Comparison

Pentaholic Synth vs TinyTone

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

TinyTone

Create professional synth patches for music production and live performance. Design sounds in real-time with a powerful synthesizer engine, dual oscillators, and extensive modulation options. Export and import patches, and use it as an AUv3 plugin in DAWs.

Highlights
  • Powerful synthesizer engine
  • Dual oscillators with FM synthesis
  • Real-time audition with touch pads
  • External MIDI keyboard support
  • Unlimited user patch storage
  • AUv3 Audio Unit support
  • JSON export/import for patches
Features
Read full description

TinyTone is a full-featured synthesizer sound source for iPhone sound design, stage performance, and recording. Using the on-screen controllers and a MIDI keyboard, you can design and monitor professional synth patches in real time. In addition to standalone app use, ToneEditor can also be loaded as an AUv3 Audio Unit into DAWs such as GarageBand and used as a sound source. It also works as a sound editor for its sister app, TinyTone, allowing you to reproduce consistent sounds with the same sound engine. <Features> ・Powerful Synthesizer Engine Equipped with dual oscillators, envelopes, filters, modulation, delay, limiter, and more. Enables complex sound design. Dual Oscillators with FM Synthesis, switch between Mix and Chain modes for rich tonal possibilities. ・Real-Time Audition Play single notes, chords, and transposition using touch pads. Hear sound changes instantly as you adjust sliders. External input via MIDI keyboard is also supported. ・Preset Management Unlimited user patch storage. ・JSON Export / Import Export patches as JSON. Share via Files app or clipboard. ・AUv3 Support Can be embedded as an AU instrument in DAWs like GarageBand. Reproduces consistent sounds with the same synthesis engine. <How to Use> 【Standalone】 1. Select a preset or start creating from a new patch. 2. Play sounds using the test pad at the bottom of the screen; adjust parameters with sliders to confirm real-time sound changes. 3. Save your created patch to a user slot. 【Using with DAWs (GarageBand, etc.)】 1. Add TinyTone (AU) to a track. 2. Select a factory preset or saved patch from the AU preset selection screen. 3. Play the DAW keyboard to output sound. <Important> ・When using simultaneously with camera or audio apps, noise may occur depending on your environment. Please be careful with output volume. ・Listening to loud audio for extended periods can affect your hearing. When using headphones or speakers, always check your surroundings and volume level. ・Some DAWs (e.g. Ableton Live 11) may not detect iOS-app AUv3 plug-ins. Logic Pro, MainStage, and GarageBand are recommended. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://flicker-jp.com/privacy

Screenshots

Pentaholic Synth3 screens
TinyTone3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: TinyTone at 5.0 against Pentaholic Synth's 3.8. TinyTone also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 1). Pentaholic Synth's advantage is ratings volume (6 vs 1). 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. TinyTone asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

TinyTone 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, TinyTone weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 8, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Pentaholic Synth versus TinyTone: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPentaholic SynthTinyTone
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.8 (6 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews57.1% of reviews—
Number of ratings6 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 6 days — betterWeekly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPad — betteriPhone
Requires iOS16.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size21 MB4 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAndrew StricklandKEISUKE TONE

Customer experience

Pentaholic Synth

All ratings6 ratings
Positive66.7%
Neutral16.7%
Negative16.7%
Written reviews7 reviews
Positive57.1%
Neutral14.3%
Negative28.6%

TinyTone

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Pentaholic Synth

One-time1
  • Full Features$28.00
None

TinyTone

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Pentaholic Synth free?
Pentaholic Synth is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is TinyTone free?
TinyTone is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Pentaholic Synth or TinyTone?
TinyTone is rated higher. Pentaholic Synth averages 3.8 out of 5 from 6 ratings, while TinyTone averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do Pentaholic Synth or TinyTone have ads?
Neither Pentaholic Synth nor TinyTone shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Pentaholic Synth or TinyTone?
Pentaholic Synth ships an update every 6 days, and TinyTone weekly. Most recently, Pentaholic Synth was updated on October 8, 2026 and TinyTone on September 24, 2026.

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