iVCS3 vs iProphet Synthesizer
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)
iProphet Synthesizer
This app emulates the classic Sequential Circuits Prophet VS synthesizer, offering its unique digital sound. Sculpt sounds with four digital oscillators, a multimode filter, and extensive modulation options. It includes over 500 presets and integrates with other music production tools.
- Vector screen with joysticks
- Modulation Matrix
- 3 DSP effects
- 96 waveforms
- 4 filter types
- Vector envelope
- Unison/detune
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When a punchy, fat sound is demanded, look no further. iProphet recreates the unique sound of the classic Sequential Circuits Prophet VS synthesizer. Need help? Have an issue or question? Please email us at support@retronyms.com. The Prophet VS's rareness and classic digital sound make it a mainstay for those who can find them. The sound is purely classic crisp digital sound that easily stands on its own, but at the same time is the perfect compliment to the sound of analog synthesizers. iProphet brings the crystaline vintage sound of four digital oscillators and allows sculpting them using a creamy and warm multimode filter. iProphet comes with over 500 presets created by some of todays best sound designers. Use it in Tabletop to compose your music. You can morph the sound of the 4 oscillators using the joystick or the vector mode and the vector envelope. You can also swap presets between iProphet and Arturia's Prophet V synthesizer which allows you to work on the iPad and finish in the DAW of your choice. iProphet is a Tabletop Ready app. The connect menu allows you to connect iProphet to the Retronyms Tabletop app, giving you an integration with a complete studio environment. Tabletop also features add-ons for more effects and instruments from other 3rd party companies. iProphet supports Core MIDI, interapp-audio as well as Audiobus technologies for perfect integration. The use of the brands 'Prophet' and 'Sequencial Circuits' is done with permission of Dave Smith Instruments. Features Include: - Vector screen with joysticks to mix oscillators and envelopes - Super flexible Modulation Matrix - 3 DSP effects (overdrive, delay, and chorus) - 96 different wave forms to control pitch - 4 filter types - Vector envelope featuring loop points - Unison/detune for beefy sounds - Full user MIDI mapping of panel controls - Tabletop Ready app - Soundcloud seeder (via Tabletop) - Render to .wav file (via Tabletop) - AudioCopy to paste your audio into another iPad application (via Tabletop)
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: iVCS3 at 91% against iProphet Synthesizer's 34%. iVCS3 also leads on rating (4.9 vs 3.5) and ratings volume (205 vs 31). iProphet Synthesizer's advantage is price ($9.99 vs $19.99) and in-app purchases (none vs 10). On update cadence, ads 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
iVCS3 costs $19.99 and iProphet Synthesizer $9.99 up front. iVCS3 sells 10 one-off in-app purchases. iProphet Synthesizer asks for nothing beyond the download.
iVCS3 holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 3.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: iVCS3 has 205 ratings behind it against 31, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 91% of iVCS3's written reviews are positive against 34% of iProphet Synthesizer's.
iVCS3 ships an update every 2 months, iProphet Synthesizer every 5 months. The most recent releases landed on October 25, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | iVCS3 | iProphet Synthesizer |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $19.99 | $9.99 — better |
| Rating | 4.9 (205 ratings) — better | 3.5 (31 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 90.7% of reviews — better | 34.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 205 — better | 31 |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months — better | Every 5 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases — better | Paid |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad — better | iPad |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | 8.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 107 MB | 85 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | apeSoft | Arturia |
Customer experience
iVCS3
iProphet Synthesizer
User reviews
iVCS3
From 205 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
iProphet Synthesizer
From 31 App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 🎵 Authentic Prophet VS sound quality and character
- 🎹 Deep modulation matrix with vector synthesis capabilities
- 🎚️ Extensive preset library with diverse sounds
- 🎨 Intuitive visual interface and design
- 💰 Affordable price point for feature set
Room to improve
- 🐛 Persistent audio distortion and crackling issues
- 🐛 Frequent crashes and app freezes
- 🔌 Poor inter-app audio (IAA) and Audiobus integration
- 🔋 Excessive battery drain in background
- ⚠️ Abandoned by developer with no updates
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
iProphet Synthesizer
Reported bugs
15 issues- Audio distortion and crackling in all presets
- App crashes on iOS 14+ versions
- Inter-app audio (IAA) connection requires multiple restarts
- Preset changes cause app freezes and audio cutouts
- Stuck and hanging notes when sliding on keyboard
Show 10 moreShow fewer
- Modulation settings incorrectly apply across different presets
- Low-frequency humming loop persists during playback
- AirPods Max audio quality degradation
- Audiobus integration causes lockout and screeching
- iPad goes to sleep during drone playback
- Save preset function not working
- Waveform display shows white blocks in Tabletop
- Sustain pedal not responding to MIDI messages
- Preset polyphony status changes unexpectedly
- App becomes unresponsive in DAW environments
Requested features
14 requests- AUv3 plugin support for Logic Pro and other DAWs
- Ability to save custom patches and presets
- Velocity and aftertouch MIDI support
- MIDI control for joystick parameter
- User-defined waveform creation
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- Full 8-note polyphony support
- Background audio playback capability
- MIDI output functionality
- Master transpose feature
- Key and velocity zones
- Sequencer built into app
- Sample rate adjustment options
- Persistent MIDI channel settings
- Last preset memory on app launch
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
iProphet Synthesizer
No in-app purchases









