SynthMaster Player vs Polywave
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- 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
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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
Polywave
Create unique, evolving sonic experiences with a novel wavetable sequencer inspired by vintage synths. Draw your own waveforms, explore a vast library, and connect to external keyboards or DAWs. Record your creations directly within the app.
- Wavetable sequencer
- Custom waveform drawing
- Expansive waveform library
- 100+ factory presets
- MIDI and Audio Unit support
- Live recording module
- 8-voice polyphony
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From Fingerlab (multiple-time winner of Music App of the Week, 2012 Apple Design Award) and Jordan Rudess (keyboardist of Dream Theater), comes Polywave — a revolutionary wavetable sequencer synthesizer for iPhone, iPad & Mac. Inspired by the legendary Korg Wavestation, Polywave lets you draw your own waveforms with your finger and create unique, ever-evolving sounds that are truly yours. Draw your own waveforms directly on screen 100+ factory presets: leads, pads, loops & FX Connect any MIDI keyboard or load as AUv3 in your DAW Live recording built-in Free version includes 12 factory presets and a selection of core features. Get the Full Version IAP to unlock everything. Features: • 8-voice polyphony & 6 octaves • Wavetable & waveform sequencer • VCO & FM Oscillators • FM Modulation & Detune • ADSR Envelope editor • Moog Ladder filter with ADSR • 2 LFOs with custom modulation waveform • LFO Sync & Loop mode • Waveform drawing editor & library (100 waveforms) • Preset Randomizer & export/import • 5 FX: Tube Amp, Vibrato, Chorus, Delay & Reverb • Live recording & export • Full MIDI & MIDI Mapping support • AudioBus & Inter-App Audio (iOS) • Full AudioUnit AUv3 support • iCloud Family Sharing Questions or feedback? We'd love to hear from you: contact@fingerlab.net Stay tuned! The Fingerlab Team
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: Polywave at 80% against SynthMaster Player's 52%. Polywave also leads on rating (4.7 vs 4.4). SynthMaster Player's advantage is iOS requirement (11.0 vs 13.0). On price, ratings volume, update cadence and ads 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. SynthMaster Player sells 13 one-off in-app purchases and Polywave sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
Polywave holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.4. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 55 and 34 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 52% of SynthMaster Player's written reviews are positive against 80% of Polywave's.
SynthMaster Player ships an update every 3 months, Polywave every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and September 23, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | SynthMaster Player | Polywave |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.4 (55 ratings) | 4.7 (34 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 52.1% of reviews | 80.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 55 — better | 34 |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months — better | Every 4 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — better |
| Requires iOS | 11.0 — better | 13.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 308 MB | 44 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | KV331 Audio | Fingerlab |
Customer experience
SynthMaster Player
Polywave
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
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- More customization options
Polywave
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
SynthMaster Player
- Historical Synth Giants Vol 1$1.99
- BigTone Signature Sounds Vol1$4.99
- MK Expansion 2$4.99
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- 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
Polywave
- Full Version$7.99
Questions
Is SynthMaster Player free?
Is Polywave free?
Which has better reviews, SynthMaster Player or Polywave?
Do SynthMaster Player or Polywave have ads?
Which is updated more often, SynthMaster Player or Polywave?
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