Comparison

synthQ vs Sound Maker Synth

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

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • 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
Features
Read full description

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!

About

Sound Maker Synth

Create unique and complex sounds with a versatile FM synthesizer. Combine up to 10 sound generators, adjust frequencies and waveforms, and add effects like reverb. Explore a wide range of sonic possibilities for pads, basslines, and alien-like textures.

Highlights
  • Multiple sound generators (up to 10)
  • Adjustable frequency and waveforms
  • Volume, modulation, and tremolo effects
  • Real-time sound preview
  • Reverb effect
  • One-octave keyboard for playing
Features
Read full description

This app is capable and complex FM synthesiser that can create rich and very strange sounds combining up to 10 sound generators. Every generator can be adjusted up or down from the main frequency almost without restrictions in range. There are 4 possible wave forms for the generator output and you can tweet the volume, modulation and add some tremolo effect. You can listen to the result sound while you are adjusting the new generator and just add it to the result when it sounds good. With the Sound Maker Synth you can also add reverb and then play it as a one voice synth using the one octave keyboard at the top. The app is very capable to create some strange and alien like pad sounds as some dubstep bass.

Screenshots

Sound Maker Synth3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: synthQ at 80% against Sound Maker Synth's 0%. synthQ also leads on rating (4.2 vs 1.0) and update cadence (every 3 months vs every 41 months). Sound Maker Synth's advantage is price ($1.99 vs $5.99) and device support (3 vs 1). On 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

synthQ costs $5.99 and Sound Maker Synth $1.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

synthQ holds the better App Store score, 4.2 against 1.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: synthQ has 13 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 80% of synthQ's written reviews are positive against 0% of Sound Maker Synth's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

synthQ ships an update every 3 months, Sound Maker Synth every 41 months. The most recent releases landed on June 1, 2026 and August 14, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
synthQ versus Sound Maker Synth: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParametersynthQSound Maker Synth
Price$5.99$1.99 — better
Rating4.2 (13 ratings) — better1.0 (1 ratings)
Positive reviews80.0% of reviews — better0.0% of reviews
Number of ratings13 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 3 months — betterEvery 41 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
DevicesiPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS12.010.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size78 MB10 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperChris NivenAleksandar Mlazev

Customer experience

synthQ

All ratings12 ratings
Positive66.7%
Neutral25.0%
Negative8.3%
Written reviews25 reviews
Positive80.0%
Neutral12.0%
Negative8.0%

Sound Maker Synth

All ratings1 ratings
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%

In-app purchases

None

synthQ

No in-app purchases

None

Sound Maker Synth

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is synthQ free?
synthQ costs $5.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Sound Maker Synth free?
Sound Maker Synth costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, synthQ or Sound Maker Synth?
synthQ is rated higher. synthQ averages 4.2 out of 5 from 13 ratings, while Sound Maker Synth averages 1.0 from 1 ratings.
Do synthQ or Sound Maker Synth have ads?
Neither synthQ nor Sound Maker Synth shows ads.
Which is updated more often, synthQ or Sound Maker Synth?
synthQ ships an update every 3 months, and Sound Maker Synth every 41 months. Most recently, synthQ was updated on June 1, 2026 and Sound Maker Synth on August 14, 2026.

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