Comparison

Patchsynth 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

Patchsynth

Features
Read full description

Patchsynth is a Eurorack-style modular synthesizer for iPhone and iPad β€” and a place to actually learn how modular synthesis works, one patch cable at a time. Instead of a fixed synth engine with knobs, you build your own instrument by dragging cables between modules: oscillators into filters, envelopes into amplifiers, LFOs wobbling anything you point them at. If you've ever wanted to understand what a Eurorack rig actually does, this is the fastest way in. LEARN BY PATCHING, NOT BY READING 28 hands-on Lessons cover every module, from your first oscillator to full generative patches β€” some just explain, others build a real patch step-by-step in front of you as you tap "Next." No prior synthesis knowledge required. TRAIN YOUR EAR 15 Challenges hide a patch and play it for you β€” your job is to rebuild it by ear, with hints if you get stuck. A genuinely fun way to internalize how filters, envelopes, and modulation actually sound. 21 REAL MODULES Oscillator Β· Filter Β· VCA Β· ADSR Envelope Β· LFO Β· Noise Β· Delay Β· Reverb Β· Mixer Β· Sequencer Β· Arpeggiator Β· Clock Β· Attenuverter Β· Quantizer Β· Slew Limiter Β· Sample & Hold Β· Logic Β· Ring Modulator Β· Sampler Β· Keyboard Β· Output (with a live oscilloscope) Record your own sounds with the Sampler, or use the built-in factory drum kit. Quantize any CV to a musical scale. Chain multiple clocks for polyrhythms. It's a real modular rig, just without the cables costing $30 each. 70+ FACTORY PATCHES From simple bass and pad sounds to sprawling, 20+ module "flagship" patches β€” browse them, load them, take them apart to see how they're wired, then make them your own. PLAY IT WITH REAL GEAR Full MIDI support over Bluetooth or USB β€” plug in any MIDI keyboard or controller and play your patch's Keyboard module directly, no setup beyond pairing. BUILT FOR TOUCH, NOT PORTED FROM DESKTOP Every interaction β€” dragging cables, turning knobs, panning and zooming a big patch β€” is designed for a phone screen from the ground up. A dedicated Patch Bay view even gives you a spreadsheet-style matrix of every connection when patches get complex. Undo and redo everything. Save as many patches as you like. No ads, no in-app purchases, no internet connection required β€” just synthesis.

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

Patchsynth4 screens
VAPolyEnsemble4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: VAPolyEnsemble at $3.99 against Patchsynth's $7.99. On ads, in-app purchases, device support and iOS requirement 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

Patchsynth costs $7.99 and VAPolyEnsemble $3.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Scorecard1 real difference Β· 6 level
Patchsynth versus VAPolyEnsemble: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPatchsynthVAPolyEnsemble
Price$7.99$3.99 β€” better
Positive reviewsβ€”100.0% of reviews
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
Monetizationβ€”Paid
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, Mac β€” better
Requires iOS17.016.6 β€” better
Further details β€” not scored
Size2 MB18 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMartin AdlerRyo Togawa

In-app purchases

None

Patchsynth

No in-app purchases

None

VAPolyEnsemble

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Patchsynth free?
Patchsynth costs $7.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is VAPolyEnsemble free?
VAPolyEnsemble costs $3.99, with no in-app purchases.
Do Patchsynth or VAPolyEnsemble have ads?
Neither Patchsynth nor VAPolyEnsemble shows ads.

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