Comparison

Pentaholic Synth vs Aquadrum Pro

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

Head to head
About

Pentaholic Synth

This app digitally recreates a classic polyphonic synthesizer, offering authentic sound design and songwriting inspiration. It features a 300-note sequencer, multiple oscillators per voice, and performance controls like a joystick and expression pedal inputs.

Highlights
  • Authentic 5-voice polyphony
  • 3 oscillators per voice with 8 waveforms
  • Component-level circuit modeling
  • Dual ADSR envelopes
  • 300-note polyphonic sequencer
  • Joystick and expression pedal support
Features
Read full description

Pentaholic is the first digital recreation of the Gleeman Pentaphonic. It's audio signal path is traced at the component level and built specifically for Apple Silicon devices utilizing native Metal 3D graphics featuring classic and clear UI. In 1982, the Gleeman Pentaphonic was released as a "sketchpad synth" with a 300-note polyphonic sequencer boasting 5 voices, 3 digitally controlled oscillators per voice, and 8 waveforms per oscillator, all from an 8-bit microprocessor. After DAC, a trio of CEM chips per voice passes the audio: a 3310 envelope generator, 3320 configured as a 24dB low-pass resonant filter, and a 3360 as dual voltage-controlled amplifiers. Each subsequent stage of audio is summed out to a LM348 op amp, stacking saturation through to output. Add performance controls like expression pedal inputs and a joystick for modulation and pitch bend for a performance powerhouse synth. Pentaholic brings the circuit to life in the digital realm for the first time ever on any platform. The concept of a sketchpad synth was the main inspiration for this - getting back to the fundamentals of songwriting and sound design. Pentaholic is meant to inspire ideas faster and prevent Producer Paralysis induced by too many options on the piano roll. Record your idea to the sequencer and play over it - the keyboard takes precedence over the sequencer notes so you can nail down your melody or adjust your groove with the rate and delay of the sequencer. • Authentic 5-Voice Polyphony: True chorusing detune of OSC 2/3 relative to OSC 1's pitch (not BBD!) - oldest note first voice stealing. • 3 Oscillators Per Voice: 8 waveforms CMP 1 CMP 2 3% PULSE 12% Pulse SQR SAW TRI SIN per OSC and a HIGH or LOW octave mode. • One octave of chromatic pitch: transposing progressions or leads just like you put a capo on a guitar. • Component-Level Modeling: The soul of the synth - a 24dB resonant low-pass filter - self-oscillation, and nonlinear harmonic drive of the legendary CEM 3320 filter chip for a distinct bite with each subsequent gain stage pushing into saturation through a LM348 op amp. • Dual ADSR Envelopes: Precise, vintage-snappy envelope generators for exacting control over amplifier and filter contours. Subtle noise and quick snap attacks from resistor-capacitor networks the envelopes pass through. • The Polyphonic Sketchpad Sequencer: A massive 300-note sequencer honoring the original hardware workflow. Recording polyphonic chords in real time and yielding to performance on the keyboard in playback. • Joystick and expression pedal hookups: +/- 5 step pitch bend, modulation of depth of the LFO destination and cutoff expression all from the joystick even more control with expression pedals. Pentaholic honors the original but Gotham Paradise recognizes the value and convenience of advances for performance available from soft-synths, MIDI 2.0 and Bluetooth. • *MIDI Polyphonic Expression - *MIDI Learn - *6 Octave Pitch Change - *Master Volume - *Re-assignable joystick 0 to 5 steps - *Sync'd parameters for glide, sequencer rate/delay, LFO rate - *Game controller performance using scales to the directional pad and ABXY buttons, stick click sequencer recording and playback - Bluetooth MIDI controller Connectivity *Pentaholic is fully functional from download but the following features are accessible with in-app purchase *Sequencer Volume *Keyboard Volume *Master Volume *6 Octave Pitch *Unison *Sync'd Parameters *Recall or Automation of parameters when hosted in a DAW such as Logic for iPad or Garageband *User Preset Saving *MIDI Learn/MIDI CC Parameter Assignment *M.P.E. *Sequencer records and plays back but resets when stopped *MIDI export of recorded Sequences *Game Controller Performance Mode *Reassignable Joystick Pitch bend Keeping Pentaholic's core functionality free for young and new producers who can't afford the full version is important to Gotham Paradise, purchasing the full featured synth helps pay it forward.

About

Aquadrum Pro

Features
Read full description

Aquadrum Pro — Scale Explorer & Tuner for Tongue Drums Aquadrum Pro maps any scale to your 11-tongue drum instantly. Browse 1,914 scales from musical traditions around the world, hear how they sound, and see exactly which notes go where on your instrument. SCALE LIBRARY • 1,914 scales across 6 note counts (4 to 9 notes) • Western, World, Symmetrical, Modal, and more • Search by name or browse by category • Tap to preview any scale before committing VOICING ENGINE • Automatically generates every playable voicing for your drum • Swipe through variants to find the tuning you like • Color-coded root and changed notes for easy comparison BUILT-IN CHROMATIC TUNER • Detects the pitch of each tongue in real time • Shows cents sharp or flat from the target note • Perfect for manual tuning and verification PITCH SET BUILDER • Build custom scales interval by interval • Tap any interval to hear it instantly • Name and save your own creations INTERACTIVE DRUM FACE • Tap tongues to hear notes with a soft vibraphone tone • Key Map overlay shows physical key ranges • Visual feedback for root notes and changes between variants FREE & PRO Free: 5-note scales, 2 root keys (D, G), 5 voicing variants Full Unlock: all 1,914 scales, all 12 root keys, unlimited variants No ads. No subscriptions. One-time purchase unlocks everything.

Screenshots

Pentaholic Synth3 screens
Aquadrum Pro4 screens

Verdict

The call

Pentaholic Synth and Aquadrum Pro are too close to call on the numbers: across 6 compared parameters — price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases among them — neither pulls far enough ahead to decide it. What separates them is feature set and interface, not measurable difference.

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

Both are free to download. Pentaholic Synth sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Aquadrum Pro sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Pentaholic Synth ships an update every 6 days, Aquadrum Pro every 9 days. The most recent releases landed on October 8, 2026 and October 3, 2026 respectively.

ScorecardNo meaningful differences
Pentaholic Synth versus Aquadrum Pro: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPentaholic SynthAquadrum Pro
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.8 (6 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews57.1% of reviews—
Number of ratings6 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 6 days — betterEvery 9 days
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS16.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size21 MB7 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAndrew StricklandPUJA MUZIK PRODUKSIYON ORGANIZASYON TURIZM TICARET LIMITED SIRKETI

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Pentaholic Synth

One-time1
  • Full Features$28.00
1 purchases

Aquadrum Pro

One-time1
  • Full Unlock$2.99

Questions

Is Pentaholic Synth free?
Pentaholic Synth is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Aquadrum Pro free?
Aquadrum Pro is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Pentaholic Synth or Aquadrum Pro have ads?
Neither Pentaholic Synth nor Aquadrum Pro shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Pentaholic Synth or Aquadrum Pro?
Pentaholic Synth ships an update every 6 days, and Aquadrum Pro every 9 days. Most recently, Pentaholic Synth was updated on October 8, 2026 and Aquadrum Pro on October 3, 2026.

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