Polyphonic modulation and pitch shifting.

*pssst* You could even say it’s better than having a real Moog. Imagine playing the Moog, but it’s even more advanced, portable and cheaper.

Harnessing this relatively new functionality, the Animoog Z app (a step up from the original Animoog app) is an exciting multidimensional 16-voice polyphonic synthesizer gives you a 3D visualisation of your waveform, so you can see the shape of the sound you’re making – all in the palm of your hand. The Moog is straight up iconic – and now, Moog have paired the sonic beauty of their adaptable instrument – used famously by the likes of Kraftwerk right through to Dr Dre – with portable digital device technology.

Korg ARP Odyssei / iWaveStation / iMono/Poly / iDS-10.

Whether you’re a newcomer to synthesis or a veteran, you’ll find these apps a treat. Happily, these apps cost far less than what you’d pay for a soft synth, let alone a hardware synth. The most significant reason is that Android lacks a standard protocol for MIDI and it’s difficult for developers to create apps that are compatible with the hundreds, possibly thousands of phones that are running Android. Most, if not all, of these apps are only available on iOS. This will let you record the synths in your DAW, too. You can either use an adapter, seek out new controllers that come equipped with Bluetooth MIDI or, if you’re an Apple user, take advantage of Apple’s Audio MIDI Setup to link up your iPhone and DAW. While these synth apps do have miniature keyboards that you can play with your thumbs, that might get a little tedious after a while. New, original synths are available, too, with unique approaches to sound shaping that make effective use of touch control. Thanks to some savvy developers, you can harness the power of vintage synth icons such as the Moog Minimoog in the palm of your hand. But most of us do have access to a smartphone.

Not everyone has access to high-end soft synths and prestige hardware synths.

Korg wavestation ios