Bark Filter vs TB MBC
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Bark Filter
This audio effect processor mimics the human ear's critical band filtering and compression. It offers a multi-band compressor with up to 27 bands for precise audio manipulation and analysis.
- Multi-band dynamic range compressor (up to 27 bands)
- Variable number of compressor bands
- Threshold, Ratio, Attack, Release, Makeup Gain controls
- Linear phase precision filters
- Real-time spectrum analyzer
- AudioUnit (AUv3), Inter-app audio, and Audiobus 3 compatible
- Low latency live usage
Read full descriptionHide full description
Bark Filter - Critical Band Analyser/Filter/Compressor The multi band filter in Bark takes the approach to match the reception characteristic of the gate where all sounds must pass through: the human ear. The ear behaves as if it contains a bank of filters, each filter passing frequencies within their respective critical band. Two tones apart more than the frequency dependant critical bandwidth are perceived as separate tones. For this reason Bark contains a filter bank with 27 very steep bandpass filters matching the critical bandwidth characteristic of the human ear. In fact, the human ear have also its own built in multi band compression system which are based on the critical bands. Why the name Bark ? The Bark scale is a frequency scale on which equal distances correspond with perceptually equal distances. Above about 500 Hz this scale is more or less equal to a logarithmic frequency axis. Below 500 Hz the Bark scale becomes more and more linear. Multiband compressors can act differently on different frequency bands. The advantage of multiband compression over full-bandwidth compression is that unneeded audible gain changes or "pumping" in other frequency bands is not caused by changing signal levels in a single frequency band. Bark can act both as single band compressor and with up to 27 bands in multiband mode by linking critical bands. The linear phase filter bank with its steep filter slopes can be used for unusually pronounced filter effects too... Features: • Multi band dynamic range compressor with up to 27 bands • Variable number of compressor bands (1..27) • Threshold/Ratio Attack/Release and Makeup Gain • Linear phase precision filters for maximal transparency • Real time pre/post processing calibrated spectrum analyser • AudioUnit for AUv3 compatible hosts. • Inter-app audio compatible effect. • Audiobus 3 compatible with state saving. • Low latency live usage with mic and headphones. • Audio recorder
TB MBC
This advanced audio processing tool offers a powerful multi-band compressor and analog saturator for iOS. Sculpt your sound with up to 12 configurable bands, each with dual compressor curves and saturation options. Achieve professional audio results with extensive features for detailed sound manipulation.
- Up to 12 configurable frequency bands
- Dual compressor curves per band
- Positive and negative saturation per band
- External side chain support
- Mid-side processing
- Spectrum analyzer
- AUv3 plugin
Read full descriptionHide full description
TB MBC - the ultimate Multi-Band Compressor AUv3 plug-in TB MBC is a multi-band dynamics processor and analog saturator, providing a wealth of tools to sculpt your audio tracks. With up to 12 (!) fully configurable bands, 2 compressor curves per band, positive and negative saturation, and external side chain support, it is the most complete and versatile multi-band compressor available for iOS today. Features: - Up to 12 frequency bands! - Every band has two compressor curves - Upward and downward compression in each band - Positive and negative (expansive) saturation per band - Mid-side processing per band (for stereo input) - External side chain compression per band - Variable, positive and negative band linking per band - Manual or automatic, program-dependent release - Configurable compression knee and compression range parameters - Audition mode per band - 2nd order or 4th order cross-over network - Dry/wet mixing control for parallel / New York style compression - High Quality mode using internal oversampling - Spectrum analyser with various graphic presentation modes - Input and output gain parameters, and output digital VU meter - AUv3 with resizable UI and dozens of color themes to choose from - Preset management including import and export options - Undo, redo, A/B switching - High-quality output peak limiter What you should know: - Licenses acquired for this platform are not compatible with other platforms. - Audio Unit (AUv3) extensions require an iPad mini 2, iPad 4 or later models.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: Bark Filter at $3.99 against TB MBC's $9.99. Bark Filter also leads on rating (4.8 vs 4.6). TB MBC's advantage is review sentiment (89% vs 72%). On ratings volume, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases 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
Bark Filter costs $3.99 and TB MBC $9.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Bark Filter holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.6. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 29 and 13 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 72% of Bark Filter's written reviews are positive against 89% of TB MBC's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.
Bark Filter ships an update every 3 months, TB MBC every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 11, 2026 and September 8, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Bark Filter | TB MBC |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $3.99 — better | $9.99 |
| Rating | 4.8 (29 ratings) — better | 4.6 (13 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 72.2% of reviews | 88.9% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 29 — better | 13 |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | Every 2 months — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 12.0 — better | 13.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 17 MB | 11 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Harry Gohs | ToneBoosters |
Customer experience
Bark Filter
TB MBC
In-app purchases
Bark Filter
No in-app purchases
TB MBC
No in-app purchases









