Luminair vs Pure Synth® Platinum
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Luminair
This professional lighting control platform offers advanced DMX and smart light management for designers, filmmakers, musicians, and artists. It supports multiple DMX universes, RDM, and HomeKit integration, allowing for complex scene creation and playback.
- Multi-universe DMX control
- RDM support
- Apple HomeKit integration
- Fixture Cloud library
- DMX FX Engine
- Sound Active mode
- Luminair Remote for Apple Watch
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Luminair is a professional-grade lighting control platform that gives lighting designers, filmmakers and TV professionals, musicians, artists and other enthusiasts advanced control over DMX-enabled lights, as well as "Smart" lights via Apple HomeKit. Control any light... Luminair's Fixture Cloud library contains over 30,000 fixture profiles. Luminair 4 adds a wide range of user-requested features like multi-universe support, RDM support, user interface improvements, Universal Search, support for Apple HomeKit, and so much more. Move beyond the lighting console! Join us and see why Luminair has been setting the standard for mobile lighting control since 2008! Access all iPadOS, iOS, and macOS versions under a single subscription plan. Try it FREE for 2 weeks, with all features unlocked, and no obligation. See offer details below. Highlights: - 1 to 4 DMX Universes (512-2048 Channels, depending on Subscription level) - 1 Art-Net DMX Input Universe for creating Snapshot scene recordings from another lighting console - RDM Support over Art-Net - Works with any Art-Net or sACN E1.31 compliant DMX interface - Transmits Art-Net, sACN E1.31, and/or and KiNET over built-in Wi-Fi hardware - Supports DMX over Bluetooth with LumenRadio BLE CRMX devices, MoonLite and TimoTwo - Supports wired ethernet with 3rd-party adapters - Advanced document viewer allows you to save projects in iCloud, 3rd-party services like Creative Cloud and Dropbox, plus external disks and flash drives - LTP faders with fully-configurable scene parameters - DMX FX Engine with a Movement generator, Oscillator, Color Looping, Random Color/Intensity and more - Palette/preset based movement system allows you to control and edit movements of multiple moving lights together in unison - Sequences allow you to play back scenes with customized fade and hold times - Sound Active mode allows for music controlled light shows using the built-in microphone, or external sound sources - Innovative tap-to-bump gesture allows you to quickly bump the levels of a scene while holding it's button, releasing those levels when let go - Supports simultaneous control of DMX and HomeKit lights in the same project - Touch ID powered Lockdown mode allows you to lock specific parts of the Luminair user interface - Includes Luminair Remote for Apple Watch (on iPhone devices) - Supports various external control methods as MIDI, MIDI over Bluetooth LE and Wi-Fi, Geofences, OSC Input - Additional support for 4 Universes, Scheduling, DMX Input Triggers, iBeacons, MSC, MTC, and HomeKit Button Triggers available with Luminair Pro Subscription - 64-bit app with a scalable UI that uses the latest Apple technologies like iCloud, Core Animation, Core MIDI and more Please visit us at https://luminair.app for full details. IMPORTANT: Luminair requires external DMX or HomeKit hardware to control lights, but can also be used in an "offline" mode for building projects and as a learning tool. Access Luminair Standard or Luminair Pro with monthly or annual subscriptions. You will be automatically billed through Apple every 30 days for monthly subscriptions or every 365 days for yearly subscriptions until you cancel your subscription. The first billing will occur after the one-time free trial period of 2 weeks. Your subscription automatically renews unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24-hours before the end of the current period. Your subscription can be managed and the auto-renewal may be turned off by going to the App Store Account Settings after purchase. No cancellation of the current subscription is allowed during active subscription period. Any unused portion of the free trial period will be forfeited when you purchase a subscription during the free trial period. Privacy Policy: https://luminair.app/privacy Terms of Use: https://luminair.app/terms
Pure Synth® Platinum
This app is a versatile virtual instrument player for iOS, serving as a comprehensive solution for rompler, synthesizer, and wavetable needs. It offers advanced modulation, built-in effects, and expandable sound libraries. Users can store samples on external drives and customize their sound with unique features.
- Rompler, synthesizer, and wavetable engines
- Advanced automation and modulation system
- Includes VKFX Suite and additional free effects
- Expandable sound libraries via virtual IAP
- External drive support for sample storage
- MIDI Learn and modulate any parameter
- AUv3 Full View Support
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Pure Synth® Platinum is NOW FREE!!! It has evolved into one of the only Virtual Instrument Players on iOS and has emerged as the only substitute for your Rompler/Synth needs. All engines are fully capable as a romper, synthesizer, and wavetable mangler. We have a simple automation and modulation system where you simply touch+hold on any parameter and it will learn your MIDI CC commands and you can assign modulations to any parameter, including the effects. Our synth also includes all of the VKFX Suite from Overloud™ and we are always adding new effects that we add free from within the app such as the new effects below: - CloudVerb Creatmospheric Reverb - PhatFilt - Analog modeling Filter and Feedback - Talkbox® - Vowel Sounding Talkbox effect - iFX Amp - Realistic Amp Sim emulations Virtual IAP Expansion Setup Everyone remembers the famous samplers that we love with branded expansions and the unlimited ability to expand. Now that Pure Synth® Platinum is a free download, you can pick and choose which expansions you want to use. Freely purchase any expansion and most of them don’t require other expansions in order to run. We have plans for many more expansions and with our ability to store samples on external drives, your iOS device becomes the one stop shop for all things samples and synthesis. Not only can we add new sounds, but new features, such as the ability to load in your own wavetables or load in your own sounds in the future. Existing BASSalicious and FM TiNES Users Existing users of our FMT and BASS2 can go to the settings and look for the APPLY CROSSGRADE option. This will allow you to unlock those same sounds from within Pure Synth®, so now all you need is one synth to access all of the sounds. Important Features: ▪ External Drive for Sample Storage ▪ BlueTooth MiDI Capable ▪ iCloud Backup and Sharing of Presets ▪ Ability to export presets ▪ Enhanced AUv3 Preset Resizing ▪ Expansion Pack Banners and Branding ▪ Metal support, Faster UI, Faster loading, and major CPU Updates ▪ Two Mode MIDI Program Change ▪ MIDI Learn and Modulate Any parameter iOS Features: ▪ iOS 13+ ▪ AUv3 Full View Support ▪ Supports Scrolling to see all parameters ▪ Background Audio ▪ Virtual MIDI ▪ Separate MIDI Channel Selections ▪ Full 2732 x 2048 HD View ▪ Virtual Keyboard Sends MIDI ▪ MIDI Learn any parameter ▪ File Sharing of Presets Features ▪ Flexible Preset System with Fast search, loading, and saving ▪ Favorites option for sounds and presets ▪ Lightening fast sample streaming engine ▪ Warm analog rich simple-set ran through analog gear ▪ Warm Wavetable Technology ▪ Easy modulation system - Tap+Hold to assign modulation to virtually any source ▪ A VA circuit modeled State Variable Filter ▪ Ability to select edit multiple oscillators ▪ JP-8000 Supersaw Unison/Detune ▪ Powered Scale Option - Scales the detuning in a unique way. ▪ Brand New FX System ▪ Dynamically and Graphically position FX signal flow in virtual racks. ▪ Separate Oscillator FX sends for Reverb and Insert FX. ▪ Featuring Overloud's VKFX Suite. ▪ New Dattorro's figure-of-eight Algorithmic Reverb. ▪ New Schroeder Algorithmic Reverb. ▪ New Soft Master Limiter with Tube Saturation. ▪ New Stereo Spread/Widener with Safe Bass Multi-Mode Settings. Device Specifications: ---------------- ▪ 2GHz ARM Processor Recommended - iPad Pro 12.9 and 9.7 in, iPad 5th Gen, iPad Pro 12.9 in. (Gen 2), iPad Pro 10.5 in., iPad 6th Gen, iPad Pro 11 in., iPad Pro 12.9 in. (Gen 3), iPad Air (Gen 3) ▪ iPhone X and higher - iPhones with at least 2GB RAM Supported Only ▪ For External Sample Streaming, we only recommend Fast External SSD Drives ---------------- IMPORTANT NOTE: Purchasing the iOS Version does not grant you FREE access to our desktop version. Each platform/version must be purchased separately.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Luminair at 4.6 against Pure Synth® Platinum's 3.6. Luminair also leads on update cadence (fortnightly vs every 3 months) and ratings volume (1.2K vs 54). Pure Synth® Platinum's advantage is monetization model (free with in-app purchases vs subscription) and review sentiment (51% vs 36%). On price, 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
Both are free to download. Luminair sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month and Pure Synth® Platinum sells 10 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
Luminair holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 3.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Luminair has 1.2K ratings behind it against 54, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 36% of Luminair's written reviews are positive against 51% of Pure Synth® Platinum's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.
Luminair ships an update fortnightly, Pure Synth® Platinum every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on November 6, 2026 and November 3, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Luminair | Pure Synth® Platinum |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.6 (1.2K ratings) — better | 3.6 (54 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 36.0% of reviews | 50.7% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 1.2K — better | 54 |
| Update frequency | Fortnightly — better | Every 3 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Subscription | Free with in-app purchases — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac, Apple Watch — better | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 14.0 | 11.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 1.7 GB | 317 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Synthe FX, LLC | MIDIculous LLC |
Customer experience
Luminair
Pure Synth® Platinum
User reviews
Luminair
From 1.2K App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 🚀 Easy to use
- 🚀 Reliable performance
- 🚀 Flexible lighting control
- 👍 Great customer support
Room to improve
- 🐛 Crashes and stability issues
- 🔒 Subscription model concerns
- 🔒 Paid updates for existing users
- 🔋 Slow network performance
Pure Synth® Platinum
From 54 App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 🌟 Incredible sound quality
- 🎨 Vast library of high-quality samples
- 🔧 Powerful sound customization options
- 🤝 Excellent customer support
- 💻 Seamless integration with DAWs
Room to improve
- 🐛 Stability issues and frequent crashes
- 📦 Extremely large file size
- 🤯 Confusing and cluttered user interface
- 🔍 Difficulty accessing purchased content
- 🔁 Recurring issues with updates
Bugs and requests
Luminair
Reported bugs
3 issues- Scenes not loading properly
- Ethernet connectivity problems
- Unexpected settings changes during use
Requested features
4 requests- Allow one-time purchase option
- Improve fixture profile management
- Add more advanced effects and animation
- Enhance multi-device/project workflow
Pure Synth® Platinum
Reported bugs
5 issues- Purchased content disappearing after updates
- Synth not responding or producing sound in DAWs
- Glitches and audio dropouts during playback
- Incompatibility issues with certain iOS versions
- Inconsistent behavior across different devices
Requested features
5 requests- MIDI learn capabilities for all parameters
- Improved preset management and organization
- Ability to import custom wavetables and samples
- Dedicated sound design tools and modulation options
- Better integration with external storage devices
In-app purchases
Luminair
- Luminair Standard Monthly14 Days trial$9.991 Month
- Luminair Pro Monthly14 Days trial$19.991 Month
- Luminair Standard Yearly14 Days trial$99.991 Year
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- Luminair Pro Yearly14 Days trial$199.991 Year
Pure Synth® Platinum
- Pure Synth 8 Bit Expansion$2.99
- Rached 808s for Pure Synth$3.99
- EDM Leads Vol 1 for Pure Synth$3.99
Show 7 moreShow fewer
- BASSalicious 1 Factory Content$6.99
- Creatmosphere Expansion$6.99
- Suitcase EP Piano Expansion$7.99
- BASSalicious 2 Factory Content$9.99
- Upright Piano Expansion$9.99
- FM TiNES Expansion for PSP$14.99
- Factory Sample Content$19.99
Questions
Is Luminair free?
Is Pure Synth® Platinum free?
Which has better reviews, Luminair or Pure Synth® Platinum?
Do Luminair or Pure Synth® Platinum have ads?
Which is updated more often, Luminair or Pure Synth® Platinum?
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