Tone Generator Ultra vs PolyQuad
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Tone Generator Ultra
Generate a wide range of audio test tones and frequencies, from sine waves to white noise. Ideal for audio system calibration, speaker testing, and acoustic analysis. Offers advanced features like chromatic pitch detection and sweep utilities.
- Sine, Square & Sawtooth Wave Generation
- Chromatic pitch detection
- White and pink noise generation
- Multi-tone generator
- Logarithmic / linear sweep utility
- Frequency range 20Hz to 22kHz
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Tone Generator Ultra is a simple and easy-to-use test tone and frequency generator. Tones can be set by frequency or musical note. Features: -Sine, Square & Sawtooth Wave Generation -Chromatic pitch detection from external sources -Configurable A4 callibration -White and pink noise -Multi-tone generator -Impulse wave -Supports frequencies from 20Hz to 22kHz -Logarithmic / linear sweep utility with adjustable upper and lower frequencies and delay Tone Generators are very useful for a variety of tasks including: - Balancing your Stereo or Home Cinema System - Testing Speakers - Acoustics testing - White and Pink Noise Generator Can be used inconjunction with PocketRTA Ultra Spectrum Analyzer for the iPhone. Or for fun - Compare your friends hearing, see who is straining to hear the sounds - Annoy your best friend with that pesky sound. - But definately not to be used to annoy your teachers.
PolyQuad
Create complex analog-style synthesizer sounds using four independent voices. Design each voice with its own oscillator, filter, and envelopes, then combine them in various modes for massive layered textures, polyphonic chords, or unique stereo arrangements. Explore a vast library of presets or build your own from scratch.
- Four independent analog-style voices
- Multiple oscillator and filter types per voice
- Dual envelope generators per voice
- Three voice combination modes (UNI, POLY, 2x2)
- Extensive LFO modulation capabilities
- Integrated effects unit (reverb, delay, chorus, phaser, drive)
- 160 factory presets and user preset management
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PolyQuad is one synthesizer built from four complete voices — and the instrument is what they make together. Each of the four channels is a full analog-style voice: its own oscillator, its own resonant filter, its own envelopes, its own amplifier, its own place in the stereo field. Design each channel for a role — a sub, a body, a sparkle, a slow swell — then play them as one. Three voice modes decide how they combine. UNI stacks all four on every note for one massive layered sound. POLY spreads chords across the channels, so every note of a chord lands on its own instrument. 2×2 plays note pairs on matched couples. Add glide, retrigger control and detune spread on top. THE CHANNELS - Four oscillators: triangle, sawtooth, pulse with PWM, sine — per channel, with octave and fine tune - Four resonant filters with envelope amount and FM depth per channel - Two envelopes per channel (filter and amp), each with three time ranges from snappy to minutes-long - Per-channel VCA with velocity amount and curve, level, pan, AUX send, solo and mute - Per-channel oscilloscope displays, and keys that light up with the voice that took them MOTION - Four LFOs with five shapes, routed to pitch, pulse width, filter FM, resonance, amplitude, pan or send - Each channel decides how much modulation to accept — one LFO can wobble one channel and leave another still - One effect unit — reverb, delay, chorus, phaser, drive — fed by per-channel AUX sends with a master return PRESETS - 160 factory presets in eight categories: Pads, Keys, Strings, Bass, Lead, Drone, Texture, Percussion - Every preset uses the four channels as four different instruments — layered stacks, rotating timbres, per-drum kits - Channel presets: capture one channel's design and load it into any channel of any patch - Your presets are plain JSON files in the Files app — back them up, share them, drop new ones in IN THE STUDIO - AUv3 instrument for AUM, Drambo, Logic Pro, GarageBand and other hosts - MIDI 2.0 with 16-bit velocity; MIDI 1.0 hosts are translated automatically - Every knob on the panel is a host parameter — full automation and session recall - Standalone app with keyboard, so it plays on its own too No account, no ads, no tracking, no network. Your sounds stay on your device.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: PolyQuad at 5.0 against Tone Generator Ultra's 3.4. PolyQuad also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 1) and update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 7 months). Tone Generator Ultra's advantage is price ($1.99 vs $6.99) and iOS requirement (7.0 vs 17.0). On ratings volume, 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
Tone Generator Ultra costs $1.99 and PolyQuad $6.99 up front. Tone Generator Ultra sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. PolyQuad asks for nothing beyond the download.
PolyQuad holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.4. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 8 and 3 respectively.
Tone Generator Ultra ships an update every 7 months, PolyQuad every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 20, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Tone Generator Ultra | PolyQuad |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1.99 — better | $6.99 |
| Rating | 3.4 (8 ratings) | 5.0 (3 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 57.5% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 8 — better | 3 |
| Update frequency | Every 7 months | Every 2 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases — better | Paid |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 7.0 — better | 17.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 3 MB | 4 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | 4Pockets.com | LASZLO DOBROVOLSZKI |
Customer experience
Tone Generator Ultra
PolyQuad
In-app purchases
Tone Generator Ultra
- Unlock Tone Generator Ultra$1.99
PolyQuad
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Tone Generator Ultra free?
Is PolyQuad free?
Which has better reviews, Tone Generator Ultra or PolyQuad?
Do Tone Generator Ultra or PolyQuad have ads?
Which is updated more often, Tone Generator Ultra or PolyQuad?
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