Cellular Synthesizer vs Low Poly Synth
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- 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
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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
Low Poly Synth
Generate unique, atmospheric melodic sounds with billions of presets. Explore new timbres through random generation or precise editing. Record and export your creations in various formats.
- Billions of unique timbres
- Random sound generation
- MIDI control
- Real-time audio recording
- WAV and SunVox export
- Audio Unit Extension (AUv3)
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Low Poly Synth is a generator of melodic atmospheric sounds with billions of unique timbres. The app is built on modified synthesis algorithms from Fractal Bits, Relic Waves, and Relic Flow, with the addition of pure tone generation code. The sound space is divided into 4294967296 presets, each corresponding to a set of 8 sample textures. The volume of an individual sample can be adjusted in the top panel or via MIDI (Settings -> MIDI Mapping). The bottom panel is a classic musical keyboard that sets the note for the sounds in the set. Each note triggers all 8 samples at once - together they form a complex harmonic pattern that almost never repeats over time due to the different lengths of the looped fragments. Features: * search for new sounds with three buttons: next random set, edit code, previous set; each set of 8 sounds corresponds to a code of 8 characters (you can save/copy/paste it as plain text); * three types of keyboards for live performing: on-screen, PC keyboard, MIDI input; for the on-screen keyboard, you can set the number of displayed octaves and scale; * 20+ parameters can be controlled via MIDI or directly through the app interface: Settings -> MIDI Mapping; * real-time audio recording to WAV (32-bit); * export to: WAV (one file or a set), SunVox (samples + effects in one file), text clipboard; * the LCK button freezes individual samples - they will not change during the search for new sets; * Audio Unit Extension (AUv3), Wi-Fi export/import. Double clicking on a parameter opens a window for setting the exact value. If you enable the Hold option, the notes will play endlessly, without reacting to key release (noteOff) events; turning the note on again works like turning it off; there are two ways to enable this option: 1) using the Hold parameter in the "MIDI Mapping" window; 2) by pressing the HOLD button, which appears in place of LCK while playing the musical keyboard: press HOLD, release the desired notes - then the released notes will continue to play.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: Low Poly Synth at 88% against Cellular Synthesizer's 38%. Low Poly Synth also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 3) and rating (4.8 vs 4.6). Cellular Synthesizer's advantage is price (Free vs $1.99). On 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
Cellular Synthesizer is free to download; Low Poly Synth costs $1.99 up front. Cellular Synthesizer sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Low Poly Synth asks for nothing beyond the download.
Low Poly Synth holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.6. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 5 and 18 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 38% of Cellular Synthesizer's written reviews are positive against 88% of Low Poly Synth's.
| Parameter | Cellular Synthesizer | Low Poly Synth |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free — better | $1.99 |
| Rating | 4.6 (5 ratings) | 4.8 (18 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 37.5% of reviews | 87.5% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 5 | 18 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | — |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Freemium — better | Paid |
| Best chart rank | — | #111 — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 12.0 | 12.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 20 MB | 6 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Valery Mironov | Alexander Zolotov |
Customer experience
Cellular Synthesizer
Low Poly Synth
In-app purchases
Cellular Synthesizer
- All Access (1 Month)7 Days trial$1.991 Month
- All Access (1 Year)7 Days trial$9.991 Year
- All Access (Lifetime)$19.99
Low Poly Synth
No in-app purchases





