ButterSynth is a hybrid 6-oscillator wavetable/FM/sample-based AUV3 and standalone synthesizer with a vast sonic range, from gentle pads to screaming leads and basslines.
Mix any combination of wavetable, FM, sample and other synthesis engines for one truly massive sound.
For the more advanced users, you'll love using ButterSynth's thoughtfully designed interface, incredibly powerful modulation matrix, fully-featured internal FX rack, factory waveform and sample libraries, and almost limitless scope for fun, experimentation and sound design.
For less experienced synth programmers, ButterSynth includes a library of hundreds of ready-to-use presets, sparking your creativity to start making music right away.
Headline features include
- Mix and match any combination of 6 synthesis engines to either emulate your favourite synths of yester-year or build a synth ready for the future.
- Dual-wavetable engines also feature 9 phase modes, wave folding, and deep unison controls modelled on vintage hardware synths.
- Built-in wavetable editor gives you the ability to tweak, morph, and hand-draw your own custom wavetables, with each wavetable supporting up to 256 frames.
- FM engine offers 4 operators with a selection of 12 modulation paths. Each operator can be loaded with any waveform from the factory or user library, and can also self-modulate via the feedback dial.
- Sample and Granulator engines both let you load samples (either imported or from the factory library) and control precisely how they are chopped, triggered and layered. Both also feature the same powerful unison modes available in the WT engine.
- Highly configurable 32-slot modulation matrix featuring precise mix/max ranges, self-modulation (via the amount target), plus configurable response curves and layer modes. Simply long-tap any parameter to set it as a Mod destination!
- Full suite of versatile control sources which includes: 4x MSEG-style looping curve envelopes, 4x LFOs, 4x step sequencers, X/Y pad with motion recording, 8x Macro dials and a powerful arpeggiator inspired by Kirnu Interactive’s Cream.
- The EFX rack lets you build your own insert effects chain using any combination of the 16 built-in FX modules. Modules available at launch include delay, reverb, distortion, chorus, OTT compression etc. Note - FX parameters can also be targeted by the mod matrix, unlocking the possibility to program ‘per voice’ modulated effects.
- All presets, wavetables, samples and other settings are stored in the Files app, making bulk import/export, backup and community sharing quick and easy.
- All of this is housed in an irresistibly designed 4-tab UI that makes synth programming quick and fun.
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ButterSynth FAQ
Is ButterSynth free?
ButterSynth is not free (it costs 8990.00), however it doesn't contain in-app purchases or subscriptions.
Is ButterSynth legit?
🤔 The ButterSynth app's quality is mixed. Some users are satisfied, while others report issues. Consider reading individual reviews for more context.
Limited selection of wave tables. Most are just single samples. Sample module has consistent buzz with unison and all effects/modulators off, whereas same sample in Koala with no effects sounds rich and full. Not sure what your signal path is like but I can’t get a reasonable sound. FM module is very limited. LFOs are extremely simple to the point uselessness. Like, seriously, no phase offset? Just amplitude and rate? I mean how’d you lose one of the three complete waveform descriptors? Terrible.
Almost top tier, yet deserves 5/5
I’ve successfully recreated synths from popular songs with this app alone for a much lesser price. It would help a lot to make additional midi mappings such as a toggle for the arpeggiator. I’m fairly new to this app so this feature may or may not exist… yet.
Great with hopeful potential
I love the character of sound this app provides but I have a few requests for possible updates.
1) The square wave LFO is not square. It sounds like it’s running through a slew limiter. You can’t use it to tune interval jumps without glide. It always has glide. No trills possible.
2) Same for the step sequencer. It always has glide/slew.
No discrete steps without glide.
The modulation matrix is what sold me on the app but these basic routings offering unexpected results makes me wonder what else I might run into.
The waveform system is absolutely wonderful and the filters sound great.
Hopefully slew (and sustain pedal) can be addressed in updates.
Great synth but can’t save custom preset??
Amazing synth, fun to use, but I can’t save my preset. Save button just doesn’t do anything… gonna have to use SynthMaster, I guess.
Also, there’s no undo function in the wave table editor, which is very unfortunate.
Does not show up as auv3
In Cubasis, AUM, or Audio Evolution. Does show up as IAA, and standalone, if this bug is not fixed I want a refund. If it is fixed quickly I will amend this review, but currently one star as it is useless to me.
Changes preset every time I press play
Every single time I press play it changes to another preset. I just bought this. I’m very disappointed. I thought it would be better.
Fantastic!
I would pay a hundred bucks for this as a VST. I’d use it over most synths. It has everything, and I really like the filters… which isn’t super common among synths that lean heavy into the digital stuff. I can’t get over the fact that it literally has everything I would want including real 4-op FM synthesis (the fact that you can build a custom library of waves to FM with is amazing). It could only be better if it included phase distortion also. The interface is great, it reminds me of when synths were deep but upfront about how it’s all presented. A lot of synths have gotten away from that trading it in for stylish looks. I’m not saying this synth doesn’t look good it does, but it seems to remember a more straightforward way of doing things. It’s a real masterpiece. Don’t even get me started on all the tools provided here, it really contends with the best iOS or otherwise.
Very good, but some oddities
I love the power and sound of this synth, and I find it much more usable than both the synthmasters, which I could never warm up to. It’s mostly intuitive, and the developer is clearly committed to the product and listening to users in forums. However, a few things are odd to me:
1. There’s no button for filter key follow! At least 1/2 and full are pretty standard. Yes, you can set it up in the matrix, but it’s something that should have a button like every other synth, and there’s room for it in the ui.
2. The curve of the envelopes is odd, with the release especially being weird. It ends pretty abruptly, which I’ve never heard any other synth do. Again, there are other envelop options, but I don’t want to use the curve envelope for something simple if I don’t have to.
3. I get crashes with one instance in AUM using the unison function on an m1 iPad Pro. Seems like a bug? It created crazy full-volume white noise that hurt my bands ears when it crashed too.
4. I find the matrix extremely fiddly with the min and max knobs. I wish there was an easy way to only have amount to speed things up.
LOL to Keyboard comment
There is a keyboard you probably hid it ya doof. Don’t handle heavy machinery please
Currently broken if used in GarageBand
On my iPhone 13 Pro Max, if used in GarageBand, after you make a patch and hit play, the sound will continue even after the song stops. If MIDI is used , the preset will change everytime stop , rewind, or play is pressed. It is nearly unusable in GarageBand currently .
I wanted to report this to the developer but there is no contact option on the website nor is there a way to DM on X/Twitter.
Will update review when these issues are addressed/fixed
