Comparison

PatchMemo GX vs Tone Trace

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

Head to head
About

PatchMemo GX

Features
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Which patch was that again? What's this one even for? — Every multi-effects user knows the struggle. PatchMemo GX puts an end to "patch confusion." PatchMemo GX is a companion app for recording and managing your BOSS GX-1 patch settings. The official app shows you a list of patch names, but names alone aren't enough to remember what's what. Record your effect chains, gear setups, notes, and tags — and instantly find "that sound you made that time." ◆ Patch Management Supports all user patches from U01 to U99. Record settings for every effect block: PREAMP/CAB, OD/DS, FX1–3, DELAY, REVERB, and more. ASSIGN matrix notes included. Tags and search help you find any patch in seconds. ◆ Setlists Log the order of patches used for each gig or practice session. Look back anytime to see "what did I use at that show?" ◆ Library A unique feature that lets you save your favorite amp + cabinet combinations as Rigs. You can also record guitar, pickup, and output routing combinations. Load them as templates into patches to speed up your workflow. ◆ Anytime, Anywhere No Bluetooth or cable connection needed. View and edit your patch info on your phone — at the studio, at home, or on the go. ◆ More ・5 languages (日本語・English・Deutsch・한국어・Português) ・Dark mode UI ・Fully offline (no cloud required) ・All data stored on your device Privacy Policy: https://dev.nishimoto-learning.jp/apps/patchmemogx/privacy Terms of Use: https://dev.nishimoto-learning.jp/apps/patchmemogx/terms This app is not affiliated with or endorsed by Roland Corporation. BOSS and GX-1 are trademarks or registered trademarks of Roland Corporation.

About

Tone Trace

This app helps guitarists and bassists optimize their pedalboard signal flow. It audits pedal order, buffer placement, and more, providing a real-time chain score and a troubleshoot wizard to fix issues like hum and tone suck. It's designed for musicians with multiple pedals who want their rig to sound its best.

Highlights
  • Drag-and-drop pedal chain builder
  • Real-time signal flow scoring
  • Symptom-driven troubleshoot wizard
  • Signal map for documentation
  • FX loop routing awareness
  • Clone artist rigs
  • Set list creation and sharing
Features
Read full description

Tone Trace is the rig analyzer for guitarists and bassists who want their pedalboard to sound right — not just look right. Drag pedals onto a chain canvas, and Tone Trace audits your signal flow as you build. The chain score grades pedal order, buffer placement, FX-loop routing, and gain staging in real time. When something is off, the troubleshoot wizard walks you through the actual fix — tone suck, hum, high-pitched whine, impedance mismatch — by symptom, not by guesswork. Built for the gear-forward player who already owns three or more pedals and is tired of static pedalboard layouts that don't tell you whether the rig actually works. KEY FEATURES • Chain Builder — drag-place pedals on a grid canvas; signal lines auto-route between cells. • Chain Score — quantitative grade of your rig's signal flow with sub-score bars for order, FX loop, gain staging, and impedance. • Troubleshoot Wizard — symptom-driven diagnostic cards walk you from "my rig sounds bad" to a specific fix. • Signal Map — annotated read-only flow diagram for documentation, screen-share, or repatch reference. • FX Loop Aware — the chain layout knows which side of the amp's effects loop each pedal belongs on. • Artist Rigs — clone curated rigs from the artist library, then tune to your gear. • Walkthroughs + Lessons — guided onboarding and concept lessons (gain staging, true bypass vs buffered, 4-cable method) without leaving the app. • Set Lists — build a set list with rigs attached, print or share the call sheet. • Share + Export — export a rig diagram or set list as a PDF/PNG; share via the system share sheet. WHO IT'S FOR Guitarists and bassists with three or more stompbox pedals — bedroom, gigging, and worship-team players. Especially useful for Line 6 Helix / HX Stomp users wrangling 4-cable method routing, and stereo-pedalboard builders chasing tone-suck culprits. WHAT IT'S NOT Tone Trace is not an amp or FX simulator. It does not generate audio. It is a rig planner, auditor, and diagnostic tool — the layer above the simulator and below the soldering iron. Drag a pedal in. Watch the chain score react. Fix what the score flags. Save the rig. TERMS AND PRIVACY Tone Trace Pro is a one-time purchase — there is no subscription and nothing auto-renews. Payment is charged to your Apple ID at purchase confirmation. You can restore your purchase anytime from the app's paywall. Privacy policy: https://www.remnantworkshop.com/privacy.html

Screenshots

PatchMemo GX4 screens
Tone Trace4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Tone Trace at fortnightly against PatchMemo GX's every 4 months. On price, ads, in-app purchases 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. PatchMemo GX sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $2.49 per month and Tone Trace sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

PatchMemo GX ships an update every 4 months, Tone Trace fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on September 13, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
PatchMemo GX versus Tone Trace: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPatchMemo GXTone Trace
PriceFreeFree
Rating—5.0 (2 ratings) — better
Positive reviews—100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings—2 — better
Update frequencyEvery 4 monthsFortnightly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
Monetization—Freemium
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.1 — better16.4
Further details — not scored
Size37 MB72 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperTakashi NishimotoRemnant Workshop, Inc.

In-app purchases

2 purchases

PatchMemo GX

Subscriptions1
  • Pro (Monthly)$2.491 Month
One-time1
  • Pro (Lifetime)$22.99
3 purchases

Tone Trace

Subscriptions2
  • ToneTrace PRO Monthly$4.991 Month
  • ToneTrace PRO Yearly1 Year trial$49.991 Year
One-time1
  • Unlock PRO forever$0.99

Questions

Is PatchMemo GX free?
PatchMemo GX is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Tone Trace free?
Tone Trace is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do PatchMemo GX or Tone Trace have ads?
Neither PatchMemo GX nor Tone Trace shows ads.
Which is updated more often, PatchMemo GX or Tone Trace?
PatchMemo GX ships an update every 4 months, and Tone Trace fortnightly. Most recently, PatchMemo GX was updated on September 13, 2026 and Tone Trace on September 24, 2026.

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