Comparison

Pentaholic Synth vs SJ

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
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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

SJ

Features
Currently charting
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SJ-SQUARE is a Super Jupiter–inspired analog polyphonic synthesizer for iPhone. A warm brown chassis and amber glow meet a hands-on module layout: oscillators, filter, envelopes, LFO, and effects — built for playing, not menus. FEATURES • Multi-oscillator panel with wave, octave, and level controls • Filter with resonance, envelope intensity, and key tracking • Filter envelope & amp controls for expressive shaping • LFO, OSC 2 detune / live layer, chorus, delay, and reverb • Unison (1–4 voices), tempo / tap, and scale snap • Full on-screen keyboard with octave shift & range minimap • MIDI input support for external controllers • Built-in presets ready to play • Landscape-optimized performance UI Craft rich pads, biting leads, and stacked unison tones. Tweak cutoff and envelopes in real time, then perform with the keyboard or your MIDI gear. From the maker of KG-SQUARE, JP-SQUARE, and DX-SQUARE — hardware-inspired synth apps for musicians who love hands-on sound design.

Screenshots

Pentaholic Synth3 screens
SJ1 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Pentaholic Synth at Free against SJ's $0.49. Pentaholic Synth also leads on update cadence (every 6 days vs fortnightly) and iOS requirement (16.0 vs 26.5). SJ's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and chart position (#192 vs unranked). On 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Pentaholic Synth is free to download; SJ costs $0.49 up front. Pentaholic Synth sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. SJ asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Pentaholic Synth ships an update every 6 days, SJ fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 31, 2026 and October 29, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 6 level
Pentaholic Synth versus SJ: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPentaholic SynthSJ
PriceFree — better$0.49
Rating3.8 (6 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews57.1% of reviews—
Number of ratings6 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 6 days — betterFortnightly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree—
Best chart rank—#192 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS16.0 — better26.5
Further details — not scored
Size21 MB30 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAndrew StricklandKouki Yoshimoto

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Pentaholic Synth

One-time1
  • Full Features$28.00
None

SJ

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Pentaholic Synth free?
Pentaholic Synth is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is SJ free?
SJ costs $0.49, with no in-app purchases.
Do Pentaholic Synth or SJ have ads?
Neither Pentaholic Synth nor SJ shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Pentaholic Synth or SJ?
Pentaholic Synth ships an update every 6 days, and SJ fortnightly. Most recently, Pentaholic Synth was updated on October 31, 2026 and SJ on October 29, 2026.

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