Comparison

Xkey Plus vs Synclavier Go! App and Plugin

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

Head to head
About

Xkey Plus

This app enhances the functionality of ESI Xkey musical keyboards on mobile devices. It allows users to update firmware, customize velocity curves, and configure key sensitivity and timings for an advanced user experience.

Highlights
  • Check for new Xkey firmware
  • Velocity curves editor
  • Configure Xkey sensitivity & timings
  • Access all Xkey parameters
  • Configure key & button assignments
  • Access Xkey documentation & support
Features
Read full description

◆◆◆ Xkey Plus ◆◆◆ This app is dedicated to ESI Xkey musical keyboard. It is an ideal companion to your mobile keyboard. FEATURES ◆ Check for new Xkey firmware ◆ Velocity curves editor ◆ In-depth configuration of Xkey sensitivity & timings (advanced users) ◆ Access to all Xkey parameters (advanced users) ◆ Possibility to configure new assignments to all keys & buttons (requires Fw 1.2+) ◆ Direct access to Xkey documentation & support REQUIREMENTS ◆ Xkey musical keyboard ◆ USB cam kit or lightning cable ◆ Compatible with iPad (iOS 7 or later) Do not hesitate to contact us if you find any problem on this app. If you like this app, don't forget to write a positive review ! ESI

About

Synclavier Go! App and Plugin

Experience the legendary Synclavier sound on your mobile device. This app offers a powerful vintage synthesizer and sampler with modern MPE and AUv3 compatibility, allowing for deep sound design and integration with iOS DAWs.

Highlights
  • Vintage synthesizer and sampler
  • AUv3 client for iOS DAWs
  • MPE compatibility
  • 12 Partial Timbres
  • 16-track mixing console
  • Artist Preset Libraries
  • Sample Library
Features
Read full description

“Nothing sounds quite like a Synclavier” World-class iOS synthesis has arrived! The Synclavier® II helped shape a generation of popular music and film soundtracks. Now this beast of an emotional vintage synthesizer has been incarnated on iOS using much of the core DSP code from the original and keeping the authentic red-button interface that is both deep and immediate. Not only retro, but decidedly modern: fully compatible with MPE, Ableton Link, Audiobus 3, MIDI. And the included AUv3 client can run inside of iOS DAWs such as GarageBand, NanoStudio 2, BeatMaker 3, Cubasis 3, Auria Pro. The powerful Synclavier DSP Engine affords 12 Partial Timbres, Timbre Frames, Samples, FM-Synthesis and Additive-Synthesis methodologies. It’s so easy to create playable rich string sounds, fantastic Moog esque drones, Prophet like pads, crazy FM brass noises, or Roland 808 style drum hits. It’s a sound designer’s dream and a synthesist’s wonderland. But there’s more! We’ve added a ton of stuff. The original hardware was 8-bit. With newer technology, we can pack more fidelity and more features in this already awesome synth. MPE compatibility, seven timbre “quick-change” character buttons, 16-track mixing console, crazy-good Artist Preset Libraries from world-renowned sound designers, and lots more. The Synclavier was always a versatile attention-getting instrument, but now it’s a powerhouse synth to be reckoned with! Release 1.30 features include - • iPad, iPhone and iPad Touch compatibility iOS9 or later • 96-button authentic VPK interface • AUv3 client compatibility for use within iOS DAWs • 16 original “Factory Preset Libraries” (8 banks x 8 entries) - 979 timbres • 3 “Artist Libraries” - 127 all-new timbres • Sample Library with 116 high-quality soundfiles • Audio Setup 44.1/48 kHz and sample latency controls • 16-track multi-timbral implementation with mix controls (iPad only, iPhone is mono-timbral) • Audiobus-compatible stereo output • Meticulous re-creation of the Synclavier FM sound using hardware modelling • Soundfile playback, pitch-shifting, looping, and keyboard mapping • iCloud compatibility to easily share Timbres (or via Audiobus) • iTunes file sharing for backup of user timbres and mixes • Direct expression routing for pitch bend, mod wheel, velocity and pressure • Full compatibility with MPE interfaces • Ableton Link synchronization with Repeat/Arpeggiate • 7 character buttons to quickly sculpt any timbre • Embedded “Tour” pages detailing setup and operation • Library browser for saving and calling up Timbres Synclavier DSP Engine • 12 Partial Timbres • Delay-Attack-Decay-Release envelope generators • 100 Timbre Frames per Partial • Noise Floor and Bit Depth controls • Micro-tuning controls • Dynamic and Keyboard Envelopes • Vibrato and Tremolo LFOs • Authentic re-creation of the original instrument and sounds, adjustable from 4-bit grunge to 24 bit silky smoothness. Synclavier Go! is compatible with all iPad, iPhone and iPad Touch models that can operate iOS 9.0 or later. Soundfile playback and AUv3 compatibility require iOS11 or later. The latest iOS version that is compatible with your device is recommended. The Synclavier® knob is as unique today as it was revolutionary at the time of its introduction. The knob is a rate-of-change controller; close your eyes and let your right-brain kick in to the sound design process. Forget the numbers; forget the digits; let your ears guide the process. Sound design with a touch-screen and Synclavier® knob is as different from a mouse-driven GUI as, well, Synclavier® was different than the Fairlight CMI! The Synclavier Knob is an exciting and authentic option, but is not required for Synclavier Go! since a virtual knob is provided in the app. Note to Parents: Synclavier Go! is as educational as it is historic and authentic. This app can introduce your teenager to the technical aspects of sound and sound design in a fun and informative environment.

Screenshots

Synclavier Go! App and Plugin4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Synclavier Go! App and Plugin at 81% against Xkey Plus's 36%. Synclavier Go! App and Plugin also leads on rating (4.7 vs 2.9) and update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 3 months). Xkey Plus's advantage is price (Free vs $19.99) and iOS requirement (9.3 vs 12.0). On ads and in-app purchases 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

Xkey Plus is free to download; Synclavier Go! App and Plugin costs $19.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Synclavier Go! App and Plugin holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 2.9. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 13 and 52 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 36% of Xkey Plus's written reviews are positive against 81% of Synclavier Go! App and Plugin's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Xkey Plus ships an update every 3 months, Synclavier Go! App and Plugin every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 10, 2026 and October 13, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard8 real differences · 2 level
Xkey Plus versus Synclavier Go! App and Plugin: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterXkey PlusSynclavier Go! App and Plugin
PriceFree — better$19.99
Rating2.9 (13 ratings)4.7 (52 ratings) — better
Positive reviews35.7% of reviews81.1% of reviews — better
Number of ratings1352 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree — betterPaid
DevicesiPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS9.3 — better12.0
Further details — not scored
Size9 MB94 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperESI Audiotechnik GmbHSynclavier Digital Corporation Ltd

Customer experience

Xkey Plus

All ratings13 ratings
Positive38.5%
Neutral23.1%
Negative38.5%
Written reviews14 reviews
Positive35.7%
Neutral21.4%
Negative42.9%

Synclavier Go! App and Plugin

All ratings52 ratings
Positive90.4%
Neutral5.8%
Negative3.8%
Written reviews37 reviews
Positive81.1%
Neutral13.5%
Negative5.4%

In-app purchases

None

Xkey Plus

No in-app purchases

None

Synclavier Go! App and Plugin

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Xkey Plus free?
Xkey Plus is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Synclavier Go! App and Plugin free?
Synclavier Go! App and Plugin costs $19.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Xkey Plus or Synclavier Go! App and Plugin?
Synclavier Go! App and Plugin is rated higher. Xkey Plus averages 2.9 out of 5 from 13 ratings, while Synclavier Go! App and Plugin averages 4.7 from 52 ratings.
Do Xkey Plus or Synclavier Go! App and Plugin have ads?
Neither Xkey Plus nor Synclavier Go! App and Plugin shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Xkey Plus or Synclavier Go! App and Plugin?
Xkey Plus ships an update every 3 months, and Synclavier Go! App and Plugin every 3 weeks. Most recently, Xkey Plus was updated on October 10, 2026 and Synclavier Go! App and Plugin on October 13, 2026.

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