Comparison

Pensato vs shortReverse II

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

Head to head
About

Pensato

Explore over 1400 musical scales and modes with this app. Visualize chords and notes for any root, find scales via keyboard input or circle of fifths, and discover shared chords between multiple scales to build complex progressions.

Highlights
  • Over 1400 scales and modes
  • Smart-Finder for note input
  • Circle of fifths integration
  • Chord and note visualization
  • Scale progression builder
  • Built-in synthesizer
Features
Read full description

Pensato allows you to explore over 1400 musical scales and modes. You can view the chords and notes of each scale for any root note. You can find scales by inputting notes on a piano keyboard, by picking from the circle of fifths or by choosing one of the auto-generated related scales. When you add multiple scales to your list you will be able to see what chords are shared between them. This is a great way to build up complex chord progressions and key modulations in your songs. You can use Pensato simply as a learning tool or to build up scale progressions while composing music. The main idea was to make an app that focused on scale progressions instead of chord progressions, allowing you to evolve your music with more richness and interest than if you were to stay in one key. Open up Pensato in front of you while composing music and easily visualize chords in various scales to help you write interesting progressions. *** FEATURES *** • Library with over 1400 different scales and modes. • Includes standard 7-note scales as well as scales ranging from 3 to 12 tones. • Explore simple minor/major scales or more advanced blues, diminished, bebop and exotic scales. • A Smart-Finder allows you to plug in notes on a piano and find all the scales that contain those notes. This is a great way to find scales that match a melody. • A Smart-Suggestion page shows you all closely-related scales to the previous scale in your list. • Use the circle of fifths to easily add closely related scales. • See all chords contained in a given scale (either simple triads or full 4-note chords). • View the notes of the scale on a piano keyboard. Great for learning new scales or easily referencing familiar scales. • Easily transpose all scales and notes. • Built in synthesizer lets you audition chords and scales. • Press and hold a chord to view its notes. • Add scales to your list so you can see what notes and chords they share. This is a great way to transition from scale to scale. • Your scale progression and settings are saved when you restart the app. • Customizable UI allows you to hide the piano notes, scale names or chords. • A "focus" mode allows you to remove all the UI so you can focus on the chords and notes. • Ability to add a random scale to your list. Great for inspiration or for starting out a new song. • Beautiful modern minimal UI design. Focus on the content, not the interface. • Universal iPhone/iPad app.

About

shortReverse II

Read full description

Concept: “shortReverse II” is the advanced version of “shortReverse” which was previously released. The second has the same functionality as the first but resolves professional needs, that is, the problem of restricted buffer size (2^N). Now the user can freely adjust the buffer size from 256 to 65536 (in 1 sample unit). Usage: The user can reverse an incoming audio signal in real-time only while pushing the button. "buffer size" slider is text-editable by clicking. Note: Button automation in DAW is not supported. System Requirements: AUv3 host stereo output: just plug headphone/mic or audio interface.

Screenshots

Pensato4 screens
shortReverse II2 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: shortReverse II at every 2 days against Pensato's every 5 days. On price, 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

Pensato costs $3.99 and shortReverse II $3.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Pensato ships an update every 5 days, shortReverse II every 2 days. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 18, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
Pensato versus shortReverse II: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPensatoshortReverse II
Price$3.99$3.99
Rating4.7 (15 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews81.8% of reviews—
Number of ratings15 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 5 daysEvery 2 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaid—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS11.0 — better12.0
Further details — not scored
Size15 MB14 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperNebojsa PetrovicSatoshi Kajii

In-app purchases

None

Pensato

No in-app purchases

None

shortReverse II

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Pensato free?
Pensato costs $3.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is shortReverse II free?
shortReverse II costs $3.99, with no in-app purchases.
Do Pensato or shortReverse II have ads?
Neither Pensato nor shortReverse II shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Pensato or shortReverse II?
Pensato ships an update every 5 days, and shortReverse II every 2 days. Most recently, Pensato was updated on October 24, 2026 and shortReverse II on October 18, 2026.

Other comparisons