VHS Synth | 80s Synthwave

• Weekly premium — $2.99/week
• Weekly premium — $9.99/year ($0.83/mo)

Last verified 5 Aug 2026

4.0 132 ratings · App Store

1. 4/5Love this app. But there is one problem.

   I’ve been using this app for a couple years now and it is amazing. I just learned how to use it in GarageBand. After I updated my iPhone 16 Pro Max to iOS 26 the app will no longer work in GarageBand as an Extension. Here is the error message that I get every time I try to load it as an extension. “Audio Unit Extension Quit: The Audio Unit Extension has quit unexpectedly. Tap Reload to reload the extension, or tap Disable to disable the extension and continue.” I would love to continue using this app as an extension in GarageBand. Would you guys please fix this? Thanks much.

   onelitlbuddy · 5 Aug 2026

2. 5/5Some Updates:

   Old Review: But now, it seems like the new company’s transforming it into a subscription only app. I paid for this for when it first released back in 2022. Why should I pay for a monthly subscription that closes off my ability to use all of the presents and banks for something I’ve had for years? It just feels like an insult and a slap in the face to me for those reasons, as I’ve been using those banks for years. Please drop it and restore the banks and presets to those who’ve already paid for the app, otherwise, I’m keeping my rating as is. Edit 1: According to an email I got from customer support after I sent one airing out my grievances, from what I can gather, they’re working on developing versions of the apps they acquired where users who paid for the apps originally will have full access without the need for a subscription. If that’s the case, then I’ll change my rating later on when it’s been reflected in the AUv3 version of the apps. That said, in the meantime, I do appreciate the response I got in that email. I really do wish for the best for this app. Edit 2: They fixed the issues I’ve been having with the Presets and Banks outside of the starter bank, as well as the New Init, New Bank, More and FX buttons in the AUv3 version with this most recent February 26th update. While I’m still not crazy on the freemium idea, I do appreciate that, as I said, they were willing to listen to me and let me show my problems via email and worked to fix these issues, so, I can let that slide for now. So, as such, I’m returning my rating to as it originally was when I bought the app in 2022: 5 stars. I really want to thank you guys for taking the time to go above and beyond. It really means a lot.

   Pandabora · 5 Aug 2026

3. 3/5Awful UI but I see (mostly unused) potential.

   My biggest gripe with this app is this: the interface doesn’t make much sense. There is a lot of wasted space in the UI, the keyboard takes way too much space for what it is - a generic IOS keyboard without any expression. The Output and Layer meters in the middle of the main page are primarily an eye candy, not very useful, waste of UI space. The knobs and buttons are unnecessarily large and spaced out too much. If organized better, everything could fit on just one page. This is in reference to the standalone version, meanwhile as an AUV3 it is beyond nonsensical, as half of the space of the UI is literally just blank and unused. All three pages can easily fit into just one in the AUV3 for sure. Speaking of pages, I don’t understand the labels, for example, there are effects (reverb, vintage, tremolo, auto pan, etc) on the “main” page, yet there is an “fx” page with more effects. It simply does not make the navigation intuitive. Now the most important stuff. Some sounds are interesting but once you realize that this is in big part a sample player and you can’t craft the sound as you normally would because you have no access to the original synth’s parameters, you’ll be frustrated. You won’t be able to change the tempo of the modulation baked into the sample for example. The controls shaping the sound on top of it are not so great (I will say that the reverb is very good though, I also really like the “heat” setting). The whole VHS thing is a bit of a baloney. I don’t buy the whole idea of recording to VHS and then resampling. This however is definitely a catchy sales feature…

   SynthUser123 · 5 Aug 2026

4. 3/5Good, but not the best

   Ah, VHS Synth. Earlier today, I rated another old AudioKit app(Bass 808, if you wanna try to find it) and I’m ready to rate another one. The problem is not the subscription, that is fine. I’d even say it’s what you should do if you’re gonna put a subscription on your synth. It’s that some of the sounds just aren’t that amazing. It’s a decent app, and I’d say it’s a middle ground for all synths. If you’re better than this, you are a worthy app. If you are worse than this, you, well, aren’t that great. VHS Synth isn’t bad, and I use it sometimes. But to say it’s one of the best is insane. With that being said, this is a 3-star app. And yes, all my AUv3 ratings end with that. You can check.

   Poofmom · 5 Aug 2026

5. 4/5Excellent Synth With One Big Issue

   Love the vibe of this synth! Nice library of preset sounds that work really well for my style. Price is exceptionally good even at the full cost is still totally worth it. Docked one star for not being able to run it on my M1 Mac Studio. Would love to have this in my list of synths in Logic but unfortunately there’s no Mac version (would buy it if there was) and the iOS version is blocked from the Mac in the app store. I’d be willing to risk running it uncertified for Mac if it was an option 😔

   WarpFactorJeff · 5 Aug 2026

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