synthQ vs Elastic Melody
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!
Elastic Melody
Create melodies with a fast and intuitive analog-style step sequencer. Features 3 synth channels, 4 master effects, and extensive automation capabilities for dynamic sound design. Supports AUv3 and Ableton Link.
- 3-channel analog synth sequencer
- Parameter automation
- 4 master effects (EQ, Chorus, Delay, Reverb)
- Song mode for arranging patterns
- AUv3 plugin support
- Ableton Link integration
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Elastic Melody is a standalone iOS application and AUv3 plugin with 3 channels of synthetic sounds, an analog style step sequencer and 4 master effects. Almost all parameters can be automated and thus changed in an „elastic way“. The focus of Elastic Melody is on a fast and intuitive creation of melodies with a basic analog sound. Elastic Melody comes with a bunch of presets from well-known sound designers of the iOS scene, like "Sound of Izrael", "Red Sky Lullaby", "Nu-Trix", "JaKob Haq", "Another Machines" and others. Features: SYNTHESIZER / SEQUENCER – 3 channels, each with an analog synthesizer that is connected to an associated sequencer – Each sequencer channel has its own start/end and timing parameters for notes and automation – 14 parameters per synth engine (waveform, lowpass, highpass, env, etc.) – For each parameter, value changes can be drawn in an automation window – Solo or mute function for the 3 synth channels – Song Mode: Create easily longer sequences with setting pattern repeat and duplicating and altering a pattern MASTER FX – 4 master effects (EQ, Chorus, Delay, Reverb) – Automation for most parameters of the effects – Each FX effect has its own start/end and timing parameters for automation SONG MODE - Arrange several Pattern to a longer sequence ... a Song - Repeat count for Song Elements/Pattern - Duplicate/Rename/Delete function for Pattern and Song Elements FUNCTIONS – Undo/Redo – Various randomise functions – option to share and import presets – AUv3 support – Ableton Link support
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: synthQ at none against Elastic Melody's 1. synthQ also leads on price ($5.99 vs $12.99) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 15.0). Elastic Melody's advantage is rating (4.7 vs 4.2) and update cadence (every 8 days vs every 3 months). On review sentiment, ratings volume, ads 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
synthQ costs $5.99 and Elastic Melody $12.99 up front. Elastic Melody sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. synthQ asks for nothing beyond the download.
Elastic Melody holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.2. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 13 and 10 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 80% of synthQ's written reviews are positive against 77% of Elastic Melody's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.
synthQ ships an update every 3 months, Elastic Melody every 8 days. The most recent releases landed on October 1, 2026 and October 6, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | synthQ | Elastic Melody |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $5.99 — better | $12.99 |
| Rating | 4.2 (13 ratings) | 4.7 (10 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 80.0% of reviews — better | 76.9% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 13 — better | 10 |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | Every 8 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Devices | iPad | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — better |
| Requires iOS | 12.0 — better | 15.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 78 MB | 8 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Chris Niven | Oliver Greschke (DE) |
Customer experience
synthQ
Elastic Melody
In-app purchases
synthQ
No in-app purchases
Elastic Melody
- Elastic Melody - Extra Modes IAP$4.99









