Comparison

Pentaholic Synth vs Tuning Note

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

Head to head
About

Pentaholic Synth

This app digitally recreates a classic polyphonic synthesizer, offering authentic sound design and songwriting inspiration. It features a 300-note sequencer, multiple oscillators per voice, and performance controls like a joystick and expression pedal inputs.

Highlights
  • Authentic 5-voice polyphony
  • 3 oscillators per voice with 8 waveforms
  • Component-level circuit modeling
  • Dual ADSR envelopes
  • 300-note polyphonic sequencer
  • Joystick and expression pedal support
Features
Read full description

Pentaholic is the first digital recreation of the Gleeman Pentaphonic. It's audio signal path is traced at the component level and built specifically for Apple Silicon devices utilizing native Metal 3D graphics featuring classic and clear UI. In 1982, the Gleeman Pentaphonic was released as a "sketchpad synth" with a 300-note polyphonic sequencer boasting 5 voices, 3 digitally controlled oscillators per voice, and 8 waveforms per oscillator, all from an 8-bit microprocessor. After DAC, a trio of CEM chips per voice passes the audio: a 3310 envelope generator, 3320 configured as a 24dB low-pass resonant filter, and a 3360 as dual voltage-controlled amplifiers. Each subsequent stage of audio is summed out to a LM348 op amp, stacking saturation through to output. Add performance controls like expression pedal inputs and a joystick for modulation and pitch bend for a performance powerhouse synth. Pentaholic brings the circuit to life in the digital realm for the first time ever on any platform. The concept of a sketchpad synth was the main inspiration for this - getting back to the fundamentals of songwriting and sound design. Pentaholic is meant to inspire ideas faster and prevent Producer Paralysis induced by too many options on the piano roll. Record your idea to the sequencer and play over it - the keyboard takes precedence over the sequencer notes so you can nail down your melody or adjust your groove with the rate and delay of the sequencer. • Authentic 5-Voice Polyphony: True chorusing detune of OSC 2/3 relative to OSC 1's pitch (not BBD!) - oldest note first voice stealing. • 3 Oscillators Per Voice: 8 waveforms CMP 1 CMP 2 3% PULSE 12% Pulse SQR SAW TRI SIN per OSC and a HIGH or LOW octave mode. • One octave of chromatic pitch: transposing progressions or leads just like you put a capo on a guitar. • Component-Level Modeling: The soul of the synth - a 24dB resonant low-pass filter - self-oscillation, and nonlinear harmonic drive of the legendary CEM 3320 filter chip for a distinct bite with each subsequent gain stage pushing into saturation through a LM348 op amp. • Dual ADSR Envelopes: Precise, vintage-snappy envelope generators for exacting control over amplifier and filter contours. Subtle noise and quick snap attacks from resistor-capacitor networks the envelopes pass through. • The Polyphonic Sketchpad Sequencer: A massive 300-note sequencer honoring the original hardware workflow. Recording polyphonic chords in real time and yielding to performance on the keyboard in playback. • Joystick and expression pedal hookups: +/- 5 step pitch bend, modulation of depth of the LFO destination and cutoff expression all from the joystick even more control with expression pedals. Pentaholic honors the original but Gotham Paradise recognizes the value and convenience of advances for performance available from soft-synths, MIDI 2.0 and Bluetooth. • *MIDI Polyphonic Expression - *MIDI Learn - *6 Octave Pitch Change - *Master Volume - *Re-assignable joystick 0 to 5 steps - *Sync'd parameters for glide, sequencer rate/delay, LFO rate - *Game controller performance using scales to the directional pad and ABXY buttons, stick click sequencer recording and playback - Bluetooth MIDI controller Connectivity *Pentaholic is fully functional from download but the following features are accessible with in-app purchase *Sequencer Volume *Keyboard Volume *Master Volume *6 Octave Pitch *Unison *Sync'd Parameters *Recall or Automation of parameters when hosted in a DAW such as Logic for iPad or Garageband *User Preset Saving *MIDI Learn/MIDI CC Parameter Assignment *M.P.E. *Sequencer records and plays back but resets when stopped *MIDI export of recorded Sequences *Game Controller Performance Mode *Reassignable Joystick Pitch bend Keeping Pentaholic's core functionality free for young and new producers who can't afford the full version is important to Gotham Paradise, purchasing the full featured synth helps pay it forward.

About

Tuning Note

This app provides a sustained reference tone for a wide range of chromatic pitches, ideal for tuning string instruments by ear. Easily navigate between notes and adjust the reference frequency for precise tuning.

Highlights
  • Sustained reference tones
  • Chromatic pitch selection
  • Real-time tone updates
  • Configurable A4 frequency
  • Navigation by half steps or intervals
  • Light, dark, and system modes
Features
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Tuning Note plays a sustained reference tone for any chromatic pitch from G3 to A5—the full range of the violin, with headroom above and below. Select a pitch, tap Play, and tune by ear. The tone updates in real time as you navigate, so you can move between notes without stopping and restarting. Features: • Swipe, tap, or use navigation arrows to move between pitches • Configurable A4 reference frequency (415, 440, 442, 444 Hz, or custom) • Tap navigation by half steps or a fixed interval—default is a fifth • Light, dark, and system appearance modes

Screenshots

Pentaholic Synth3 screens
Tuning Note4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Tuning Note at 5.0 against Pentaholic Synth's 3.8. Tuning Note also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 1). Pentaholic Synth's advantage is ratings volume (6 vs 1) and iOS requirement (16.0 vs 26.2). On price, update cadence, ads and monetization model 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. Pentaholic Synth sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Tuning Note asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Tuning Note holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Pentaholic Synth has 6 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Pentaholic Synth ships an update every 6 days, Tuning Note every 8 days. The most recent releases landed on October 8, 2026 and October 2, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Pentaholic Synth versus Tuning Note: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPentaholic SynthTuning Note
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.8 (6 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews57.1% of reviews—
Number of ratings6 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 6 days — betterEvery 8 days
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPad — betteriPhone
Requires iOS16.0 — better26.2
Further details — not scored
Size21 MB1 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAndrew StricklandNATHANIEL GRANITTO SMITH

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Pentaholic Synth

One-time1
  • Full Features$28.00
None

Tuning Note

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Pentaholic Synth free?
Pentaholic Synth is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Tuning Note free?
Tuning Note is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Pentaholic Synth or Tuning Note?
Tuning Note is rated higher. Pentaholic Synth averages 3.8 out of 5 from 6 ratings, while Tuning Note averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do Pentaholic Synth or Tuning Note have ads?
Neither Pentaholic Synth nor Tuning Note shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Pentaholic Synth or Tuning Note?
Pentaholic Synth ships an update every 6 days, and Tuning Note every 8 days. Most recently, Pentaholic Synth was updated on October 8, 2026 and Tuning Note on October 2, 2026.

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