16 Drones 2.0 adds powerful Generative tools, a Custom Scale Editor, and 16 new presets—plus stability and UI polish for a smoother ambient workflow.
16 Drones is an ambient drone synthesizer built for evolving textures, harmonic soundscapes, and expressive in-key performance.
Shape layered drones with a custom wavetable engine, per-voice controls, per-voice custom drone envelopes, and an additional subtractive layer. Then perform on top with a dedicated Play voice that stays in the same scale.
Designed to be deep but immediate, 16 Drones gives you rich timbral control, musical scale exploration, expressive performance options, flexible MIDI workflow, and both standalone and AUv3 operation.
Features:
16 drone voices for layered evolving textures
Custom wavetable synthesis with per-voice control
Per-voice custom drone envelopes for motion and character
An additional subtractive layer for extra depth and weight
A dedicated Play voice for expressive in-key performance
Rich musical and exotic scales
Standalone app and AUv3 instrument support
MIDI input support for performance and control
MIDI Learn for fast hardware mapping
Aftertouch expression support, including polyphonic aftertouch
Factory presets for fast inspiration
If you are going to a make a demo version of the app it should be fully featured save for preventing preset saving and even AUV3 use which are acceptable trial restrictions. But this game of siphoning off features here and there makes it unattractive and prevents the user from knowing the plugin’s usefullness. I was going to try it out to see if I might want to buy it, but when I discovered I could not even connect my midi controller without the pro version I gave up. You would do well to offer this as a paid app from the start or make a more limited fully functional free version (say with 8 lanes instead of 16) rather than playing this feature withholding game.
Developer Response
Thanks for taking the time to leave detailed feedback — I completely understand your perspective.In version 2.0, MIDI input is now enabled, so users can try the app with external MIDI controllers before deciding whether the Pro features fit their workflow.The Pro features help support the continued development of the app and future updates. Apps like this are often created by independent developers rather than large companies, so finding the right balance between a useful free version and sustainable development can sometimes be challenging.I truly appreciate the feedback, and comments like yours help improve future versions of the app.
What’s New in Version 2.0
New:
- New Gen tab with independent Drone and Play generators.
- New Generative tools can now drive AUv3 instruments and external hardware via MIDI Out.
- New Drone generative controls: Rate, Ramp, Style, Poly, and Probability.
- New Play generative controls: Ratchet, Expression, Octave bands, and Probability.
- New Custom Scale Editor from the Scale menu (Tools), with multi-scale save workflow.
- 16 new factory presets in the Generative category.
Fixes
- UI/UX polish and bug fixes.
Version 2.0
The developer, Ruben Terron Rodriguez, indicated that the app’s privacy practices may include handling of data as described below. For more information, see the developer’s privacy policy .
Data Not Collected
The developer does not collect any data from this app.
Privacy practices may vary, for example, based on the features you use or your age. Learn More
Accessibility
The developer has not yet indicated which accessibility features this app supports. Learn More
Information
Seller
Ruben Terron Rodriguez
Size
8.3 MB
Category
Music
Compatibility
Requires iOS 18.0 or later.
iPhone Requires iOS 18.0 or later.
iPad Requires iPadOS 18.0 or later.
Mac Requires macOS 15.0 or later and a Mac with Apple M1 chip or later.
