Comparison

DynaSynth vs Tapko

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

Head to head
About

DynaSynth

This virtual instrument plugin offers a unique sound synthesis experience with dual analog-flavored oscillators. Its dynamic modulation system allows for complex sonic textures that evolve with the sound itself. It's compatible with AU hosts and can be used standalone with a MIDI device.

Highlights
  • Dynamic shape synthesizer
  • Dual analog-flavored oscillators
  • 8-voice polyphonic
  • Velocity-sensitive MIDI instrument
  • AUv3 compatible
  • Standalone operation
Read full description

DynaSynth Dynamic Shape Synthesizer (AUv3) DynaSynth is a virtual instrument plugin that can run standalone, or in any AU compatible host such as Logic Pro or GarageBand. Please note that the standalone version does not include a built-in keyboard - you need to connect a suitable MIDI device to play the synth. Overview DynaSynth is an original design based on variable shaped dual analog-flavoured oscillators for each of its 8 voices, that uses its own output to modulate parameters dynamically. This can produce interesting sonic results that would be very difficult, if not impossible to achieve using traditional fixed LFOs and envelopes. That's because: As the sound changes, so does the modulation amount, which changes the sound, which affects the modulation amount... Dynamic / Modulation & Display At the top of the UI is a realtime display of "dynamics", wave shapes and all the modulation being applied. The (D) dynamics indicator is essentially an envelope follower with variable damping that is used as a modulation source for the oscillator shapes (1/2), vibrato (v) and filter (f) cutoff. MIDI Implementation DynaSynth is an 8 voice polyphonic velocity-sensitive MIDI instrument and is playable over a keyboard range from A0 (21) to C7 (96) on any MIDI channel. DynaSynth also responds to mod wheel, expression (CC#11), sustain (CC#64), channel aftertouch, all notes off (CC#123) and pitch-bend. DynaSynth vs. DynaSinth While they can be confusing, the names are very similar on purpose, representing a shared design theme, i.e. a synth that is dynamic. The DynaSynth design actually came first, and it is based on fairly traditional analog-flavoured oscillators. DynaSinth shares the same dynamics engine but with a modified set of parameters designed to complement the sound of its sine wave oscillators. While I like to think both synths have their own character, and can sound fairly unique, DynaSynth is probably more capable of producing familiar analog synth tones, and DynaSinth lends itself more to keys and pads. Both synths are also good for those who like to experiment with "out there" / "Sci-Fi" type sounds, and DynaSynth is probably better suited for that sort of thing. For more info and support please visit: www.waverley-instruments.com/robjackson

About

Tapko

This app is a powerful drum sampler for musicians, offering a 16-pad grid for loading and manipulating sounds. It provides extensive per-pad editing, advanced sampling features like velocity layers and round robin, and seamless integration with music hosts.

Highlights
  • 16-pad grid with per-pad sample import
  • Per-pad editing (EQ, pan, reverb)
  • Velocity layers and round robin sampling
  • MIDI Learn for instant assignment
  • Built-in stereo reverb
  • Kit creation, import, and export
  • Multi-output routing
Features
Read full description

Tapko is a fast, no-nonsense drum sampler built by a musician for musicians. Load your sounds, build your kit, and play — standalone or as an AUv3 plugin in your favorite host. Use Tapko on its own as a playable drum machine, or load it as an AUv3 instrument in AUM, Loopy Pro, GarageBand, Cubasis, and more. 16 PADS, TOTAL CONTROL • 16-pad grid with per-pad sample import (WAV, AIFF, MP3, M4A, FLAC, CAF) • Per-pad 3-band EQ with adjustable gain and frequency, volume, pan, gain, choke groups, and configurable Fade Out • Swipe pads to tweak volume, EQ, pan, and reverb send on the fly • MIDI Learn — tap a pad, play a note, instantly assign note and channel • Swipe left/right on single-sample pads to cycle saved versions • Built-in stereo reverb with per-pad send, per-pad dry level, and global room/decay/wet-level controls • Built-in delay/echo with per-pad send and global time, feedback, damping, and wet-level controls • Per-pad varispeed pitch — retune a pad up or down, turntable-style • Let a pad's hits overlap and ring out instead of cutting each other off — perfect for cymbals and pads ADVANCED SAMPLING • Velocity layers — up to 5 layers per pad with adjustable velocity ranges • Round robin — cycle through up to 5 samples per pad (sequential or random) • Layer mode — stack up to 5 samples per pad and trigger them simultaneously • Random velocity — override incoming velocity with base +/- variation for natural dynamics • Sample Editor with zoomable waveform: high-detail zoom view above, full-file overview below with a draggable zoom-window and in/out markers, pinch-to-zoom, trim handles, start delay, attack, and per-pad gain • Global media browser — import clips once, assign to any pad in any kit; organize into folders, multi-select to move or delete, and export/import your whole library as a single file KITS & SHARING • Create, rename, duplicate, and delete kits • Import and export kits as .tapkokit files • Kit Store — browse and download free community kits • Full backup and restore of all kits and media to a single .tapkobackup file • iCloud backup — upload your kits and Media Library and restore them on another device, with live progress and a clear confirmation once everything is in iCloud • Build kits on your computer at tapko.davidguva.se MULTI-OUTPUT ROUTING • 9 stereo output buses (1 Main + 8 Aux) for hosts that support multi-output • Assign each pad to an individual output bus for separate mixing and effects • Pads assigned to an Aux bus are isolated to that bus, so you can send drums to individual channel strips without duplicating them on Main • Single-output hosts hear every pad that's still assigned to Main • Pads routed to an Aux bus show which output they use right on the pad MIDI & HOST INTEGRATION • MIDI input with customizable note mapping (GM drum layout by default) • Per-pad MIDI channel assignment (omni or channel 1–16) • MIDI output and Program Change for kit switching • All parameters exposed to the host for automation • Delay syncs to the host's tempo • Factory presets support BUILT FOR PERFORMANCE • Real-time C++ DSP engine with vDSP acceleration • 48-voice polyphonic playback with intelligent voice stealing • Efficient CPU usage for most kits; usage increases with kit complexity (more layers, longer samples/tails, and heavier FX/routing) STANDALONE & PLUGIN Tapko works as a standalone drum machine right out of the box. It also registers as an AUv3 instrument plugin so any compatible host can load it.

Screenshots

DynaSynth4 screens
Tapko4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: DynaSynth at $2.99 against Tapko's $4.99. DynaSynth also leads on device support (4 vs 2) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 18.2). On rating, ratings volume, 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

DynaSynth costs $2.99 and Tapko $4.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for DynaSynth against 5.0 for Tapko. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 3 and 2 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
DynaSynth versus Tapko: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterDynaSynthTapko
Price$2.99 — better$4.99
Rating5.0 (3 ratings)5.0 (2 ratings)
Positive reviews—100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings3 — better2
Update frequency—Every 4 days
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS12.0 — better18.2
Further details — not scored
Size13 MB6 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperRob JacksonDavid Lars Guva

Customer experience

DynaSynth

All ratings3 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Tapko

All ratings2 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

DynaSynth

No in-app purchases

None

Tapko

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is DynaSynth free?
DynaSynth costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Tapko free?
Tapko costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, DynaSynth or Tapko?
DynaSynth and Tapko are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 3 and 2 ratings respectively.
Do DynaSynth or Tapko have ads?
Neither DynaSynth nor Tapko shows ads.

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