Comparison

Musical polyphoniс synthesizer vs Pentaholic Synth

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Musical polyphoniс synthesizer

This app transforms your iPad into a versatile musical instrument, offering a microtonal synthesizer with extensive octave range and distortion effects. It allows for unique tuning, low latency performance, and combines a small set of features for diverse sound creation.

Highlights
  • Microtonal capability
  • Low latency and distortion
  • Extensive octave range
  • Adjustable pitch rounding/frets
  • Polyphony adjustment
  • Reverb and delay effects
Features
Read full description

Video: http://youtu.be/qNADBoucaRk A microtonal capable distortion synthesizer with an 11-string bass guitar layout with extremely low latency. This App gives you: Too much octave range The ability to play totally out of tune A small amount of help on playing in key A somewhat ugly interface A small set of features that you must combine to make variety. No bitmapped images to make you drool over the eye candy Not a font anywhere - other than a few begrudgingly penciled in note names The settings (bottom buttons): - Overall Volume - Reverb - Distortion - Octave Harmonics - FM Distortion - Delay - Pitch Rounding / Optional Frets - Polyphony Adjustment - Preset and Lock(slide right to un-lock AS FIRST STEP!) Technique A lot of players play with one hand. Right-handed guitar players are typically doing everything with their picking (right) hand. Pianists seem to do the same. I play two-handed finger-tapping technique, which seems to be best way. Special thanks to Rob Fielding. Полифонический синтезатор Эта программа превращает Ваш iPad в потрясающий музыкальный инструмент - церковный орган (музыкальный инструмент). Внутри трудится полифонический синтезатор, позволяющий Вам извлекать 10 звуков одновременно. Синтезатор настраивается на специальном поле настроек внизу экрана. Для развлекательных целей этот инструмент подходит слабо, но при соответствующей подготовке (и занятий в музыкальной школе хотя бы на ф-но!) он позволяет играть очень впечатляющие музыкальные произведения. Попробуйте :) Классические и романтические произведения на органе звучат очень впечатляюще. Краткая инструкция: Экран iPad используется максимально полно, разделен на клавиши инструмента, каждая клавиша по горизонтали отличается на пол-тона(музыкальный интервал) от соседней. Соседние клавиши по вертикали отличаются на кварту(музыкальный интервал) Пара рядов клавиш находится в пределах 1 музыкальной октавы. Пара рядов выше - на октавы выше, пара рядов ниже - на октаву ниже. Исключение составляет предпоследний сверху ряд - 3 ряда играют в пределах одной октавы - удобно играть аккорды. При смещении пальца с клавиши происходит сдвиг частоты - позволяет играть "легато" Клавиши, играющие "чистые" ноты C,D,E,F,G,A,H - подписаны При игре подсвечиваются все клавиши аналогичные нажатой ноте во всех октавах (нажимаем "Е" - подсвечиваются все "Е" на устройстве) Ну в общем разберетесь :) Настройки синтезатора меняются положением регуляторов на нижней строке. Далее слева направо: - Общая громкость. Служит в основном при замешивании выходного сигнала с другими источниками, например гитарой. - реверберация (случайное эхо) - дисторшн (компрессия). - октавные гармоники. Обязательны для звучания, напоминающего орган или гитару. - FM дисторшн (модуляции частот, дающие богатый набор гармоник) - индикатор повторения задежки (delay) (моргает во время работы) - Частота повторения задежки (delay) - Громкость задежки (delay) - плавность перехода между соседними клавишами (отображается толщиной линии между ними), позволяет играть легато. - настройка полифонии (игра аккордами). Менее 25% - монофоническое звучание, более 75%- полная полифония. - заранее запрограммированные установки (пресеты),всего 12, когда все кнопки внизу серые - вы не можете редактировать их, нужно разблокировать крайней правой кнопкой. Отредактированные пресеты - сохраняются. - блокировка кнопок настройки от случайного нажатия Кнопка "подарить рубль" НЕ отключает рекламу и НЕ покупает ничего и служит только как стимул для меня выпустить платную версию, без рекламы и с расширенными возможностями (есть идеи - пишите в почту техподдержки). Эта версия программы основана на идее и работе Rob Fielding и поэтому бесплатна. Я люблю музыку. Удачной игры.

About

Pentaholic Synth

This app digitally recreates a classic polyphonic synthesizer, offering authentic sound design and songwriting inspiration. It features a 300-note sequencer, multiple oscillators per voice, and performance controls like a joystick and expression pedal inputs.

Highlights
  • Authentic 5-voice polyphony
  • 3 oscillators per voice with 8 waveforms
  • Component-level circuit modeling
  • Dual ADSR envelopes
  • 300-note polyphonic sequencer
  • Joystick and expression pedal support
Features
Read full description

Pentaholic is the first digital recreation of the Gleeman Pentaphonic. It's audio signal path is traced at the component level and built specifically for Apple Silicon devices utilizing native Metal 3D graphics featuring classic and clear UI. In 1982, the Gleeman Pentaphonic was released as a "sketchpad synth" with a 300-note polyphonic sequencer boasting 5 voices, 3 digitally controlled oscillators per voice, and 8 waveforms per oscillator, all from an 8-bit microprocessor. After DAC, a trio of CEM chips per voice passes the audio: a 3310 envelope generator, 3320 configured as a 24dB low-pass resonant filter, and a 3360 as dual voltage-controlled amplifiers. Each subsequent stage of audio is summed out to a LM348 op amp, stacking saturation through to output. Add performance controls like expression pedal inputs and a joystick for modulation and pitch bend for a performance powerhouse synth. Pentaholic brings the circuit to life in the digital realm for the first time ever on any platform. The concept of a sketchpad synth was the main inspiration for this - getting back to the fundamentals of songwriting and sound design. Pentaholic is meant to inspire ideas faster and prevent Producer Paralysis induced by too many options on the piano roll. Record your idea to the sequencer and play over it - the keyboard takes precedence over the sequencer notes so you can nail down your melody or adjust your groove with the rate and delay of the sequencer. • Authentic 5-Voice Polyphony: True chorusing detune of OSC 2/3 relative to OSC 1's pitch (not BBD!) - oldest note first voice stealing. • 3 Oscillators Per Voice: 8 waveforms CMP 1 CMP 2 3% PULSE 12% Pulse SQR SAW TRI SIN per OSC and a HIGH or LOW octave mode. • One octave of chromatic pitch: transposing progressions or leads just like you put a capo on a guitar. • Component-Level Modeling: The soul of the synth - a 24dB resonant low-pass filter - self-oscillation, and nonlinear harmonic drive of the legendary CEM 3320 filter chip for a distinct bite with each subsequent gain stage pushing into saturation through a LM348 op amp. • Dual ADSR Envelopes: Precise, vintage-snappy envelope generators for exacting control over amplifier and filter contours. Subtle noise and quick snap attacks from resistor-capacitor networks the envelopes pass through. • The Polyphonic Sketchpad Sequencer: A massive 300-note sequencer honoring the original hardware workflow. Recording polyphonic chords in real time and yielding to performance on the keyboard in playback. • Joystick and expression pedal hookups: +/- 5 step pitch bend, modulation of depth of the LFO destination and cutoff expression all from the joystick even more control with expression pedals. Pentaholic honors the original but Gotham Paradise recognizes the value and convenience of advances for performance available from soft-synths, MIDI 2.0 and Bluetooth. • *MIDI Polyphonic Expression - *MIDI Learn - *6 Octave Pitch Change - *Master Volume - *Re-assignable joystick 0 to 5 steps - *Sync'd parameters for glide, sequencer rate/delay, LFO rate - *Game controller performance using scales to the directional pad and ABXY buttons, stick click sequencer recording and playback - Bluetooth MIDI controller Connectivity *Pentaholic is fully functional from download but the following features are accessible with in-app purchase *Sequencer Volume *Keyboard Volume *Master Volume *6 Octave Pitch *Unison *Sync'd Parameters *Recall or Automation of parameters when hosted in a DAW such as Logic for iPad or Garageband *User Preset Saving *MIDI Learn/MIDI CC Parameter Assignment *M.P.E. *Sequencer records and plays back but resets when stopped *MIDI export of recorded Sequences *Game Controller Performance Mode *Reassignable Joystick Pitch bend Keeping Pentaholic's core functionality free for young and new producers who can't afford the full version is important to Gotham Paradise, purchasing the full featured synth helps pay it forward.

Screenshots

Pentaholic Synth3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Musical polyphoniс synthesizer at 4.4 against Pentaholic Synth's 3.8. Musical polyphoniс synthesizer also leads on review sentiment (77% vs 57%) and ratings volume (20 vs 6). Pentaholic Synth's advantage is update cadence (every 6 days vs every 42 months) and monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases). On price, ads, in-app purchases 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Musical polyphoniс synthesizer sells 2 one-off in-app purchases and Pentaholic Synth sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Musical polyphoniс synthesizer holds the better App Store score, 4.4 against 3.8. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 20 and 6 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 77% of Musical polyphoniс synthesizer's written reviews are positive against 57% of Pentaholic Synth's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Musical polyphoniс synthesizer ships an update every 42 months, Pentaholic Synth every 6 days. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Musical polyphoniс synthesizer versus Pentaholic Synth: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMusical polyphoniс synthesizerPentaholic Synth
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.4 (20 ratings) — better3.8 (6 ratings)
Positive reviews76.9% of reviews — better57.1% of reviews
Number of ratings20 — better6
Update frequencyEvery 42 monthsEvery 6 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPadiPhone, iPad — better
Requires iOS9.0 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size7 MB21 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperEvgeny EGOROVAndrew Strickland

Customer experience

Musical polyphoniс synthesizer

All ratings20 ratings
Positive90.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative10.0%
Written reviews13 reviews
Positive76.9%
Neutral7.7%
Negative15.4%

Pentaholic Synth

All ratings6 ratings
Positive66.7%
Neutral16.7%
Negative16.7%
Written reviews7 reviews
Positive57.1%
Neutral14.3%
Negative28.6%

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Musical polyphoniс synthesizer

One-time2
  • Gift $1 to developer$0.99
  • to switch off advertizing$3.99
1 purchases

Pentaholic Synth

One-time1
  • Full Features$28.00

Questions

Is Musical polyphoniс synthesizer free?
Musical polyphoniс synthesizer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Pentaholic Synth free?
Pentaholic Synth is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Musical polyphoniс synthesizer or Pentaholic Synth?
Musical polyphoniс synthesizer is rated higher. Musical polyphoniс synthesizer averages 4.4 out of 5 from 20 ratings, while Pentaholic Synth averages 3.8 from 6 ratings.
Do Musical polyphoniс synthesizer or Pentaholic Synth have ads?
Neither Musical polyphoniс synthesizer nor Pentaholic Synth shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Musical polyphoniс synthesizer or Pentaholic Synth?
Musical polyphoniс synthesizer ships an update every 42 months, and Pentaholic Synth every 6 days. Most recently, Musical polyphoniс synthesizer was updated on October 24, 2026 and Pentaholic Synth on October 24, 2026.

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