Elastic OSC vs Nikaya Wavetable and FM Synth
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Elastic OSC
This synthesizer app offers a vast range of sounds inspired by a popular hardware module. It features 24 distinct oscillator models, intuitive XY pads for sound manipulation, and a versatile arpeggiator. Play it with an on-screen or external keyboard for monophonic or polyphonic sound design.
- 24 distinct sound engines based on Plaits DSP
- Intuitive XY pads for sound manipulation
- Versatile arpeggiator with multiple modes
- Integrated help system for all features
- DX7 bank and wavetable import
- 5 master effects with automations
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Elastic OSC is a synthesizer app based on the DSP code of the Mutable Instruments Plaits hardware oscillator module, one of the most beloved (and cloned) oscillator modules in the Eurorack modular scene! Like the original, Elastic OSC comes with a wide variety of possible sounds, from analog-style, FM, and additive sounds to physical modeling, percussive, and even drum sounds. Elastic OSC can be used in both monophonic and 8-voice polyphonic modes. You can play the app using the (on-screen) keyboard or an external keyboard or sequencer inside your DAW of choice. The app focuses on ease of use, featuring two XY pads for intuitive sound manipulation of the OSC engine and the effects. Despite the simplicity of the cleaned-up interface, the sound possibilities are vast – thanks to 24 different oscillator models and the ability to automate parameter changes, as it is possible in all Elastic apps released so far. A versatile Arpeggiator makes it easy to start with simple ideas or can already create entire sonic worlds. Elastic OSC includes an integrated help system (tap “?”) to provide explanations for nearly every GUI element, the underlying DSP model, and most of the app’s functionality. CDM: "Elastic OSC becomes a must on iOS. It’s fun to use as an instrument in your iPad DAW of choice." SYNTH ANATOMY: "Takes the Mutable Instruments (Plaits) algorithms on a wild trip. A nearly perfect app." ROBERT LIPPOK: "Elastic OSC is incredibly fun to work with from the very first minute. The GUI is really well thought out and has 24 integrated synthesis models, as well as the ability to load DX7 sound banks. Omg, so good." --- FEATURES --- SYNTHESIZER – 24 different Sound Engines from MI Plaits DSP code – 4 main parameters per synth engine (Frequency, Harmonics, Morph, Harmo) – Recordable Modulations/Automations for almost all Parameters with a length of 1, 2 or 4 beats. – ADSR Envelope for Amplifier – LPG Envelope for Modulations of Timbre, FM, Harmonics – Adjustable Velocity effect on Volume and/or LPG Modulation – DX7 Bank and Wavetable Import ARPEGGIATOR With different Arp Modes, Rates, Octave Ranges and Skip Notes functionality MASTER FX – 5 effects (5 different Overdrive/Distortions, Hi-Low-Filter, Chorus/Flanger, Delay, Reverb) – Automations for all effects parameters – Master Gain and switchable Limiter effect SYNTH ENGINES - Virtual Analog - Waveshaping - 2 OP FM - Granular Formant - Additive - Wavetable - Chords - Speech - Granular Cloud - Filtered Noise - Particle Noise - String Model - Modal Resonator - Bass Drum - Snare Drum - Hi-Hat - Virt. Analog VCF - Phase Distortion - 6 OP FM 1 - 6 OP FM 2 - 6 OP FM 3 - Wave Terrain - String Machine - Chiptune —————— LFOs LFO 1 is for free, while three additional LFOs can be unlocked via In-App Purchase. LFO MODULATION TARGETS • Frequency Amount • Timbre Amount • Morph Amount • Harmonics Amount • Filter Amount • Pan Amount LFO MIX The MIX view enables you to blend multiple LFOs and define how strongly each active LFO influences a target parameter. The closer a target is placed to an LFO corner, the stronger its influence. All active LFOs always sum up to 100% (e.g. LFO1 50%, LFO2 30%, LFO3 20%).
Nikaya Wavetable and FM Synth
This app is a polyphonic wavetable and FM synthesizer for musicians and sound designers. It offers flexible wavetable creation, sound design capabilities, and AUv3 plugin support for seamless integration with music production hosts. Share and discover user-created presets within the app.
- 8-voice polyphonic engine
- Dual wavetable oscillators per voice
- Bidirectional FM synthesis
- Global ladder filter
- AUv3 plugin support
- iCloud sync for presets
- Community preset sharing
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Nikaya Synth is a compact, expressive wavetable synthesizer designed for musicians and sound designers looking for flexibility without complexity. It features an 8-voice polyphonic engine, with each voice containing two independent wavetable oscillators and a pair of FM operators. Each voice includes its own ADSR amplitude envelope, while modulation and filtering are handled globally for efficient performance and unified control. Explore a variety of ways to generate and import wavetables: - Flexible Wavetable Creation - Convert images into wavetables using brightness data - Slice WAV files into multiple waveforms - Import folders of single-cycle waveforms - Browse a curated set of factory wavetables - Generate up to 128 waveforms from a single source - Sound Design Capabilities Nikaya offers a focused feature set for building detailed, evolving sounds: - Two wavetable oscillators per voice with independent wave index control - Bidirectional FM synthesis using the current wavetable waveforms - Global ladder filter with a cycling envelope and morphable curve shapes - Two global LFOs with tempo sync and multiple waveforms - Clear visual feedback for envelope shaping - Workflow and Integration Designed with usability and integration in mind: - AUv3 plugin support for host compatibility - iCloud sync for presets and wavetables - Full parameter automation in supported hosts Community Sharing (iOS 13+) - Access user-created presets from the in-app browser - Like and download new sounds - Share your own presets with others Nikaya Synth offers a practical approach to modern wavetable synthesis—lightweight, responsive, and easy to navigate, while remaining capable of detailed and expressive sound design.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: Nikaya Wavetable and FM Synth at $6.99 against Elastic OSC's $14.99. Nikaya Wavetable and FM Synth also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 2) and update cadence (every 2 days vs fortnightly). Elastic OSC's advantage is review sentiment (92% vs 67%) and rating (4.7 vs 4.4). On ads, monetization model, 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
Elastic OSC costs $14.99 and Nikaya Wavetable and FM Synth $6.99 up front. Elastic OSC sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. Nikaya Wavetable and FM Synth asks for nothing beyond the download.
Elastic OSC holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Elastic OSC has 41 ratings behind it against 8, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 92% of Elastic OSC's written reviews are positive against 67% of Nikaya Wavetable and FM Synth's.
Elastic OSC ships an update fortnightly, Nikaya Wavetable and FM Synth every 2 days. Both last shipped on October 25, 2026.
| Parameter | Elastic OSC | Nikaya Wavetable and FM Synth |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $14.99 | $6.99 — better |
| Rating | 4.7 (41 ratings) — better | 4.4 (8 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 92.3% of reviews — better | 66.7% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 41 — better | 8 |
| Update frequency | Fortnightly | Every 2 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 12.0 — better | 13.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 58 MB | 29 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Oliver Greschke (DE) | Cem Olcay |
Customer experience
Elastic OSC
Nikaya Wavetable and FM Synth
In-app purchases
Elastic OSC
- Multi LFOs$3.99
- Unlock MPE for expressive control$4.99
Nikaya Wavetable and FM Synth
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Elastic OSC free?
Is Nikaya Wavetable and FM Synth free?
Which has better reviews, Elastic OSC or Nikaya Wavetable and FM Synth?
Do Elastic OSC or Nikaya Wavetable and FM Synth have ads?
Which is updated more often, Elastic OSC or Nikaya Wavetable and FM Synth?
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