Comparison

VA vs VAPolyEnsemble

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

Head to head
About

VA

Features
Read full description

VA-1 is a focused virtual-analog synthesizer for musicians, producers, and sound designers who want a fast, hands-on way to create their own sounds. Play, sequence, record, and shape sounds from one direct interface inspired by classic hardware synths. No subscription. No in-app purchases. No ads. No account required. β€” SYNTHESIZER β€” β€’ Up to 16-voice polyphony β€’ Two oscillators plus a sub oscillator β€’ Independent oscillator noise controls β€’ Multi-mode filter with resonance β€’ Amp and filter ADSR envelopes β€’ One LFO per voice β€’ Chorus, phaser, delay, and reverb effects Explore the included factory sounds, customize any preset, mark favorites, and save your own creations. β€” SEQUENCER & WAV EXPORT β€” Record and loop sequences while shaping the sound, change the pattern length, or use KEY mode to transpose a sequence from the keyboard. Capture VA-1’s stereo output while you play, then preview, save, or share the recording as a WAV file. Sequencer loops can also be exported directly to WAV using the current sound, tempo, and effects. Recording captures only VA-1’s internally generated output. It does not use the microphone or record audio-interface inputs. β€” MIDI & AUv3 β€” β€’ External MIDI input and output β€’ Send MIDI from the keyboard or sequencer to external instruments β€’ MIDI Learn for mapping hardware controls β€’ Standard MIDI CC support β€’ AUv3 instrument support in compatible hosts β€’ Background audio β€’ Support for class-compliant USB audio interfaces β€” ONE PURCHASE, ALL YOUR DEVICES β€” VA-1 is a universal purchase. Buy it once and install it on iPhone, iPad, and Mac at no additional cost.

About

VAPolyEnsemble

Create rich, detuned synthesizer sounds with a powerful unison oscillator and multiple stereo filters. This app offers a built-in step sequencer, a variety of effects, and extensive MIDI support. It functions as a standalone application or an AudioUnit Extension for music production workflows.

Highlights
  • Unison oscillator with 7 detuned waves per voice
  • Stereo resonant low-pass and high-pass filters
  • Stereo amplifier
  • 3-channel analog-style step sequencer
  • Built-in delay, chorus, flanger, reverb, EQ, and compressor
  • Standalone and AUv3 extension support
  • Ableton Link and MIDI 2.0 support
Features
Read full description

VAPolyEnsemble features a unison oscillator that can produce seven detuned saw, pulse, or triangle waves per voice. It is followed by a stereo resonant low-pass filter, a stereo resonant high-pass filter, and a stereo amplifier. VAPolyEnsemble operates as a stand alone or as an AudioUnit Extension (AUv3) for iPhone, iPad and Mac. Stand Alone supports Ableton Link, MIDI and audio file export. Built-in Effects include delay, chorus, flanger, reverb, eq and compressor. Project files can be saved in iCloud Drive, so that the project can be accessed from iPhone, iPad or Mac. Main Features Unison oscillator that can produce seven detuned saw, pulse, or triangle waves per voice. Stereo VCF and Stereo VCA. Low pass Filter is modeled on cascaded OTA -24dB per octave low pass filter circuit. 3 channel analog style step sequencer. - Maximum 8 voice polyphony. it depends on performance of the device it is running. - Built-in effects and piano roll sequencer. - Audio Export. Linear PCM format (AIFF, WAV and CAF) and compressed format (AAC) - Support Audio Unit Extension (AUv3). - Support MIDI 2.0. - Support Ableton Link, Bluetooth MIDI, MIDI In / Out. - Works on iPhone, iPad and Mac. Support iCloud Drive to share project files between the platforms. - Support MIDI Foot Pedal (CC#11, CC#64) - MIDI CC Settings are saved. It will be recovered when the app launched in the next time. - Selectable UI Color. - Font size for title of controls are adjustable. - Factory Preset 128 - Effects Preset 40 System Requirements - iOS 17.0 or later - Devices with Apple Silicon are recommended. A13 Fusion or above is highly recommended. - AudioUnit Extension (AUv3) requires host application which support AudioUnit Extension. - AudioUnit Extension is supported by Apple Logic and Apple Garage Band on iOS and macOS. For any other DAW, it depends on the application and some of them don’t support AudioUnit Extension. - Sound may be distorted if CPU of the device doesn't have enough power. If it happens reduce number of voices.

Screenshots

VA3 screens
VAPolyEnsemble4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: VAPolyEnsemble at $14.99 against VA's $24.99. VAPolyEnsemble also leads on iOS requirement (16.6 vs 26.0). On ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price Β· Rating Β· Positive reviews Β· Number of ratings Β· Update frequency Β· Ads Β· In-app purchases Β· Monetization Β· Best chart rank Β· Devices Β· Requires iOS

CostPrice Β· In-app purchases Β· Ads Β· Monetization

VA costs $24.99 and VAPolyEnsemble $14.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Scorecard2 real differences Β· 6 level
VA versus VAPolyEnsemble: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterVAVAPolyEnsemble
Price$24.99$14.99 β€” better
Positive reviewsβ€”100.0% of reviews
Update frequencyEvery 6 weeksβ€”
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
Monetizationβ€”Paid
DevicesiPhone, iPad, MaciPhone, iPad, Mac
Requires iOS26.016.6 β€” better
Further details β€” not scored
Size10 MB18 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperRichard GillespieRyo Togawa

In-app purchases

None

VA

No in-app purchases

None

VAPolyEnsemble

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is VA free?
VA costs $24.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is VAPolyEnsemble free?
VAPolyEnsemble costs $14.99, with no in-app purchases.
Do VA or VAPolyEnsemble have ads?
Neither VA nor VAPolyEnsemble shows ads.

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