Comparison

SynthMaster Player vs iSoundBank

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

Head to head
About

SynthMaster Player

This mobile synthesizer app provides a vast library of sounds for music production. It allows users to play presets, make limited edits, and access additional sound banks through in-app purchases. It integrates with other music apps and offers a built-in keyboard for immediate playability.

Highlights
  • Preset-based sound library
  • Limited parameter editing
  • XY pads for modulation
  • AUv3 and InterApp Audio support
  • Audiobus integration
  • Built-in keyboard with pitch/mod wheels
  • Scales functionality
Read full description

SynthMaster Player for iOS received "2016 Editor's Choice Award" from Electronic Musician Magazine! SynthMaster desktop version is voted as "The Best VST/AU Synth Plugin" by MusicRadar readers and also received "Gear of the Year" award from MusicTech Magazine for "Best Software Instrument" category. SynthMaster has received very positive reviews from acclaimed music technology magazines: "SynthMaster: The most powerful softsynth you may not have heard of" Keyboard Magazine "If ever there was a desert island synth, SynthMaster is it, covering all sonic bases with authority and a superb tone" Computer Music Magazine "Many developers say that they've produced the one and only synth you'll ever need, but we've always felt that was a dubious claim. In SynthMaster’s case, though, it’s one that rings true" MusicRadar INTRODUCTION SynthMaster Player for iOS is the MOBILE PLAYER VERSION of the award winning SynthMaster software synthesizer. It is targeted towards users who prefer to use presets rather than designing their own sounds during music production. Although it is a preset based player, users can edit the following preset parameters: 1) 8 easy parameters assigned by the sound designer 2) 2 XY Pads assigned by the sound designer 3) Effect bypass states and send amounts 4) Layer bypass states and volumes 5) Master volume, polyphony The free app comes with 100 factory presets. When users complete registration by entering their names and email addresses they receive another 100 factory presets as a bonus! After completing registration, users can upgrade to the Pro version of the app by purchasing the "Factory Presets" bank via In-App-Purchase (IAP). With the Pro Upgrade all of the 800 factory presets are loaded and also the following features are unlocked: 1. Users can save the changes they have made to the presets. 2. Users can purchase additional preset banks via In-App-Purchase (IAP). We currently have 28 additional preset banks that contain 1750 presets for various genres/styles. 3. Existing SynthMaster users can download their previously purchased SynthMaster preset banks inside the app, so that they don't have to purchase them again. 4. Existing SynthMaster users can export their own presets in SynthMaster v2.x and import them into SynthMaster Player for iPad using iTunes. AUv3 SynthMaster Player for iOS supports AUv3, you can add multiple instrument instances to your tracks. INTERAPP AUDIO SynthMaster Player for iOS acts as an source/instrument in InterApp Audio. We demonstrate in our user manual how to connect it to InterApp enabled DAW apps. AUDIOBUS SynthMaster Player for iOS acts as a source/instrument in AudioBus, with state saving enabled. We demonstrate in our user manual how to connect it to AudioBus enabled DAW apps. BUILT-IN KEYBOARD The built-in 2 octave keyboard with pitch and modulation wheels lets users play notes without having to connect an external MIDI controller to their iPad. With its Scale functionality, it shows the users the notes on the scale, and with its Chord functionality the user can play a certain chord by pressing a single note. MIDI SETTINGS SynthMaster Player for iOS supports CoreMIDI and also virtual MIDI. It acts as a virtual MIDI destination for other DAW apps. Midi input device, midi input channel, and receive midi beat clock settings can be adjusted from the MIDI Settings window. SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS Minimum Operating System Supported: iOS 9 Minimum Hardware Supported: iPad4, iPhone 5 and above Recommended Hardware: iPad Air and above, iPhone6 and above

About

iSoundBank

This app allows users to play sound bank files in SF2 and DLS formats. It includes a built-in General MIDI sound bank and supports importing and sharing these audio files. MIDI input is also available from external devices or virtual sources.

Highlights
  • SF2 and DLS sound bank playback
  • Built-in General MIDI sound bank
  • Import and share SF2/DLS files
  • MIDI In support (Core MIDI/virtual)
  • iPhone, iPad, and iPod compatible
Features
Read full description

iSoundBank is a sound bank player for SF2 and DLS format files. Main Features: - Build in a GM sound bank. - Importing or sharing SF2 and DLS. - MIDI In available (From Core MIDI devices or virtual MIDI In)

Screenshots

SynthMaster Player3 screens
iSoundBank4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: SynthMaster Player at Free against iSoundBank's $0.99. SynthMaster Player also leads on rating (4.4 vs 3.0) and update cadence (every 3 months vs every 8 months). iSoundBank's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 13). On review sentiment, ads, device support and iOS requirement 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

SynthMaster Player is free to download; iSoundBank costs $0.99 up front. SynthMaster Player sells 13 one-off in-app purchases. iSoundBank asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

SynthMaster Player holds the better App Store score, 4.4 against 3.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: SynthMaster Player has 55 ratings behind it against 5, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 52% of SynthMaster Player's written reviews are positive against 46% of iSoundBank's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

SynthMaster Player ships an update every 3 months, iSoundBank every 8 months. The most recent releases landed on October 21, 2026 and October 2, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
SynthMaster Player versus iSoundBank: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSynthMaster PlayeriSoundBank
PriceFree — better$0.99
Rating4.4 (55 ratings) — better3.0 (5 ratings)
Positive reviews52.1% of reviews — better46.2% of reviews
Number of ratings55 — better5
Update frequencyEvery 3 months — betterEvery 8 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases — betterPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS11.011.0
Further details — not scored
Size308 MB12 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperKV331 AudioSupertintin Co., Ltd

Customer experience

SynthMaster Player

All ratings55 ratings
Positive85.5%
Neutral5.5%
Negative9.1%
Written reviews261 reviews
Positive52.1%
Neutral16.1%
Negative31.8%

iSoundBank

All ratings5 ratings
Positive40.0%
Neutral20.0%
Negative40.0%
Written reviews13 reviews
Positive46.2%
Neutral7.7%
Negative46.2%

Bugs and requests

SynthMaster Player

Reported bugs

5 issues
  • Crashes on startup
  • Purchased presets not loading
  • Stuck notes
  • Incompatibility with newer iOS versions
  • Audiobus and IAA issues

Requested features

6 requests
  • Ability to edit and create own sounds
  • Improved preset management
  • Better integration with DAWs and Audiobus
  • Background playback support
  • Larger on-screen keyboard
Show 1 more
  • More customization options

iSoundBank

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

13 purchases

SynthMaster Player

One-time13
  • Historical Synth Giants Vol 1$1.99
  • BigTone Signature Sounds Vol1$4.99
  • MK Expansion 2$4.99
Show 10 more
  • Nori Ubukata Art Rock Basics$4.99
  • Sounds of the World$4.99
  • Factory Presets (PRO Upgrade)$4.99
  • SynthMaster 2.7 presets$4.99
  • SynthMaster 2.8 Presets$4.99
  • Extra Factory Presets Bundle$9.99
  • SynthMaster EDM Bundle 1$13.99
  • Dawn Of Electronic Bundle$13.99
  • Synth Giants Bundle$13.99
  • Rob Lee EDM Bundle$19.99
None

iSoundBank

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is SynthMaster Player free?
SynthMaster Player is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is iSoundBank free?
iSoundBank costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, SynthMaster Player or iSoundBank?
SynthMaster Player is rated higher. SynthMaster Player averages 4.4 out of 5 from 55 ratings, while iSoundBank averages 3.0 from 5 ratings.
Do SynthMaster Player or iSoundBank have ads?
Neither SynthMaster Player nor iSoundBank shows ads.
Which is updated more often, SynthMaster Player or iSoundBank?
SynthMaster Player ships an update every 3 months, and iSoundBank every 8 months. Most recently, SynthMaster Player was updated on October 21, 2026 and iSoundBank on October 2, 2026.

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