Elastic OSC vs Low Poly 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%).
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 price: Low Poly Synth at $1.99 against Elastic OSC's $17.99. Low Poly Synth also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 2). On rating, review sentiment, ratings volume and ads 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 $17.99 and Low Poly Synth $1.99 up front. Elastic OSC sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. Low Poly Synth asks for nothing beyond the download.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.7 for Elastic OSC against 4.8 for Low Poly Synth. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 39 and 18 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 92% of Elastic OSC's written reviews are positive against 88% of Low Poly Synth's.
| Parameter | Elastic OSC | Low Poly Synth |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $17.99 | $1.99 — better |
| Rating | 4.7 (39 ratings) | 4.8 (18 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 92.0% of reviews — better | 87.5% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 39 — better | 18 |
| Update frequency | Fortnightly | — |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 12.0 | 12.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 58 MB | 6 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Oliver Greschke (DE) | Alexander Zolotov |
Customer experience
Elastic OSC
Low Poly Synth
In-app purchases
Elastic OSC
- Multi LFOs$3.99
- Unlock MPE for expressive control$4.99
Low Poly Synth
No in-app purchases









