Comparison

Pitch Shift (Key Change) vs Viking Synth

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

Head to head
About

Pitch Shift (Key Change)

This music player allows real-time pitch shifting and a 31-band equalizer. It supports AUv3 effects, loop playback, and exporting processed audio. Import audio files from other apps or your music library.

Highlights
  • Real-time pitch shifting
  • 31-band equalizer
  • AUv3 effects support
  • A-B loop playback
  • Center Cancel/Emphasis
  • Audio file export
  • Background playback
Read full description

[ Important Notice ] With this version (7.0.0), we are ending regular updates for this app. You can continue using this app, but future development and updates will continue in 'Audio Unit Player', which includes this app's functionality. 'Audio Unit Player' is a free app that supports both speed and pitch adjustment and includes a 31-band equalizer with no band restrictions. Data Transfer: File information registered in this app is not transferred automatically to 'Audio Unit Player'. Use the Files app to manually copy any files you need."; ================================================ This app is a music player that can process the following effects in real time. - Pitch shift (-1 ~ +1 octave) - 31 band equalizer (required In-App Purchase) - Reverb - AUv3 (Audio Unit v3) host If you play a musical instrument or sing a song, this app should be supported by you higher / lower the pitch. [Function] - Perform pitch shift in real time (-12 - +12). - 31 bands EQ (Hz: 20, 25, 31.5, 40, 50, 63, 80, 100, 125, 160, 200, 250, 315, 400, 500, 630, 800, 1k, 1.25k, 1.6k, 2k, 2.5k, 3.15k, 4k, 5k, 6.3k, 8k, 10k, 12.5k, 16k, 20k). (Initiality, only 3 bands are available. It's possible to use 31 bands by In-App Purchase.) - EQ preset (Abundant Built-in Presets / Custom Presets) (required In-App Purchase). - Reverb: Adjustable decay time (Low freq, High freq) / 13 presets - Reverb preset (Built-in Presets / Custom Presets) - Can be used as an AUv3 host. - A-B loop playback. - Center Cancel / Center Emphasis. - Lch, Rch each mute. - Quick fast forward, rewind (specify the number of seconds). - Check and set current position graphically in wave view. - Supports Auto-Lock ON/OFF. - Supports background playback. - Supports export (file writing) function (Each effect (pitch/EQ) value set for each song is also reflected. The range specified in the loop section is output.) In addition to loading music data included in the standard "music" app, it also supports the function to import audio files from other apps ("Voice Memos" etc.). [How to import from "Voice Memos"] 1. Start the app "Voice Memos" and tap the mark "..." of the file to be imported from the list. 2. Tap "Share" on the sheet displayed from the bottom. 3. Tap "More" found by scrolling the displayed list of sharing destination apps to the right. 4. Select "Pitch Shift" if available. The file is copied to this app. ================================================ [Note 1] This application will not be able to read songs of the following formats. - Songs from Apple Music, iCloud, iTunes Match - Songs that are protected by digital copyright (DRM) [Note 2] Depending on the state of your device, your custom AUv3 effects may not appear in the list. As a solution, you can solve the problem by starting "GarageBand" once and restarting this app. ================================================

About

Viking Synth

This app emulates a classic monophonic analog synthesizer with advanced DSP technology. It features three variable wave oscillators, dual ladder filters, an LFO, and two modulation busses for versatile sound design. An intuitive interface and extensive preset library make it ideal for creating thick bass and rich lead sounds.

Highlights
  • Three continuously variable wave oscillators
  • Dual ladder filters (Lowpass/Highpass)
  • Multi-wave LFO
  • Two modulation busses
  • Intuitive user interface with expandable controls
  • 228 presets including Bass, Lead, and Synthwave
  • State-of-the-art DSP for authentic sound
Read full description

Viking Synth is an authentic emulation of a classic monophonic analog synthesizer. It has three continuously variable wave oscillators, two ladder filters with a Dual Lowpass or Highpass/Lowpass configuration, a multi-wave LFO, and two modulation busses. Viking Synth uses state of the art DSP technology to accurately reproduce the sound of the hardware. You get a desktop quality plug-in at an iOS friendly price. Viking Synth is an Audio Unit Extension Instrument (AUv3) that works as a plug-in inside host apps. Just open up your favorite host that supports Audio Unit Instruments and select it from the list of available Audio Units. Compatible with GarageBand, Cubasis, Auria, BeatMaker, AudioBus, AUM, Modstep, and more. The user interface of Viking Synth is designed for quick and intuitive control. Knobs and sliders expand during tweaking and are designed so the current value isn't hidden below your finger. The six pages divide the synth into logical sections that can be accessed quickly. The filter display acts as an XY pad for controlling cutoff and resonance. Simply double tap a knob or slider to reset it to its default value. Presets Viking Synth comes with 228 presets in the categories Bass, Bright Lead, Electro Bass, FX, Percussive Lead, Soft Lead, and Synthwave. The synth excels at thick bass and rich lead sounds. The 50 Electro Bass and 50 Synthwave presets were designed by renowned sound designer eXode. Presets work perfectly with GarageBand, Cubasis, and AUM. Oscillators At the heart of Viking are three adjustable wave oscillators. The continuously variable waveform knob gives the oscillators a unique sound that can’t be achieved with the fixed waveforms found in most synths. A noise oscillator provides three types of noise, one specifically modeled after the hardware. Modulation Two modulation busses and an LFO provide flexible modulation capabilities. All of the options hidden deep in menus on the hardware are immediately accessible with one tap. Filters The filters are classic transistor ladder filters modeled meticulously. Two DSP varieties are available allowing for either reduced CPU load or soft clipping plus three additional overdriven modes. The number of poles is adjustable for a wider range of filter sounds. Compare Viking to other synths: – Viking’s oscillators are free running, not sampled, wavetable based, or generated from a zero point – Viking’s oscillators use advanced techniques to avoid aliasing – Viking’s oscillators have instability, which is controllable through the tuning drift control – Viking’s nonlinear filter uses circuit modeling and provides soft clipping

Screenshots

Pitch Shift (Key Change)2 screens
Viking Synth4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Pitch Shift (Key Change) at Free against Viking Synth's $3.99. Pitch Shift (Key Change) also leads on update cadence (every 2 months vs every 4 months). Viking Synth's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2) and ads (none vs shown). On ratings volume 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

Pitch Shift (Key Change) is free to download; Viking Synth costs $3.99 up front. Pitch Shift (Key Change) sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. Viking Synth asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Viking Synth holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.4. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 85 and 42 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 50% of Pitch Shift (Key Change)'s written reviews are positive against 69% of Viking Synth's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Pitch Shift (Key Change) ships an update every 2 months, Viking Synth every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on September 21, 2026 and September 23, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard8 real differences · 2 level
Pitch Shift (Key Change) versus Viking Synth: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPitch Shift (Key Change)Viking Synth
PriceFree — better$3.99
Rating4.4 (85 ratings)4.7 (42 ratings) — better
Positive reviews50.0% of reviews69.4% of reviews — better
Number of ratings85 — better42
Update frequencyEvery 2 months — betterEvery 4 months
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases — betterPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS16.012.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size5 MB11 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperLoop-Sessions.LLC.Blamsoft, Inc.

Customer experience

Pitch Shift (Key Change)

All ratings85 ratings
Positive83.5%
Neutral3.5%
Negative12.9%
Written reviews62 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral12.9%
Negative37.1%

Viking Synth

All ratings42 ratings
Positive92.9%
Neutral0.0%
Negative7.1%
Written reviews62 reviews
Positive69.4%
Neutral11.3%
Negative19.4%

Bugs and requests

Pitch Shift (Key Change)

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

Viking Synth

Reported bugs

6 issues
  • Presets not showing up
  • Presets disappear
  • App not showing in AUv3 menu
  • Settings not saving after iOS 14 update
  • Crashes when opening presets browser
Show 1 more
  • Saved presets not loading

Requested features

5 requests
  • More subtle drive mode
  • Categorized preset browser
  • Polyphony option
  • Dark mode
  • More apps from developer

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Pitch Shift (Key Change)

One-time2
  • 31 bands equalizer$0.99
  • Always remove banner ads.$2.99
None

Viking Synth

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Pitch Shift (Key Change) free?
Pitch Shift (Key Change) is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Viking Synth free?
Viking Synth costs $3.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Pitch Shift (Key Change) or Viking Synth?
Viking Synth is rated higher. Pitch Shift (Key Change) averages 4.4 out of 5 from 85 ratings, while Viking Synth averages 4.7 from 42 ratings.
Do Pitch Shift (Key Change) or Viking Synth have ads?
Pitch Shift (Key Change) shows ads; Viking Synth does not.
Which is updated more often, Pitch Shift (Key Change) or Viking Synth?
Pitch Shift (Key Change) ships an update every 2 months, and Viking Synth every 4 months. Most recently, Pitch Shift (Key Change) was updated on September 21, 2026 and Viking Synth on September 23, 2026.

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