Comparison

Cube Synth vs ShockWave

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

Head to head
About

Cube Synth

Explore additive synthesis with intuitive sound morphing and deep parameter control. Create complex soundscapes, vocal phrases, or rhythms with ease. Offers a unique randomizer for instant patch generation.

Highlights
  • Additive synthesis engine
  • Intelligent sound morphing
  • Over 400 sound presets
  • Programmable arpeggiator
  • Multiple built-in effects
  • Audiobus and Inter-app audio support
  • Random sound patch generator
Read full description

Cube Synth is a groundbreaking new software instrument giving you the power and flexibility of additive synthesis together with easy editing and morphing capabilities. Macro parameters allow you to control this beast with unequalled ease. Intelligent sound morphing capabilities enables you to easily create complex evolving sound scapes, vocal phrases or stunning rhythms simply by choosing up to four sound sources from a predefined set. Then add one of the predefined envelopes and a unique, complex sound preset containing thousands of parameters is created! If you want to dive deeper into the inner secrets of this synthesis monster you can manipulate each parameter individually to get precise control over the sound. A number of high level parameters such as Brightness and Harmonic spread control hundreds of synthesis parameters in a way modeled after the inner workings of natural instruments. Cube Synth gives you also a new method of getting randomly generated sound patches in a way you never experienced before: roll the dice! Every single try gives you a new unique sound patch, really every try, promised… Synthesis • over 400 sound presets • four morphable sound sources • up to 512 partials per voice • harmonic/inharmonic spectra • arbitrary noise spectra • morphable filter banks • 3 Envelopes with tempo sync • 64 time/level segments per envelope Arpeggiator • Uses programmable sequences with up to 32 steps.  • Can trigger single notes and chords. • Unique randomizer generates Arpeggios with 100% usability. • 32 Arpeggios included, unlimited useer arpeggios possible. • For each step you can program tie, accent, transposition and note order Effects • Chorus • Phaser • Overdrive • Ensemble • Echo/Delay • Reverb Global • Audiobus 2 compatible (Input slot) with state saving • Support for Ableton Link. • Inter-app audio compatible (Instrument/Generator) • CoreMIDI / Virtual MIDI • Audio recorder with Metronome. • Upload to SoundCloud and File Export. • Audio pasteboard.

About

ShockWave

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
Read full description

ShockWave is a monophonic Synthesizer designed to bring modular style workflow to the world of iOS & AUv3 plugins. Built around the concept of Phase Distortion (PD) Synthesis, Shockwave includes a pair of PD Oscillators each capable of creating everything from pure Sine Waves over smooth Sawtooth and Square Waves to Resonance & Sync sweeps, filtered Noise and more. In addition to the Synth Voice, ShockWave includes a dedicated control section housing a pair of 8 step sequencers, a sample & hold module as well modules for trigger divisions, logic comparisons and controlled randomness. A pair of Low Frequency Oscillators and 2 Attack/Sustain/Release (ASR) Envelopes serve as main modulation sources and can be used in a number of ways. Envelopes can be triggered from a number of internal sources including other modules such as trigger divider, logic or chance module but can also be connected to each other allowing for a wide range of patches usually only possible in large modular systems. LFOs are individually tempo sync-able and capable of producing total of 5 different waveforms each. The two sequencers can run independently or combine to one 16 step sequence where rate and length can be controlled independently for each of the two. In true modular nature almost any control within ShockWave can be modulated with up to 11 sources - simultaneously. Modulations are setup simply by holding a control and dialling in the desired amount in a list of all available sources. A special X-Ray mode adds a realtime display of all currently active modulations right at their corresponding control making it easy to understand what's happening inside the synthesizer at any given time. Synth Voice and Control Section are accompanied by built-in Delay and Reverb sections placed on send busses with all of their controls including the send levels being available as mod destinations. Last but not least, ShockWave features a solid MIDI implementation including support for, aftertouch, velocity, wheels, custom CC mappings and up to 4 dimensions of expression when using MPE compatible controllers, such as the Roli Seaboard, Linnstrument, Geoshred, KB-1 and others. MIDI Output is supported as well and includes Note and Control Change output generated from various internal sources including Sequencers, Envelopes and LFOs making it possible to control external MIDI gear or chain multiple plugin instances for advanced, self driving patches. Overview: - Semi Modular Monophonic Synth Voice - Phase Distortion Synthesis (PD) - Dual PD Oscillators with 5 Waveforms + Noise - Dual ASR Envelopes with variable trigger source - Dual LFO with Tempo Sync - Cross Modulation with Linear/Exp. FM, PM, AM & RM - Mixer section with individual pan and level controls per oscillator - Output VCA with variable control source - Pattern Generator for generating sequences from various internal sources - Quantizer to force note input into a specific scale (19 Scales + User Scales) - Step Sequencer with 2x8 or 1x16 steps, individual rate and number of steps per row - Trigger Divider for dividing internal trigger sources - Probability Gate for adding controlled randomness - Sample & Hold for additional randomness - Logic Module to create triggers from various internal sources - Built-in Delay & Reverb Effects - MIDI Note and CC output for controlling external gear or chaining multiple instances - Semi Modular Architecture - 11 Modulation Sources - 40 Modulation Destinations - 2 Color Themes MIDI Input: - 4D Expression (Glide, Slide, Pressure & Velocity) - Mod & Pitch-Wheel - Tempo Sync - Custom CC Control MIDI Output: - Note - Control Change Connectivity: - Standalone - AUv3 - AudioBus - IAA

Screenshots

ShockWave4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Cube Synth at $1.99 against ShockWave's $19.99. Cube Synth also leads on review sentiment (89% vs 53%) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 15.6). ShockWave's advantage is update cadence (every 2 months vs every 4 months) and ratings volume (190 vs 16). On rating, 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

Cube Synth costs $1.99 and ShockWave $19.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.7 for Cube Synth against 4.6 for ShockWave. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: ShockWave has 190 ratings behind it against 16, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 89% of Cube Synth's written reviews are positive against 53% of ShockWave's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Cube Synth ships an update every 4 months, ShockWave every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on August 9, 2026 and September 21, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Cube Synth versus ShockWave: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCube SynthShockWave
Price$1.99 — better$19.99
Rating4.7 (16 ratings) — better4.6 (190 ratings)
Positive reviews89.5% of reviews — better52.5% of reviews
Number of ratings16190 — better
Update frequencyEvery 4 monthsEvery 2 months — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
DevicesiPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS12.0 — better15.6
Further details — not scored
Size19 MB42 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperHarry GohsKai Aras

Customer experience

Cube Synth

All ratings16 ratings
Positive93.8%
Neutral6.3%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews19 reviews
Positive89.5%
Neutral5.3%
Negative5.3%

ShockWave

All ratings190 ratings
Positive89.5%
Neutral2.6%
Negative7.9%
Written reviews59 reviews
Positive52.5%
Neutral11.9%
Negative35.6%

Bugs and requests

Cube Synth

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

ShockWave

Reported bugs

20 issues
  • "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.
Show 15 more
  • More than half of the sounds do not play.
  • Performance remains but synth loads blank when returning to work after closing.
  • App stops producing sound after a few minutes of use.
  • Preset browser causes the app to stop producing sound.
  • No audio output on iPhone 6 & 7 plus, sometimes noise when changing presets, keyboard doesn't work.
  • Randomize button not viewable on iPhone 6.
  • App crashes when returning to a project.
  • App crashes on the loading screen on iPhone 11, but works on iPhone 7.
  • Hangs and freezes, won't load/work in AUM or GarageBand.
  • Horribly laggy, almost unusable.
  • Volume is noisy and glitchy.
  • Response on dials needs more work.
  • Modulation tab issues, unable to turn other knobs properly.
  • DAW incompatibility issues.
  • App crashing, won't even load.

Requested features

6 requests
  • 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.
Show 1 more
  • Increase the number of available patches beyond 128.

In-app purchases

None

Cube Synth

No in-app purchases

None

ShockWave

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Cube Synth free?
Cube Synth costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is ShockWave free?
ShockWave costs $19.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Cube Synth or ShockWave?
Cube Synth is rated higher. Cube Synth averages 4.7 out of 5 from 16 ratings, while ShockWave averages 4.6 from 190 ratings.
Do Cube Synth or ShockWave have ads?
Neither Cube Synth nor ShockWave shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Cube Synth or ShockWave?
Cube Synth ships an update every 4 months, and ShockWave every 2 months. Most recently, Cube Synth was updated on August 9, 2026 and ShockWave on September 21, 2026.

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