Comparison

76477 Complex Sound Synth vs JAX CHROMATIC

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

Head to head
About

76477 Complex Sound Synth

Create complex sound effects and music with a powerful synthesizer inspired by vintage hardware. Offers extensive modulation, noise generation, and customizable envelopes. Easily share your creations and control it with MIDI devices.

Highlights
  • Three oscillators with multiple wave types
  • Modulation capabilities for oscillators
  • Adjustable noise generator with filter
  • Configurable ADSR envelope
  • Unlimited sound effect generator boards
  • MIDI input support
  • Export/import sound effect boards
Features
Read full description

Synth 76477 is a powerful sound effects generator and synthesizer app, inspired by the famous SN76477 integrated circuit from the 1970s, but containing many enhancements. Features: • Three oscillators, each of which can produce a sine, triangle, sawtooth, or square wave • The outputs of two of the oscillators can be used to modulate the main oscillator • Frequency modulation can be linear or octave based • The duty cycle of the main oscillator can be adjusted in square wave mode • Noise generator, either analog or digital, with an adjustable low pass filter • Oscillator outputs can be mixed to the audio output • Fully configurable ADSR (Attack / Decay / Sustain / Release) envelope, linear or exponential • One shot mode available • Unlimited number of sound effect generator boards • User configurable array of sound effect generator buttons on each board, up to 50 on the iPhone and 150 on the iPad • Boards as well as individual generators can be exported and imported, and transferred to and from your computer via iTunes file sharing, making it easy to share with others Synth 76477 comes with a full set of sample sound generators, making it easy to understand how to use and configure them, and tap the full power of the app. Synth 76477 works with MIDI input devices (keyboards and controllers) in several interesting ways: If you plug a MIDI device into an iPad (via the USB Camera Connection Kit), Synth 76477 will automatically use it. You can plug several MIDI controllers in via a powered HUB, and Synth 76477 will use all of them. You can also use MIDI controllers over WiFi. Midi controllers can be used to trigger chip playback, or set the VCO frequency and volume. They can also be used in the chip editor to adjust the various settings. The app also supports Bluetooth audio devices. Visit the support page for step by step instructions on how to use the app: http://www.blackcatsystems.com/ipad/complex_sound_synthesizer_FAQ.html Buy your copy right now, and start generating your own sound effects in minutes.

About

JAX CHROMATIC

This advanced audio processor splits sound into 32 frequency bands for real-time spectral dynamics modification. It enhances sound perception, removes muddiness, and offers a user-friendly interface for creative mixing and mastering.

Highlights
  • 32-band spectral processing
  • Real-time compander per band
  • Analog filter models
  • Latency-free operation
  • Mastering and mixing tool
  • User-friendly interface
Features
Read full description

This is an AudioUnit. AudioUnits (AUv3) require a supporting host application to perform. The main app distributes the embedded unit and allows for testing with random sound samples. The complete manual can be found at: https://midi.digitster.com/CHROMATIC/JAX%20CHROMATIC%20Compander.pdf There is also an introductory video available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TlEGn_npt4A The JAX Chromatic Compander is an advanced real-time spectral dynamics processor, which splits the audio stream internally into 32 separate, stereophonic, chromatically tuned frequency bands. The parallel bandpass filter bank consists of fast response analog fiter models, producing natural fading sound with no latency. Chromatic means, that each bandpass is adjusted to cover 4 halftones in a musical scale (analog a classic 3rd octave). In difference to a 'Bark' filter, the chromatic bandpass filters are mapped consequently to the musical scale thru the entire frequency range. A bi-directional stereophonic dynamics processor, based on the compander (a combination of an expander and a compressor), is attached to each of the 32 frequency bands and will perform spectral dynamics modification in time with specified attack and release values. The JAX Chromatic Compander can be seen as a unique spectral enhancer, that is able to drastically improve the perception and presence of sound, especially removing all mud. It is mainly recommended to be used as a mastering processor, psycho acoustic loudnes maximizer and creative mixing tool for any kind of wideband audio signals (i.e. complete mixes and all sonically rich audio materials). We use vector processing CPU registers on all supported platforms for keeping the performance as good as possible. There are in sum 64 filters, 64 companders and 64 input- and output mixers performing in parallel thousands of instructions for each single audio sample of the continuous input stream. Usage, on the other side is extremely simple. All parameters are adjusted with ease by just moving fingers over the touchsreen. There is one macro knob for adjusting the compression/expansion amount. We spared out all complicated editing with numerical input and such, making JAX Chromatic Compander a joy to use. Our latest builds are truly 'universal', meaning, the AudioUnit is available on: - MacOS (Catalyst Intel) - MacOS (Silicon M1/M2/M3...) - iOS (iPhone) - iPadOS (iPads) Please note, that the MacOS Catalyst versions may be distributed or sold separately, because the AppStore does not allow to bundle none-silicon apps for the Mac with the iOS apps. Our builds come with latest technology support for all Apple devices. We therefore always develop with currently actual frameworks and compilers.

Screenshots

76477 Complex Sound Synth4 screens
JAX CHROMATIC4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: JAX CHROMATIC at 100% against 76477 Complex Sound Synth's 50%. JAX CHROMATIC also leads on rating (4.9 vs 4.0). 76477 Complex Sound Synth's advantage is price ($2.99 vs $12.99) and update cadence (every 3 months vs every 14 months). On ratings volume, 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

76477 Complex Sound Synth costs $2.99 and JAX CHROMATIC $12.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

JAX CHROMATIC holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 10 and 7 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 50% of 76477 Complex Sound Synth's written reviews are positive against 100% of JAX CHROMATIC's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

76477 Complex Sound Synth ships an update every 3 months, JAX CHROMATIC every 14 months. The most recent releases landed on September 17, 2026 and September 22, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
76477 Complex Sound Synth versus JAX CHROMATIC: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
Parameter76477 Complex Sound SynthJAX CHROMATIC
Price$2.99 — better$12.99
Rating4.0 (10 ratings)4.9 (7 ratings) — better
Positive reviews50.0% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings10 — better7
Update frequencyEvery 3 months — betterEvery 14 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — better
Requires iOS12.0 — better14.0
Further details — not scored
Size4 MB23 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperBlack Cat SystemsJens Guell

Customer experience

76477 Complex Sound Synth

All ratings10 ratings
Positive80.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative20.0%
Written reviews10 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral30.0%
Negative20.0%

JAX CHROMATIC

All ratings7 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

76477 Complex Sound Synth

No in-app purchases

None

JAX CHROMATIC

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is 76477 Complex Sound Synth free?
76477 Complex Sound Synth costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is JAX CHROMATIC free?
JAX CHROMATIC costs $12.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, 76477 Complex Sound Synth or JAX CHROMATIC?
JAX CHROMATIC is rated higher. 76477 Complex Sound Synth averages 4.0 out of 5 from 10 ratings, while JAX CHROMATIC averages 4.9 from 7 ratings.
Do 76477 Complex Sound Synth or JAX CHROMATIC have ads?
Neither 76477 Complex Sound Synth nor JAX CHROMATIC shows ads.
Which is updated more often, 76477 Complex Sound Synth or JAX CHROMATIC?
76477 Complex Sound Synth ships an update every 3 months, and JAX CHROMATIC every 14 months. Most recently, 76477 Complex Sound Synth was updated on September 17, 2026 and JAX CHROMATIC on September 22, 2026.

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