Comparison

Patch Base vs FM Synthesizer

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • Visualize synth patches
  • Real-time parameter editing
  • Manage patch banks
  • Create random patches
  • On-screen keyboard for sound testing
  • Extensive synthesizer support
Read full description

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 A, Virus B, Virus C, Virus TI, Virus TI Snow, Virus Indigo, Virus KB, Virus Classic * 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

About

FM Synthesizer

Explore sound synthesis with adjustable parameters to create unique audio. Access new presets monthly, utilize multi-genre synths, and manage effect groups. Record and share your musical creations with others.

Highlights
  • Adjustable synthesis parameters
  • Monthly new presets
  • Multi-genre synths
  • Effect group settings
  • Session recording
  • Share recordings
Features
Read full description

Complete immersion in the world of frequency sound synthesis! Adjust the parameters and get a new sound. What does the app offer? - New presets from TOP sound producers every month; - Multi-genre synths; - Settings for groups of effects; - Access to the recording of your creative sessions; - Ability to share your recordings with friends; privacy policy: https://sites.google.com/view/castles-trip-privacy-policy terms of use: https://sites.google.com/view/fm-synthesizer

Screenshots

FM Synthesizer3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Patch Base at 3.4 against FM Synthesizer's 1.7. Patch Base also leads on review sentiment (53% vs 25%) and ratings volume (87 vs 6). FM Synthesizer's advantage is update cadence (weekly vs every 3 weeks) and device support (3 vs 1). On price, 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Patch Base sells 31 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per month and FM Synthesizer sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Patch Base holds the better App Store score, 3.4 against 1.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Patch Base has 87 ratings behind it against 6, 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 25% of FM Synthesizer's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Patch Base ships an update every 3 weeks, FM Synthesizer weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 6, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Patch Base versus FM Synthesizer: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPatch BaseFM Synthesizer
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.4 (87 ratings) — better1.7 (6 ratings)
Positive reviews52.9% of reviews — better25.0% of reviews
Number of ratings87 — better6
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksWeekly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS13.012.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size67 MB78 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperCoffeeshopped LLCStanislav Duplinskiy

Customer experience

Patch Base

All ratings87 ratings
Positive57.5%
Neutral3.4%
Negative39.1%
Written reviews104 reviews
Positive52.9%
Neutral3.8%
Negative43.3%

FM Synthesizer

All ratings6 ratings
Positive16.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative83.3%
Written reviews4 reviews
Positive25.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative75.0%

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 more
  • 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 more
  • 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

FM Synthesizer

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

31 purchases

Patch Base

Subscriptions2
  • Patch Base: Monthly7 Days trial$5.991 Month
  • All Access: Annual7 Days trial$59.991 Year
One-time29
  • Casio CZ-101$29.99
  • Oberheim Matrix-6r$29.99
  • Yamaha DX7$29.99
Show 26 more
  • 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
3 purchases

FM Synthesizer

Subscriptions2
  • Pro access and monthly updates3 Days trial$4.991 Month
  • Pro access and monthly updates3 Days trial$9.991 Month
One-time1
  • Effects & Recording$7.99

Questions

Is Patch Base free?
Patch Base is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is FM Synthesizer free?
FM Synthesizer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Patch Base or FM Synthesizer?
Patch Base is rated higher. Patch Base averages 3.4 out of 5 from 87 ratings, while FM Synthesizer averages 1.7 from 6 ratings.
Do Patch Base or FM Synthesizer have ads?
Neither Patch Base nor FM Synthesizer shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Patch Base or FM Synthesizer?
Patch Base ships an update every 3 weeks, and FM Synthesizer weekly. Most recently, Patch Base was updated on October 24, 2026 and FM Synthesizer on October 6, 2026.

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