Tomofon vs Phase Monkey
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Tomofon
This virtual instrument uses a unique "Audio Model" format to generate soundscapes from ordinary audio files. It allows for organic or otherworldly sounds, with options to use pre-loaded instruments or import your own audio to create custom soundscapes.
- Audio Model format for sound generation
- Import and edit own audio files
- Morphing between layers and zones
- Wide selection of factory presets
- User-editable pitch and depth envelopes
- Multiple LFOs and modulation matrix
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This unique virtual instrument introduces a new “Audio Model” format, capable of containing thousands of waves extracted from ordinary audio files. These waves - and how they’re structured - lays the ground for how Tomofon generates audio, resulting in a highly flexible and instantly expressive instrument. On one hand it can sound very organic, even lifelike, and on the other, like something out of this world. Whether you want to play around with the Audio Model Starter Pack (instruments & voices) and factory presets, or import your own audio to shape your own unique soundscapes – it is fair to say that you are in for a creative journey. How does it work? Tomofon converts audio files into a large set of oscillating waves, which are then mapped into pitch zones where each wave represents one layer (a bit similar to how a sampler structures different velocity zones). The main difference is that since each zone is populated with waves instead of ordinary samples, the synth engine can morph between them (both layers and zones). This makes all transitions between zones and layers continuous and seamless. Create and share your own unique sounds A significant feature of this plug-in is that users can import their own audio files and create new and unique Audio Models. Ordinary audio files (preferably with monophonic content) can easily be imported and distributed into different pitch zones over the keyboard range, either automatically or manually. Doing an automatic import is basically a one-click process which instantly results in a proper playable Audio Model. A manual import gives the user full control of which waves should end up in which pitch zone. Last but not least you can easily share your own created Audio Models with others. Tomofon comes pre-loaded with a pack of 124 Audio Models based on high quality audio recordings of multiple expressions. These models includes several instruments like strings, vocals, brass, woodwind, guitars and more. Along with these models there are over 180 presets to get you going right away. From there on you can venture further and start creating Audio Models based on your own audio files and experiment on the types of sounds they can grow to be. Features - Wide selection of factory presets and Audio Models - Integrated audio sample importer and Audio Model editor - Pitch and (layer) depth envelopes that can be edited by the user - Envelope times can be controlled separately via MIDI velocity - Several LFO:s (including Sample and Hold with randomness) - Modulation matrix (2 x MIDI CC, Velocity and Keymap) - Monophonic playback with separate glide times for pitch and velocity - Polyphonic legato playback where started notes syncs envelopes with currently playing ones - Up to 4 doubling voices with separate pitch, pan and level - Filter with modulation possibilities - Post Reverb, Delay and EQ
Phase Monkey
Explore a versatile digital synthesizer inspired by 1980s phase distortion technology. Create a wide range of sounds from warm pads to aggressive basses with its unique engine and eight-stage envelopes. Optimized for touch interaction, it also supports MIDI controllers and runs across Apple devices.
- Phase distortion synth engine
- Eight-stage envelopes
- Touch-first interface
- AUv3 plugin support
- Universal Apple purchase
- MIDI controller support
- iCloud preset syncing
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Phase Monkey is a polyphonic synthesizer inspired by the classic phase distortion synthesizers of the mid-1980s. However, instead of being a direct copy, Phase Monkey presents a fresh take on the classic sound engine, including the rare eight-stage envelopes. The result is a surprisingly versatile digital instrument that can produce anything from warm pads to shimmering leads to snarling basses. Whatever you do, don’t have fun with it! Features: - Focused, fun, and characterful synth engine - Touch-first design, almost the entire screen is part of a control - Runs standalone or as AUv3 plug-in (in compatible host) - Universal purchase on Apple platforms: runs on iPhone, iPad, and Mac - Presets synced across your devices via iCloud - Hook up a MIDI controller to play with a keyboard (optional) Details: - Eight classic phase distortion waveforms - Dedicated modulation oscillator for ring or noise modulation - Three rare eight-stage envelopes - Complex modulation of pitch and timbre possible via envelopes - LFO with five waveforms for classic modulation sounds - Master controls: portamento, random voice pan, onboard chorus, gain - Key behavior modes: poly, monophonic retrig, monophonic legato - Additional MIDI modulation sources: mod wheel, pitch bend, velocity, aftertouch (channel), key follow - Includes 40 highly usable factory presets to get you started making music Check out our YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@sketchaudio Read the manuals: https://sketchaudio.com/manuals/
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: Phase Monkey at $5.99 against Tomofon's $28.99. Phase Monkey also leads on update cadence (weekly vs every 2 months) and device support (4 vs 1). Tomofon's advantage is review sentiment (86% vs 71%) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.0). 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
Tomofon costs $28.99 and Phase Monkey $5.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.8 for Tomofon against 4.8 for Phase Monkey. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 19 and 17 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 86% of Tomofon's written reviews are positive against 71% of Phase Monkey's.
Tomofon ships an update every 2 months, Phase Monkey weekly. The most recent releases landed on August 25, 2026 and July 16, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Tomofon | Phase Monkey |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $28.99 | $5.99 — better |
| Rating | 4.8 (19 ratings) — better | 4.8 (17 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 85.7% of reviews — better | 71.4% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 19 — better | 17 |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Weekly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Devices | iPad | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — better |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 — better | 15.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 1.0 GB | 15 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Klevgrand Produkter AB | Sketch Audio, LLC |
Customer experience
Tomofon
Phase Monkey
In-app purchases
Tomofon
No in-app purchases
Phase Monkey
No in-app purchases





