This list features all AUv3 Synthesizers for iOS that run as a macOS AUv3 synth plugin at no extra cost but require Apple Silicon.
Apple led Macs into the future with its M processors, specifically the M1 in 2020. Away from Intel and toward ARM-based all-in-one chips, also known as Apple Silicon. Chips that have been used in iPhones and iPads for some time now.
This step also allowed iOS apps to run natively on macOS systems with Apple Silicon architecture (M1, M2, etc.), provided the developers allow it.
Especially nice for music producers and sound designers: As a bonus, you get the AUv3 plugins from iOS apps like synthesizers or effects for macOS without paying extra.
AUv3 iOS MacOS
To use an iOS app as an AUv3 plugin on macOS, you need to know a few things. First, you must have a macOS system with Apple Silicon architecture with an M processor.
It doesn’t work with Intel with one exception: the Moog synth apps Model 15, Minimoog, and Animoog Z, which have VST wrappers.
Others, however, do not because they market their plugins for macOS and Windows separately, such as Eventide, FabFilter, Waldorf, and others.
Second, your DAW must have AUv3 plugin support. Many have AUv2 but not AUv3. DAWs that include support are Apple’s own Logic Pro or Ableton Live. Alternatively, you can purchase a plugin like SideRack from Novo Notes, which allows you to use it in other DAWs with a workaround.
It’s also important to note that compatibility can vary depending on the developer. Some work perfectly, while others are a bit fiddly.
Furthermore, the AUv3 format doesn’t currently offer GUI rescaling. Why, I don’t know. This means that some apps/ AUv3 plugins) They are very large or small on macOS. There is also one exception. Moog apps have VST/AU wrappers that offer GUI scaling.
And for many apps, you need to first launch the standalone version before using the plugin.
AUv3 Synthesizers iOS MacOS
To use the iOS AUv3 Synthesizers on macOS, you simply need to go to the macOS App Store.
Here you can see immediately whether you can download the app. There was a bug in the App Store that caused apps to appear as unpurchased. I don’t know if this still exists. If so, press on it, and the App Store will recognize it if you’re using the same account
Be careful with apps like ID700, though; the developer offers two separate apps that require purchase. To make sure where the macOS AUv3 plugin is included for free, I made a list.
There are many, but my favorites include the Moog synths, the IceGear Instruments/iceWorks synths due to their resonators, the WaveCloud granular synth, Tardigrain, another granular synth, and the Beepstreet apps like Drum, which is an entire modular synth.
| Developer | App Name | Synthesis | Regular Price | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virsyn | Cube Synth Pro | Additive | $12,99 | App Store |
| Virsyn | AddStation | Additive | $9,99 | App Store |
| Virsyn | Teraverse | Tera Preset Player | $2,99 | App Store |
| Virsyn | Tera Pro | Modular | $9,99 | App Store |
| Brandon Murray | Pegboard Synthesizer | Wavetable | Free (iAP $19,99) | App Store |
| Moog | Minimoog | Virtual Analog | $14,99 | App Store |
| Moog | Model 15 | Virtual Analog | $14,99 | App Store |
| Moog | Animoog | Vector | $14,99 | App Store |
| Rob Jackson | ANALOGyXS | Virtual Analog | $2,99 | App Store |
| Rob Jackson | ANALOGyGR | Virtual Analog + Granular | $3,99 | App Store |
| Rob Jackson | ANALOGyX1 | Virtual Analog | $2,99 | App Store |
| Ryo Togawa | VAPolyTS | Virtual Analog | $14,99 | App Store |
| Ryo Togawa | VAPolyMT | Virtual Analog | $14,99 | App Store |
| Ryo Togawa | VAPolyMk3 | Virtual Analog | $14,99 | App Store |
| Ryo Togawa | VAPolyWest | West Coast | $14,99 | App Store |
| Ryo Togawa | VAMonoMkII | Virtual Analog | $14,99 | App Store |
| Ryo Togawa | VAPolyMkII | Virtual Analog | $14,99 | App Store |
| Ryo Togawa | VAMono | Virtual Analog | $14,99 | App Store |
| Ryo Togawa | VAPoly | Virtual Analog | $14,99 | App Store |
| Ryo Togawa | VAPoly16 | Virtual Analog | $14,99 | App Store |
| Ryo Togawa | VAPolyTZFM | Virtual Analog | $14,99 | App Store |
| Ryo Togawa | VAPolyFM | FM | $14,99 | App Store |
| Ryo Togawa | VAPolyQuad | Virtual Analog | $14,99 | App Store |
| Oliver Greschke | Elastic Melody | Virtual Analog | $12,99 | App Store |
| Aleksei Shchekochikhin | APOLYVOKS | Virtual Analog | Free | App Store |
| BeepStreet | Sunrizer Synth | Virtual Analog | $12,99 | App Store |
| BeepStreet | Drumbo | Modular | $19,99 | App Store |
| BeepStreet | Dagger | Virtual Analog | $12,99 | App Store |
| BreepStreet | Zeeon | Virtual Analog | $14,99 | App Store |
| Nikolozi Meladze | Mela Classic (AUv3) | Virtual Analog | $19,99 | App Store |
| Nikolozi Meladze | Mela – AUv3: Synth, FX, MIDI | Virtual Analog | Free (iAPs $19,99) | App Store |
| Nikolozi Meladze | NFM | FM | $14,99 | App Store |
| apeSoft | mood | Virtual Analog | $12,99 | App Store |
| apeSoft | Stria | Additive | $9,99 | App Store |
| apeSoft | iPulsaret | Granular | $9,99 | App Store |
| apeSoft | iDensity | Granular | $9,99 | App Store |
| apeSoft | Sparkle | Additive | $8,99 | App Store |
| Fingerlab | PolyWave | Wavetable | $11,99 | App Store |
| Fingerlab | DM10 - Drum & Synth Machine | Virtual Analog | $14,99 | App Store |
| Fingerlab | Flynth | Virtual Analog | Free (iAP $4,99) | App Store |
| Fingerlab | Mynth | Virtual Analog | Free (iAP $4,99) | App Store |
| 4pockets | Wavecloud | Granular | $14,99 | App Store |
| 4pockets | RingsFX | Physical Modeling | $12,99 | App Store |
| 4pockets | Copperhead | Virtual Analog | $14,99 | App Store |
| Paul Wand | BB17 Binaural Auv3 Synth | Additive | $7,99 | App Store |
| Ryouta Kira | KQ Dixie | FM | $8,99 | App Store |
| Ryouta Kira | KQ MiniSynth | Modular | $9,99 | App Store |
| Ryouta Kira | KQ Unotone (Synth + FX) | Virtual Analog | $5,99 | App Store |
| Alexey Nadzharov | Phawuo | Dirty | $2,99 | App Store |
| Alexey Nadzharov | broohahaizer | Noise | $4,99 | App Store |
| Alexey Nadzharov | sinusedo | Sinewave | $3,99 | App Store |
| tempo rubato | NLogSynth PRO | Virtual Analog | $8,99 | App Store |
| pablo lopez | XYZ Synth | Virtual Analog | free | App Store |
| pablo lopez | 4Waves Synth | Virtual Analog | free | App Store |
| Cem Olcay | Nikaya | Wavetable FM | $6,99 | App Store |
| Cem Olcay | Euclid Goes to Party AUv3 Bass | Virtual Analog | $4,99 | App Store |
| Sketch Audio | Blip Box | Drum | $9,99 | App Store |
| Sketch Audio | Phase Monkey | Phase Distortion | $9,99 | App Store |
| George Rosar | Dexed Synth | FM | $3,99 | App Store |
| iceGear Instruments | Kronecker | Rhythm Machine | $9,99 | App Store |
| iceGear Instruments | Nambu | FM | $19,99 | App Store |
| iceGear Instruments | Lagrange | Multi-Engine | $9,99 | App Store |
| iceGear Instruments | Redshrike | FM + Resonator | $9,99 | App Store |
| iceGear Instruments | Mersenne | FM + Resonator | $9,99 | App Store |
| iceGear Instruments | Lorentz | Virtual Analog + Resonator | $9,99 | App Store |
| iceGear Instruments | Laplace | Physical Modeling | $9,99 | App Store |
| Rick Peacock | Speak Unit | Speech | $0,99 | App Store |
| Erik Sigth | tardigrain | Granular | $5,99 | App Store |
| Mark Watt | SpaceCraft | Granular | $9,99 | App Store |
| Robkoo | Qithesizer | Multi-Engine | $12,99 | App Store |
| Igor Vasiliev | NoInputMixer | Feedback Noise | $15,99 | App Store |
| Igor Vasiliev | GlitchScaper | Glitch | $15,99 | App Store |
| Igor Vasiliev | SynthScaper LE | Soundscape | $4,99 | App Store |
| Igor Vasiliev | SynthScaper | Soundscape | $14,99 | App Store |
| Igor Vasiliev | NoiseSpace | Noise | $15,99 | App Store |
| Corey Lofthus | Chime - Turn Noise Into Music | Noise | $4,99 | App Store |
| Corey Loftus | Gradient Synth | Color | $4,99 | App Store |
| Alexander Zolotov | Relic Bits | LoFi Drum Synth | $1,99 | App Store |
| Alexander Zolotov | Relic Flow | LoFi | $1,99 | App Store |
| Alexander Zolotov | Relic Waves | LoFi | $1,99 | App Store |
| Retronyms Inc | Phase84 | Phase Distortion | $12,99 | App Store |
| auDSPr | auGEN X | Drone | $9,99 | App Store |
| Studio 6 plus 1 ltd | MooMu | Modular | $12,99 | App Store |
| mifki Limited | miRack | Modular | $14,99 | App Store |
| Audulus | Audulus 4 | Modular | $19,99 + iAP | App Store |
| Bram Bos | Solderbox | Modular | $12,99 | App Store |
| Willow & Oak AB | Branches | West Coast | $3,99 | App Store |
| Thomas Burns | Spectrum Synthesizer Bundle | Virtual Analog Modal Resonator Granular | Free | App Store |
| Lars Forsberg | VividShaper | Wavetable | $5,99 | App Store |
I will try to keep this list up to date. You can support the iOS Synthesizer coverage here: Patreon
I can see no Waldorf synth here?
nope because Waldorf sell VST, VST3, AU and AAX plugins for macOS separately
I don’t think I saw KQ Dixie or any of the other Kira Q plugins. Dixie in particular is fantastic
KQ Dixie and the others are on the list
Thanks for putting this list together!
I really appreciate the criteria, that it’s not just AUv3 that runs on MacOS, but that they aren’t selling the AUv3 separately. Some developers have gotten a bit cheeky in selling AUv3s as separate MacOS purchases, often at VST prices (even though it’s basically just an extra checkbox in Xcode).
Fugue Machine Rubato supports AUv3 with the iOS universal purchase. https://apps.apple.com/us/app/fugue-machine-rubato/id6670253122
but not a Synthesizer but a MIDI sequencer 🙂
Actually, while it is primarily a sequencer, it has a built-in synthesizer.
I keep this list on primary features 🙂
Thanks for adding Mela to the list. Just want to add that both Mela Classic and Mela don’t require Apple Silicon. Mela Classic uses MacCatalyst. But the modern version of Mela is fully native on macOS. And it probably should be in the Modular category rather than Virtual Analog. Cheers.
phase84 by retronyms can be donwnloaded and works but the plugin window doesnt resize, at least on ableton live which is what i use. no idea if it works fine on other daws though, but thought i’d let peeps know.
i would also add fractal bits and sunvox by alexander zolotov – fractal bits being a drum machine and sunvox a sequencer on its own but you can use the synths and samplers and drum machine too, though unsure how well it would play as a plugin on a daw. i believe all of his apps can be downloaded on a mac though unsure if any of the others work well as plugins [i only tried pixelwave and it doesnt work]
zmors modular by zmors can also be donwloaded and its a funky modular synth. lots can be done with it.
please read the article carefully 😉 the resizing thing is mentioned 😉
Fractal Bits uses a synthesis engine for generating the sounds so it’s a drum synth and is also in the list.
Sunvox is primary a sequencer/DAW so not part of this.
Zmors Modular is not longer available to purchase so out of the list