Comparison

Cellular Synthesizer vs Battalion

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

Head to head
About

Cellular Synthesizer

Generate complex sound signals using a cellular automata field. Control parameters like pitch, filters, and effects through evolving cell states. Offers multiple modes for signal interpretation and a built-in sequencer for composition.

Highlights
  • Cellular automata sound generation
  • Parameter modulation (pitch, filters, effects)
  • Multiple signal interpretation modes
  • Configurable oscillators and voices
  • DC saturation, filter, and echo effects
  • Step sequencer with MPE support
Features
Read full description

Universe This app utilizes a cellular automata field known as the 'universe' to generate complex signals that are easily controllable. These signals are employed to modulate parameters of each oscillator, saturation settings, filters, or echo effects. The signal from the 'universe' is linked to groups of 'populated' cells referred to as 'communes.' A 'commune' serves as an abstraction that interprets the state of a group of connected cells as a signal. The state of the 'universe' evolves through generations. Before each generation change, each cell counts the number of 'populated' cells among its eight neighboring cells and checks against the user-defined rules, which determine whether the cell will be populated in the next generation. Different modes allow you to interpret the 'communes' signal differently. For example, in 'choir' mode, if all the cells in the 'commune' are 'populated,' the signal will be at its maximum; if half are 'populated,' the signal will be average, and if none are 'populated,' the signal will be zero, and so on. In 'trigger' mode, if at least one cell in the 'commune' is 'populated,' the signal will be at its maximum, and if no cells are 'populated,' the signal will be zero. Modulations You can modulate the parameters of pitch, panorama, and volume for each oscillator, in addition to thermal voltage, emission coefficient, saturation current, and the ratio of raw and processed signals for the diode clipping effect. Moreover, you can control drive, cutoff frequency, and filter resonance through modulations, along with delay time, delay offset, feedback, and the ratio of raw and processed signals for the echo effect. Oscillators You can select one of the oscillators, choose the waveform with the initial phase, determine whether oscillators are in solo or mute mode, and adjust pitch, panorama, or volume for each of them. Voices Signals from the oscillators are summed up in the voice of each note. You can set the delay before the note starts, adjust note duration, change pitch, and set volume for the sum of all voices. Additionally, you can fine-tune a common envelope. Effects The synthesizer includes a DC saturation effect with the ability to control thermal voltage parameters, emission coefficient, saturation current level, and blend saturated sound with the original. You can also utilize a filter with type, drive, frequency, and resonance parameters. Furthermore, you can incorporate an echo effect with 'dry/wet' and feedback controls, along with delay time and offset adjustments for each channel. Sequencer For the ease of composing melodies and using the synthesizer on stage, utilize a step sequencer with five segments, each containing 16 elements, providing options to add, disable sound, select elements, or clone them. Each element of the sequencer is linked to the keyboard with MPE support, where you can add single notes or chords. Of course, you can control the BPM and tap the metronome to synchronize with other devices. Keyboard This module is designed for playing notes or editing them in selected elements of the sequencer. MIDI-mapper Module that maps Cellular application interface elements to the position of the currently selected target button and assigns them to the most recently modified MIDI controller — a pressed key, button, or moved slider. AUv3 Cellular supports the AUv3 standard, so you can use it with other applications simultaneously. Please note: Some features described above require an active subscription or one-time purchase. For more details, visit our website. Privacy Policy: https://www.valerymironov.com/privacy-policy Terms of Use: https://www.valerymironov.com/terms

About

Battalion

This advanced music production tool offers a powerful drum machine with extensive synthesis, sampling, and sequencing capabilities. Craft intricate rhythms and evolving patterns with per-step modulation, generative sequencers, and built-in effects for deep sound design.

Highlights
  • 20+ synthesis algorithms
  • 5 sampler algorithms
  • 8 drum channels with simultaneous sample/synth
  • 11 filter and 11 distortion modes
  • Per-step modulation and generative sequencers
  • Euclidean and permutation pattern engine
  • Global performance controls
  • Built-in Shatter Delay and Headspace Reverb
Read full description

"A deep world to get lost in - This delivers that in spades!" - Jamie Lidell, Hanging Out With Audiophiles Unfiltered Audio is back on iOS with its instant classic Battalion, perhaps the most advanced drum machine available on any platform. Battalion includes over 20 synthesis algorithms and 5 sampler algorithms, each built for advanced sound design via simple controls. All eight drum channels can use both samples and synthesis simultaneously. 11 filter modes and 11 distortion algorithms add further sculpting options to each voice. Additionally, all eight drum channels contain rich modulation available for every parameter, including two LFOs, two envelopes, and more. A global Performance page shows a simplified interface that allows you to manipulate every drum channel simultaneously. Want to hear your drum beat tuned down an octave with a single knob? Done. Need a global boost to distortion or a dramatic filter gesture? Easy. Each drum channel contains two sequencers. The first sequencer is a manual step sequencer with ratcheting, probability, velocity, pitch, micro-timing, and more... per-step! Each parameter lane can run at a different speed and length, making generative, evolving patterns a breeze. The second sequencer combines Euclidean patterns with an Unfiltered-designed permutation engine. Both sequencers run in parallel and receive further shaping via an array of Sequence Modifiers. Want one drum sequence to speed up while another slows down? The SHAPE parameter is here for you. Need that hi-hat to be a bit lazy? SHIFT will nudge it to rush or drag. And if you think drum machines have no soul, wait until you combine per-channel SWING with global HUMANIZE. All of this advanced sound design is glued together with a flexible mixer and Unfiltered Audio's evocative effects. Battalion contains two new Unfiltered Audio effects: Shatter Delay and Headspace Reverb. Shatter Delay combines granular stretching, dynamic ducking, sample crushing, and feedback spectrum sculpting into a melange of echo bliss. Dubby, dark, dotted echoes? Chaotic glitch storms? It's all here. Headspace Reverb evolves Silo's ten classic reverb algorithms with additional filtering options. You will always find the perfect reverb for your drum mix. Battalion includes over 150 presets to get you started. These cover a wide variety of genres and tempos, from glitch and IDM by esteemed sound designer DataBroth, to futuristic hip-hop from Willie Green (head of our favorite Backwoodz Studioz). From smoky and loose to shiny and mechanical, Battalion is ready to be your go-to solution for every rhythmic task.

Screenshots

Cellular Synthesizer4 screens
Battalion4 screens

Verdict

The call

Cellular Synthesizer and Battalion both sit at 4.6 stars, but that hides the real split: 85% of Battalion's written reviews are positive against 36% of Cellular Synthesizer's. Battalion also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 3) and ratings volume (33 vs 5). Cellular Synthesizer's advantage is price (Free vs $39.99) and update cadence (every 2 months vs every 5 months). On rating, ads, device support and iOS requirement 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

Cellular Synthesizer is free to download; Battalion costs $39.99 up front. Cellular Synthesizer sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Battalion asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.6 for Cellular Synthesizer against 4.6 for Battalion. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Battalion has 33 ratings behind it against 5, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 36% of Cellular Synthesizer's written reviews are positive against 85% of Battalion's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Cellular Synthesizer ships an update every 2 months, Battalion every 5 months. The most recent releases landed on October 8, 2026 and October 18, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Cellular Synthesizer versus Battalion: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCellular SynthesizerBattalion
PriceFree — better$39.99
Rating4.6 (5 ratings)4.6 (33 ratings)
Positive reviews36.4% of reviews84.6% of reviews — better
Number of ratings533 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 months — betterEvery 5 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFreemium — betterPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS12.012.0
Further details — not scored
Size20 MB1.2 GB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperValery MironovUnfiltered Audio

Customer experience

Cellular Synthesizer

All ratings5 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews11 reviews
Positive36.4%
Neutral9.1%
Negative54.5%

Battalion

All ratings33 ratings
Positive93.9%
Neutral0.0%
Negative6.1%
Written reviews26 reviews
Positive84.6%
Neutral7.7%
Negative7.7%

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Cellular Synthesizer

Subscriptions2
  • All Access (1 Month)7 Days trial$1.991 Month
  • All Access (1 Year)7 Days trial$9.991 Year
One-time1
  • All Access (Lifetime)$19.99
None

Battalion

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Cellular Synthesizer free?
Cellular Synthesizer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Battalion free?
Battalion costs $39.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Cellular Synthesizer or Battalion?
Cellular Synthesizer and Battalion are both rated 4.6 out of 5 on the App Store, from 5 and 33 ratings respectively.
Do Cellular Synthesizer or Battalion have ads?
Neither Cellular Synthesizer nor Battalion shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Cellular Synthesizer or Battalion?
Cellular Synthesizer ships an update every 2 months, and Battalion every 5 months. Most recently, Cellular Synthesizer was updated on October 8, 2026 and Battalion on October 18, 2026.

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