Sonyk vs Drambo

Drambo is the modular groovebox power users swear by; Sonyk is opinionated, fast and adds DJ decks and stems. We link to Drambo because if it’s the better tool for you, you should have it.

Try it free in your browser

Both apps have a free way in. Try Sonyk in the browser without installing anything.

Where Drambo wins

A fully modular signal path — build any instrument or effect chain from modules; unmatched flexibility on iOS.
Deep MIDI processing, generative modules and an enormous, expert community on the Loopy Pro and AudioBus forums.
One-time purchase; excellent AUv3 story.

Where Sonyk wins

Speed: instruments that are ready-made and tuned by ear — a 303 that self-oscillates, an analog poly with curated presets — instead of patching from scratch (though Sonyk has a semi-modular too).
DJ decks with beat grids, keylock, on-device stems, looper and FX mode on the same clock as the sequencer.
Learn Keys, hum-to-melody, sampled acoustic instruments.
Mac, Vision Pro and web versions of the same app; cloud sync and Together.

Side by side

	Drambo	Sonyk
Modular patching	Everything	Semi-modular synth
Ready-to-play synths	Some	303, analog, WT, FM, granular, hand drum
DJ decks + stems	—	Yes
Ableton Link	Yes	Yes
AUv3	Host + plug-in	Host + plug-in
Platforms	iPhone, iPad, Mac	iPhone, iPad, Mac, Vision Pro, web
Price	One-time	Free · Pro $4.99/mo

Verdict

If you enjoy building the instrument as much as playing it, Drambo is extraordinary. If you want a box that sounds like a club record in the first minute and can then DJ the result, Sonyk. They talk to each other over Link and AUv3.

Questions

Can I run Drambo inside Sonyk?

Yes — Drambo is an AUv3 and Sonyk hosts AUv3 instruments and effects per track.