Steinberg HALion Sonic Play is a new AUv3 workstation-style instrument plugin with over 200 ready-to-use sounds for iOS (iPhone and iPad).
HALion has been Steinberg’s own sampler for a long time and the counterpart to Kontakt. People who don’t want all the engines often use HALion Sonic, which is a kind of player for their sample-based instruments.
With HALion Sonic Play, Steinberg is now bringing a workstation-style sound player to iOS devices that is packed with high-quality sounds.
Steinberg HALion Sonic Play
HALion is a new standalone and AUv3 workstation instrument plugin for iOS (iPhone and iPad).
To avoid any confusion: Steinberg HALion Sonic Play is not the iOS version of HALion Sonic. Therefore, you cannot load libraries from the desktop version here. They are two different products.
This new app and AUv3 plugin brings the spirit of a full-blown workstation to your mobile setup. It ships with over 2000 ready-to-use sounds spanning every genre. From modern synths and punchy basses to expressive keys, pads, leads, and beyond.
The idea is to offer musicians a wide variety of sounds while on the go, which they can use when they don’t have access to their desktop sounds. During the jams, on the train, etc.
Each sound comes with various quick controls to shape and tweak sounds in seconds – no deep diving. For example, the patch “Carpet Layer” has controls for the unison, ensemble, delay, and reverb FXs.
The third UI page features a filter with cutoff and resonance controls, as well as Quick ADSR controls for precise, musical control over the sound envelope. They let you dial in punch, softness, brightness, or bite in seconds. Plus, there is a global page.
First Impression
A welcome release because there are relatively few workstation-style plugins for iOS. DecentSampler, Audiomodern Soundbox, and XinematiX come to mind. SampleTank has received little support in recent years, even without AUv3.
Of course, the full HALion Sonic experience with the option to load new libraries on iOS would be even better, but with 2000 sounds, there’s already a lot to explore.
The app could also be interesting for people who prefer hardware-only setups but are always looking for new material for their sampler with USB-C audio.
Steinberg HALion Sonic Play is available now for an introductory price of $14,99 (25% OFF) until August 24th, 2026. It runs as a standalone app and AUv3 plugin on iOS (iPhone/iPad).
More information here: Steinberg
Is this the same thing that is already in Cubasis?
No different. It replaces the old one and also gives it as an AUv3 plugin. If you have Cubasis with HALion Selection, then they share content, so only the additional content required by HALion Sonic Play needs to be downloaded.
Come on, now its time to new Cubasis version
I bought this yesterday. $15 for this is an incredible deal, and the UI is really good. The iOS app market is full of excellent deals. You just get so much for your money.