Bark Filter vs Know the Notes
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
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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
Know the Notes
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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!
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Verdict
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
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.
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.
| Parameter | Bark Filter | Know the Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $3.99 | $1.99 — better |
| Rating | 4.8 (29 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 72.2% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 29 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | Fortnightly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 12.0 — better | 15.1 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 17 MB | 26 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Harry Gohs | DAVID MAYR LERNER |
In-app purchases
Bark Filter
No in-app purchases
Know the Notes
No in-app purchases









