synthQ vs Mini Synthesizer
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
synthQ
This music creation tool for iPad offers a unique module queuing system and a customizable interface for dynamic sound design. Create complex sounds with virtual cables, a resizable keyboard, and a wide array of modules for production, performance, and education.
- Customizable module queuing system
- Virtual cable-based modulation
- Resizable multi-octave keyboard
- Extensive module library (oscillators, envelopes, filters, FX)
- Ableton Link support
- MIDI input/output
- Preset sharing and import
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Introducing the queuing synthesizer for iPad. SynthQ has been designed from the ground up with the touchscreen interface in mind. SynthQ is a subtractive synthesizer with a customizable interface. A unique module queuing system, resizable multi-octave keyboard, and intuitive cable-based modulation controls offer a truly dynamic music-making experience for iOS. Each part of the synth is separated into units called modules. Each module snaps into place along a scrollable surface above the keyboard. Control the number of modules shown on the screen at any time. Control which modules appear for each sound. Tap a button on the module menu to launch a module and add it to the queue. Drag a module up and release to remove it from the queue. Drag a module down to move it within the queue. Add variability to your sound by connecting different modules using virtual cables. Alter the sound with synthQ's movable keys. SynthQ provides an intuitive and engaging way to get started creating your own sounds, and is ideal for production, performance and music education environments. Full feature list: MODULES: —three oscillators — sine, triangle, saw, square, pulse and resonant noise waves —three adsrs — amp, filter and modulation envelopes —filter with lowpass, hipass, bandpass, band-reject and peak filter modes —glide —frequency modulation oscillator —ring modulation oscillator —eight modulation bays with virtual cables enable interactions between modules —three tempo-syncable LFOs with sine, triangle, saw, reverse saw, square, random curve and random step waves —two XY matrix pads —XY keys module turns the keyboard's movable keys into modulation sources —sequencer module with Ableton Link support and built-in arpeggiator mode —vocoder using microphone or Inter-App Audio Effect input —two FX slots with chorus, flanger, phaser, reverb, tremolo, distortion, delay and bitcrush —analog simulation with soft clipping and random pitch wavering —midi module with pitch bender, modwheel and velocity —master volume control INTERFACE: —multi-octave resizable keyboard with 10-voice polyphonic, monophonic and legato modes —optional "sticky keys" mode locks each key to your finger after being pressed —when used as a modulation source, sound can be altered by moving the keys in different directions —unique rearrangeable module queuing area defines which controls are present per preset —fully featured preset menu system with options to share and import via e-mail or iTunes File Sharing —import presets directly from iOS mail by tapping and holding the attachment and pressing "Open in synthQ" —functional graphic design and layout eliminates screen switching by keeping the control modules and keyboard in constant view OTHER FEATURES: —Audiobus 3 support with Inter-App Audio —A=432Hz, A=440Hz and A=444Hz tuning modes —44100k Hz, 32000 Hz and 22050 Hz sampling rate modes —MIDI input and output per channel —basic recording feature to save, play, loop, and share recordings —import .WAV files from iTunes File Sharing for playback —parallax motion effects Follow @synthQ on Twitter for latest announcements and free preset packs, updated regularly! Share your presets with the developer for a chance to get them added to an official update!
Mini Synthesizer
This app faithfully recreates a classic analog synthesizer from the 1980s, offering vintage sounds with modern updates. It features intuitive controls for pitch, filters, and delay, allowing for extensive sound shaping and preset saving.
- Faithful analog synthesizer recreation
- Vintage and modern sound updates
- Intuitive controls with sliders and switches
- Extensive sound shaping (pitch, filters, delay, reverb)
- Preset management with unlimited user storage
- Audiobus compatibility
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Electro-Harmonix, a pioneer since 1968 in the field of sound effects pedals for musicians, has produced an app which is a faithful digital re-creation of their circa 1980 analog cult-classic, The MINI-SYNTHESIZER. Available for iPad and iPhone (IOS version 15.0 or later), the EHX MINI-SYNTHESIZER accurately delivers all the vintage synth sounds of the original plus modern updates. EHX President and Founder, Mike Matthews stated: “Fans of vintage synths will appreciate the apps ability to recreate the original’s warm analog sounds and deep funky bass, but because it’s so affordable ($2.99 for phone, $4.99 for tablet) and user-friendly, parents, educators and non-musicians will love it, too.” The MINI-SYNTHESIZER app comes with 25 presets and the ability to store an almost unlimited number of user presets programs. Audiobus capabilities are also included. Intuitive, flexible and powerful control are provided by the MINI-SYNTHESIZER’s 12 sliders and nine switches. Here’s a breakdown of the user interface: OSC Section - PITCH slider lets the player raise or lower the pitch of the note by +/- 1 octave - SUB-OCTAVE slider introduces a note one octave below what’s being played for extra bottom - OCTAVE UP switch causes the note being played to jump up one octave. - TUNE knob lets the player tune the MINI-SYNTHESIZER to other instruments and sound sources over a +/- 50 cents range. FILTERS Section - PHASE RATE slider adjusts the speed of the phase shifter - FILTER START sets the start frequency of the filter sweep - FILTER STOP sets the stop frequency of the filter sweep - SWEEP RATE controls the speed of the filter sweep - PHASE switch turns the effect on/off - 2X FILTER switch changes how the audio passes through the filters (either in parallel or in series) - Q switch sets the amount of resonance on the filter sweep - RETRIGGER switch turns the filter retrigger on/off DELAY Section - TIME slider adjusts the delay time up to two seconds - FEEDBACK controls the number of echo repeats - BLEND adjusts the mix of the original signal and the echo repeats - DELAY switch turns the effect on/off - TIME label can be tapped for tap tempo REVERB Section - AMOUNT slider adjusts the reverb effect level - BLEND slider controls the mix of the wet and dry signals - REVERB switch turns reverb on/off - REVERB>DELAY switch lets the user place either Delay or Reverb first in the effects chain for a variety of cool sound effects. MISCELLANEOUS CONTROLS - VOL (Volume) slider adjusts the MINI-SYNTHESIZER’s overall sound output level - POLY/MONO switch toggles between polyphonic (four notes can be played simultaneously) or monophonic (only one note can be played at a time) modes - PRESETS pop-down menu displays the presets available and allows the user to instantly select one - HORIZONTAL slider lets the player adjust the keyboards sounding range over an expansive eight-octave range. - RIBBON Interface lets the player perform portamento (glide up or down to pitch), vibrato and other expressive playing. The easy-to-use Electro-Harmonix MINI-SYNTHESIZER App is loaded with great sounds and features and is sure to appeal to serious musicians and non-musicians alike. LIMITATIONS - InterApp Audio experiences periodic crashes and graphics issues. - The MINI SYNTH runs at 48 kHz sample rate; using the MINI SYNTH in an environment with 44.1 kHz sample rate (such as Garageband for iOS) may cause aliasing. - Presets saved in the standalone app cannot be accessed when using the MINI SYNTH as an AudioUnit, and vice versa.
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: synthQ at 4.2 against Mini Synthesizer's 3.5. synthQ also leads on review sentiment (80% vs 44%). Mini Synthesizer's advantage is price ($4.99 vs $5.99). On ratings volume, update cadence, 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
synthQ costs $5.99 and Mini Synthesizer $4.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
synthQ holds the better App Store score, 4.2 against 3.5. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 13 and 12 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 80% of synthQ's written reviews are positive against 44% of Mini Synthesizer's.
synthQ ships an update every 3 months, Mini Synthesizer every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on June 1, 2026 and September 21, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | synthQ | Mini Synthesizer |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $5.99 | $4.99 — better |
| Rating | 4.2 (13 ratings) — better | 3.5 (12 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 80.0% of reviews — better | 44.1% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 13 — better | 12 |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months — better | Every 4 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Devices | iPad | iPad |
| Requires iOS | 12.0 — better | 13.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 78 MB | 12 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Chris Niven | Electro-Harmonix |
Customer experience
synthQ
Mini Synthesizer
In-app purchases
synthQ
No in-app purchases
Mini Synthesizer
No in-app purchases









