Skip to main content
MusicRadar MusicRadar The No.1 website for musicians
UK EditionUK US EditionUS AU EditionAustralia SG EditionSingapore
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Artist news
  • Superbooth 2026
  • Synths
  • Guitars
  • Controllers
  • Drums
  • Keyboards & Pianos
  • Guitar Amps
  • Music Gear Reviews
  • Software & Apps
  • More
    • Recording
    • DJ Gear
    • Acoustic Guitars
    • Bass Guitars
    • Tech
    • Tutorials
    • Reviews
    • Buying Guides
    • About us
More
  • Superbooth 2026
  • Kate Bush Army Dreamers
  • 95k+ free music samples
  • Theory of Feels
  1. Tech
  2. Software & Apps

iPhone/iPad iOS music making app round-up: Week 64

News
By Ben Rogerson published 10 May 2012

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

The same but different

The same but different

All of this week’s apps contain elements of synthesis, but they look, work and sound very different. Read on and you’ll see what we mean…

Also make sure you check out:

The best iPhone/iPad music making apps in the world today

If you've got a new iOS app, make sure you let us know about it by emailing musicradar.pressreleases@futurenet.com with all the details.

NEXT: Refined Stochastic Technology S.709

Page 1 of 6
Page 1 of 6
Refined Stochastic Technology S.709, £1.49

Refined Stochastic Technology S.709, £1.49

This synth’s output is generated by a sine wave, but you have a large amount of control over its sound thanks to the four multitouch points and use of accelerometer data. Check out a video demo here.

Buy now from the App Store

Page 2 of 6
Page 2 of 6
Detune Ltd iYM2151, £24.49

Detune Ltd iYM2151, £24.49

It’s not cheap, but this app is a complete emulation of Yamaha’s YM2151 single-chip FM synthesis implementation that was used to create the sound of many ‘80s video games. It has four operators, eight voices and three LFOs and is completely programmable.

Buy now from the App Store

Page 3 of 6
Page 3 of 6
Szymon Kaliski MicroTones, £1.99

Szymon Kaliski MicroTones, £1.99

A microtonal synth that can play back up to 30 sinewaves at a time. Place a new one by touching the screen and then make volume and frequency adjustments to change the soundscape. The app promises to make it easy to create ambient atmospheres and drones.

Buy now from the App Store

Page 4 of 6
Page 4 of 6
Kymatica BitWiz Audio Synth, £1.99

Kymatica BitWiz Audio Synth, £1.99

It might not look much like a music-making tool, but BitWiz is capable of translating C-like code expressions into lo-fi 8-bit generative audio in real-time. If none of that makes sense then this probably isn’t the app for you, though it does come with some examples to get you started.

Buy now from the App Store

Page 5 of 6
Page 5 of 6
Eiji Nishidai iToneMaker Morse Edition, Free

Eiji Nishidai iToneMaker Morse Edition, Free

OK, it’s first and foremost a ringtone maker, but iToneMaker looks to have some proper music software-style features and also offers WAV and AIFF export. As such, it might provide some fast inspiration, and because it’s free, you’ve got nothing to lose by trying it.

Buy now from the App Store

Liked this? Now read: The best iPhone/iPad music making apps in the world today

Connect with MusicRadar: via Twitter, Facebook and YouTube

Page 6 of 6
Page 6 of 6
Ben Rogerson
Ben Rogerson
Social Links Navigation
Deputy Editor

I’m the Deputy Editor of MusicRadar, having worked on the site since its launch in 2007. I previously spent eight years working on our sister magazine, Computer Music. I’ve been playing the piano, gigging in bands and failing to finish tracks at home for more than 30 years, 24 of which I’ve also spent writing about music and the ever-changing technology used to make it. 

Read more
synths
Tech 5 innovative synth plugins daring to do things differently
 
 
Synth Week 2026 logo
Synths Synth Week 2026: Exhibitor A-Z
 
 
Ableton Drift
Soft Synths 5 amazing stock synths that come bundled with your DAW
 
 
Soma Labs FLUX
Plugins SOMA Labs at Synth Week 26: Meet FLUX – the instrument you play without touching it
 
 
Superbooth header
Tech Superbooth 2026: all the latest synth news from Berlin - LIVE!
 
 
synths
Synths Seven weird synthesis types that died on the vine
 
 
Latest in Software & Apps
Ableton Live 12.3
Tech Ableton Live 12.4 is out now, with Link Audio and updated Erosion, Delay and Chorus-Ensemble devices
 
 
Splice/YouTube
Plugins Thinking of making your next music tech purchase on a rent-to-own plan? Read this first
 
 
Neural DSP Darklgass Ultra
Bass Guitars Neural DSP unveils the Darkglass Ultimate plugin – a fully featured digital platform for studio-quality bass tone
 
 
iZotope RX 12 Advanced
Tech iZotope upgrades RX with a film-focused stem separation module and improved machine learning
 
 
jimmy jam
Artists Jimmy Jam on sampling, AI and his new EastWest drum machine plugin
 
 
A laptop on top of some music gear with Ableton Live 12 DAW displayed on it. To the left is a drum kit with some headphones and microphones on it.
Digital Audio Workstation I’m telling every producer I know to upgrade to Ableton Live Lite 12 today thanks to a 25% discount on all versions of this 4.5 star rated DAW
 
 
Latest in News
VIENNA, AUSTRIA - MAY 14: Look Mum No Computer representing United Kingdom performs during the third dress rehearsal for the semi-final 2 of the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest at Wiener Stadthalle on May 14, 2026 in Vienna, Austria. (Photo by Christian Bruna/Getty Images)
Artists Look Mum No Computer reveals his self-built Eurovision “mega-synthesizer” and says 'nil points' is OK
 
 
Drake performs live on stage during day two of Wireless Festival 2025
Artists "I don't remember one word of your raps": Drake stokes Lamar feud once more on one of three new albums
 
 
Jack Antonoff headshot
Producers & Engineers "By all means drive right off that cliff”: Jack Antonoff blasts those who use AI in music
 
 
HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA - MAY 14: Ludwig Göransson attends the Premiere of Disney's "Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu" at TCL Chinese Theatre on May 14, 2026 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic)
Artists Ludwig Göransson bought 35 bronze gongs to use on the soundtrack for Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey
 
 
Pete Townshend of The Who smashes a Fender Telecaster guitar into the speaker cab of his amplifier during a concert at the Oberrheinhalle, Offenburg, Germany, 17th April 1967
Artists Pete Townshend sells out: Primary Wave group acquires rights to Who guitarist’s music, image, likeness and name
 
 
UAFX ANTI 1992 on red background
Guitar Pedals Sweetwater's latest sale is the place for pedal lovers, with big savings on Universal Audio, Line 6, Eventide, Keeley, DigiTech and more - including $100 off the highly rated UAFX Anti 1992
 
 

MusicRadar is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google
  • About Us
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Careers

© Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. All rights reserved. England and Wales company registration number 2008885.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...