STAGEPAS Controller vs Smaart RTA
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
STAGEPAS Controller
Remotely control your portable PA system's volume and EQ settings via Bluetooth. Save custom presets for songs or applications to streamline setup and ensure consistent sound. Manage multiple units simultaneously for complex setups.
- Bluetooth remote control
- Volume adjustment
- 1-knob EQ
- 4-band PEQ
- Save custom settings
- Multi-unit control
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STAGEPAS Controller is a dedicated remote control application for the STAGEPAS 1K mkII and STAGEPAS 200 that allows users to adjust volume and 1-knob EQ or 4-band PEQ via Bluetooth during rehearsal or performance. You can also save the adjusted settings for certain songs or applications in order to shorten your setup process in the future and maintain consistency from one performance to the next, and even control the volume of multiple STAGEPAS 1K mkII and STAGEPAS 200 units from within the application.
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.
- 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
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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
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Smaart RTA at 4.8 against STAGEPAS Controller's 2.2. Smaart RTA also leads on review sentiment (41% vs 17%) and ratings volume (429 vs 6). STAGEPAS Controller's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 6). On price, ads and iOS requirement 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. Smaart RTA sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. STAGEPAS Controller asks for nothing beyond the download.
Smaart RTA holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 2.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Smaart RTA has 429 ratings behind it against 6, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 17% of STAGEPAS Controller's written reviews are positive against 41% of Smaart RTA's.
STAGEPAS Controller ships an update every 5 months, Smaart RTA every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 8, 2026 and September 22, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | STAGEPAS Controller | Smaart RTA |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 2.2 (6 ratings) | 4.8 (429 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 16.7% of reviews | 40.6% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 6 | 429 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 5 months | Every 2 months — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free — better | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | 15.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 60 MB | 11 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Yamaha Corporation | Rational Acoustics LLC |
Customer experience
STAGEPAS Controller
Smaart RTA
In-app purchases
STAGEPAS Controller
No in-app purchases
Smaart RTA
- 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
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- Smaart RTA Pro - Annual7 Days trial$49.991 Year
- Smaart RTA - Lifetime$59.99
- Smaart RTA Pro - Lifetime$149.99
Questions
Is STAGEPAS Controller free?
Is Smaart RTA free?
Which has better reviews, STAGEPAS Controller or Smaart RTA?
Do STAGEPAS Controller or Smaart RTA have ads?
Which is updated more often, STAGEPAS Controller or Smaart RTA?
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