GMA RehearsalBuddy vs PatchPrinter
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
GMA RehearsalBuddy
This tool enables lighting and video programmers to take timecoded notes during rehearsals and shows. It directly reads timecode from grandMA2 sessions, eliminating the need for extra hardware. Features include photo attachments, templates, and export options.
- grandMA2 session integration
- Instant timecode saving
- Customizable note templates
- Add photos to notes
- Export and share notes
- Always-On mode
- Dark theme option
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This tool for lighting designers, lighting programmers, video programmers, ... allows smart note-taking during rehearsals or shows. The added timecode for each note item makes it easy to have a timing reference after the notes were taken. The main advantage is the direct readout of grandMA2's timecode session data, which makes travel with a lot of extra MIDI/LTC/... tools unnecessary. FEATURES: - grandMA2 session integration: Reads timecode from grandMA2 session (without extra LTC/MIDI equipment) - Instant timecode: Timecode is saved with the first letter in the entry field - Templates: Use 6 individual "quick-note" templates with frequently used notes - Todo/Done: Swipe to mark notes as done - Photo: A photo can be added to each note entry - Details: Add detail text to each note entry - Sharing/Export: Export or share notes (AirDrop, Messenger, Notes App, ...) - Always-On mode: Prevents your device from going to sleep mode while the app is opened - Dark entry mode: A dark theme to relax your eyes in low-light situations - Remote control viewer: Access grandMA, StreamDeck, Widget Designer, ... web interfaces while seeing current timecode. - Settings: A lot of settings and user options to adjust everything to your needs FREE VERSION: The free version includes all features of the full version, but the incoming timecode is limited to 1 hour (01:00:00:00). Please test the app in your network setup before buying the full version! TUTORIAL: - make sure your grandMA2 session is started - connect your iPhone/iPad to your grandMA2 session - use a fast wifi router without multicast filtering - simply enter your notes: enter saves the current note and timecode - timecode is saved as soon as you start typing IMPORTANT INFORMATIONS: A fast WiFi connection without multicast filtering is required! Works only with "TimecodeSlot" pools (MIDI in, LTC in, generator, ...). Currently tested with grandMA2 version 3.2.2 - 3.9.0 (current). This app "wire-tap's" the grandMA2 network session, so there is always a small risk of losing functionality with new software versions. This is NOT an official app from MA Lighting Technology or MA Lighting International.
PatchPrinter
View your preproduction files on your iOS device without needing hard copies. Easily open and share PatchPrinter files from various sources like email or Airdrop. Navigate between files seamlessly in the organized list.
- View preproduction files
- Open from email attachments
- Open from WhatsApp
- Open via Airdrop
- Easy file switching
- Share files with colleagues
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Open your PatchPrinter (www.PatchPrinter.com) file and have a look at your preproduction without the need of using hardcopies. PatchPrinter for iOS shows all of the information which is available in the PatchPrinter file. You can open your PatchPrinter file from an email attachment, WhatsApp message, Airdrop, etc. Switching between files is easy in the Files list. Here you also can share your PatchPrinter file with your colleagues.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: PatchPrinter at 5.0 against GMA RehearsalBuddy's 1.0. PatchPrinter also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 1). GMA RehearsalBuddy's advantage is iOS requirement (12.0 vs 14.5). On price, ratings volume, update cadence and ads 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
Both are free to download. GMA RehearsalBuddy sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. PatchPrinter asks for nothing beyond the download.
PatchPrinter holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 1.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1 and 1 respectively.
GMA RehearsalBuddy ships an update every 2 months, PatchPrinter every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on June 25, 2026 and September 21, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | GMA RehearsalBuddy | PatchPrinter |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 1.0 (1 ratings) | 5.0 (1 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | — | 100.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 1 | 1 |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months — better | Every 3 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 12.0 — better | 14.5 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 36 MB | 1 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Matthias Schoeffmann | Bart van Stiphout |
Customer experience
GMA RehearsalBuddy
PatchPrinter
In-app purchases
GMA RehearsalBuddy
- Full Version$8.99
PatchPrinter
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is GMA RehearsalBuddy free?
Is PatchPrinter free?
Which has better reviews, GMA RehearsalBuddy or PatchPrinter?
Do GMA RehearsalBuddy or PatchPrinter have ads?
Which is updated more often, GMA RehearsalBuddy or PatchPrinter?
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