Solderbox vs Thereminator 2
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Solderbox
This app is a compact, semi-modular synthesizer designed for generative music creation. It offers a comprehensive set of modular functions, aiming for analog-like sound and behavior with unique digital effects and an 'Instability Engine' for organic fluctuations.
- Generative synthesis tools
- Analog-like sound emulation
- Instability Engine for organic fluctuations
- Audio Unit (AUv3) compatibility
- Built-in Pulsequencer melody generator
- Multiple filter modes
- Stackable patch cables
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Solderbox is a compact semimodular synthesizer, made in collaboration with Jakob Haq. It is heavily based on Jakob's own modular rack design (which features a lot of modules made by hand). The app is designed to offer a set of modular functions that is both comprehensive and eclectic, including several tools for generative synthesis, random signals and the surgical mangling of audio waves and modulation signals. A lot of effort went into making everything sound and behave as analog as digitally possible (with the exception of the unashamedly digital Entropy lo-fi effect processor). Additionally, the built-in Instability Engine injects the subtle fluctuations simulating the effects of crosstalk, leaky signals and expired electrical components. This is a living instrument with a soul of its own. - Full Audio Unit compatibility (AUv3 instrument, audio effect) - Universal design (iPhone, iPad, MacOS AUv3) - Built-in Pulsequencer (LFO-based generative melody generator with custom scales) - 4 mode Low-pass filter (6, 12, 18, 24 dB) - 3 voice polyphony - Drone mode - Stackable patch cables - DIY Lo-Fi digital delay circuit emulation - All synth settings exposed a AU Parameters (for automation and MIDI learning in your host of choice) Find the user manual on ruismaker.com
Thereminator 2
This app brings the iconic theremin sound to your mobile device and computer. It offers touch-controlled virtual instrument capabilities with extensive sound shaping options and MPE support for DAWs.
- Touch-controlled virtual theremin
- AUv3 instrument plugin
- MPE protocol support
- Over 50 factory presets
- Virtual-Analog resonant filter
- Modeled tape delay
- 51 musical scales
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“I’ll be Bach.” Stop the presses! Load up the inkwells! For it's the return of one of the first — if not the first — instruments made for iOS: the infamous “pocket theremin” is back. A lot has changed since those heady days of 2008, and so has Thereminator. Although it is not made of T-1000 grade liquid metal (well...not yet), the all-new Thereminator 2 has evolved into a bona fide touch controlled virtual theremin with ample helpings of tone, expression, versatility, and technology. And it’s now an AUv3 plugin, too! Using a special adaptation of the MPE protocol, Thereminator 2 can inject its eerie sounds directly into your DAW, whether on your iPhone, iPad or Apple Silicon powered computer. Whether you have your plan 9 ready, or just lurking in dark shadows, it is a thrill to bring back the app that started it all for us. Thank Y’all for the support, for it’s been an amazing journey! :: Specifications :: • Touch-controlled Virtual Theremin • AUv3 instrument plugin included • Compatible with DAWs that are MPE friendly, including GarageBand, Logic, and Cubasis • Compatible with iPhone, iPad, and Apple Silicon powered computers • Over 50 factory presets Sound engine includes, • 8 waveforms, including the original, unique Thereminator waveform • 8 octave frequency range • Special drive stage for fattening up the sound • Virtual-Analog resonant filter • Dedicated vibrato and tremolo operators with adjustable rate & amount • Portamento • Custom chorus / expander effect for big stereophonic sounds • Modeled tape delay capable of self-oscillation — plenty of vintage mojo • Vertical touch control for volume, filter, vibrato and tremolo Built-in touch controller includes, • Horizontal pitch and vertical expression control • 51 musical scales • Selectable musical key • Note Snap feature that can dial in any amount of glide between adjacent notes • Lock feature to preserve above setting during preset changes • Scrollable control surface with adjustable key size MIDI / MPE and other features include, • MIDI Learn • MPE • Can be used with regular MIDI keyboards on MIDI channel 1 (channels 2-16 are optimized for MPE) • Save & share unlimited banks and presets • Standalone app includes virtual “Tapedeck” for recording & sharing your creations
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: Thereminator 2 at $7.99 against Solderbox's $12.99. Solderbox's advantage is rating (5.0 vs 4.7) and iOS requirement (13 vs 15.0). On review sentiment, ratings volume, ads and in-app purchases 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
Solderbox costs $12.99 and Thereminator 2 $7.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Solderbox holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.7. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 27 and 14 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 90% of Solderbox's written reviews are positive against 88% of Thereminator 2's.
| Parameter | Solderbox | Thereminator 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $12.99 | $7.99 — better |
| Rating | 5.0 (27 ratings) — better | 4.7 (14 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 90.0% of reviews — better | 87.5% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 27 — better | 14 |
| Update frequency | Every 6 weeks | — |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — better | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 13 — better | 15.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 8 MB | 26 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Bram Bos | Yonac Inc. |
Customer experience
Solderbox
Thereminator 2
In-app purchases
Solderbox
No in-app purchases
Thereminator 2
No in-app purchases






