# Patch Base vs MidiQuestEssentialsi

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Patch Base at 53% against MidiQuestEssentialsi's 0%. Patch Base also leads on rating (3.4 vs 1.0) and ratings volume (85 vs 2). MidiQuestEssentialsi's advantage is monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases) and iOS requirement (10.2 vs 12.0). On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Patch Base sells 31 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per month and MidiQuestEssentialsi sells 10 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Patch Base holds the better App Store score, 3.4 against 1.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Patch Base has 85 ratings behind it against 2, 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 0% of MidiQuestEssentialsi's.

Patch Base ships an update every 3 weeks, MidiQuestEssentialsi every 5 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 23, 2026 and June 1, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Patch Base | MidiQuestEssentialsi |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[3.4 (85 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/patch-base/id1070270299/reviews)** | [1.0 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/midiquestessentialsi/id1338670761/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **85** | 2 |
| Positive reviews | **52.9% of reviews** | 0.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 3 weeks** | Every 5 weeks |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Size | 69 MB | 52 MB |
| Requires iOS | 12.0 | **10.2** |
| Devices | iPad | iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Coffeeshopped LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/316294867) | [Sound Quest](https://appshunter.io/developer/1271850366) |

## What reviewers say

### Patch Base

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/patch-base/id1070270299)

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.

**Highlights:** Visualize synth patches, Real-time parameter editing, Manage patch banks, Create random patches, On-screen keyboard for sound testing, Extensive synthesizer support

**In-app purchases (31)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Patch Base: Monthly | $5.99 | per month |
| All Access: Annual | $59.99 | per year |
| Casio CZ-101 | $29.99 | one-time |
| Oberheim Matrix-6r | $29.99 | one-time |
| Yamaha DX7 | $29.99 | one-time |
| Yamaha TX7 | $29.99 | one-time |
| Ensoniq ESQ-1 | $29.99 | one-time |
| Korg Volca FM | $29.99 | one-time |
| Korg microKorg | $29.99 | one-time |
| Roland JD-Xi | $29.99 | one-time |
| Korg Minilogue | $29.99 | one-time |
| Roland JV-1080 | $29.99 | one-time |
| Waldorf Blofeld | $29.99 | one-time |
| Roland D-50 | $29.99 | one-time |
| Roland D-05 | $29.99 | one-time |
| Roland D-110 | $29.99 | one-time |
| Novation Bass Station II | $29.99 | one-time |
| Yamaha DX100 | $29.99 | one-time |
| Access Virus TI Snow | $29.99 | one-time |
| Yamaha TG33 | $29.99 | one-time |
| Roland JV-1010 | $29.99 | one-time |
| Yamaha SY77 | $29.99 | one-time |
| Roland XV-5050 | $29.99 | one-time |
| Yamaha TX81Z | $29.99 | one-time |
| Oberheim Matrix-1000 | $29.99 | one-time |
| Korg Volca FM2 | $29.99 | one-time |
| Oberheim Matrix-6 | $29.99 | one-time |
| Yamaha DX7II | $29.99 | one-time |
| Roland JV-880 | $29.99 | one-time |
| Yamaha Reface DX | $29.99 | one-time |
| All Access | $99.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 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

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💰 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

**Reported bugs**

- 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

**Requested features**

- MFB Dominion 1 editor
- Arturia Microfreak randomizer
- Novation Circuit Tracks support
- Korg Wavestate editor
- Roland MKS-70 and MKS-80 controllers


### MidiQuestEssentialsi

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/midiquestessentialsi/id1338670761)

This application serves as a comprehensive editor and librarian for MIDI SysEx data, supporting a vast array of popular hardware instruments. It allows users to manage and manipulate sound parameters for a wide range of synthesizers and other MIDI devices.

**Highlights:** SysEx Editor, SysEx Librarian, Supports over 900 MIDI instruments, Parameter management, Sound editing

**In-app purchases (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Dave Smith Tetra | $24.99 | one-time |
| Yamaha Reface CS | $24.99 | one-time |
| Yamaha Reface CP | $24.99 | one-time |
| TC-Helicon VoiceWorks | $29.99 | one-time |
| Roland D-50 | $39.99 | one-time |
| Waldorf Blofeld | $39.99 | one-time |
| Untergeek Matrix-6R | $39.99 | one-time |
| Dave Smith Toraiz AS-1 | $49.99 | one-time |
| Korg N364 | $54.99 | one-time |
| MQEssentials v1 All Instrument | $199.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Patch Base free?

Patch Base is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is MidiQuestEssentialsi free?

MidiQuestEssentialsi is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Patch Base or MidiQuestEssentialsi?

Patch Base is rated higher. Patch Base averages 3.4 out of 5 from 85 ratings, while MidiQuestEssentialsi averages 1.0 from 2 ratings.

### Do Patch Base or MidiQuestEssentialsi have ads?

Neither Patch Base nor MidiQuestEssentialsi shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Patch Base or MidiQuestEssentialsi?

Patch Base ships an update every 3 weeks, and MidiQuestEssentialsi every 5 weeks. Most recently, Patch Base was updated on September 23, 2026 and MidiQuestEssentialsi on June 1, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*