Comparison

miniSynth 2 vs ScratchBud Vinyl Scratching FX

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

ScratchBud Vinyl Scratching FX

This app brings the tactile experience of vinyl scratching to your device. It offers a realistic UI, the ability to scratch live audio or samples, and advanced features like LFO automation and AUv3 integration for professional sound design.

Highlights
  • Vinyl-like UI with speed fader
  • Scratch live audio or loaded samples
  • Customizable crossfader with MIDI control
  • Automated scratches with LFO
  • 3-second audio recording and looping
  • AUv3 plugin support
  • Low-pass filter for sound design
Features
Read full description

ScratchBud makes it easy to bring the feel of vinyl scratching to your iOS or Apple Silicon device. Whether you’re a DJ, producer, or just love experimenting with sound, ScratchBud has everything you need to start scratching. Key Features: Vinyl-Like UI: Intuitive interface mimics a real DJ turntable, complete with adjustable speed fader and motor controls. Scratch Anything: Use live audio input, a loaded sample file, or the included classic “aaah” and “fresh” samples. Customizable Crossfader: Seamlessly blend between the audio input source and FX output, with MIDI note control options. Auto Scratch with LFO: Automate scratches with adjustable LFO parameters, including rate, amount, waveform, and DAW tempo sync. Advanced Recording Options: Capture, loop, and scratch up to 3 seconds of audio, with configurable recording behaviors. AUv3 Integration: Full support for AUv3 hosts, exposing all parameters for MIDI CC control and automation. Professional Sound Design: Refine your scratch sound with built-in low-pass filter controls for cutoff and resonance. Start scratching immediately with included classic samples or load your own. ScratchBud works as a standalone app or an AUv3 plugin, making it a versatile tool for your studio or live performances.

Screenshots

miniSynth 24 screens
ScratchBud Vinyl Scratching FX4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: ScratchBud Vinyl Scratching FX at every 4 days against miniSynth 2's every 12 months. miniSynth 2's advantage is price ($0.99 vs $5.99) and review sentiment (82% vs 67%). On rating, ratings volume, 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

miniSynth 2 costs $0.99 and ScratchBud Vinyl Scratching FX $5.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.6 for miniSynth 2 against 4.6 for ScratchBud Vinyl Scratching FX. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 22 and 16 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 82% of miniSynth 2's written reviews are positive against 67% of ScratchBud Vinyl Scratching FX's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

miniSynth 2 ships an update every 12 months, ScratchBud Vinyl Scratching FX every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on October 29, 2026 and October 25, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
miniSynth 2 versus ScratchBud Vinyl Scratching FX: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterminiSynth 2ScratchBud Vinyl Scratching FX
Price$0.99 — better$5.99
Rating4.6 (22 ratings) — better4.6 (16 ratings)
Positive reviews81.9% of reviews — better66.7% of reviews
Number of ratings22 — better16
Update frequencyEvery 12 monthsEvery 4 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS7.1 — better12.0
Further details — not scored
Size12 MB15 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperYonac Inc.Cem Olcay

Customer experience

miniSynth 2

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

ScratchBud Vinyl Scratching FX

All ratings16 ratings
Positive93.8%
Neutral0.0%
Negative6.3%
Written reviews12 reviews
Positive66.7%
Neutral25.0%
Negative8.3%

In-app purchases

None

miniSynth 2

No in-app purchases

None

ScratchBud Vinyl Scratching FX

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is miniSynth 2 free?
miniSynth 2 costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is ScratchBud Vinyl Scratching FX free?
ScratchBud Vinyl Scratching FX costs $5.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, miniSynth 2 or ScratchBud Vinyl Scratching FX?
miniSynth 2 is rated higher. miniSynth 2 averages 4.6 out of 5 from 22 ratings, while ScratchBud Vinyl Scratching FX averages 4.6 from 16 ratings.
Do miniSynth 2 or ScratchBud Vinyl Scratching FX have ads?
Neither miniSynth 2 nor ScratchBud Vinyl Scratching FX shows ads.
Which is updated more often, miniSynth 2 or ScratchBud Vinyl Scratching FX?
miniSynth 2 ships an update every 12 months, and ScratchBud Vinyl Scratching FX every 4 days. Most recently, miniSynth 2 was updated on October 29, 2026 and ScratchBud Vinyl Scratching FX on October 25, 2026.

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