URL Beamer vs Air Synth
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
URL Beamer
This utility plugin allows you to launch other applications from within your audio host using tappable buttons. It's ideal for quick app switching during live performances or studio workflows, with optional MIDI note output for controlling other plugins or host functions.
- AUv3 plugin formats (Effect/Instrument)
- Customizable buttons for app launching
- Optional MIDI note output
- MIDI note input for button triggering
- File Manager for settings
- AUv3 Plugin State Saving
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URL Beamer is an AUv3 plugin for iOS that launches other apps from within your audio host. It provides tappable buttons that trigger custom URL schemes – ideal for quick app switching during live performance or studio workflow. You can insert it as either an Audio Effect or an Instrument in hosts like AUM, then launch external apps with a single tap. Optionally, each button can also send a MIDI note (on a chosen channel), letting you control other plugins or trigger global functions inside the host. Features • AUv3 plugin formats: Music Effect (aumf), Instrument (aumu) • 4 or 8 customizable buttons per instance • Buttons launch apps via custom URLs or universal links • Optional MIDI Note output (Note + Channel) • Basic MIDI Note input for button triggering • Minimal layout – fits tightly into your setup • File Manager for saving and loading settings • AUv3 Plugin State Saving + AU Presets • Parameter Mapping for remote MIDI control • Designed for AUM – works in other AUv3 hosts too Use it to switch apps, load presets, or control devices – all from a tiny plugin window. Note: URL Beamer does not play sound or process audio. It is a utility plugin intended for workflow enhancements in iOS audio environments. → For a complete description, see the documentation: https://novotny.klingt.org/Apps/URLBeamer/UserGuide
Air Synth
Transform your phone into a motion-controlled musical instrument. Explore a simplified mode for younger users or dive into advanced synthesis features. Experience expressive soundscapes controlled by your movements.
- Motion-controlled pitch and effects
- Camera, gyroscope, and accelerometer tracking
- Adjustable sensitivity settings
- Diverse expressive presets
- Advanced synthesis parameters (oscillators, LFO, filters)
- Simplified mode for kids
- Save custom presets
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Air Synth transforms your phone into a motion-controlled instrument. It offers a fun, simplified mode for kids and an advanced mode for synthesizer enthusiasts. Note: This app requires good lighting for optimal motion tracking. FEATURES * Motion tracking based on camera, gyroscope and accelerometer * Movement-controlled pitch, effects controlled by tilt * Sensitivity settings for both movement and tilt * A diverse range of expressive presets * 4 oscillators * LFO, filter, envelopes, tremolo, reverb and delay * Free pitch and a wide range of scales * Save your presets * Simplified mode for kids
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: URL Beamer at Free against Air Synth's $1.99. URL Beamer also leads on ratings volume (7 vs 1) and device support (3 vs 1). Air Synth's advantage is rating (5.0 vs 4.4). On update cadence, 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
URL Beamer is free to download; Air Synth costs $1.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Air Synth holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: URL Beamer has 7 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.
URL Beamer ships an update every 3 months, Air Synth every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 7, 2026 and September 23, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | URL Beamer | Air Synth |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free — better | $1.99 |
| Rating | 4.4 (7 ratings) | 5.0 (1 ratings) — better |
| Number of ratings | 7 — better | 1 |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | Every 2 months — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free — better | Paid |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone |
| Requires iOS | 15 — better | 17.6 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 13 MB | 43 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Josef Novotny | Air Dev |
Customer experience
URL Beamer
Air Synth
In-app purchases
URL Beamer
No in-app purchases
Air Synth
No in-app purchases







