the heritage of the original app that started it all. So, here with all its elegant simplicity is miniSynth 2. miniSynth 2 continues the spirit of the original, adding advancements we made in DSP, design and features over the last half decade. Simple and easy to use, miniSynth 2 projects a solid, fat tone from a strategic feature set -- an "abbreviation" of the sophisticated features we offer in our pro-grade synthesizers. Like all our synthesizers, no compromises are made with sound and functionality. There are NO samples used, just real-time virtual analog synthesis. miniSynth 2 also includes production-friendly features, such as Audiobus output, audio copy/paste, and a MIDI In port for playing miniSynth with an external controller or a virtual-MIDI app. For the iOS pro and the novice alike, miniSynth 2 is intended as a back-to-basics synth answering the call when the inspiration strikes. -- 32-bit professional quality DSP -- Extremely low latency -- Dual analog-modelling oscillators -- Virtual-analog Low-Pass Filter with full ADSR and Contour -- Amp ADSR -- Delay -- Reverb -- Audio Backgrounding -- Audiobus Output -- MIDI In -- Built-in tapedeck -- Audio Copy/Paste -- Soundcloud -- 30 Factory Presets -- Ability to save user presets in provided user banks

About

Discovery AUv3 Synth

This powerful virtual analog synthesizer offers a vast sound library and advanced features for musicians and sound designers. Create complex sounds with multi-layering, morphing parameters, and built-in effects. Import classic synth patches and utilize rhythmic tools for unique sonic exploration.

Highlights
  • 4 Layers Per Patch
  • Over 3,500 Presets
  • Nord Lead 2 Patch Import
  • Parameter Morphing
  • Built-in Effects (Chorus, Phaser, Delay)
  • Advanced Filters (8 types)
  • Gate and Arpeggiator
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

Discovery Synth AUv3 is a powerful virtual analog synthesizer, inspired by the iconic Clavia Nord Lead 2. With a robust feature set designed for musicians and sound designers, it delivers exceptional sound quality and flexibility. Key features include: • 4 Layers Per Patch: Stack layers to create complex, evolving sounds. • Over 3,500 Presets: Explore a vast collection of sounds, including percussion sets and Nord Lead 2 patches. • Nord Lead 2 Patch Import: Seamlessly import patches from the Clavia Nord Lead 2 and 2X for authentic sound recreation. • Parameter Morphing: Smoothly transition between parameter states for dynamic, evolving soundscapes. • Built-in Effects: Includes Chorus, Phaser, Panning Delay, and Gate for creative sound manipulation. • 128 Patch Memories per Bank: Organize and store your sounds efficiently. • Advanced Filters: Choose from 8 filter types, including LowPass, HighPass, BandPass, Formant, and an 8-tap Phaser. • Gate and Arpeggiator: Create rhythmic patterns with the built-in gate and arpeggiator synced to your host tempo. • Automation via MIDI CC (check the MIDI CC table in the PDF manual on the discoDSP Discovery page). Whether standalone or integrated as an AUv3, Discovery Synth provides all the tools you need to craft unique, high-quality sounds with ease. Dive into its intuitive interface and unlock your creative potential today!

Screenshots

miniSynth 24 screens
Discovery AUv3 Synth1 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: miniSynth 2 at $0.99 against Discovery AUv3 Synth's $19.99. miniSynth 2 also leads on rating (4.6 vs 4.3) and ratings volume (22 vs 6). Discovery AUv3 Synth's advantage is update cadence (weekly vs every 12 months) and chart position (#194 vs unranked). On review sentiment, 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

miniSynth 2 costs $0.99 and Discovery AUv3 Synth $19.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

miniSynth 2 holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 4.3. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 22 and 6 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 82% of miniSynth 2's written reviews are positive against 76% of Discovery AUv3 Synth's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

miniSynth 2 ships an update every 12 months, Discovery AUv3 Synth weekly. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 5 level
miniSynth 2 versus Discovery AUv3 Synth: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterminiSynth 2Discovery AUv3 Synth
Price$0.99 — better$19.99
Rating4.6 (22 ratings) — better4.3 (6 ratings)
Positive reviews81.9% of reviews — better76.2% of reviews
Number of ratings22 — better6
Update frequencyEvery 12 monthsWeekly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
Best chart rank—#194 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS7.1 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size12 MB42 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperYonac Inc.DiscoDSP LLC

Customer experience

miniSynth 2

All ratings22 ratings
Positive90.9%
Neutral0.0%
Negative9.1%
Written reviews72 reviews
Positive81.9%
Neutral5.6%
Negative12.5%

Discovery AUv3 Synth

All ratings6 ratings
Positive83.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative16.7%
Written reviews21 reviews
Positive76.2%
Neutral0.0%
Negative23.8%

In-app purchases

None

miniSynth 2

No in-app purchases

None

Discovery AUv3 Synth

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is miniSynth 2 free?
miniSynth 2 costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Discovery AUv3 Synth free?
Discovery AUv3 Synth costs $19.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, miniSynth 2 or Discovery AUv3 Synth?
miniSynth 2 is rated higher. miniSynth 2 averages 4.6 out of 5 from 22 ratings, while Discovery AUv3 Synth averages 4.3 from 6 ratings.
Do miniSynth 2 or Discovery AUv3 Synth have ads?
Neither miniSynth 2 nor Discovery AUv3 Synth shows ads.
Which is updated more often, miniSynth 2 or Discovery AUv3 Synth?
miniSynth 2 ships an update every 12 months, and Discovery AUv3 Synth weekly. Most recently, miniSynth 2 was updated on November 1, 2026 and Discovery AUv3 Synth on October 30, 2026.

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