Smaart RTA vs PatchBoy
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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
PatchBoy
This app streamlines live sound setup by allowing users to visually build stage plots, generate input lists, and automate patching. It supports various band setups, console types, and stage box configurations, simplifying sound checks and exports.
- Drag-and-drop stage plot builder
- Automated input list generation
- Stage box and console patching
- Smart microphone and DI library
- Sound check progress tracking
- Exportable PDF and CSV reports
- Wireless and in-ear monitor management
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PatchBoy is the stage plot that builds your input list and your patch as you go. Drag a vocal, an amp, a DI or a drum kit onto the stage and PatchBoy turns it into a numbered channel automatically. Drop a stage box where the rack sits and one tap patches every input to the nearest box, then to your FOH, monitor and broadcast desks. The stage, the list and the patch are the same document seen three ways, so they can never drift apart. BUILD THE STAGE • Drag-and-drop stage plot for iPhone and iPad • Start from a band template: full band, rock, worship, singer-songwriter, DJ, corporate AV • Real stage geography: drums upstage, vocals down front, wedges along the edge facing the band • Drum kit builder: explode a kit into 4-piece, 5-piece or full studio channels, named and mic'd GET THE INPUTS RIGHT • The input list builds and renumbers itself as you place and move sources • Drag to reorder, lock a channel so drums stay 1–8 when you add a vocal • Smart mic and DI library: a condenser auto-arms 48V, a dynamic clears it, ribbons get a phantom warning • Per-channel stand choice and notes • On iPad, see the stage and the input list side by side STAGE BOXES ON THE PLOT • Place SD-Racks, Rios, DL32s, Stage 64s, NSBs and more right where they live on stage • Each box shows inputs used against its real capacity • Auto-patch sends every input to the nearest box with a free input, then numbers desk channels 1:1 • Wedges, IEMs, subs and PA are outputs too, patched to box outputs with their own mix numbers KNOW YOUR CONSOLES • Library of about 110 consoles and 85 stage boxes: DiGiCo Quantum, SD and S-Series, Avid S6L, Yamaha RIVAGE, DM7, CL, QL and TF, Allen & Heath dLive, Avantis and SQ, Midas PRO, HD96 and M32, Behringer WING and X32, SSL Live, Lawo mc², Calrec, Soundcraft Vi and Si, PreSonus StudioLive, Waves LV1, QSC • FOH, monitor and broadcast desks on one show, with the split type (gain share, analog split, separate racks) • Live capacity check against real analog I/O and the desk's processing ceiling, plus a warning when a box and a desk don't share a transport SOUND CHECK • Mons, FOH and Truck each confirm every input independently • A progress bar and per-channel indicators show what's good everywhere and what's still hanging WIRELESS AND IN-EARS • Add IEMs and wireless mics and they collect into clean racks • Track brand, model, band and operating frequency per unit SHARE AND EXPORT • Export a clean multi-page PDF: stage plot, input list, input patch for every desk, output patch, stage boxes and RF sheet • Export CSV, including a channel-name file per desk for your console's naming tool • Hand a whole show to the crew with a short share code • Keep every show you've built and switch between them FREE AND PRO The drag-and-drop stage plot, input list, sound-check mode, RF racks and one saved show are free. PatchBoy Pro ($29.99/year) unlocks the console patch with the full desk and stage box library, auto-patch, output patch, unlimited shows, crew share, and PDF and CSV export. Auto-renewing annual subscription, cancel anytime in Settings. Your shows stay on your device. No accounts, no tracking. eighty32 — field tools for AV, RF & broadcast. ——— Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://patchboy.eighty32.com/privacy PatchBoy Pro is an auto-renewable annual subscription ($29.99/year or local equivalent). Payment is charged to your Apple Account at confirmation and renews automatically unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the current period ends.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Smaart RTA at 4.8 against PatchBoy's 4.0. Smaart RTA also leads on ratings volume (429 vs 2) and iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.0). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases 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 and PatchBoy sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $29.99 per year. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
Smaart RTA holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Smaart RTA has 429 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two.
Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 14, 2026 and September 29, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Smaart RTA | PatchBoy |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.8 (429 ratings) — better | 4.0 (2 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 40.6% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 429 — better | 2 |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Every 2 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Freemium |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 — better | 17.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 11 MB | 1 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Rational Acoustics LLC | Chris DeBrizzio |
Customer experience
Smaart RTA
PatchBoy
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
PatchBoy
- PatchBoy Pro$29.991 Year
Questions
Is Smaart RTA free?
Is PatchBoy free?
Which has better reviews, Smaart RTA or PatchBoy?
Do Smaart RTA or PatchBoy have ads?
Which is updated more often, Smaart RTA or PatchBoy?
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