GRAIN
HEADS

Granular Synthesis You Can Play

A powerful granular synthesizer built for exploration and control. Load a sample, spawn multiple playheads, and sculpt evolving textures with deep modulation, per-head filters, and a flexible effects chain.

Download

Deep Control.
Endless Textures.

AUv3 Audio Unit & AUFX

Use GrainHeads as an AUv3 instrument or AUFX sound effect inside any compatible DAW or host app on iOS. Per-head Latch/MIDI modes, LFOs, full parameter automation, and preset recall.

Multiple Playheads

Create up to 8 independent granular playheads, each with its own set of parameters, sample slot, volume control, and modulatable ladder filter.

8 LFOs with Deep Modulation

Virtually every parameter can be modulated by 8 LFOs — including LFOs modulating other LFOs for complex, evolving motion.

Multi-Touch Performance Pad

Use the 4-finger 2D touch pad to control up to 8 assignable parameters simultaneously. Switch between Single Head, Multi Heads, and Multi Slots modes for expressive real-time performance.

4 Sample Slots

Load up to 4 different samples simultaneously. Each head can choose which sample slot to play from — and the slot selection is modulatable by LFO for dynamic sample-switching textures.

Bezier Curve Envelope

Go beyond preset shapes — draw any grain envelope with an interactive bezier curve editor. Sculpt precise attack, sustain, and release curves for each head's grain window.

Moog-Style Ladder Filter

Each playhead has its own Moog-style ladder filter with selectable 12dB or 24dB/oct slope, self-oscillation, and overdrive for warm, analog-inspired tonal shaping.

Re-routable Effects

A flexible effects section with noise, stereo delay (BPM-syncable), and reverb with filtering — all with drag-and-drop re-routable signal flow.

Polyrhythmic Sequencer

A 16-step sequencer with clock divisions (/64 to x64), adjustable start and finish points, and independent lengths per head for true polyrhythmic patterns. Each step carries its own parameter locks — pitch, grain size, position, probability, reverse, pan, and filter.

Ableton Link

Sync tempo across apps and devices on the same WiFi network. Works with Ableton Live, AUM, and any Link-enabled app for seamless multi-app sessions.

Dice Randomizer

Roll the dice on the Heads or Seq tab to randomize everything — heads parameters, effects, and LFOs — in one tap for infinite happy accidents and unexpected textures.

Undo / Redo

Made a change you didn't like? Undo and redo up to 3 preset changes so you can explore freely without losing your sound.

Full Customization

Make it yours. Turn off the background video, pick custom colors for any element in the app, and set max grain length (2 seconds by default) to shape your workflow.

Adjustable Grain Length

Set the maximum grain length to suit your sound — from tight micro-textures to longer, sweeping fragments. Defaults to 2 seconds with full control to go beyond.

See It in Action

Watch GrainHeads in action.

Designed for
Sound Explorers

GrainHeads is built for sound designers, musicians, and experimental producers who want deep control over their textures.

Performance is at the core. The multi-touch 2D pad gives you simultaneous control of up to 6 parameters with just 3 fingers, turning granular synthesis into an instrument you can truly play.

  • AUv3 Audio Unit plugin and AUFX extension with Latch/MIDI modes and LFOs
  • Up to 8 independent granular playheads
  • 4 sample slots — each head picks its own sample, LFO-modulatable
  • Bezier curve grain envelope editor — draw any shape
  • Moog-style ladder filter per head (LP/BP/HP, 12/24dB, drive)
  • 8 LFOs with LFO-to-LFO modulation
  • 16-step sequencer with clock dividers (/64 to x64)
  • Polyrhythmic sequences with per-step parameter locks
  • Re-routable effects: noise, delay, reverb
  • 4-finger multi-touch performance pad (3 modes)
  • Ableton Link for tempo sync across apps
  • Scale quantization, presets, and output recording
  • Dice randomizer for heads, FX, and LFOs
  • Undo / redo up to 3 preset changes
  • Full UI customization — colors, background video, grain length

Get GrainHeads

Available now on the App Store for iPhone and iPad.

Download

Requires iOS 17.0 or later. Free with a one-time purchase to unlock the full app.