Logic Pro for iPad comes with eight stock synthesizers.
While these built in instruments sound great, their barebones user interfaces and limited editing options when compared to their Logic Pro for Mac counterparts means you may want to dive into the App Store and see what third party alternatives are available.
Here are five of what I think are the best AUv3 Synthesizers for Logic Pro for iPad.
Baby Audio BA-1
BA-1 developers Baby Audio have taken all the features of the classic Yamaha CS01 synthesizer and added several modern touches, like additional oscillators, polyphony and an effects bank. All of which results in BA-1 being something quite special.
Look past the retro stylings however, and you’ll notice you have all the features and controls required to create and edit your own sounds. Dual oscillators, filter and envelope sliders plus ADSR controls allow you to get stuck in and shape your sounds.
If you’re looking for a synth with some real 80’s nostalgic character you won’t find better than Baby Audio’s BA-1.
Get BABY Audio BA-1 from the App Store here.
Audiokit NERD Synth
Another AUv3 app that mimics the sounds of an iconic synthesizer, AudioKit’s NERD Synth aims to put the sounds of the Nord Lead A1 at your fingertips.
Nerd Synth’s UI is split over six tabs, where you’ll find effects, multiple oscillators, LFO controls, X/Y pads and a robust sequencer.
NERD Synth is an astoundingly great sounding and intuitive synth app that will keep you busy for hours. iOS music production app newcomers will love the hundreds of included presets and easy to navigate user interface, while more seasoned synth tweakers will enjoy the wealth of in depth control and editing options.
Get AudioKit NERD Synth from the App Store here.
King of FM
f you’re unfamiliar with AudioKit’s synth apps and want to check out what they’re all about before shelling out some cash,King of FM serves as an excellent (and completely free) entry point.
King of FM features hundreds of sampled sounds from the legendary Yamaha DX7, DX7II, TX81z, and SY77 synths. You can access each of these sounds on their own if you want, or you can meld two together, add effects, tinker with LFOs and create complicated sequences until you’ve created something altogether different and unique.
A great sounding and easy to get to grips with synthesizer app, AudioKit could have charged for this. For free, this is a no brainer.
Get AudioKit King of FM from the App Store here.
MOOG Mariana
Mariana is a dual-layer bass focussed synthesizer, allowing you to mix together two completely different synthesizer sounds. Each layer is built around two oscillators with a sub-oscillator adding some low-end weight.
Each layer also has its own control section with multiple LFOs, filters and random generators.
Mariana is a monophonic synth, making it perfect for creating hard hitting bass lines and sequences. Having said that, I really enjoy some of the more ethereal pad sounds you can get out of it too.
It also has the ability to link up with other MOOG apps, like their excellent Moogerfooger pedal effects.
Not much more to say really. Mariana is my go to app for bass synthesizer sounds as it’s just a cut above other similar instruments in terms of quality.
Get MOOG Mariana from the App Store here.
Bram Bos FLUSS
FLUSS is a mind bogglingly superb collaboration between iOS developer Bram Bos and experimental electronic music producer Hainbach.
FLUSS is mental. And weird. And amazing.
In a nutshell it is a granular synthesizer and effects processor, but one that allows users to manipulate tiny grains of audio in a range of complex ways.
You can bring in your own WAV files and mangle them up with FLUSS’s unique set of controls, or you can make use of it’s extensive library of presets crafted by Hainbach himself.
Whether you’re into creating weird glitchy electro or rolling ambient soundscapes, FLUSS will add a unique bit of spice to your sounds. It’s mad and I LOVE it.
Get FLUSS from the App Store here.
BLEASS Monolit
Another freebie to finish off this list, Monolit is a unique and powerful synth from veteran iOS developers BLEASS.
BLEASS have essentially distilled a lot of what makes their full fat Megalit and Alpha synth apps down into a lightweight, easy to use monophonic synth app.
Monolit is monophonic, so you won’t be bashing out any complex chords with this thing. Instead, it specializes in creating some truly gnarly bass, lead and arpeggiated sounds.
The sounds on offer here are brilliant, with the arpeggiated sounds a particular stand out for me.
Although monophonic, Monolit still has that BLEASS secret sauce that sets it apart from other similar apps and plugins. It serves as an accessible introduction to their full synthesizer apps workflow, should you like what Monolit has to offer.
Get BLEASS Monolit from the App Store here.
Those are the Best AUv3 Synthesizers for Logic Pro for iPad – in my opinion! Let me know what Synth apps you use most in the comments below!
