AstroLab Connect vs NERD Synth A2x + AUv3
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
AstroLab Connect
This music companion app allows remote control of hardware, playlist management, and sound browsing. Discover and preview new sounds from a dedicated store to enhance your performance workflow.
- Remote hardware control
- Playlist building and editing
- Sound browsing and discovery
- Sound preview before purchase
- Expand sound library
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AstroLab Connect is a companion mobile app for AstroLab that brings the convenience of modern technology to your performance workflow. Control sounds and settings remotely, manage your playlists and find new inspiration in the Sound Store. Prepare a playlist right before a gig, search and select sounds with the ease and fluidity of a mobile interface and expand your library. • Control AstroLab remotely • Browse sounds by type, instrument, artist and style • Build and edit playlists • View saved sounds • Get more sounds from the Sound Store • Preview sounds before you buy them
NERD Synth A2x + AUv3
This virtual analog synthesizer offers a powerful and intuitive sound design experience, inspired by classic hardware. Explore over 40 classic waveforms, a versatile arpeggiator, step sequencer, and lush effects to craft unique electronic music.
- Virtual Analog Synthesizer
- 40+ Classic Waveforms
- Arpeggiator
- Step Sequencer
- Lush Effects Suite
- Four-voice Unison
- AUv3 Plugin Support
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Inspired by the classic sounds of the Nord Lead A1** This is not a Rompler. This is a SYNTH. "I’m impressed. The sounds are FAT, the effects are LUSH, and the interface is a JOY to use." – Audio News Room "This is not a clone, this is BEYOND the hardware, it's a completely new, fantastic beast" – Jade Starr, How to App "An excellent release...app captures the soul of the Nord Lead A1 Synthesizer" – Synth Anatomy "An iOS-based homage to a virtual analogue classic!" – Music Radar / Keyboard Magazine Not imitation, it's Innovation! https://audiokitpro.com/redsynth With Nerd Synth, you’ll have access to all 40+ of the classic lead A1 waveforms! Plus, we gave it some RAW MODERN POWER. FULLY LOADED w/ 550+ presets by Analog Matthew, Electronisounds, DMT Cymatics, Moby Pixel, Red Sky Lullaby, and more NOTE: This is a synth, and contains no hardware preset samples. All presets are completely original. One low price includes Lifetime License and all Features Easy to use. Easy to get great tone! NERD SYNTH A2X: • 64-voice, Retro VA-Synth • Include all 40+ of the Nord A1 waveforms • Arpeggiator! Classic Hardware-style Arp, with extra features • Vintage-style Step Sequencer that can be routed to specific layers • A proper filter envelope ADSR! • NEW: 2x Oversampled Oscillators • 3 LFOs. Fun Routings. LFOs can modify other LFOs • Microtonality, World Scales and Western Scales! • TouchPads! 2 fun assignable pads, -= Create NORD-style SUPER SAWS =- ++ Four-voice Unison with the tap of a button ++ 3 different algorithms: Regular, HYPER, and BEAST! "Astoundingly great sounding and intuitive synth app!" – The GarageBand Guide Modeled sound: It's like a time-capsule. Imagine if there were iPads in 2003? Complete with that "cold" VA sound that ruled the dance floors and stages ADDITIONAL FEATURES: • FX: Glorious Reverb, Analog Tape Delay, Distortion, Flanger, Chorus, Crush, and more. • On board "Record" button, no external hardware required • Works with a MIDI Keyboard EXCLUSIVE TO THIS APP: • "SUPER FM" wild pitch drop controls! Modeled after digital VA-Synths, complete with vintage digital aliasing for old-school vibe! • Crazy aggressive RING MODULATION distortion – It's like robots talking, or fighting? You decide! COOL: • iPad version has "stacked" views for maximum onscreen control! Tap the current Nav Button at the top to change the bottom view • This is a Premium App: No iAP, No Ads, No subscriptions! Use as a plug-in in DAWs like GarageBand & Logic for iPad, Cubasis, AUM, and more! NOTE: This is not a hardware clone, it's a completely new synth. If you're looking for a ROMpler like the "Stage" series, this app may not be for you. This is a SYNTH, not a rompler. All the presets here are new and original. Giving you fresh new sounds that are completely tweak-able This is not a 1:1 clone and will not load hardware presets. Please note that this app's sound is closer to the A1, which is a different sound from the NL1/NL2X. ** This app has no affiliation or endorsement by Clavia DMI AB. This app is not a clone of any their synths, including the Nord Lead and Nord Lead A1. While we were inspired by their wonderful and iconic work, this app is not trying to copy those synths. We created something completely new. It's a synth for synth nerds :) LEGAL STUFF: All product names and images, trademarks and artists names are the property of their respective owners, which are in no way associated or affiliated with the creators of this app, including AudioKit, AudioKit Pro, LLC, and the other contributors. Any use of these names and images does not imply any cooperation or endorsement by Clavia Digital Musical Instruments. Nord Lead, Nord Lead 2X, Nord, and Nord Lead A1 are Clavia trademarks and properties. We appreciate their amazing work in creating such classic and inspiring instruments.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: NERD Synth A2x + AUv3 at 89% against AstroLab Connect's 9%. NERD Synth A2x + AUv3 also leads on rating (4.9 vs 1.4) and update cadence (fortnightly vs every 5 months). AstroLab Connect's advantage is price (Free vs $5.99). On ads, in-app purchases, 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
AstroLab Connect is free to download; NERD Synth A2x + AUv3 costs $5.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
NERD Synth A2x + AUv3 holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 1.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: NERD Synth A2x + AUv3 has 1.4K ratings behind it against 17, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 9% of AstroLab Connect's written reviews are positive against 89% of NERD Synth A2x + AUv3's.
AstroLab Connect ships an update every 5 months, NERD Synth A2x + AUv3 fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 15, 2026 and October 21, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | AstroLab Connect | NERD Synth A2x + AUv3 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free — better | $5.99 |
| Rating | 1.4 (17 ratings) | 4.9 (1.4K ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 8.7% of reviews | 89.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 17 | 1.4K — better |
| Update frequency | Every 5 months | Fortnightly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free — better | Paid |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 13.4 — better | 14.4 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 34 MB | 242 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Arturia | AudioKit Pro |
Customer experience
AstroLab Connect
NERD Synth A2x + AUv3
Bugs and requests
AstroLab Connect
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
NERD Synth A2x + AUv3
Reported bugs
2 issues- Doesn't fit properly in Logic Pro for iPad
- Keyboard keys get stuck when using a controller
Requested features
4 requests- Dark mode option
- Undo/redo functionality
- Improved Logic Pro integration
- Ability to change color scheme
In-app purchases
AstroLab Connect
No in-app purchases
NERD Synth A2x + AUv3
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is AstroLab Connect free?
Is NERD Synth A2x + AUv3 free?
Which has better reviews, AstroLab Connect or NERD Synth A2x + AUv3?
Do AstroLab Connect or NERD Synth A2x + AUv3 have ads?
Which is updated more often, AstroLab Connect or NERD Synth A2x + AUv3?
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