Comparison

microTERA vs TerribleSync

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

Head to head
About

microTERA

Explore unique sonic textures with this waveshaping synthesizer. Generate novel sound patches randomly or program them with detailed controls. Includes a variety of built-in effects and advanced sequencing capabilities.

Highlights
  • Waveshaper with user programmable shape
  • Random sound patch generation
  • Sequencer with programmable steps
  • Built-in effects (Chorus, Phaser, Reverb, etc.)
  • Over 150 factory sounds
  • Audiobus and Ableton Link compatible
Read full description

Waveshaping Synthesis is a type of distortion synthesis that can create dynamic spectra in a controlled way. In waveshaping, it is possible to change the spectrum with the amplitude of the sound. A simple example of this method is the clipping caused by overdriving an audio amplifier. These simple method creates an astonishing variety of sounds which are very unique and can't be reproduced by any other contemporary synth! microTERA gives you also a 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… Waveshaping Synthesis • Wavehaper with user programmable shape • Spectral shape specification • Three sine oscillators • Feedback input for noise components • 4 Low frequency oscillators • 4 Envelopes with tempo sync • 64 time/level segments per envelope • Monophonic or polyphonic with 16 voices. • Over 150 factory sounds • 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 • Distortion (Tape/Tube/...) • Echo/Delay • Reverb Global • Audiobus compatible (Input slot) with state saving • Support for Ableton Link. • Inter App Audio compatible. • CoreMIDI / Virtual MIDI • Audio recorder with Metronome. • Upload to SoundCloud and File Export. • Audio pasteboard.

About

TerribleSync

Control the tempo of music hardware like synthesizers and drum machines using your iPhone or iPad. Features include tap tempo, precise dial adjustment, and buttons for performance effects. Requires a 3.5mm audio cable for connection.

Highlights
  • Tap tempo
  • Rotary tempo dial
  • Pause/mute button
  • Performance effect buttons
  • Clear interface
  • Open source project
Features
Read full description

Use your iPhone or iPad to control the tempo of impulse-sync-enabled synthesizers, drum machines, and other music hardware. Features: • Tap tempo • Supports 20.0 - 999.0+ BPM • Rotary tempo dial for precise, tactile tempo adjustment • Pause/mute button • ?, !, and :fire: buttons to introduce character and chaos into your performance • Clear, simple interface designed to be easy to use in a stage/performance setting This app works with any instrument you own that takes voltage impulses as a tempo control, such as: • KORG SQ-1, Volca, Monotribe, etc. • Teenage Engineering Pocket Operator • Moog MOTHER-32 (choose the "single clock advance" setting on the instrument) This project is open source. Try building it yourself at https://github.com/terribleben/terrible-sync or contact twitter.com/terribleben with feedback! Notes: • 3.5mm audio cable is required to connect your iPhone or iPad to your sync-enabled instruments. • If the instrument isn't responding, you may need to increase the iPhone's volume. • This software is not produced by, endorsed by, or affiliated with KORG, Teenage Engineering, Moog Music, or other instrument manufacturers.

Screenshots

TerribleSync1 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: TerribleSync at Free against microTERA's $1.99. TerribleSync also leads on device support (3 vs 1). microTERA's advantage is rating (4.9 vs 4.0) and update cadence (every 4 months vs every 35 months). On review sentiment, ratings volume, 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

TerribleSync is free to download; microTERA costs $1.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

microTERA holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 8 and 4 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 81% of microTERA's written reviews are positive against 83% of TerribleSync's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

microTERA ships an update every 4 months, TerribleSync every 35 months. The most recent releases landed on October 5, 2026 and October 2, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
microTERA versus TerribleSync: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParametermicroTERATerribleSync
Price$1.99Free — better
Rating4.9 (8 ratings) — better4.0 (4 ratings)
Positive reviews81.0% of reviews83.3% of reviews — better
Number of ratings8 — better4
Update frequencyEvery 4 months — betterEvery 35 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidFree — better
DevicesiPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS11.0 — better12.0
Further details — not scored
Size24 MB1 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperHarry GohsBenjamin Roth

Customer experience

microTERA

All ratings8 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews21 reviews
Positive81.0%
Neutral14.3%
Negative4.8%

TerribleSync

All ratings4 ratings
Positive75.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative25.0%
Written reviews6 reviews
Positive83.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative16.7%

In-app purchases

None

microTERA

No in-app purchases

None

TerribleSync

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is microTERA free?
microTERA costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is TerribleSync free?
TerribleSync is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, microTERA or TerribleSync?
microTERA is rated higher. microTERA averages 4.9 out of 5 from 8 ratings, while TerribleSync averages 4.0 from 4 ratings.
Do microTERA or TerribleSync have ads?
Neither microTERA nor TerribleSync shows ads.
Which is updated more often, microTERA or TerribleSync?
microTERA ships an update every 4 months, and TerribleSync every 35 months. Most recently, microTERA was updated on October 5, 2026 and TerribleSync on October 2, 2026.

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