# FRMS - Granular Synthesizer

> 4-layer granular with FM

Canonical page: [https://chrome-stats.com/d/id1381392223](https://chrome-stats.com/d/id1381392223)

## Overview

- **ID:** `id1381392223`
- **Platform:** Apple
- **Type:** Apple app
- **Status:** Available
- **Publisher:** Imaginando Lda
- **Category:** Music
- **Rating:** 4.80 / 5 (282 ratings)
- **Version:** 1.13.3
- **Last updated:** 2026-07-24
- **First published:** 2020-03-23
- **Size:** 268 MB
- **Data as of:** 2026-09-03
- **Store listing:** [Apple App Store](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/frms-granular-synthesizer/id1381392223)
- **Website:** [https://www.imaginando.pt/products/frms-granular-synthesizer](https://www.imaginando.pt/products/frms-granular-synthesizer)
- **Privacy policy:** [https://www.imaginando.pt/privacy-policy](https://www.imaginando.pt/privacy-policy)

## Description

FRMS blends granular, FM, additive, and subtractive synthesis across four layers per voice, enabling lush textures and evolving sonic landscapes. With a sleek interface and a flexible layering system, you can mix multiple synthesis engines to craft ambient drones, gritty textures, or sonic disturbances. It also supports real-time granulation from curated samples, user-imported sounds, or live audio, plus deep modulation, envelopes, and effects.

Key features include 4 engines per voice, FM modes with operator stacking, up to 640 grains in real-time granulation, per-layer modulation matrices, 2 envelopes and per-layer filters, 4-voice polyphony, arpeggiator, delay, reverb, MPE compatibility, and Ableton Link.

## Rankings

- #90,115 — Overall

## Review summary

FRMS is praised as a deep, flexible granular synth with four engines that can be oscillators or sample grains, enabling expansive sound design. Users repeatedly cite low CPU use, rich textures, and a strong preset/expansion ecosystem, plus the ability to import their own samples. The app’s creativity and variety, along with active developer updates, are also highlights. Common complaints focus on stability and bugs (crashes, crackles, mic feedback issues), limited Bluetooth/MIDI support, and at least a perception that the price is high for the features. Overall it’s highly recommended for serious sound design, with caveats about reliability and cost.

### Pros

- Powerful four-engine granular architecture that can run oscillators, samples, or a blend for extensive sound design.
- Low CPU usage on iOS, allowing dense patches without taxing performance.
- Ability to import your own samples and access a robust suite of presets and expansion packs.
- Creative, inspiring textures with a unique, cinematic character that stands out in iOS synths.
- Active developer support and ongoing updates, including HD UI improvements and cross‑platform features like VST3 support and desktop syncing.

### Cons

- Stability and bugs: crashes, audio crackles, and occasional issues in DAWs like GarageBand.
- Bluetooth and wireless MIDI support is missing or unreliable.

## Similar extensions and apps

- [GRFX - Granular Effects](https://chrome-stats.com/d/id6745477065) — 4.60 / 5
- [Granula Synth](https://chrome-stats.com/d/id1624549704) — 1.80 / 5
- [GrainHeads](https://chrome-stats.com/d/id6760582834) — 4.70 / 5
- [Fluss - Granular Playground](https://chrome-stats.com/d/id6443472888) — 4.80 / 5
- [Grainsmith Field](https://chrome-stats.com/d/id6760624826) — 5.00 / 5
- [Quarked - Granular Synth](https://chrome-stats.com/d/id6765482136)
- [Descent Granulator](https://chrome-stats.com/d/id6759299476)
- [WaveCloud](https://chrome-stats.com/d/id6471663093) — 4.90 / 5
- [Open Granular](https://chrome-stats.com/d/id1549682361) — 4.50 / 5
- [Granular Synthesizer](https://chrome-stats.com/d/id1537443140)
- [GRDelay](https://chrome-stats.com/d/id6757957948) — 5.00 / 5
- [BLEASS Granulizer](https://chrome-stats.com/d/id1540299083) — 4.90 / 5

---

Source: [Chrome-Stats](https://chrome-stats.com/d/id1381392223)