VAPolyMkII vs KA mini Sheng
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
VAPolyMkII
This virtual analog synthesizer offers a 16-voice bitimbral polyphonic sound engine with two distinct filter models and extensive modulation options. It includes a built-in sequencer, various effects, and supports AudioUnit Extension for integration with DAWs. Projects can be synced across iPhone, iPad, and Mac via iCloud.
- 16-voice bitimbral polyphonic synthesizer
- Two analog-modeled filter types
- Extensive modulation capabilities
- Built-in piano roll sequencer
- Multiple audio effects
- AudioUnit Extension (AUv3) support
- iCloud Drive project syncing
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VAPolyMkII is a virtual analog bitimbral polyphonic synthesizer for iPhone, iPad and Mac. It features 16 voice synthesizer, effects, sequencer and audio visualization tools. It operates as a stand alone or as an AudioUnit Extension (AUv3). Stand Alone supports Ableton Link, MIDI and audio file export. The synthesizer consists of two 8 voice synthesizer, which features two oscillators, two ADSR envelopes, resonant high pass and low pass filter and an amplifier per voice. The oscillators features continuously variable wave shape and wide variety of modulation. The filters are modeled on the Sallen-Key filter circuit and cascaded OTA filter circuit for classic analog sound. The Effects include delay, chorus, flanger, reverb, eq and compressor. The sequencer features piano roll and parameter automation editor to program 16 bar pattern per clip. Project files can be saved in iCloud Drive, so that the project can be accessed from iPhone, iPad or Mac. - Main Features - Virtual analog 16 voice bitimbral polyphonic synthesizer Two type of Lowpass filter, cascaded OTA model and Sallen-key model. Patch points for modulation. Support MIDI 2.0 New User Interface built by SwiftUI for improved performance. Built-in Sequencer. 16 bar patterns per clip. Total 8 clips. Piano Roll and Parameter automation. Support Audio Unit Extension (AUv3) Works on iPhone, iPad and Mac. Support iCloud Drive to share project files between the platforms. Audio Export. Linear PCM format (AIFF, WAV and CAF) and compressed format (AAC) Support Ableton Link, Bluetooth MIDI, MIDI In / Out. - System Requirements - A13 Fusion or above is recommended. AudioUnit Extension (AUv3) requires host application which support AudioUnit Extension. AudioUnit Extension is supported by Apple Logic and Apple Garage Band on iOS and macOS. For any other DAW, it depends on the application and some of them don’t support AudioUnit Extension.
KA mini Sheng
This app offers a virtual Chinese Sheng instrument with a minimalist design. It provides a high-quality sound experience for electric wind instrument and MIDI keyboard users through simple controls. It functions as a standalone app or an AUv3 plugin.
- Virtual Chinese Sheng instrument
- Minimalist UI design
- High-quality sound experience
- Standalone app functionality
- AUv3 plugin support
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Kong Audio mini Sheng is a minimally-designed virtual instrument of Chinese Sheng. It gives electric wind instrument and midi keyboard user a high-quality experience with very simple UI controls. KA mini Sheng can run as an app or AUv3 plugin.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: KA mini Sheng at $1.99 against VAPolyMkII's $14.99. KA mini Sheng also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.5) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 16.6). VAPolyMkII's advantage is update cadence (weekly vs every 2 months) and ratings volume (11 vs 2). On ads, in-app purchases, monetization model and device support 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
VAPolyMkII costs $14.99 and KA mini Sheng $1.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
KA mini Sheng holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: VAPolyMkII has 11 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two.
VAPolyMkII ships an update weekly, KA mini Sheng every 2 months. Both last shipped on November 4, 2026.
| Parameter | VAPolyMkII | KA mini Sheng |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $14.99 | $1.99 — better |
| Rating | 4.5 (11 ratings) | 5.0 (2 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 66.7% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 11 — better | 2 |
| Update frequency | Weekly — better | Every 2 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Mac | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 16.6 | 12.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 16 MB | 27 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Ryo Togawa | SHANTOU KONG AUDIO SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGY CO.,LTD. |
Customer experience
VAPolyMkII
KA mini Sheng
In-app purchases
VAPolyMkII
No in-app purchases
KA mini Sheng
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is VAPolyMkII free?
Is KA mini Sheng free?
Which has better reviews, VAPolyMkII or KA mini Sheng?
Do VAPolyMkII or KA mini Sheng have ads?
Which is updated more often, VAPolyMkII or KA mini Sheng?
Other comparisons
