Comparison

synthQ vs JAX SR

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

JAX SR

This audio effect processor allows selective frequency range processing for modulation effects. It offers a classic chorus with MIDI control and aims to avoid negative side effects by targeting specific frequency bands.

Highlights
  • Selective frequency range processing
  • Classic chorus modulation
  • Optional direct MIDI control
  • Universal app for multiple Apple platforms
  • Avoids negative side effects of full-range effects
Features
Read full description

The manual is available at : https://audio.digitster.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/JAX-SR-Chorus-Manual.pdf The JAX SR Series are AudioUnits (AUv3), which allow to select a frequency range for effect processing. This one provides a classic chorus modulation effect with optional direct MIDI control assignment to the parameters. If (especially) modulation effects are applied to the entire frequency range, this usually will introduce negative side effects. The JAX [SR] Series allow a selective frequency range and dynamic adjustment of the mix easily. More information can be found on the product website at: https://audio.digitster.com/ Please note, that AudioUnits (AUv3) require a supporting host application to perform. This build (like all our latest releases) is truly 'universal', meaning, the audio unit is available for: - MacOS (Apple Silicon) - iOS (all actual iPhones) - iPadOS (all actual iPads) - visionOS (Apple Vision Pro) Requirements: MacOS 10.15++ iOS 14.0++

Screenshots

JAX SR4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: synthQ at 80% against JAX SR's 0%. synthQ also leads on ratings volume (13 vs 1) and price ($5.99 vs $6.99). JAX SR's advantage is rating (5.0 vs 4.2) and update cadence (monthly vs every 3 months). 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 JAX SR $6.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

JAX SR holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.2. 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 complicate that: 80% of synthQ's written reviews are positive against 0% of JAX SR's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

synthQ ships an update every 3 months, JAX SR monthly. The most recent releases landed on June 1, 2026 and June 25, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
synthQ versus JAX SR: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParametersynthQJAX SR
Price$5.99 — better$6.99
Rating4.2 (13 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews80.0% of reviews — better0.0% of reviews
Number of ratings13 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsMonthly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
DevicesiPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS12.0 — better14.0
Further details — not scored
Size78 MB21 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperChris NivenJens Guell

Customer experience

synthQ

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

JAX SR

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%

In-app purchases

None

synthQ

No in-app purchases

None

JAX SR

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is synthQ free?
synthQ costs $5.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is JAX SR free?
JAX SR costs $6.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, synthQ or JAX SR?
JAX SR is rated higher. synthQ averages 4.2 out of 5 from 13 ratings, while JAX SR averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do synthQ or JAX SR have ads?
Neither synthQ nor JAX SR shows ads.
Which is updated more often, synthQ or JAX SR?
synthQ ships an update every 3 months, and JAX SR monthly. Most recently, synthQ was updated on June 1, 2026 and JAX SR on June 25, 2026.

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