Cyclop for iPad vs Mini Synthesizer
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Cyclop for iPad
This app is a monophonic synthesizer designed to create powerful, deep bass sounds. It offers extensive sound design possibilities with a versatile modulation system, integrated effects, and real-time control. Ideal for electronic music production, it delivers unique and thick low-end frequencies.
- Monophonic bass synthesizer
- Advanced sound design capabilities
- Integrated effects sequencer
- Versatile modulation system
- Real-time control knobs
- Preset browser with iCloud sync
- Full MIDI support
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Cyclop is a monophonic synthesizer. It does one thing very well: delivering cutting-edge digital madness at the low end of the frequency spectrum to unleash monstrous bass sounds to the mobile world. Cyclop is the master of subs, beautifully controlling even the lowest notes, always sounding stomach-rumblingly thick. It uses mid/side processing to introduce stereo imaging between 250Hz and 4kHz. This ensures wide, interesting sounds that retain their punch and bass. There are no phasing issues, which means Cyclop cuts through the mix very nicely. Enjoy an incredible depth of sound design possibilities, great real-time control with the Wobble Knob and FX knob. Integrated effects sequencer, vast modulation system and the preset browser will take your inspiration to new levels. FEATURES AT A GLANCE: • Audio Unit v3 & Standalone • Monophonic Bass Synthesizer • 6x2 Synthesiser Engines, 10x2 Filter Engines • Analog Sync, FM, Sample Transformer, Spectromat, Saw Regiment, Phase Stressor • Vowel Filter Mode • Free Signal Flow for 2 Oscillators, Filters and Distortions. • Incredibly versatile modulation system • Multi FX Knob/Sequencer • Powerful Preset Browser with tagging and rating • Preset iCloud Sync • Full MIDI Support (Virtual, Network, External) • Transformer import: Audiocopy, Audioshare, Music Library • Ableton Link DJ Mag: “It is decidedly digital-sounding, but not in a bad way, and as the growing list of fans proves, it can be turned to good use in just about any electronic genre, past, present and (probably) future.” Rating: 9.5/10 Producer Spot: “Very good for his complexity, very versatile and easy to use if you need sub bass sound for your productions. Sugar Bytes offers High quality and good prices with all their products.” Rating: 9.5/10 Computer Music: “Anyone will find it powerful and unique-sounding, adding spice to existing tracks and inspiring new ones.” Rating: 4.5/5.0
Mini Synthesizer
This app faithfully recreates a classic analog synthesizer from the 1980s, offering vintage sounds with modern updates. It features intuitive controls for pitch, filters, and delay, allowing for extensive sound shaping and preset saving.
- Faithful analog synthesizer recreation
- Vintage and modern sound updates
- Intuitive controls with sliders and switches
- Extensive sound shaping (pitch, filters, delay, reverb)
- Preset management with unlimited user storage
- Audiobus compatibility
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Electro-Harmonix, a pioneer since 1968 in the field of sound effects pedals for musicians, has produced an app which is a faithful digital re-creation of their circa 1980 analog cult-classic, The MINI-SYNTHESIZER. Available for iPad and iPhone (IOS version 15.0 or later), the EHX MINI-SYNTHESIZER accurately delivers all the vintage synth sounds of the original plus modern updates. EHX President and Founder, Mike Matthews stated: “Fans of vintage synths will appreciate the apps ability to recreate the original’s warm analog sounds and deep funky bass, but because it’s so affordable ($2.99 for phone, $4.99 for tablet) and user-friendly, parents, educators and non-musicians will love it, too.” The MINI-SYNTHESIZER app comes with 25 presets and the ability to store an almost unlimited number of user presets programs. Audiobus capabilities are also included. Intuitive, flexible and powerful control are provided by the MINI-SYNTHESIZER’s 12 sliders and nine switches. Here’s a breakdown of the user interface: OSC Section - PITCH slider lets the player raise or lower the pitch of the note by +/- 1 octave - SUB-OCTAVE slider introduces a note one octave below what’s being played for extra bottom - OCTAVE UP switch causes the note being played to jump up one octave. - TUNE knob lets the player tune the MINI-SYNTHESIZER to other instruments and sound sources over a +/- 50 cents range. FILTERS Section - PHASE RATE slider adjusts the speed of the phase shifter - FILTER START sets the start frequency of the filter sweep - FILTER STOP sets the stop frequency of the filter sweep - SWEEP RATE controls the speed of the filter sweep - PHASE switch turns the effect on/off - 2X FILTER switch changes how the audio passes through the filters (either in parallel or in series) - Q switch sets the amount of resonance on the filter sweep - RETRIGGER switch turns the filter retrigger on/off DELAY Section - TIME slider adjusts the delay time up to two seconds - FEEDBACK controls the number of echo repeats - BLEND adjusts the mix of the original signal and the echo repeats - DELAY switch turns the effect on/off - TIME label can be tapped for tap tempo REVERB Section - AMOUNT slider adjusts the reverb effect level - BLEND slider controls the mix of the wet and dry signals - REVERB switch turns reverb on/off - REVERB>DELAY switch lets the user place either Delay or Reverb first in the effects chain for a variety of cool sound effects. MISCELLANEOUS CONTROLS - VOL (Volume) slider adjusts the MINI-SYNTHESIZER’s overall sound output level - POLY/MONO switch toggles between polyphonic (four notes can be played simultaneously) or monophonic (only one note can be played at a time) modes - PRESETS pop-down menu displays the presets available and allows the user to instantly select one - HORIZONTAL slider lets the player adjust the keyboards sounding range over an expansive eight-octave range. - RIBBON Interface lets the player perform portamento (glide up or down to pitch), vibrato and other expressive playing. The easy-to-use Electro-Harmonix MINI-SYNTHESIZER App is loaded with great sounds and features and is sure to appeal to serious musicians and non-musicians alike. LIMITATIONS - InterApp Audio experiences periodic crashes and graphics issues. - The MINI SYNTH runs at 48 kHz sample rate; using the MINI SYNTH in an environment with 44.1 kHz sample rate (such as Garageband for iOS) may cause aliasing. - Presets saved in the standalone app cannot be accessed when using the MINI SYNTH as an AudioUnit, and vice versa.
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: Cyclop for iPad at Free against Mini Synthesizer's $4.99. Cyclop for iPad also leads on rating (4.7 vs 4.0) and review sentiment (74% vs 44%). Mini Synthesizer's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 17.6). On 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
Cyclop for iPad is free to download; Mini Synthesizer costs $4.99 up front. Cyclop for iPad sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Mini Synthesizer asks for nothing beyond the download.
Cyclop for iPad holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Cyclop for iPad has 85 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 74% of Cyclop for iPad's written reviews are positive against 44% of Mini Synthesizer's.
Cyclop for iPad ships an update every 2 months, Mini Synthesizer every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on October 21, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Cyclop for iPad | Mini Synthesizer |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free — better | $4.99 |
| Rating | 4.7 (85 ratings) — better | 4.0 (2 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 74.0% of reviews — better | 44.1% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 85 — better | 2 |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months — better | Every 4 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases — better | Paid |
| Devices | iPad | iPad |
| Requires iOS | 17.6 | 13.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 303 MB | 12 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Sugar Bytes GmbH | Electro-Harmonix |
Customer experience
Cyclop for iPad
Mini Synthesizer
Bugs and requests
Cyclop for iPad
Reported bugs
7 issues- Sticky keys
- App crashes
- Unstable with Audiobus and Ableton Link
- Patches don't change when selected
- Notes get stuck
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- User presets not recalling
- Lags and freezes on older iPads
Requested features
8 requests- Tutorials for recording own sounds
- More downloadable presets for simple users
- Bigger search window for iPad Pro
- Hotkeys
- Sequencer
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- Ability to limit keyboard to specific key
- More presets for various genres
- Update graphics for higher resolution
Mini Synthesizer
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Cyclop for iPad
- Cyclop Full Version$24.99
Mini Synthesizer
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Cyclop for iPad free?
Is Mini Synthesizer free?
Which has better reviews, Cyclop for iPad or Mini Synthesizer?
Do Cyclop for iPad or Mini Synthesizer have ads?
Which is updated more often, Cyclop for iPad or Mini Synthesizer?
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