microTERA vs TerribleSync
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- 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
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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.
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.
- Tap tempo
- Rotary tempo dial
- Pause/mute button
- Performance effect buttons
- Clear interface
- Open source project
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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
Verdict
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
TerribleSync is free to download; microTERA costs $1.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
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.
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.
| Parameter | microTERA | TerribleSync |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1.99 | Free — better |
| Rating | 4.9 (8 ratings) — better | 4.0 (4 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 81.0% of reviews | 83.3% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 8 — better | 4 |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months — better | Every 35 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | Free — better |
| Devices | iPad | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 11.0 — better | 12.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 24 MB | 1 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Harry Gohs | Benjamin Roth |
Customer experience
microTERA
TerribleSync
In-app purchases
microTERA
No in-app purchases
TerribleSync
No in-app purchases









