Comparison

DRC vs Viking Synth

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

Head to head
About

DRC

This virtual analog synthesizer offers classic analog sound design with a user-friendly interface. Explore rich sonic textures and create unique patches with its versatile oscillators, filters, and built-in effects. Compatible with popular music production apps.

Highlights
  • AUv3 compatible
  • Up to 8 voices
  • Multi-wave oscillators
  • 4 pole self resonant low pass Ladder Filter
  • Stereo Tape Delay
  • Lush Stereo Reverb
  • Arpeggiator
Features
Read full description

DRC is a versatile virtual analog polyphonic synthesizer that captures the essence of classic analog synths with a simple yet powerful set of parameters. It offers exceptional sound design capabilities, delivering a sonic experience reminiscent of legendary instruments like the Roland Juno, Minimoog, and more. Features: - AUv3 compatible (use it on Garageband, AUM, NS2, Cubasis, Loopy Pro, etc) - Up to 8 voices - Two main oscillators, one sub-oscillator and one noise source - Multi-wave oscillators (SIN, TRI, SAW, SQR with PWM) - Detune, sync and ring modulation - 4 pole self resonant low pass Ladder Filter - 2 pole multi-mode filter (LP, HP, BD, NOTCH) - 2 LFO's and 2 analog modeled envelope generators - Stereo Tape Delay with time modulation - Lush Stereo Reverb with modulation and self growing decay - True stereo, analog modeled multi mode chorus - Arpeggiator with 4 modes, tempo sync and hold function - Sync to external MIDI clock - MIDI clock out - Audiobus Compatible - Ableton Link Compatible For detailed operation information and requirements please visit www.imaginando.pt/products/drc-polyphonic-synthesizer/help/contents "Elegant, easy to navigate and sounds brilliant." "I can't enough express how amazed and happy I am playing this app. Before writing this review I read the manual (you must) and tested every parameter until I understood perfectly how each one responded to the final output sound. I have to tell you the presets do not show how powerful this synth can be, you have to tweak by yourself every filter, modifier and fx's. For me the filter is the secret in this app to get a differentiated sound compared to your other synth app's. Filter adds a deep texture and resolution to the sound that I forgot lfo's and adsr's.” "One of the best iPad synthesizers!" "This sounds better than 99% of iOS synths. Filters are awesome. Modulation options are numerous. Effects are great. Sounds like a Mac plugin, not an iOS synth. Very little out there like this. I have paid hundreds on the Mac for this kind of sound." "A wonderful synth with its own unique character to it." "This app is excellent! Just enough of a twist on the standard synth app to make it worth the investment. Patch creation seems to be the focus, and UI is perfect for flipping back and forth while working out new presets." "Huge tone that will cut through any mix Fantastic control options for the musician Rich sounds and a beautiful visual design A developer who cares greatly about his customers and creation (frequent updates) It's alive! Recommended!" "Easy to lose yourself in sound design. The sound sources, fx, filters and modulations are all laid out to be very easily accessible. The mixer is great for tweaking the balance between the sound sources to fine tune your sound. Can tell some love went in to making this" "Great, rich, full-sounding sounds! Great job!!!" "Awesome updates from a developer who truly cares about both their customers and their work. Nice job!" "It is FAT. The interface is intuitive. It is universal." "This is really a fine example of a synthesizer whose developers love synthesizers. It is rather difficult to explain, but there is something within not only the interface, but in the nature of the sounds that this thing produces that shows their passion. This synthesizer is a patch designer's tool, not a preset player. Yes, it does come with some nice patches which show off some of its abilities, but when you start to dig in yourself, you can create some really unusual sounds." "Excellent job guys. The GUI looks great and everything is extremely easy to access and in a logical way." "Nice effects section great delay nice chord section IAA instrument support complete with transport bar and Midi learn. Good stuff."

About

Viking Synth

This app emulates a classic monophonic analog synthesizer with advanced DSP technology. It features three variable wave oscillators, dual ladder filters, an LFO, and two modulation busses for versatile sound design. An intuitive interface and extensive preset library make it ideal for creating thick bass and rich lead sounds.

Highlights
  • Three continuously variable wave oscillators
  • Dual ladder filters (Lowpass/Highpass)
  • Multi-wave LFO
  • Two modulation busses
  • Intuitive user interface with expandable controls
  • 228 presets including Bass, Lead, and Synthwave
  • State-of-the-art DSP for authentic sound
Read full description

Viking Synth is an authentic emulation of a classic monophonic analog synthesizer. It has three continuously variable wave oscillators, two ladder filters with a Dual Lowpass or Highpass/Lowpass configuration, a multi-wave LFO, and two modulation busses. Viking Synth uses state of the art DSP technology to accurately reproduce the sound of the hardware. You get a desktop quality plug-in at an iOS friendly price. Viking Synth is an Audio Unit Extension Instrument (AUv3) that works as a plug-in inside host apps. Just open up your favorite host that supports Audio Unit Instruments and select it from the list of available Audio Units. Compatible with GarageBand, Cubasis, Auria, BeatMaker, AudioBus, AUM, Modstep, and more. The user interface of Viking Synth is designed for quick and intuitive control. Knobs and sliders expand during tweaking and are designed so the current value isn't hidden below your finger. The six pages divide the synth into logical sections that can be accessed quickly. The filter display acts as an XY pad for controlling cutoff and resonance. Simply double tap a knob or slider to reset it to its default value. Presets Viking Synth comes with 228 presets in the categories Bass, Bright Lead, Electro Bass, FX, Percussive Lead, Soft Lead, and Synthwave. The synth excels at thick bass and rich lead sounds. The 50 Electro Bass and 50 Synthwave presets were designed by renowned sound designer eXode. Presets work perfectly with GarageBand, Cubasis, and AUM. Oscillators At the heart of Viking are three adjustable wave oscillators. The continuously variable waveform knob gives the oscillators a unique sound that can’t be achieved with the fixed waveforms found in most synths. A noise oscillator provides three types of noise, one specifically modeled after the hardware. Modulation Two modulation busses and an LFO provide flexible modulation capabilities. All of the options hidden deep in menus on the hardware are immediately accessible with one tap. Filters The filters are classic transistor ladder filters modeled meticulously. Two DSP varieties are available allowing for either reduced CPU load or soft clipping plus three additional overdriven modes. The number of poles is adjustable for a wider range of filter sounds. Compare Viking to other synths: – Viking’s oscillators are free running, not sampled, wavetable based, or generated from a zero point – Viking’s oscillators use advanced techniques to avoid aliasing – Viking’s oscillators have instability, which is controllable through the tuning drift control – Viking’s nonlinear filter uses circuit modeling and provides soft clipping

Screenshots

DRC4 screens
Viking Synth4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Viking Synth at none against DRC's 13. Viking Synth also leads on price ($3.99 vs $8.99) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 17.0). DRC's advantage is ratings volume (657 vs 41) and review sentiment (84% vs 71%). On rating, update cadence, ads and device support 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

DRC costs $8.99 and Viking Synth $3.99 up front. DRC sells 13 one-off in-app purchases. Viking Synth asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.7 for DRC against 4.7 for Viking Synth. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: DRC has 657 ratings behind it against 41, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 84% of DRC's written reviews are positive against 71% of Viking Synth's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

DRC ships an update every 2 months, Viking Synth every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on October 22, 2026 and October 20, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
DRC versus Viking Synth: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterDRCViking Synth
Price$8.99$3.99 — better
Rating4.7 (657 ratings) — better4.7 (41 ratings)
Positive reviews83.8% of reviews — better71.2% of reviews
Number of ratings657 — better41
Update frequencyEvery 2 months — betterEvery 4 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases — betterPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS17.012.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size132 MB11 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperImaginando LdaBlamsoft, Inc.

Customer experience

DRC

All ratings656 ratings
Positive92.5%
Neutral3.5%
Negative4.0%
Written reviews345 reviews
Positive83.8%
Neutral4.9%
Negative11.3%

Viking Synth

All ratings42 ratings
Positive92.9%
Neutral0.0%
Negative7.1%
Written reviews66 reviews
Positive71.2%
Neutral10.6%
Negative18.2%

User reviews

DRC

From 657 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Incredible sound quality
  • 🔒 Stable and reliable
  • 👍 Intuitive and easy to use
  • 🚀 Versatile and powerful
  • 👍 Excellent preset library

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Occasional crashes or glitches
  • 🔋 High battery consumption
  • 💰 Expensive in-app purchases required for full functionality

Viking Synth

From 41 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🎶 Great sound quality
  • 💡 Versatile sound options
  • 💰 Excellent value (free)
  • 💻 Lightweight and efficient
  • 🎹 Good for learning synthesis

Room to improve

  • ❓ Preset issues
  • 🔌 Not a standalone app
  • 🐛 Occasional crashes
  • 💾 Settings not saving
  • 🤷‍♂️ Difficult to find/use

Bugs and requests

DRC

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • Inconsistent behavior when restoring purchases
  • Compatibility issues with some iOS versions or devices

Requested features

3 requests
  • Bluetooth MIDI support
  • More advanced modulation options
  • Improved preset management and organization

Viking Synth

Reported bugs

6 issues
  • Presets not showing up
  • Presets disappear
  • App not showing in AUv3 menu
  • Settings not saving after iOS 14 update
  • Crashes when opening presets browser
Show 1 more
  • Saved presets not loading

Requested features

5 requests
  • More subtle drive mode
  • Categorized preset browser
  • Polyphony option
  • Dark mode
  • More apps from developer

In-app purchases

13 purchases

DRC

One-time13
  • Unlock Sonic Alchemy$3.99
  • Pop Essentials$3.99
  • Unlock Factory Expansion$3.99
Show 10 more
  • Unlock Sounds From Outer Space$3.99
  • Unlock Iconic Sounds Vol. 1$3.99
  • Unlock Iconic Sounds Vol. 2$3.99
  • Unlock Iconic Sounds Vol. 3$3.99
  • Unlock Constellations Toolkit$3.99
  • Unlock Iconic Sounds Vol. 4$3.99
  • Electric Sheep Dreams$3.99
  • Timeless And Untamed$3.99
  • Dynamic Resonant Cycles$7.99
  • Unlock Synth Engine$8.99
None

Viking Synth

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is DRC free?
DRC costs $8.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Is Viking Synth free?
Viking Synth costs $3.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, DRC or Viking Synth?
DRC is rated higher. DRC averages 4.7 out of 5 from 657 ratings, while Viking Synth averages 4.7 from 41 ratings.
Do DRC or Viking Synth have ads?
Neither DRC nor Viking Synth shows ads.
Which is updated more often, DRC or Viking Synth?
DRC ships an update every 2 months, and Viking Synth every 4 months. Most recently, DRC was updated on October 22, 2026 and Viking Synth on October 20, 2026.

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