AudioKit Synth One J6 + AUv3 vs Varispeed Simulator
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
AudioKit Synth One J6 + AUv3
This app offers a professional-quality virtual analog synthesizer inspired by classic hardware. It provides a vast library of presets, real-time effects control, and a user-friendly interface for both beginners and experienced musicians. It can be used as a standalone instrument or as an AUv3 plugin.
- 400+ Presets
- Dual Assignable Touch Pads
- Real-time FX Control
- 3 LFOs with extensive modulation
- MIDI Keyboard and MIDI Learn support
- Classic Step Sequencer
- AUv3 Plugin support
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SYNTH ONE J6 (Inspired by Juno-6 & Jupiter series*) Trusted by over 250,000 iPhone & iPad musicians, Synth One J6 is now on Mac too! Pro Quality. Actually Cool. And Yes, Totally Free. Synth One J6 delivers lush pads, deep basses, classic keys, and vibrant leads that feel truly alive. No ads. No subscriptions. No in-app purchases (unless you want to leave a tip). CREATED BY VOLUNTEERS Musicians, Educators, and Sound Designers over 4 years. Synth One J6 is used in Schools and Higher Education institutions across the world. Just pure, expressive sound designed for creators of every level. EASY TO USE The interface is intuitive and welcoming. Each function has a dedicated slider or knob. Simple for beginners and deep enough for pros. WHAT MAKES IT DIFFERENT? Major accessibility improvements and Voice Over have been added throughout the app to make Synth One J6 a much more enjoyable instrument for blind and visually impaired musicians. LEARN THE EXCITING STORY: audiokitpro.com/synthonej6 Inspired by legendary synths like the Juno, Jupiter, and DeepMind series. It's not a clone. It's a new classic: built from the ground up with a custom, non-vibe coded sound engine. You’ll hear the warmth, the punch, the vibe. INSTANT INSPIRATION With over 400+ presets, a classic step sequencer, dual arpeggiators, analog-style filters, tape delay, reverb, chorus, 3 LFOs, and real-time FX control, your creativity will never hit a wall. FEATURES: ∙ 400+ Presets and Features Included, ∙ Pro Version Included, Nothing to Buy! ∙ Microtonality and World Scales ∙ Accessibility and Voice over for the Blind and Hearing Impaired ∙ Lush, Expressive Vintage Synthesizer Sound ∙ FX: Glorious Reverb, Analog Tape Delay, Chorus, Crush, and more. ∙ 3 LFOs, over 60+ possible destinations, almost everything can be modulated! LFOs can even modify other LFOs ∙ Control it with a MIDI Keyboard, MIDI Learn to map your controls to the app ∙ Classic Arpeggiator & Vintage-style Step Sequencer, with extra features ∙ Dual Assignable Touch Pads, manipulate FX in real time! ∙ Preset Sync between iPhone, iPad & Mac! Create a sound on one device and continue working with it on another. ∙ Created by volunteers to support music education and access for all PLUGIN ON iOS and MAC: ∙ iOS: Works as a Plug-in Instrument in GarageBand and Logic for iPad, AUM, Cubasis, and MORE! ∙ Mac: Tested in Ableton, GarageBand, Logic, and more! WORKS BY ITSELF ∙ “RECORD” button: Easily record your synth and sound fx, then export wav fileNo other apps needed! PERFECT FOR CLASSROOMS AND... STUDIOS Synth One J6 was built for musicians of all levels, with an interface that is intuitive for beginners and deep enough for pros. Especially great for schools and students who may not have access to paid apps. BUILT BY MUSICIANS, SHARED WITH THE WORLD MADE FOR MUSIC. MADE FOR EVERYONE. Music should be for everyone. That is why Synth One J6 is truly free. No fees. Please help us share it. Tell a teacher. Tell a student. Tell anyone who’s dreamed of experiencing a vintage synthesizer but lacked the opportunity. Because music belongs to everyone. * LEGAL NOTICES This app has no affiliation or endorsement from Roland Corporation. It is not a clone of the Juno-6, Juno-60, Juno-106, Jupiter-8, or any other synthesizer. While we were inspired by the sound and legacy of these iconic instruments, this is an original creation, built from the ground up. All product names, trademarks, and images mentioned are the property of their respective owners and are used only to describe the inspiration behind this app and for purposes of reference. Their inclusion does not imply any association, affiliation, or endorsement. This project is free and was created solely to promote music creation and education. We sincerely respect the incredible work of Roland and other manufacturers in shaping music history.
Varispeed Simulator
This application simulates the variable speed and pitch control found on old tape machines. It allows users to upload and manipulate audio, offering features like a real-time scrubber and audio reversal. Export your modified audio creations.
- Variable speed and pitch control
- Upload and manipulate any audio
- Pitch detector with key display
- Real-time audio scrubber
- Audio reversal tool
- Export Varisped audio
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Varispeed—or variable speed oscillation—is a feature on many old tape machines which allows users to manually adjust the speed and pitch of a recording, often with a dial. The slower the tape runs, the slower the recording is, and the lower it is in pitch. The faster the tape runs, the faster the recording is, and the higher it is in pitch. Other popular digital Varispeeds exist as external plugins or gated off, subscriber-only features of apps; this standalone Varispeed Simulator is the first of its kind for iOS, and it’s free! This first build features: -An intuitive user interface and hand-drawn design. -The ability to upload and manipulate the speed and pitch of any audio. -A pitch detector which displays major and minor keys. -A real-time audio scrubber. -An audio reversal tool. -The ability to export Varisped audio!
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Varispeed Simulator at none against AudioKit Synth One J6 + AUv3's 5. AudioKit Synth One J6 + AUv3's advantage is update cadence (every 11 days vs every 4 months) and ratings volume (2.5K vs 8). On price, rating, review sentiment and ads 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
Both are free to download. AudioKit Synth One J6 + AUv3 sells 5 one-off in-app purchases. Varispeed Simulator asks for nothing beyond the download.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.9 for AudioKit Synth One J6 + AUv3 against 5.0 for Varispeed Simulator. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: AudioKit Synth One J6 + AUv3 has 2.5K ratings behind it against 8, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 94% of AudioKit Synth One J6 + AUv3's written reviews are positive against 100% of Varispeed Simulator's.
AudioKit Synth One J6 + AUv3 ships an update every 11 days, Varispeed Simulator every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on October 23, 2026 and October 22, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | AudioKit Synth One J6 + AUv3 | Varispeed Simulator |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.9 (2.5K ratings) | 5.0 (8 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 93.9% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 2.5K — better | 8 |
| Update frequency | Every 11 days — better | Every 4 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — better | iPhone |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 — better | 26.2 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 72 MB | 3 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | AudioKit Pro | Morgan Troper |
Customer experience
AudioKit Synth One J6 + AUv3
Varispeed Simulator
In-app purchases
AudioKit Synth One J6 + AUv3
- Thanks, Awesome Supporter!$2.99
- Thanks, Awesome Supporter!$4.99
- Thanks, Awesome Supporter!$9.99
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- Thanks, Awesome Supporter!$14.99
- Thanks, Awesome Supporter!$19.99
Varispeed Simulator
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is AudioKit Synth One J6 + AUv3 free?
Is Varispeed Simulator free?
Which has better reviews, AudioKit Synth One J6 + AUv3 or Varispeed Simulator?
Do AudioKit Synth One J6 + AUv3 or Varispeed Simulator have ads?
Which is updated more often, AudioKit Synth One J6 + AUv3 or Varispeed Simulator?
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