Comparison

synthQ vs ERS_250

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

ERS_250

This audio plugin faithfully replicates the EMT 250, the first digital hardware reverb ever made. It offers adjustable decay time, frequency response, predelay, and a dry-wet ratio, with an optional modern schematic.

Highlights
  • Replication of original EMT 250 schematics
  • Adjustable reverb decay time (0.4-5s)
  • Adjustable low and high frequency response
  • Adjustable predelay
  • Additional low-pass filter
  • Adjustable Dry-Wet ratio
  • Optional 'modern' schematics
Features
Read full description

The ERS 250 reverb audio plugin was originally designed and sold by Harrie Munnik and his Dutch company EmptyRoomSystems. DDMF, having been a part in the development of the first version some years ago, is proud to carry on the legacy by distributing and further developing the set of ERS plugins. This unit is a faithful replication of the first digital hardware reverb ever made, the EMT 250. Only 250 units of that legendary studio tool have ever been produced… needless to say, the availability as an audio plugin has received an enthusiastic welcome by the audio engineering and production community. Now this plugin is finally available for compatible iOS hosts that support either AUv3 or InterAppAudio. Features: - Careful reproduction of the original schematics - Adjustable reverb decay time (from 0.4 to 5 seconds), low frequency response, high frequency response, and predelay - Additional low-pass filter to create darker sounds - Dry-Wet ratio adjustable - Alternative “modern” schematics available

Screenshots

ERS_2502 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: synthQ at $5.99 against ERS_250's $13.99. synthQ also leads on update cadence (every 3 months vs every 8 months). ERS_250's advantage is review sentiment (100% vs 80%) and device support (3 vs 1). On rating, ratings volume, 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

synthQ costs $5.99 and ERS_250 $13.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.2 for synthQ against 4.3 for ERS_250. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 13 and 6 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 80% of synthQ's written reviews are positive against 100% of ERS_250's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

synthQ ships an update every 3 months, ERS_250 every 8 months. The most recent releases landed on June 1, 2026 and September 21, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
synthQ versus ERS_250: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParametersynthQERS_250
Price$5.99 — better$13.99
Rating4.2 (13 ratings)4.3 (6 ratings) — better
Positive reviews80.0% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings13 — better6
Update frequencyEvery 3 months — betterEvery 8 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
DevicesiPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS12.09.3 — better
Further details — not scored
Size78 MB9 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperChris NivenChristian Siedschlag

Customer experience

synthQ

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

ERS_250

All ratings6 ratings
Positive83.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative16.7%
Written reviews3 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

synthQ

No in-app purchases

None

ERS_250

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is synthQ free?
synthQ costs $5.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is ERS_250 free?
ERS_250 costs $13.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, synthQ or ERS_250?
ERS_250 is rated higher. synthQ averages 4.2 out of 5 from 13 ratings, while ERS_250 averages 4.3 from 6 ratings.
Do synthQ or ERS_250 have ads?
Neither synthQ nor ERS_250 shows ads.
Which is updated more often, synthQ or ERS_250?
synthQ ships an update every 3 months, and ERS_250 every 8 months. Most recently, synthQ was updated on June 1, 2026 and ERS_250 on September 21, 2026.

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