Patch Base vs AudioKit FM Player 2
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
AudioKit FM Player 2
This app offers a classic 80s FM synth experience with a vast library of sounds, effects, and sequencing capabilities. It's designed for musicians and producers to explore award-winning tones and create music on their iPad.
- Classic 80s FM Synth, EP, and FM Tine sounds
- Multi-sampled recordings of famous classic presets
- Stand-alone, IAA & Audiobus, AUv3 support
- Vintage Arp & 16-Step Sequencer
- 200+ presets and 150+ multi-sampled PCMs
- Vintage Stereo Phaser, Chorus, Flanger, Amp Simulator
- MIDI in for keyboard control
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Beautiful iPad instrument featuring classic famous 80s FM Synth, EP, and FM Tine sounds. Featured by Apple. "BEST APPS OF 2017" - Electronic Musician Magazine "BEST iOS APPS – 2017" - Audio News Room (ANR) FM Player 2 is the secret weapon for major musicians and grammy-winning producers. Now, you can have all these award-winning sounds on your iPad. AWESOME FEATURES: - Faithful multi-sampled recordings of famous classic presets from original retro 80s FM Synthesizers - Stand-alone iPad Synth, plus IAA & Audiobus - Basic AUv3 Plugin support. We're working on upgrading Audio Unit support. - Vintage Arp & 16-Step Sequencer - 200+ presets and 150+ multi-sampled PCMs included! - NEW Vintage Stereo Phaser Effect - 1+ Gigabyte of sounds, compressed to under 300mb! - Dual layers per voice. KeyboardSplits. Morph between sounds - Full ADSR Envelopes for each Layer - 3 LFOs. Fun Routings. LFOs can modify other LFOs. - NEW FX: Vintage Chorus, Flanger, Amp Simulator, and more - Beautiful Reverb, Auto Pan, Bit Crush, Stereo Fatten, and more! - MIDI in (Play with a MIDI Keyboard) - Analog Tape Style Ping-Pong Delay - Mono glide & legato modes - Dual Independent Filters per layer - Tempo-sync controls & Ableton Link - GREAT for playing Live with a Keyboard: MIDI Mod Wheel, Pitch Wheel, Program Change, Velocity sensitive sounds, and Sustain Pedal support already added - All Knobs have MIDI Learn! NOTE: This app is amazing as a live instrument controlled with a MIDI Keyboard. The main Electric Piano and Full Tines sounds have 20+ layers for maximum expressiveness. Subscribe to access to premium app features; subscription details are the following: - Length: weekly or yearly - Free trial: only on selected subscriptions - Your payment will be charged to your iTunes Account as soon as you confirm your purchase - You can manage your subscriptions and turn off auto-renewal from your Account Settings after the purchase - Your subscription will renew automatically, unless you turn off auto-renew at least 24 hours before the end of the current period - The cost of renewal will be charged to your account in the 24 hours prior to the end of the current period - When canceling a subscription, your subscription will stay active until the end of the period. Auto-renewal will be disabled, but the current subscription will not be refunded - Any unused portion of a free trial period, if offered, will be forfeited when purchasing a subscription Terms & Conditions: [https://magic-cake-e95.notion.site/AudioKit-FM-Player-2-DX-Synth-Terms-Conditions-14bcf6557a0880dba5eceab2ca1068bb?pvs=4](https://www.notion.so/AudioKit-FM-Player-2-DX-Synth-Terms-Conditions-14bcf6557a0880dba5eceab2ca1068bb?pvs=21) Privacy Policy: [https://magic-cake-e95.notion.site/AudioKit-FM-Player-2-DX-Synth-Privacy-Policy-14bcf6557a0880be8468ecef6beb62c8?pvs=4](https://www.notion.so/AudioKit-FM-Player-2-DX-Synth-Privacy-Policy-14bcf6557a0880be8468ecef6beb62c8?pvs=21) Note: App may not work on older iPad 4 devices. - This app has no official affiliation with AudioKit Pro, LLC. It was built using the free AudioKit source code. - This app has no official affiliation with Yamaha or the DX7 or DX7II. FM Player is an open-source project to bring the joy of music making to the world. We appreciate Yamaha's beautiful instruments. - * This app has no official endorsement with any artist or producer named in the description (including Herbie Hancock, Jay-Z, Drake, etc). We are humbled they have used our apps. They have received no payment or otherwise compensation for using our apps. :)
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: AudioKit FM Player 2 at 4.8 against Patch Base's 3.4. AudioKit FM Player 2 also leads on review sentiment (79% vs 53%) and ratings volume (3.3K vs 85). Patch Base's advantage is ads (none vs shown). On price, update cadence, 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
Both are free to download. Patch Base sells 31 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per month and AudioKit FM Player 2 sells 8 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
AudioKit FM Player 2 holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 3.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: AudioKit FM Player 2 has 3.3K ratings behind it against 85, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 53% of Patch Base's written reviews are positive against 79% of AudioKit FM Player 2's.
Patch Base ships an update every 3 weeks, AudioKit FM Player 2 monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 10, 2026 and October 12, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Patch Base | AudioKit FM Player 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 3.4 (85 ratings) | 4.8 (3.3K ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 52.9% of reviews | 79.1% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 85 | 3.3K — better |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks — better | Monthly |
| Ads | No — better | Yes |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPad | iPad |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 | 13.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 65 MB | 357 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Coffeeshopped LLC | Audiobus Pty Ltd |
Customer experience
Patch Base
AudioKit FM Player 2
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
AudioKit FM Player 2
From 3.3K App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 🎹 Excellent DX7 emulation
- 👍 Easy to use interface
- 💯 Fantastic sound quality
- 🎨 Highly customizable
- 🔊 Great effects and filters
Room to improve
- 🐛 Crashes and stability issues
- 🔌 Battery drain problems
- 🔇 Occasional audio glitches
- 🤔 Compatibility issues with some DAWs
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
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- 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
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- 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
AudioKit FM Player 2
Reported bugs
3 issues- Crashes when switching presets
- Midi playback not working consistently
- Preset loading issues in some DAWs
Requested features
4 requests- Arpeggiator/sequencer functionality
- Ability to save and load custom presets
- Improved MIDI integration and mapping
- Expanded sound library and more DX-style presets
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
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- 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
AudioKit FM Player 2
- Weekly premium$2.997 Days
- Weekly premium7 Days trial$2.997 Days
- Weekly premium7 Days trial$4.997 Days
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- Weekly premium$4.997 Days
- Yearly premium$9.991 Year
- Weekly premium7 Days trial$9.991 Year
- Yearly premium7 Days trial$29.991 Year
- Yearly premium$29.991 Year
Questions
Is Patch Base free?
Is AudioKit FM Player 2 free?
Which has better reviews, Patch Base or AudioKit FM Player 2?
Do Patch Base or AudioKit FM Player 2 have ads?
Which is updated more often, Patch Base or AudioKit FM Player 2?
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