iVCS3 vs Tera Pro
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
iVCS3
This application emulates the iconic EMS VCS3 synthesizer, a pioneering portable synthesizer from 1969. It recreates the original's unique sound generation capabilities, including its oscillators, filters, and patch matrix, allowing users to explore its distinctive sonic palette.
- Official EMS VCS3 emulation
- Three oscillators (2 VCOs, 1 LFO)
- Noise generator
- Voltage controlled low pass filter (VCF)
- Patch board matrix
- Joy-stick controller
- Voltage controlled spring reverb
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iVCS3 Official EMS VCS3 emulator The VCS3 was created in 1969 by Peter Zinovieff's EMS company. The electronics were largely designed by David Cockerell and the machine's distinctive visual appearance was the work of electronic composer Tristram Cary. The VCS3 was more or less the first portable commercially available synthesizer—portable in the sense that the VCS 3 was housed entirely in a small, wooden case. The VCS3 was quite popular among progressive rock bands and was used on recordings by The Alan Parsons Project, Jean Michel Jarre, Hawkwind, Brian Eno (with Roxy Music), King Crimson, The Who, Gong, and Pink Floyd, among many others. Well-known examples of its use are on The Who track "Won't Get Fooled Again" (as an external sound processor, in this case with Pete Townshend running the signal of a Lowrey Organ through the VCS3's filter and low frequency oscillators) on Who's Next. Pink Floyd's "On the Run" (from The Dark Side of the Moon) made use of its oscillators, filter and noise generator, as well as the sequencer. Their song Welcome to the Machine also used the VCS3. The bassy throb at the beginning of the recording formed the foundation of the song, with the other parts being recorded in response. The VCS3 was also a staple at the BBC’s Radiophonic Workshop, and was a regular (and most frightening) sound generator for the Dr Who TV series. Many fo the monsters and atmoshere;s created for the show came directly from the VCS3. Description The VCS3 has three oscillators (in reality, the first 2 oscillators are normal oscillators and the 3rd an LFO or Low Frequency Oscillator), a noise generator, two input amplifiers, a ring modulator, a 18dB/octave (pre-1974) or 24dB/octave (after 1974) voltage controlled low pass filter (VCF), a trapezoid envelope generator, joy-stick controller, voltage controlled spring reverb unit and 2 stereo output amplifiers. Unlike most modular synthesizer systems which use cables to link components together, the VCS3 uses a distinctive patch board matrix into which pins are inserted in order to connect its components together. Keyboards controller DK1 keyboard controller Although the VCS3 is often used for generating sound effects due to lack of built-in keyboard, there were external keyboard controllers for melodic play. The DK1 in 1969 was an early velocity sensitive monophonic keyboard for VCS3 with an extra VCO and VCA. Later it was extended for duophonic play, as DK2, in 1972. Also in 1972, Synthi AKS was released, and its digital sequencer with a touch-sensitive flat keyboard, KS sequencer, and its mechanical keyboard version, DKS, were also released. (See: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VCS3)
Tera Pro
Explore a vast array of sound synthesis methods, from analog emulations to modern digital techniques. Combine modules for unique sonic textures, enhanced by an intelligent interface and realtime visual feedback. Expand your sound palette with additional modules available through in-app purchases.
- Multiple synthesis methods (analog, FM, spectral, additive)
- Physical modeling and wave shaping
- Intelligent user interface with realtime scopes
- Flexible module routing
- 128-voice polyphony with vintage voice modeling
- Seamless sound switching
- Extensive preset library
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Tera Pro brings together all major sound synthesis methods on one table. No matter if you want to recreate sounds from analogue legends or explore modern digital sounds with FM, Waveshaping or Wavetable synthesis. More can be added by In-App Purchases of new modules. Add some flavour of physical modelling and modules for additive synthesis. Combine them altogether for new sound experiences far beyond your wildest dreams. Tame this overwhelming amount of possibilities with Tera Pros intelligent user interface showing you only exactly what you need, paired with realtime oscilloscopes and level indicators helping you seeing what’s going on. Connect the modules with a flexible routing method without the visual cluttering of real wire cables needed in conventional modular synthesisers FAQ What does Tera Pro have that Tera Synth doesn't have ? 1) Additional Sound Modules - Spectrum oscillator ( borrowed from the heart of Addictive Synth ) - Wave shaper / folder opens the west coast synthesis - Vocal Morphing filter - KARPLUS (aka WaveGuide ) with new "Swarm" mode ( 3 detuned delays ) 2) Revised engine - Analog Polysynth Voice Modelling with characteristic subtle voice variations of timbre, pitch and temporal behaviour to get you "The" Analog Sound. - 128 vs 32 voices polyphony - Seamless Sound Switching: change presets during play without cutting off the sound. - 8 times unison for really heavy ambients - Envelope generators with Buchla style "end of cycle" trigger for generative music - Stack/Split Sounds - New effect section 3) Redesigned User Interface - Collapsible modules for clear view of modular structure - No more nasty popups for LFOs/Envelope generators - Realtime oscilloscopes added to selected modules 4) New Presets - About 1000 additional presets in there. Tera never sounded this good... Tera Pro Specifications - 128 voice Modular polyphonic Synthesiser - Mono/Dual/Split Voice Architecture - Modules for analog and FM synthesis - Modules for Spectral Synthesis and Additive Synthesis - Karplus Strong Physical Modelling and Wave Shaping - MIDI Polyphonic Expression (MPE) - Vintage voice modelling for organic warm sound character - 1800+ Factory presets included - PDF Manual included - Standalone, AUv3 and IAA compatible - Ableton Link - Bluetooth MIDI - ... Additional modules through In-App Purchases: - Classic Wavetable synthesis with Import - Classic 6-OP FM Synthesis fully compatible to DX7 sysex files. - BrainZ multiple synthesis module based on MI Plaits Eurorack module. - RingZ physical modelling module based on MI Rings Eurorack module. - CloudZ granular synthesis module based on MI Clouds Eurorack module.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: Tera Pro at $6.99 against iVCS3's $19.99. Tera Pro also leads on update cadence (every 5 days vs every 2 months) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 17.0). iVCS3's advantage is rating (4.9 vs 4.6) and review sentiment (91% vs 69%). On ratings volume, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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
iVCS3 costs $19.99 and Tera Pro $6.99 up front. iVCS3 sells 10 one-off in-app purchases and Tera Pro sells 6 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
iVCS3 holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.6. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 206 and 155 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 91% of iVCS3's written reviews are positive against 69% of Tera Pro's.
iVCS3 ships an update every 2 months, Tera Pro every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on September 21, 2026 and September 25, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | iVCS3 | Tera Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $19.99 | $6.99 — better |
| Rating | 4.9 (206 ratings) — better | 4.6 (155 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 90.6% of reviews — better | 69.4% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 206 — better | 155 |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Every 5 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | 12.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 107 MB | 306 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | apeSoft | Harry Gohs |
Customer experience
iVCS3
Tera Pro
User reviews
iVCS3
From 206 App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 🚀 Faithful recreation of the original
- 👍 Powerful and versatile sound
- 🎨 Gorgeous vintage interface
- 💡 Additional features beyond the original
- 🎛️ Excellent integration with MIDI and other apps
Room to improve
- 🐛 Occasional crashes and bugs
- 🤔 Steep learning curve
- 🔍 Difficult to navigate the matrix
Tera Pro
From 155 App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 🎵 Exceptional sound quality and versatile synthesis capabilities
- 💡 Innovative modular workflow with flexible architecture
- 🎛️ Extensive preset library (1000+ presets)
- 🔧 Powerful sound design tools with multiple synthesis types
- 📱 Available on both iOS and macOS (M1)
Room to improve
- 🎮 Steep learning curve and complex UI
- ⌨️ Unconventional on-screen keyboard design
- 🐛 Frequent crashes and stability issues
- 🔊 Dangerously loud output without limiter
- ⚙️ UI elements sometimes unresponsive or laggy
Bugs and requests
iVCS3
Reported bugs
3 issues- Presets not loading
- Crashes on iOS 15.04
- Sampler not functioning properly
Requested features
3 requests- Mac compatibility
- Improved preset management
- Expanded sampling capabilities
Tera Pro
Reported bugs
17 issues- App crashes on macOS and iOS
- Piano keyboard not appearing
- Wavetable module IAP producing no sound
- In-app purchases disappearing or not activating
- Presets causing white noise or feedback blasts
Show 12 moreShow fewer
- UI glitches preventing parameter adjustment
- Randomize function not working with wavetable oscillators
- Arpeggiator losing sync in AUM
- No sound output until patch toggling
- LFO panel crashes when adjusting settings
- Wavetable oscillator remaining silent
- MIDI Learn settings not clearable
- App not appearing in iPad Settings or Files app
- Patches with feedback that require MIDI Panic
- Inconsistent oscillator routing display
- Parameter adjustment randomly not working
- Sample rate unable to be changed
Requested features
15 requests- Undo/Redo functionality
- MIDI Panic button (prominent placement)
- Output limiter for safety
- Standard black and white keyboard option
- Favorites/bookmarking system for presets
Show 10 moreShow fewer
- MIDI Learn reset/clear functionality
- Key Hold button on main screen
- Sampler module
- Many-to-many modulation matrix
- Fully dark theme on all UI screens
- MIDI Program Change support
- Solo and Mute buttons for oscillators
- Partial number indicators for spectral oscillator
- Better file system integration for backups
- Improved velocity/aftertouch separation on keyboard
In-app purchases
iVCS3
- Red Sky Lullaby - 180 PresetsFree
- Singe Difficile by RUST(i)KFree
- RUMBLEFree
Show 7 moreShow fewer
- OLD GRIT - COLLECTIONFree
- JEC 2018 Iconic PinkFloydFree
- JEC EMS-50Free
- SINAPSYA - Under The Dust$2.99
- LALA - Sonic Pleasures$3.99
- JEC Mega Bank$4.99
- Essential EMS Modifications$6.99
Tera Pro
- Library WaveShaper$0.99
- Module Waves$5.99
- FM 7 module$5.99
Show 3 moreShow fewer
- Module RingZ$5.99
- Module BrainZ$6.99
- Module CloudZ$9.99








