Comparison

Bark Filter vs Know the Notes

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

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • 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
Features
Read 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

About

Know the Notes

Features
Read full description

Unlock your musical potential with Know the Notes, the ultimate ear training companion for musicians of all levels. Whether you're a beginner learning to identify notes or an advanced player refining your pitch, our app offers a responsive simple to use practice environment. Realistic Audio Experience Forget static, low-quality samples. Know Your Notes uses advanced real-time audio synthesis to generate sounds instantly. Piano: Rich, synthesized piano tones. Guitar: Plucked strings using the Karplus-Strong algorithm. Tone: Pure sine waves for focused frequency training. Practice Mode: Freely explore notes on an interactive keyboard with immediate visual feedback. Track your streaks and improve at your own pace. Quiz Mode: Test your skills with customizable quizzes. Choose your quiz length and difficulty. Delayed Feedback enhances real ear-training exams by hiding results until the end of the quiz. Customizable and Learning Difficulty Control: Toggle sharps and flats (black keys) to match your skill level. Settings: Adjust quiz lengths and feedback styles to suit your learning preference. Stop guessing and start knowing. Download Know Your Notes and tune your ear today!

Screenshots

Bark Filter3 screens
Know the Notes3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Know the Notes at fortnightly against Bark Filter's every 3 months. Know the Notes also leads on price ($1.99 vs $3.99). Bark Filter's advantage is iOS requirement (12.0 vs 15.1). On ads, in-app purchases and device support 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

Bark Filter costs $3.99 and Know the Notes $1.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Bark Filter ships an update every 3 months, Know the Notes fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 25, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Bark Filter versus Know the Notes: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBark FilterKnow the Notes
Price$3.99$1.99 — better
Rating4.8 (29 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews72.2% of reviews—
Number of ratings29 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsFortnightly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaid—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS12.0 — better15.1
Further details — not scored
Size17 MB26 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperHarry GohsDAVID MAYR LERNER

In-app purchases

None

Bark Filter

No in-app purchases

None

Know the Notes

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Bark Filter free?
Bark Filter costs $3.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Know the Notes free?
Know the Notes costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.
Do Bark Filter or Know the Notes have ads?
Neither Bark Filter nor Know the Notes shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Bark Filter or Know the Notes?
Bark Filter ships an update every 3 months, and Know the Notes fortnightly. Most recently, Bark Filter was updated on October 24, 2026 and Know the Notes on October 25, 2026.

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