PaSSBot vs JAX CHROMATIC
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
PaSSBot
This app is a stochastic filter bank audio processor for iPad, offering advanced sound manipulation with various filter types and powerful stochastic generators. It allows for precise control over filter parameters and harmonic distribution, ideal for creating complex audio textures.
- Stochastic filter bank audio processor
- Multiple filter types (Biquad, Ladder, SEM, Resonators)
- Up to 64 filters in stereo
- Powerful stochastic generators
- Individual filter parameter control
- Harmonic distribution options
- Precision DSP rendering (<1ms control rate)
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PaSSBot is a unique stochastic filter bank audio processor. The desktop VST/AU version of PaSSbot has already arrived in February 2020 and this iOS version is equivalent to the latest version 2.1. PaSSBot filter types are Biquad, StateVariableFilter, Ladder, SEM and Resonators. With behaviors of bandpass, Lo + Hipass, Notch and up to 64 of them in true stereo ! The user can set values of center frequency, gain and resonance of the each filter, which will be then eloborated with powerful stochastic generators ( 4 independent GENs for each filter ) with continuous or discrete probabilistic distributions but also with standard waveforms. One can set each filter parameters individually, but also distribute them in harmonic order, again the harmonic spread ratio can be set by the user or even can be modulated by a GEN. Precision DSP rendering, less than 1milisec. control rate precision. The filters can run continuously or be triggered manually. In that case, each filter will be applied an independent AR envelope with configurable random duration. Important notes : - A recent iPAD model is being recommended and also setting the host buffer size to 128 or higher greatly helps to the CPU needs which also heavily depends on the number of parallel filters being used. - The resonators can be sensitive to input signal level. - The PaSSBot manual can be found at this link. https://www.sonic-lab.com/PaSSBot_files/PassBot_manual.pdf sonicLAB PaSSBot youtube playlist : https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLP0cOkraQHDYUoMG6BETTN1eGm-Kq5z0T
JAX CHROMATIC
This advanced audio processor splits sound into 32 frequency bands for real-time spectral dynamics modification. It enhances sound perception, removes muddiness, and offers a user-friendly interface for creative mixing and mastering.
- 32-band spectral processing
- Real-time compander per band
- Analog filter models
- Latency-free operation
- Mastering and mixing tool
- User-friendly interface
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This is an AudioUnit. AudioUnits (AUv3) require a supporting host application to perform. The main app distributes the embedded unit and allows for testing with random sound samples. The complete manual can be found at: https://midi.digitster.com/CHROMATIC/JAX%20CHROMATIC%20Compander.pdf There is also an introductory video available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TlEGn_npt4A The JAX Chromatic Compander is an advanced real-time spectral dynamics processor, which splits the audio stream internally into 32 separate, stereophonic, chromatically tuned frequency bands. The parallel bandpass filter bank consists of fast response analog fiter models, producing natural fading sound with no latency. Chromatic means, that each bandpass is adjusted to cover 4 halftones in a musical scale (analog a classic 3rd octave). In difference to a 'Bark' filter, the chromatic bandpass filters are mapped consequently to the musical scale thru the entire frequency range. A bi-directional stereophonic dynamics processor, based on the compander (a combination of an expander and a compressor), is attached to each of the 32 frequency bands and will perform spectral dynamics modification in time with specified attack and release values. The JAX Chromatic Compander can be seen as a unique spectral enhancer, that is able to drastically improve the perception and presence of sound, especially removing all mud. It is mainly recommended to be used as a mastering processor, psycho acoustic loudnes maximizer and creative mixing tool for any kind of wideband audio signals (i.e. complete mixes and all sonically rich audio materials). We use vector processing CPU registers on all supported platforms for keeping the performance as good as possible. There are in sum 64 filters, 64 companders and 64 input- and output mixers performing in parallel thousands of instructions for each single audio sample of the continuous input stream. Usage, on the other side is extremely simple. All parameters are adjusted with ease by just moving fingers over the touchsreen. There is one macro knob for adjusting the compression/expansion amount. We spared out all complicated editing with numerical input and such, making JAX Chromatic Compander a joy to use. Our latest builds are truly 'universal', meaning, the AudioUnit is available on: - MacOS (Catalyst Intel) - MacOS (Silicon M1/M2/M3...) - iOS (iPhone) - iPadOS (iPads) Please note, that the MacOS Catalyst versions may be distributed or sold separately, because the AppStore does not allow to bundle none-silicon apps for the Mac with the iOS apps. Our builds come with latest technology support for all Apple devices. We therefore always develop with currently actual frameworks and compilers.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: JAX CHROMATIC at $12.99 against PaSSBot's $34.99. JAX CHROMATIC also leads on device support (4 vs 1). PaSSBot's advantage is update cadence (every 4 months vs every 14 months) and iOS requirement (11.0 vs 14.0). On rating, review sentiment, ratings volume 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
PaSSBot costs $34.99 and JAX CHROMATIC $12.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for PaSSBot against 4.9 for JAX CHROMATIC. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 8 and 7 respectively. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 100% and 100% positive.
PaSSBot ships an update every 4 months, JAX CHROMATIC every 14 months. The most recent releases landed on June 30, 2026 and September 22, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | PaSSBot | JAX CHROMATIC |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $34.99 | $12.99 — better |
| Rating | 5.0 (8 ratings) — better | 4.9 (7 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 8 — better | 7 |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months — better | Every 14 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Devices | iPad | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — better |
| Requires iOS | 11.0 — better | 14.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 11 MB | 23 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | SonicPlanet Audio Video Teknolojileri Anonim Sti. | Jens Guell |
Customer experience
PaSSBot
JAX CHROMATIC
In-app purchases
PaSSBot
No in-app purchases
JAX CHROMATIC
No in-app purchases





