Patch Base vs KORG iWAVESTATION
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Patch Base
This app allows users to visualize, edit, and organize patches for a wide range of hardware synthesizers. It offers real-time parameter editing, patch bank management, and the ability to create random or initial patches. Users can also test sounds with an on-screen keyboard.
- Visualize synth patches
- Real-time parameter editing
- Manage patch banks
- Create random patches
- On-screen keyboard for sound testing
- Extensive synthesizer support
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Patch Base is a collection of patch editors and librarians for new and vintage synthesizers, enabling easy visualization, editing, and organization of patches. * See what patches on your synth look like * Edit the parameters of your synth in real time, while you play * Manage your patch banks directly from the app * Save patches in Patch Base, and back them up using iCloud * Access your patch files on your computer via iCloud Drive * Create random patches, and "init" patches as starting points for new sounds * Play your synth for sound testing using the on-screen keyboard Patch Base currently has editors for the following synthesizers, with more to come: * Access Virus C, Virus TI, Virus TI Snow * Akai Miniak * Alesis Micron * Behringer Deepmind 12 * Casio CZ-1, CZ-101, CZ-1000, CZ-3000, CZ-5000 * Clavia Nord Lead 2, Nord Lead 2X * DSI Mopho, Mopho Keyboard, Evolver, Evolver Keyboard, Tetra * E-mu Proteus/1, Proteus/2, Proteus 2000, Proteus 1000, Orbit-3, Virtuoso 2000, Xtreme Lead-1, Mo'Phatt, Planet Earth * Ensoniq ESQ-1, SQ-80, and ESQ-M * Korg Volca FM, Volca FM2, Minilogue, microKORG, MS2000, MS2000R, MS2000B, MS2000BR, DW-8000, EX-8000, Prophecy * Novation Circuit, Bass Station II * Oberheim Matrix-1000, Matrix-6, Matrix-6r * Roland JD-Xi, JV-1080, JV-2080, JV-1010, XP-80, XP-60, XP-50, XP-30, D-50, D-550, D-05, D-110, D-10, D-20, D-5, JV-880, JV-80, XV-5080, XV-3080, XV-5050, XV-2020, Alpha Juno-1, Alpha Juno-2, MKS-50, JD-800, JD-990, JX-8P, JP-8080 * Waldorf Blofeld, Micro Q * Yamaha DX7, DX7II, TX7, TX802, TX816, TX81Z, DX100, FB-01, FS1R, TG33, DX200, TG77, SY77, DX21, DX11, Reface DX The app is free for download and to try out, ensuring that the app works with your hardware setup. For full access to all editor features, each editor is available as an individual In-App Purchase, or via an All Access subscription. ** Unlock Every Editor with All Access ** Patch Base now offers the All Access subscription, giving you access to every editor that Patch Base offers for a single subscription price. You can subscribe on a monthly or annual basis. Subscription payment is charged to your iTunes account at confirmation of subscription purchase. Subscriptions renew automatically unless canceled at least 24 hours prior to the end of the current period. Your iTunes account will be charged for renewal within 24 hours prior to the end of the current period. You can turn off auto-renewal and manage your subscription at any time from your iTunes Account Settings after purchase. Privacy Policy: https://coffeeshopped.com/patch-base-privacy-policy Terms of Use: https://coffeeshopped.com/patch-base-terms-conditions
KORG iWAVESTATION
This app recreates a legendary 1990s synthesizer, offering time-varying timbre creation and advanced vector synthesis. Experience its unique sound-shaping potential with a renewed graphic interface and touch-based operation for iOS devices.
- Faithful reproduction of original WAVESTATION sound
- Graphical wave sequence view with touch control
- 1,500 sounds, 700+ waveforms, 55 effects
- Powerful random sequence engine
- AUv3 support for Logic Pro and GarageBand
- Integration with KORG Gadget DAW
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Creating sounds with time-varying timbre, on your mobile device. KORG iWAVESTATION - A wave sequence synthesizer for iOS. The WAVESTATION synthesizer went on sale in 1990. This instrument featured an advanced vector synthesis system which created new sounds by combining and connecting multiple waveforms; it provided a mix/morphing function that let you use a joystick to change the balance of four oscillators, and a distinctive wave sequence function that allowed you to place waveforms in a desired sequence to create sequence patterns. To this day, it continues to be considered a legendary and still-unique instrument. Now in 2016, the WAVESTATION has been reborn as "KORG iWAVESTATION," an app for iPad/iPhone. In addition to completely reproducing the programs, it also features a renewed design that lets everyone experience the stupendous sound-shaping potential of the WAVESTATION. It features touch-based operation that's distinctive of iOS, in conjunction with a new graphic interface that allows you to visualize and edit the time-varying timbral changes that are distinctive of the WAVESTATION. [ Features ] - A faithful reproduction of the original WAVESTATION sound: In addition to providing the sounds from all PCM memories of the WAVESTATION, the new iWAVESTATION also reproduces in software every detail of the parameters, based on an analysis of the original hardware circuit diagram. - A new wave sequence view that can be graphically controlled: The iWAVESTATION, we advance another step with a graphical user interface that takes advantage of the touch operations that are a characteristic of iOS. Even more than ever, we've updated the screen design with an emphasis on creating sequences. - 1,500 sounds, more than 700 waveforms, 55 effects, and a powerful random sequence engine: This new instrument includes a stupendous number of presets and waveforms, covering all models of the series. iWAVESTATION also provides a new random sequence function which will give you different perspectives to inspire new sounds. - Use with KORG Gadget and AUv3 for song production: iWAVESTATION can be used in conjunction with the "KORG Gadget" music production DAW app that has won numerous awards around the world. If both apps are installed, it can be used as the "Milpitas" gadget inside the KORG Gadget app. And also supports AUv3, so it can also be used as a sound module for Logic Pro and GarageBand. With a convenient and richly varied set of sounds, iWAVESTATION can be the foundation for either of these music production environments. More info at korg.com
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: Patch Base at Free against KORG iWAVESTATION's $29.99. Patch Base also leads on update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 5 months). KORG iWAVESTATION's advantage is rating (4.2 vs 3.4) and review sentiment (69% vs 53%). On ratings volume, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
Patch Base is free to download; KORG iWAVESTATION costs $29.99 up front. Patch Base sells 31 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per month and KORG iWAVESTATION sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
KORG iWAVESTATION holds the better App Store score, 4.2 against 3.4. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 85 and 132 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 53% of Patch Base's written reviews are positive against 69% of KORG iWAVESTATION's.
Patch Base ships an update every 3 weeks, KORG iWAVESTATION every 5 months. The most recent releases landed on October 10, 2026 and October 13, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Patch Base | KORG iWAVESTATION |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free — better | $29.99 |
| Rating | 3.4 (85 ratings) | 4.2 (132 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 52.9% of reviews | 69.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 85 | 132 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks — better | Every 5 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPad | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 | 13.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 65 MB | 96 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Coffeeshopped LLC | KORG INC. |
Customer experience
Patch Base
KORG iWAVESTATION
User reviews
Patch Base
From 85 App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 👍 Intuitive and logical interface design
- 🎛️ Comprehensive parameter editing for supported synths
- 💾 Excellent patch management and librarian features
- 📱 Works seamlessly across iPad and Mac
- 🔄 iCloud integration for patch backup and sync
Room to improve
- 💰 High pricing model ($30 per synth or subscription)
- 🐛 Frequent crashes and stability issues
- ❌ No free trial without subscription commitment
- 📖 Poor documentation and lack of tutorials
- 🔌 Inconsistent MIDI connectivity and configuration
KORG iWAVESTATION
From 132 App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 🎹 Classic synth sounds
- 👍 Improved interface over hardware
- 🎨 Excellent sound design capabilities
- 🎉 Randomize feature for inspiration
- 🔌 Gadget integration
Room to improve
- 🔍 Lack of preset search/organization
- 🔊 Weak filter capabilities
- 🔌 No MIDI channel selection
- 🔌 Limited MIDI control options
Bugs and requests
Patch Base
Reported bugs
12 issues- App crashes on iOS 14.2 and other versions
- MIDI buffer full errors with DX7IIFD
- Sysex transfer stalls and timeouts
- Cannot access operators 4-6 on Volca FM
- Algorithm changes crash app
Show 7 moreShow fewer
- Patches randomly deleted after app restart
- MIDI port assignment not persisting
- Unable to send patches to synths
- App hangs during patch transitions
- Unmute function unavailable while editing
- iCloud file synchronization not working
- XV-5080 editor stuck on loading screen
Requested features
13 requests- MFB Dominion 1 editor
- Arturia Microfreak randomizer
- Novation Circuit Tracks support
- Korg Wavestate editor
- Roland MKS-70 and MKS-80 controllers
Show 8 moreShow fewer
- Access Virus Ti2 character section and banks
- Custom randomization options
- Yamaha EX5/r and Motif XF editors
- Prophet 6 support
- Korg Minilogue enhancements
- Undo button functionality
- Pass-through MIDI option
- Dropbox and Google Drive cloud support
KORG iWAVESTATION
Reported bugs
2 issues- Crashes when saving user presets
- Compatibility issues with newer iOS versions
Requested features
4 requests- Add AUv3 support
- Improve preset management and browsing
- Enhance MIDI functionality (channel selection, more CCs)
- Expand filter options (high-pass, band-pass)
In-app purchases
Patch Base
- Patch Base: Monthly7 Days trial$5.991 Month
- All Access: Annual7 Days trial$59.991 Year
- Casio CZ-101$29.99
- Oberheim Matrix-6r$29.99
- Yamaha DX7$29.99
Show 26 moreShow fewer
- Yamaha TX7$29.99
- Ensoniq ESQ-1$29.99
- Korg Volca FM$29.99
- Korg microKorg$29.99
- Roland JD-Xi$29.99
- Korg Minilogue$29.99
- Roland JV-1080$29.99
- Waldorf Blofeld$29.99
- Roland D-50$29.99
- Roland D-05$29.99
- Roland D-110$29.99
- Novation Bass Station II$29.99
- Yamaha DX100$29.99
- Access Virus TI Snow$29.99
- Yamaha TG33$29.99
- Roland JV-1010$29.99
- Yamaha SY77$29.99
- Roland XV-5050$29.99
- Yamaha TX81Z$29.99
- Oberheim Matrix-1000$29.99
- Korg Volca FM2$29.99
- Oberheim Matrix-6$29.99
- Yamaha DX7II$29.99
- Roland JV-880$29.99
- Yamaha Reface DX$29.99
- All Access$99.99
KORG iWAVESTATION
- Expansion Card Pack$4.99
Questions
Is Patch Base free?
Is KORG iWAVESTATION free?
Which has better reviews, Patch Base or KORG iWAVESTATION?
Do Patch Base or KORG iWAVESTATION have ads?
Which is updated more often, Patch Base or KORG iWAVESTATION?
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