Comparison

Pentaholic Synth vs Syntheremin

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
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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

Syntheremin

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Play the air. Syntheremin Instrument turns the space in front of your iPhone into a continuous musical instrument. Move both hands through the camera view to perform without touching the screen. PLAY CONTINUOUS PITCH Move your dominant hand horizontally through the note field. Raise or lower it to keep gliding smoothly across octaves—without the steps of a keyboard. CONDUCT THE VOLUME Raise your other hand to swell and lower it to quiet. Keep it still for a steady level, or close your fist for an immediate mute. SCULPT THE SOUND Roll your pitch wrist to sweep an analog-style filter. Roll your volume wrist to move from dry and focused to wide with a short echo. BUILD HARMONIC THREADS Touch matching fingertips to layer an octave, scale third, scale fifth, or high shimmer. Stretch the glowing connections to intensify them, then pinch a connected finger to release its voice. MADE TO BE PLAYED • Classic, Choir, and Glass synth characters • Scale-based note gravity that helps intonation while preserving glides • Live pitch lanes, note readout, and tuner • Role-colored hand tracking that shows what the instrument hears • Right- and left-handed layouts • No account, ads, or microphone access PRIVATE CAMERA PROCESSING Camera frames and hand landmarks are processed on the iPhone and are never saved or uploaded. The bundled Google MediaPipe SDK sends limited usage and performance metrics to Google; details are available in the in-app Privacy screen and privacy policy. REQUIREMENTS Syntheremin Instrument requires an iPhone with a front TrueDepth camera—the hardware used for Face ID. For the most responsive playing experience, use the built-in speaker, wired audio, or low-latency headphones.

Screenshots

Pentaholic Synth3 screens
Syntheremin4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Syntheremin at none against Pentaholic Synth's 1. On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement 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

Both are free to download. Pentaholic Synth sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Syntheremin asks for nothing beyond the download.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
Pentaholic Synth versus Syntheremin: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPentaholic SynthSyntheremin
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.8 (6 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews57.1% of reviews—
Number of ratings6 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 6 days—
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPad — betteriPhone
Requires iOS16.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size21 MB44 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAndrew StricklandXYK LLC

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Pentaholic Synth

One-time1
  • Full Features$28.00
None

Syntheremin

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Pentaholic Synth free?
Pentaholic Synth is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Syntheremin free?
Syntheremin is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Pentaholic Synth or Syntheremin have ads?
Neither Pentaholic Synth nor Syntheremin shows ads.

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