Klankwelle 4+

I love this app. Its limitations are what they are, and the points of possible improvement are obvious after a bit of use. Yet the creative possibilities present in the app never fail to please me. The modular synth has inspired me to build evocative, subtle soundscapes, while the layered step sequencer turns multiple sound patches into emotional compositions. Klankwelle does this in one UI, without DAW mediation. Certainly we can take the results to a DAW for further work, but the immediate results provided through the sequencer bring a real sense of satisfaction after one works to build the synthesizer patches.

The results depend on the effort the user chooses to make.

Would I love an update? Yes, I would. That doesn't alter my affection for what the app offers already.

This is without a doubt an amazing synth and my favorite synthesizer app at the moment. There are only a few minor issues I would like to point out to the developer or any beginners. Dragging the modules is sometimes difficult and glitchy. Naming and sorting patches should have a better interface. The keyboard should be redesigned in my opinion, maybe having different modes of a piano layout, a chord layout, and the current layout. Zooming should be reworked in some manner that is less limiting. While this may seem like a long list, this app is one hundred percent worth your time. Great work to the developer!

You can do so much with this app, it’s hard to believe that it’s free. Whether you want to mess around and make robotic bug noises, get your feet wet with modular synthesis, or compose an electronic song, Klankwelle has got you covered. If you’re new to modular synthesis, there might be a bit of a learning curve, but it’s definitely worth it. Don’t be put off by the minimalistic GUI, this packs a punch.

I read that the developer has plans to add a sampler in the future, and I certainly hope he does. I would also like the ability to have multiple patches per connection (to route one output to multiple locations, to route multiple sources to a single effects unit, etc.) The ability to have slower attack envelopes (for slowly building pads) would also be useful, but now I’m just dreaming.

I debated giving this 5 stars because of how powerful it is for a free app. The only reason I went with 4 is because the interface can be a bit finicky at times (I’m trying to change a parameter—not move the entire module, etc.). I’ve also had the app stop outputting audio (though it continues to operate as if it is) a few times. This is usually remedied by closing and re-opening the app.

All in all, Klankwelle is great!