Comparison

Krill Synthesizer vs volumeCTRL

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

Head to head
About

Krill Synthesizer

This virtual analog polyphonic synthesizer offers a streamlined interface for creating quick synth sounds on iPad. It features two oscillators, an LFO, a low-pass filter, two envelopes, and stereo effects, all accessible from a single screen.

Highlights
  • Virtual analog polyphonic synthesizer
  • Single-screen interface
  • Two oscillators
  • One LFO
  • Low-pass filter
  • Stereo chorus and ping-pong delay
  • 64 presets
Features
Read full description

The GSi Krill Synthesizer was born from a design originally conceived to work as a mono synthesizer on an embedded processor (RP2040), then it was modified to be polyphonic for a more powerful processor (ARM H7) and finally we thought it would be perfect as a AUv3 for iPad, for those quick and dirty synth sounds you sometimes need without getting lost in endless parameter navigation and menu diving. So here it is, just one screen, one knob - one function, what you see is what you get. Two oscillators, one LFO, one low pass filter, two envelopes, stereo chorus, ping-pong delay, 64 presets. Have fun!

About

volumeCTRL

Gain precise control over your device's audio levels with this utility app. Adjust volume by percentage or dBFS, fine-tune with incremental steps, and temporarily dim or mute sound. Ideal for music, podcasts, and late-night media consumption.

Highlights
  • Precise volume adjustment by percentage or dBFS
  • Keypad for exact value input
  • Fine-tune volume with customizable step sizes
  • Temporary dim and mute functions
  • Seamless integration with device volume controls
  • Universal app for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch
Read full description

volumeCTRL is a simple utility that works alongside your iPhone/iPad’s built-in volume controls to give you precise control over its level. It is designed for anyone who needs or wants tighter, repeatable control over volume level. volumeCTRL lets you set the volume level using either Percent or dBFS (decibels from Full Scale). You can key in exact values with a handy on-screen keypad. Fine tune your setting using buttons which change the value in small steps. Dim or Mute the sound when you get interrupted temporarily. volumeCTRL is the perfect iPad Split View or Slide Over companion for listening to music, audiobooks, or podcasts. Use it with your favorite music app, such as Apple Music, Spotify, Qobuz, TIDAL Music, or Pandora. With volumeCTRL, you can get your late night listening level just right when you stream movies or TV shows while everything else is quiet. If you're picky about exactly how loud your device audio is, volumeCTRL is the right app for you. FEATURES - volumeCTRL lets you set your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch volume precisely + New Favorite Volume options let you set preferred volumes for various listening cases - Selectable Units: Percent (%) or Decibels from Full Scale (dBFS) - Virtual Keypad allows you to key in exact values - Volume Up/Down Buttons let you change the volume in fine-grained 0.5 % or about 0.5 dB steps + New in Version 1.1 You can customize the step size - Dim and Mute Buttons let you temporarily lower the volume and easily get back to your previous level - Dim lowers the volume by a fixed amount (Customizable, Default: 18 dB) Super handy for quieting down loud commercials! - Mute silences the audio completely - volumeCTRL peacefully coexists with the device’s built-in volume controls — use either and the other follows seamlessly - Supports both Dark and Light Mode Appearances - Supports Hardware Keyboards connected to iPads - volumeCTRL is a Universal App - it works on iPad, iPhone, & iPod touch - User Guide embedded in App - no internet connection required to read it - auDSPr strives to design Apps for Everyone - Languages: All auDSPr audio apps support for 简体中文, Español, русский, 日本語, Français, Deutsch, Svenska, Latviešu - Accessibility Features - VoiceOver screen reader support assists visually impaired users APPLICATIONS - Setting impactful yet safe listening levels when using headphones or in-ear monitors - Setting repeatable reference volumes for studio control rooms or audiophile listening rooms - Setting precise levels for hearing aid intelligibility SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS - BUYER BEWARE: Some Bluetooth devices have coarse volume implementations (see picture above). The coarse hardware volume defeats volumeCTRL’s fine software volume setting and prevents performance from behaving optimally! - volumeCTRL is verified to work beautifully with Apple AirPods - Compatible with iOS 11.0 & up (iPhone 5S, iPhone SE (1st Generation), iPod touch (6th Generation) & up) - Compatible with iPadOS 11.0 & up (iPad (5th Generation), iPad Pro (1st Generation), iPad Air (1st Generation), iPad mini 2,& up)

Screenshots

Krill Synthesizer1 screens
volumeCTRL3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Krill Synthesizer at 100% against volumeCTRL's 50%. Krill Synthesizer also leads on rating (5.0 vs 3.2) and update cadence (weekly vs every 9 months). volumeCTRL's advantage is price ($4.99 vs $11.99). 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

Krill Synthesizer costs $11.99 and volumeCTRL $4.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Krill Synthesizer holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.2. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 6 and 9 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 100% of Krill Synthesizer's written reviews are positive against 50% of volumeCTRL's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Krill Synthesizer ships an update weekly, volumeCTRL every 9 months. The most recent releases landed on October 11, 2026 and October 23, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Krill Synthesizer versus volumeCTRL: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterKrill SynthesizervolumeCTRL
Price$11.99$4.99 — better
Rating5.0 (6 ratings) — better3.2 (9 ratings)
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews — better50.0% of reviews
Number of ratings69 — better
Update frequencyWeekly — betterEvery 9 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS11.011.0
Further details — not scored
Size8 MB22 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperGenuine SoundwareauDSPr

Customer experience

Krill Synthesizer

All ratings6 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews6 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

volumeCTRL

All ratings9 ratings
Positive55.6%
Neutral0.0%
Negative44.4%
Written reviews12 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral8.3%
Negative41.7%

In-app purchases

None

Krill Synthesizer

No in-app purchases

None

volumeCTRL

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Krill Synthesizer free?
Krill Synthesizer costs $11.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is volumeCTRL free?
volumeCTRL costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Krill Synthesizer or volumeCTRL?
Krill Synthesizer is rated higher. Krill Synthesizer averages 5.0 out of 5 from 6 ratings, while volumeCTRL averages 3.2 from 9 ratings.
Do Krill Synthesizer or volumeCTRL have ads?
Neither Krill Synthesizer nor volumeCTRL shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Krill Synthesizer or volumeCTRL?
Krill Synthesizer ships an update weekly, and volumeCTRL every 9 months. Most recently, Krill Synthesizer was updated on October 11, 2026 and volumeCTRL on October 23, 2026.

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