---
url: https://superduperai.co/products/jaw-harp-synth/
title: Jaw Harp Synth
kind: app
description: A physics-based jaw harp (kubyz, vargan) synthesizer for iOS, with tunings from Bashkir, Yakut and Vietnamese traditions.
status: In the App Store
platforms: [ios]
price: Free; optional $9.99 donation that unlocks nothing
---

# Jaw Harp Synth

A jaw harp (khomus, kubyz) synthesizer with a 9-pad drum sampler and a 16-step sequencer.

Jaw Harp Synth models the sound of the jaw harp (khomus, kubyz), tuned on Yakutian playing tradition, on iPhone and iPad. Morph between five vowels on an XY pad, build a beat on nine pads, and sequence it in up to 32 steps. All sound is made on the device; there is no account.

## Links

- page: https://superduperai.co/products/jaw-harp-synth/
- site: https://apps.apple.com/app/jaw-harp-synth/id6758465213
- app_store: https://apps.apple.com/app/id6758465213
- privacy: https://superduperai.co/products/jaw-harp-synth/privacy/
- support: https://superduperai.co/products/jaw-harp-synth/support/

## Features

- **Jaw harp voice.** A physics-based model of the instrument with a three-band formant filter; drag on the XY pad to morph between the vowels A, E, I, O, U, with pluck strength and inward/outward articulation.
- **9-pad sampler.** A 3x3 grid of pads; load WAV, CAF or SFZ samples, record a new one from the microphone, and trim it in a waveform editor.
- **Step sequencer.** Program patterns of 4, 8, 16 or 32 steps or record them live, with adjustable tempo and loop length.
- **Generated patterns.** A node graph (clock, modifiers, voices) generates and morphs patterns on the device from tempo and style presets. It is rule-based; there is no ML model and no server.
- **MIDI and recording.** Connect Bluetooth MIDI controllers or a network MIDI session, record the master output, and share recordings through the iOS share sheet.

## FAQ

### Does the app send my recordings anywhere?

No. Samples and recordings are saved in the app's own folder on the device and leave it only when you share them.

### Do I need an account or an internet connection?

No account. Synthesis, sampling and sequencing work offline.

### Does it work with MIDI controllers?

Yes, over Bluetooth MIDI or a network MIDI session on the same Wi-Fi.

### Is it free?

Yes. The $9.99 donation is a tip and unlocks nothing.

### Does it run on iPad?

Yes, iPhone and iPad with iOS/iPadOS 17 or later.

A virtual jaw harp for iOS. The sound is a physics model, not samples, with tunings from Bashkir, Yakut and Vietnamese instruments. Built as a small act of cultural preservation; the same instrument model is one of the seven instruments in [SuperDuper DSP](https://superduperai.co/products/superduper-dsp/).

- App Store: [Jaw Harp Synth](https://apps.apple.com/app/jaw-harp-synth/id6758465213)
- Privacy policy: [Jaw Harp Synth privacy policy](https://superduperai.co/products/jaw-harp-synth/privacy/)