Comparison

F6 Control vs Smaart RTA

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

Head to head
About

F6 Control

This app allows you to wirelessly control your ZOOM F6 audio recorder using an iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch. It enables remote operation of recording, playback, level adjustments, mixer settings, and metadata input, making field recording more convenient.

Highlights
  • Remote recording and playback control
  • Adjust trim levels, pan, and faders
  • Monitor input levels and timecode
  • Edit file names and add metadata
  • Set date and time for recordings
  • Control F6 inside protective cases
Features
Read full description

F6 Control is an app that enables remote control of the ZOOM F6. With it, you can use an iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch (6th generation and later) as a wireless remote controller for an F6. Note: A ZOOM BTA-1 is also necessary to operate an F6 with F6 Control. In addition to the fundamental operations of starting/stopping recording/playback and searching forward/backward, this app allows the adjustment of trim levels and mixer pan and fader settings. You can also use it to monitor input levels, timecode information and remaining battery charge. Moreover, using this app, you can input characters from the iOS device to edit file names and add metadata as well as transfer date and time information for use when recording. Features ■ Control an F6 that is inside a protective case -During field recording, you can check and control levels using the device in your hand without needing to look into the protective case on the F6. ■ Create monitor mixes easily -Using the mixer screen that supports multi-touch, you can easily create monitor mixes as though using a traditional mixer. ■ Input metadata -Using the iOS device keyboard, you can input all types of metadata. You can even type long entries without hassle. ■Set the date and time -The F6 date and time can be adjusted to match that of the iOS device. This allows you to set the time accurately with ease.

About

Smaart RTA

Analyze audio in real time with professional-grade tools. Visualize frequency content, manage feedback, and monitor sound pressure levels with precision and ease, all from your mobile device.

Highlights
  • Professional RTA graph with averaging options
  • Spectrograph for feedback and frequency management
  • SPL meter with A & C weighting
  • Adjustable RTA graph settings
  • Plot calibrated levels
  • Target curves
Read full description

Professionals and enthusiasts alike can now access Smaart’s Real Time Analyzer, beautifully rendered Spectrograph, and crystal clear SPL meter without needing to set up a dedicated personal computer to run a desktop version of Smaart*. Smaart RTA is capable of the same accuracy, precision, and ease of use enjoyed by live sound engineers and FOH professionals across the world using the same underlying algorithms as its desktop siblings*, trusted by sound engineers to deliver accurate and actionable data in real time. *PLEASE READ Smaart RTA creates single channel measurements only. It does not support the dual channel transfer function measurements or impulse response measurements used for system alignment and optimization, including time alignment. -- SMAART RTA INCLUDES -- -PROFESSIONAL STANDARD RTA (REAL TIME ANALYZER) GRAPH- The RTA display helps engineers ensure an audio mix or playback balance aligns with the desired tonal response for a specific artist, performance, or specification – providing real-time analysis of frequency content and confidence that you are hearing what you are seeing. Features include: Fast, Slow, None averaging options for graph response ballistics. 1/48, 1/24, 1/12, 1/6, 1/3, 1oct Banding for precision frequency resolution. 1/3 octave x-axis frequency scale for intuitively identifying center frequencies and trends. -BEATIFULLY RENDERED SPECTROGRAPH- The Spectrograph is essential for managing and controlling feedback and identifying problem frequencies, allowing engineers to quickly visualize and address potential issues before they interfere with a performance. Features include: Adjustable dynamic thresholds to customize the amplitude levels represented by the spectrograph. 1000 slices in history, allowing you to ‘rewind’ the display to view events that already happened. Intuitive color palette to represent amplitude level (dark to bright, quiet to loud). -CLEAR SPL DISPLAY WITH DB LEVEL METER- The SPL view helps you ensure audio levels remain consistent from one show to the next or check levels for uniformity across various locations within a venue. Features include: Standard SPL metrics of A & C weighting, with fast and slow response times. NIOSH and OSHA exposure percentages correspond with nationally accepted U.S. recommendations and occupational health and safety guidelines. Large Level Meter display for distant viewing. The default settings for all functions in Smaart RTA mirror those in the desktop version of Smaart v9’s real time single channel measurements. -- ADDITIONAL SMAART RTA PRO FEATURES -- Smaart RTA Pro includes the functionality of Smaart RTA and unlocks all settings and advanced features, including: Adjustable RTA Graph Settings (frequency scaling, bars/lines, line thickness, grid interval, etc) Plot Calibrated Levels to view the RTA graph relative to SPL, rather than Full Scale level only. Target Curves (Cinema X Curves included, or import your own). Capture and store RTA data traces, allowing you to compare multiple responses across different locations or venues. Average multiple stored RTA data traces to view a spatially averaged frequency response. Adjustable RTA graph Y-offsets to apply a visual dB offset to live or captured data. Import/Export RTA files (.srf) to and from Smaart desktop. Additional SPL Traffic Light display for staying within venue SPL Limits. Internal and external microphone calibration for SPL. Due to Apple's distribution policies, free trials require a subscription selection. If you would like to try Smaart RTA before you buy, start with a subscription, then cancel it to avoid billing. Smaart RTA is $1.99p/m, $19.99p/y, or $59.99 Lifetime Smaart RTA Pro is $4.99p/m, $49.99p/y or $149 Lifetime Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://www.rationalacoustics.com/pages/smaart-mobile-apps-privacy-policy-terms-condtions

Screenshots

F6 Control3 screens
Smaart RTA4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Smaart RTA at 4.8 against F6 Control's 2.4. Smaart RTA also leads on update cadence (every 2 months vs every 5 months) and ratings volume (508 vs 47). F6 Control's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 6) and iOS requirement (9.0 vs 15.0). On price, review sentiment, ads 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

Both are free to download. Smaart RTA sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. F6 Control asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Smaart RTA holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 2.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Smaart RTA has 508 ratings behind it against 47, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 35% of F6 Control's written reviews are positive against 41% of Smaart RTA's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

F6 Control ships an update every 5 months, Smaart RTA every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on November 3, 2026 and November 8, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
F6 Control versus Smaart RTA: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterF6 ControlSmaart RTA
PriceFreeFree
Rating2.4 (47 ratings)4.8 (508 ratings) — better
Positive reviews35.3% of reviews40.6% of reviews — better
Number of ratings47508 — better
Update frequencyEvery 5 monthsEvery 2 months — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS9.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size35 MB11 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperZOOM CORPORATIONRational Acoustics LLC

Customer experience

F6 Control

All ratings47 ratings
Positive34.0%
Neutral4.3%
Negative61.7%
Written reviews51 reviews
Positive35.3%
Neutral9.8%
Negative54.9%

Smaart RTA

All ratings429 ratings
Positive95.3%
Neutral1.4%
Negative3.3%
Written reviews32 reviews
Positive40.6%
Neutral15.6%
Negative43.8%

User reviews

F6 Control

From 47 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Easier F6 operation
  • 👍 Great for field work
  • 👍 Useful accessory for control
  • 👍 Fantastic mixer screen
  • 👍 Solid and reliable connection

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Connection issues
  • 🐛 App not updated
  • 🐛 Blank Bluetooth screen
  • 🐛 Frozen app
  • 🐛 Useless adapter

Smaart RTA

From 508 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Nice interface
  • 👍 Very useful tool
  • 👍 Works great
  • 👍 Super helpful
  • 👍 She’s a beaut

Room to improve

  • 💰 Forced subscription model
  • 💰 No free/limited option
  • 💰 Subscription only
  • 💰 Greedy developer
  • 💰 Expensive subscription

Bugs and requests

F6 Control

Reported bugs

17 issues
  • BLUETOOTH DEVICESウィンドウが繰り返し表示される
  • F6には接続出来るが以降の操作が出来ない
  • App freezes on blank screen
  • App continues looking for Bluetooth device
  • White screen appears when entering password
Show 12 more
  • Bluetooth window pops up showing device then closes and reappears empty
  • On playback, keeps muting some channels
  • Doesn't work at all on iPhone iOS 14
  • App just sits on the Bluetooth screen
  • App shows device then vanishes
  • App brings you back to Bluetooth screen, no password entry
  • App allows connection but won't let enter password
  • Just sits on the Bluetooth connect screen
  • Recorder shows connection but app does not work
  • Cannot format card while Bluetooth is enabled
  • App doesn't work with latest iOS versions
  • App doesn't inspire confidence

Requested features

18 requests
  • Add lock for controls
  • Add folder creation support
  • Add ability to monitor audio from app
  • Add false take button
  • Ability to tap on name to change it
Show 13 more
  • Ability to change output and time code settings
  • History of scenes, takes and notes
  • Finder functions when not connected
  • Add a folder on card
  • Run a report on a folder
  • Add track names from metadata to track naming
  • Allow for both Bluetooth timecode and app connection
  • Receive timecode data through Bluetooth
  • Implement scene increment, false take, increment/decrement take number shortcuts
  • Place REC button on mixer screen
  • File management capabilities (create/name folders)
  • Save quick access profiles/configurations
  • Send audio signal to listen through app

Smaart RTA

Reported bugs

10 issues
  • 🐛 External mic didn't work
  • 🐛 App crashes with external audio interfaces
  • 🐛 Settings not saved
  • 🐛 External mic calibration disappears
  • 🐛 Pause function not working
Show 5 more
  • 🐛 App slow to start on certain iOS versions
  • 🐛 No sound or measurement with Rode Videomic Me-L
  • 🐛 Scroll and pinch zoom too sensitive
  • 🐛 Cannot adjust Leq time to less than 1 minute
  • 🐛 Can't figure out how to pause or reset Leq buffer

Requested features

8 requests
  • 💡 Ability to watch ads instead of subscription
  • 💡 Manual, time-limited trial period
  • 💡 Easier calibration for external microphones
  • 💡 Ability to monitor real-time data from a connected computer
  • 💡 Remote access ability to pull real-time data from a computer
Show 3 more
  • 💡 Add ability to change Spectro to side scroll in landscape
  • 💡 Perpetual license option
  • 💡 More user-friendly trial experience

In-app purchases

None

F6 Control

No in-app purchases

6 purchases

Smaart RTA

Subscriptions4
  • Smaart RTA - Monthly7 Days trial$1.991 Month
  • Smaart RTA Pro - Monthly7 Days trial$4.991 Month
  • Smaart RTA - Annual7 Days trial$19.991 Year
Show 1 more
  • Smaart RTA Pro - Annual7 Days trial$49.991 Year
One-time2
  • Smaart RTA - Lifetime$59.99
  • Smaart RTA Pro - Lifetime$149.99

Questions

Is F6 Control free?
F6 Control is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Smaart RTA free?
Smaart RTA is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, F6 Control or Smaart RTA?
Smaart RTA is rated higher. F6 Control averages 2.4 out of 5 from 47 ratings, while Smaart RTA averages 4.8 from 508 ratings.
Do F6 Control or Smaart RTA have ads?
Neither F6 Control nor Smaart RTA shows ads.
Which is updated more often, F6 Control or Smaart RTA?
F6 Control ships an update every 5 months, and Smaart RTA every 2 months. Most recently, F6 Control was updated on November 3, 2026 and Smaart RTA on November 8, 2026.

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