RTMS VAPolyMk5 is a new bi-timbral analog modeling Synthesizer with a built-in sequencer for iOS and macOS.
Ryo Togawa (RTMS) likely has the largest synth catalog on iOS with 16 synthesizers. Sixteen sounds like a lot, but a good chunk is essentially updates of other versions, offering an almost uniform engine in newly repackaged apps.
Unfortunately, this is a problem common to Ryo’s apps. And with the new RTMS VAPolyMk5 Synthesizer app and plugin, this continues.
RTMS VAPolyMk5
VAPolyMk5 is a new bi-timbral polyphonic Synthesizer for iOS and macOS. As the name suggest, the RTMS VAPolyMk5 is a continuation of the VAPoly series. Each synth layer has up to 8 voices and offers a classic analog modeling engine.
It features three oscillators with through-zero FM and hard sync, resonant cascaded OTA-modeled lowpass and highpass filters, three envelope generators, two multi-wave LFOs, key tracking, and an amp section. There is also a noise generator per layer.
Mk5 also features improved ring modulator and output morphing feature, a global LFO, and more. Each layer also houses a multi-FX section with delay, chorus, flanger, reverb, EQ, and compressor.
Both layers can be played as a bi-timbral layered instrument or independently in split mode. The app also lets you easily assign parameters to the mod wheel and aftertouch.
The major difference between this app and other VAPoly synths is the built-in sequencer. It has been redesigned and now features four sequencers: one for notes with a piano roll and three for parameter automation, each with 16-bar patterns per clip.
Project files can be saved in iCloud Drive, so that the project can be accessed from iPhone, iPad, or Mac. There is also an internal audio recorder with audio export of Linear PCM format (AIFF, WAV, and CAF) and compressed format (AAC).
Further, it supports MIDI 2.0, a foot pedal, and per-note channel control. Ableton Link and Bluetooth MIDI are also onboard.
Even though it’s not explicitly stated in the App Store settings, the app should also run on macOS according to the official RTMS website.
First Impression
Unfortunately, yet another “more of the same” Synthesizer from Ryo Togawa. The differences compared to the other VAPolyMK synths are minimal. A simple update with the new sequencer and the other improvements, as other developers do, would have sufficed.
Designing a completely new app seems unnecessary. I hope Ryo Togawa will eventually explore new avenues; he’ll continue to lose users. His creations are great synthesizers, but the sheer number of newish releases casts a shadow on them.
RTMS VAPolyMk5 is available now for an introductory price of $5,99 instead of $14,99 until April 30, 2026. It runs as a standalone and AUv3 plugin on iOS (iPad/iPhone) and macOS (native Apple Silicon only).
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