Comparison

PX1 FM Synth vs AD

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

Head to head
About

PX1 FM Synth

Create rich, wide stereo sounds with a dual-engine FM synthesizer. Explore classic 1980s digital synth tones, from electric pianos to metallic bells, with extensive operator and envelope controls. It functions as a standalone app or an AUv3 plugin for music production.

Highlights
  • Dual independent 6-operator FM engines
  • 32 classic FM algorithms
  • Per-operator envelopes and pan
  • Five macro knobs for sound shaping
  • Built-in reverb
  • AUv3 plugin support
  • Random patch generator
Features
Read full description

PX1 is a dual-engine FM synthesizer inspired by the classic 6-operator digital synths of the 1980s. Each engine features six operators, 32 algorithms, and full envelope control — giving you everything from glassy electric pianos and punchy basses to evolving pads and metallic bells. What makes PX1 special is the dual-engine architecture. Two completely independent FM voices run side by side. Copy one engine to the other, make subtle changes, then use the Spread control to place them across the stereo field. The result is a lush, wide sound that a single FM engine simply cannot produce. FEATURES • Two independent 6-operator FM engines • 32 classic FM algorithms • Per-operator envelopes (4 rates + 4 levels) • Per-operator pan for detailed stereo placement • Five macro knobs — Brightness, Touch, Attack, Decay, Spread • Copy/Paste between engines for instant layering • Random patch generator exploring the classic FM sound palette • Built-in reverb (Size, Damp, Amount) • Mono, Legato, and Portamento modes • LFO with triangle, saw, square, and random waveforms • Pitch bend range and transpose controls • Key velocity sensitivity per operator • Keyboard rate scaling and level scaling • Operator Key Sync on/off for consistent or organic attacks AUv3 PLUGIN PX1 works as a standalone instrument and as an Audio Unit v3 plugin. Load it directly inside GarageBand, Logic Pro, AUM, Cubasis, or any AUv3-compatible host. Full parameter automation is supported — record knob movements in your DAW and play them back. DESIGNED FOR MUSICIANS The interface stays close to the original FM programming model that experienced synthesists know, while macro controls make it approachable for anyone. Turn one knob and shape the entire sound; dive into individual operators when you want surgical control. LISTEN TO EXAMPLES Hear PX1 in action — sound demos are available at: https://soundcloud.com/peter-sj-gren/sets/px1-demo Requires no in-app purchases. No subscriptions. No ads. No tracking.

About

AD

This app emulates a classic 1983 micro synthesizer with modern enhancements like MPE and eight-voice polyphony. It offers a rich sound engine with multiple oscillators, filters, and a comprehensive drive section for unique sonic textures. Enjoy extensive modulation options and a built-in keyboard for immediate creativity.

Highlights
  • Eight-voice polyphony
  • MPE support
  • Classic four-pole lowpass filter
  • Comprehensive drive section
  • AUv3 and standalone operation
  • Preset manager with favorites
  • Built-in chicklet keyboard
Features
Read full description

We rebuilt the legendary micro composer of 1983, then gave it everything the original owners wished for: eight voices, MPE, a sequencer worthy of the name, and a couple of new dirty tricks. The voice is the one you know: a single fat oscillator with sawtooth and pulse (manual, LFO, or envelope PWM), a three-mode sub oscillator, and a noise source, mixed and driven into a classic four-pole lowpass filter. One snappy ADSR, switchable env/gate VCA, and an LFO with triangle, square, stepped random, and noise shapes, complete with onset delay, tempo sync, and retrigger. Portamento with the proper on/auto/off modes, and gate, gate+trig, and LFO trigger modes, exactly like the hardware. And the a sequencer: eight patterns of up to 64 steps, drawn right on the panel, with accent, slide, and octave per step, follow actions and repeats, swing, and tools to randomize in a key and scale, mutate, copy, and rotate. Play a pattern from a held key, transpose it from the keyboard, lock it while you browse presets, and run it from its own clock, the host transport, or an Ableton Link session in the standalone. Sequences save with your presets. • Eight-voice polyphony, or the original mono behavior with the flip of a switch • MPE support with per-note pitch bend and pressure, four aftertouch destinations (VCO mod, VCF mod, filter freq, LFO rate), and adjustable pressure smoothing • MTS-ESP microtonal tuning, retuned continuously while notes sound • SPREAD for stereo voice panning, and AGE, which drifts each voice like forty-year-old components • A full drive section: pre-filter saturation, filter drive, post-VCA distortion, and a tilt EQ • Velocity to filter and amp • A chicklet keyboard with latch and octave shift, playable right on the panel • Full preset manager with favorites and a factory bank • Five faceplate colors, including one for console cowboys • AUv3 and standalone, with an interface that fills whatever window your host hands it AD-202 works everywhere iOS makes noise: AUM, apeMatrix, Logic Pro, GarageBand, Cubasis, and any other AUv3 host, plus a standalone app with its own audio and MIDI settings, Ableton Link, and background audio. No subscriptions. No accounts. No nonsense. Buy it once, own it forever.

Screenshots

PX1 FM Synth4 screens
AD4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: PX1 FM Synth at 5.0 against AD's 4.7. AD's advantage is ratings volume (14 vs 2) and price ($6.99 vs $7.99). On update cadence, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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

PX1 FM Synth costs $7.99 and AD $6.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

PX1 FM Synth holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: AD has 14 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

PX1 FM Synth ships an update every 2 weeks, AD every 3 weeks. Both last shipped on October 25, 2026.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
PX1 FM Synth versus AD: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPX1 FM SynthAD
Price$7.99$6.99 — better
Rating5.0 (2 ratings) — better4.7 (14 ratings)
Positive reviews—85.7% of reviews
Number of ratings214 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeks — betterEvery 3 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Mac — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS17.616.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size121 MB74 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperPeter SjogrenAudio Damage, Inc.

Customer experience

PX1 FM Synth

All ratings2 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

AD

All ratings12 ratings
Positive91.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative8.3%
Written reviews7 reviews
Positive85.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative14.3%

In-app purchases

None

PX1 FM Synth

No in-app purchases

None

AD

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is PX1 FM Synth free?
PX1 FM Synth costs $7.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is AD free?
AD costs $6.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, PX1 FM Synth or AD?
PX1 FM Synth is rated higher. PX1 FM Synth averages 5.0 out of 5 from 2 ratings, while AD averages 4.7 from 14 ratings.
Do PX1 FM Synth or AD have ads?
Neither PX1 FM Synth nor AD shows ads.
Which is updated more often, PX1 FM Synth or AD?
PX1 FM Synth ships an update every 2 weeks, and AD every 3 weeks. Most recently, PX1 FM Synth was updated on October 25, 2026 and AD on October 25, 2026.

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