Hilda Synthesizer vs Phonolyth Cascade
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Hilda Synthesizer
This app offers a complex oscillator monosynth with a blend of west-coast and east-coast synthesis techniques. It features a wave folder, lowpass gate, 12-mode filter, and VCA circuit, all meticulously circuit-modelled for authentic analog or digital sound. It functions as a playable synth, MIDI sequencer, and audio effect.
- Complex Oscillator Monosynth
- Wave folder and lowpass gate
- 12-mode filter
- Circuit-modelled analog sound
- Built-in 16-step MIDI Sequencer
- Audio effect for external audio
- AUv3 compatibility
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Hilda is a Complex Oscillator Monosynth, inspired by the most interesting aspects of both west-coast and east-coast synthesis techniques. You'll find a wave folder, lowpass gate, and audio-rate modulations, but also a 12-mode filter and traditional VCA circuit. All parts of the instrument are carefully circuit-modelled to sound as analog (or digital, where applicable) as possible. It's like a best-of-all-worlds semi modular synth, but without the patch cables. The unique mix of different synthesis components adds up to a unique sounding electronic instrument, which can be used as a playable synthesizer, a MIDI sequencer and an audio effect for external audio - or any combination of those three. - Full Audio Unit compatibility (AUv3 instrument, audio effect and MIDI processor modes supported) - Universal design (iPhone and iPad; iPad Air 2 or higher recommended) - Built-in analog style 16 Step MIDI Sequencer with custom scales - 12 mode filter, based on the Oberheim Xpander design - Drone mode lets you [partially] bypass the VCA/LPG and just go with the flow - DIY Lo-Fi digital delay circuit emulation - Live pads with effects that can be triggered via the UI (or via exposed AU Parameters) - All synth settings exposed a AU Parameters (for automation and MIDI learning in your host of choice) - MIDI Processor plugin mode disables synth to save CPU - Carefully handcrafted by yours truly, to capture the essence of my love for tinkering and experimenting with sound :-) Find the user manual on ruismaker.com
Phonolyth Cascade
This app offers a versatile reverb and diffusion processor with an experimental edge. It allows for the creation of expansive modulated spaces, stereo widening, and hybrid delay/reverb effects. Explore unique sonic territories with a wide range of controls and randomized modulation.
- Expansive modulated supernatural spaces
- Stereo widening and transient smearing
- Hybrid delay/reverb effects
- Chorus, flanger, and resonator-like effects
- Randomized modulation
- Infinity and Freeze buttons
- Mix Lock for preset switching
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Cascade is a versatile reverb and diffusion processor with an experimental edge. Designed first and foremost with expansive modulated supernatural spaces in mind, it features an extensive set of controls to explore other sonic territories such as stereo widening, transient smearing, hybrid delay/reverb and chorus/flanger/resonator-like effects. Features: - Wide range of diffusion textures spanning from subtle smearing and widening to otherworldly reverberation - Lush randomized modulation - Infinity and Freeze buttons for never-ending reverb bliss - Mix Lock for switching presets while keeping the dry/wet mix constant - Freely resizable UI with light and dark color schemes - Cross-platform preset format for sharing across plugin formats and OSes - 30 factory presets to get you started - Includes an AudioUnit v3 plugin for use in host apps such as GarageBand and AUM, and a standalone app
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is update cadence: Hilda Synthesizer at every 9 days against Phonolyth Cascade's every 7 months. Phonolyth Cascade's advantage is price ($7.99 vs $12.99) and chart position (#187 vs unranked). 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
Hilda Synthesizer costs $12.99 and Phonolyth Cascade $7.99 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 — 4.9 for Hilda Synthesizer against 4.9 for Phonolyth Cascade. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 57 and 30 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 90% of Hilda Synthesizer's written reviews are positive against 100% of Phonolyth Cascade's.
Hilda Synthesizer ships an update every 9 days, Phonolyth Cascade every 7 months. Both last shipped on September 23, 2026.
| Parameter | Hilda Synthesizer | Phonolyth Cascade |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $12.99 | $7.99 — better |
| Rating | 4.9 (57 ratings) | 4.9 (30 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 90.0% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 57 — better | 30 |
| Update frequency | Every 9 days — better | Every 7 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Best chart rank | — | #187 — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 12 | 12.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 6 MB | 10 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Bram Bos | Yuri Turov |
Customer experience
Hilda Synthesizer
Phonolyth Cascade
In-app purchases
Hilda Synthesizer
No in-app purchases
Phonolyth Cascade
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Hilda Synthesizer free?
Is Phonolyth Cascade free?
Which has better reviews, Hilda Synthesizer or Phonolyth Cascade?
Do Hilda Synthesizer or Phonolyth Cascade have ads?
Which is updated more often, Hilda Synthesizer or Phonolyth Cascade?
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