FM 304 vs Tapko Tuner
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
FM 304
Create music with three powerful FM synthesizers, each featuring integrated sequencers and onboard effects. This app offers intuitive real-time control over all synth parameters for quick sound design and tune creation.
- Three 4-operator FM synths
- Integrated sequencers
- Onboard delay, reverb, and chorus effects
- One knob per function control
- 100 save slots
- 8 algorithms
- Note frequency quantize
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FM 304 — 3x FM Synth Groovebox FM 304 is a powerful trio of 4-operator FM synthesizers, each with its own sequencer and effects. Built for fast, hands-on sound design, every parameter is available with a one-knob-per-function layout — no menus, no digging. Create evolving patterns, punchy sequences, and complex FM textures in seconds. Everything is on screen, ready to tweak, making it easy to move from idea to finished loop without breaking flow. Features • 3 independent 4-operator FM synthesizers • Immediate one-knob-per-function control • 3x 16-step sequencers (one per synth) • Built-in effects: delay, reverb, chorus • 3x LFOs for modulation • 8 FM algorithms • Note frequency quantisation • 100 save slots Designed for speed No menu diving. No setup. Just pure FM synthesis with everything visible and playable.
Tapko Tuner
A highly accurate chromatic tuner designed for bass and guitar, offering real-time pitch detection. It functions as a standalone app using your device's microphone or as an AUv3 effect within compatible music applications.
- High-accuracy chromatic tuning
- Real-time pitch detection
- Standalone microphone tuning
- AUv3 extension support
- Adjustable reference pitch
- Low-noise idle behavior
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Tapko Tuner is a precise chromatic tuner for guitar and bass, from 5-string low B up to the top frets of a guitar. Use it on its own with your device microphone, or load it as an AUv3 effect in AUM, GarageBand, Loopy Pro and other hosts. The audio passes through untouched. Features: - Accurate real-time pitch detection, steady even on low bass notes - Clean horizontal meter that shows flat, in tune and sharp at a glance - Large note name with octave and live frequency readout - Adjustable reference pitch (A4 = 420-460 Hz) - Adjustable indicator width and height - No ghost readings when the room is quiet - MIDI CC output in AUv3 hosts, one CC per tuning zone Notes: - Microphone permission is required for standalone tuning. - MIDI output is available when Tapko Tuner runs as an AUv3 plugin.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: Tapko Tuner at Free against FM 304's $3.99. Tapko Tuner also leads on update cadence (every 5 weeks vs every 43 months) and rating (5.0 vs 4.8). FM 304's advantage is ratings volume (5 vs 1) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 17.6). On 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
Tapko Tuner is free to download; FM 304 costs $3.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Tapko Tuner holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: FM 304 has 5 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.
FM 304 ships an update every 43 months, Tapko Tuner every 5 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 2, 2026 and November 5, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | FM 304 | Tapko Tuner |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $3.99 | Free — better |
| Rating | 4.8 (5 ratings) | 5.0 (1 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 5 — better | 1 |
| Update frequency | Every 43 months | Every 5 weeks — better |
| Ads | — | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | Free — better |
| Devices | iPad | iPhone, iPad — better |
| Requires iOS | 12.0 — better | 17.6 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 17 MB | 1 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Paul Betowski | David Lars Guva |
Customer experience
FM 304
Tapko Tuner
In-app purchases
FM 304
No in-app purchases
Tapko Tuner
No in-app purchases
