# SeekBeats Drum Machine Synth vs ShockWave

The clearest difference is price: SeekBeats Drum Machine Synth at $5.99 against ShockWave's $19.99. SeekBeats Drum Machine Synth also leads on review sentiment (91% vs 54%) and update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 2 months). ShockWave's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1). On rating, ratings volume, ads and monetization model there is nothing between them.

SeekBeats Drum Machine Synth costs $5.99 and ShockWave $19.99 up front. SeekBeats Drum Machine Synth sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. ShockWave asks for nothing beyond the download.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.6 for SeekBeats Drum Machine Synth against 4.6 for ShockWave. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 78 and 188 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 91% of SeekBeats Drum Machine Synth's written reviews are positive against 54% of ShockWave's.

SeekBeats Drum Machine Synth ships an update every 2 weeks, ShockWave every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on August 19, 2026 and October 1, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | SeekBeats Drum Machine Synth | ShockWave |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **$5.99** | $19.99 |
| Rating | [4.6 (78 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/seekbeats-drum-machine-synth/id681672176/reviews) | [4.6 (188 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/shockwave-synth-module/id1449844670/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 78 | **188** |
| Positive reviews | **91.4% of reviews** | 54.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 2 weeks** | Every 2 months |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Best chart rank | **#166** | — |
| Size | 8 MB | 42 MB |
| Requires iOS | **8.1** | 15.6 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Rodrigo Yanez](https://appshunter.io/developer/330051413) | [Kai Aras](https://appshunter.io/developer/370820899) |

## What reviewers say

### SeekBeats Drum Machine Synth

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/seekbeats-drum-machine-synth/id681672176)

**Currently charting:** #166 Top Paid · Music (US App Store)

Create unique electronic drum loops with a powerful synthesizer. Tweak sounds, explore variations with a randomizer, and save your creations. Supports advanced audio routing and MIDI synchronization.

**Highlights:** Synthesized electronic drum loops, Adjustable synth parameters and envelopes, Step sequencer with velocity mapping, Instant sound randomization, Snapshot sound recall, Audiobus and Inter App Audio support, MIDI sync and input

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| EFX Board Extension | Free | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Great unique drum machine
- 👍 Intuitive and easy sound design
- 👍 Powerful and flexible
- 👍 Excellent randomization features
- 👍 Versatile - can be tame or wild

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Lacks MIDI control
- 🐛 No song mode or pattern chaining
- 🐛 No AUv3 support
- 🐛 Confusing interface at times
- 🐛 Crashes on older devices

**Reported bugs**

- Crashes on iPhone 4
- Tempo changes to odd values unexpectedly

**Requested features**

- MIDI control of parameters
- Complex sequencer with independent track lengths
- More advanced effects like glitch, granular, and repeat
- Ability to load user samples
- Mixer page to adjust individual sound levels


### ShockWave

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/shockwave-synth-module/id1449844670)

This app is a monophonic synthesizer for iOS and AUv3 plugins, utilizing Phase Distortion synthesis. It offers dual PD oscillators, sequencers, LFOs, and envelopes for complex sound design. Almost any control can be modulated by multiple sources, with real-time visual feedback.

**Highlights:** Phase Distortion Synthesis, Dual PD Oscillators, Dual 8-step Sequencers, Dual ASR Envelopes, Tempo-syncable LFOs, Extensive Modulation Matrix, MIDI and MPE Support

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- ✨ Unique and amazing sounds
- 🔊 Heavy and brutal tones
- 💡 Innovative phase distortion synthesis
- 🎨 Beautiful and deep sound sculpting
- 🎹 Great for bass sounds

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent crashes and glitches
- ❌ Not working in AUM/AUv3
- 🔇 No sound output in certain apps
- ❓ Difficult to use without a manual
- 📉 Laggy UI and slow patch loading

**Reported bugs**

- "Bad Signal" errors in AUM, stops sound generation.
- Intermittent "bad signal" prompt in AUM, requires reloading.
- Sounds awful, very distorted with glitchy UI.
- App crashes frequently.
- No sound coming out of AUv3 in GarageBand.

**Requested features**

- Provide a proper manual detailing all parameters and sections with examples.
- Implement a key trigger option for the sequencer to allow MIDI controller playback.
- Add a poly mode.
- Improve documentation and tutorials.
- Standardize knob appearance and response.


## Frequently asked questions

### Is SeekBeats Drum Machine Synth free?

SeekBeats Drum Machine Synth costs $5.99, and also offers in-app purchases.

### Is ShockWave free?

ShockWave costs $19.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, SeekBeats Drum Machine Synth or ShockWave?

SeekBeats Drum Machine Synth and ShockWave are both rated 4.6 out of 5 on the App Store, from 78 and 188 ratings respectively.

### Do SeekBeats Drum Machine Synth or ShockWave have ads?

Neither SeekBeats Drum Machine Synth nor ShockWave shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, SeekBeats Drum Machine Synth or ShockWave?

SeekBeats Drum Machine Synth ships an update every 2 weeks, and ShockWave every 2 months. Most recently, SeekBeats Drum Machine Synth was updated on August 19, 2026 and ShockWave on October 1, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*