SetClass vs PLICATA
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
SetClass
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Explore the building blocks of modern harmony. This app lets you see, hear and manipulate pitch class sets, the foundation of post-tonal and atonal music theory. EXPLORE • Tap notes on the pitch wheel to build any chord or scale. • See the Forte number, prime form, normal form and interval vector. • Check transpositional and inversional symmetry. • Open the K/Kh complex of any set to see which set classes include it or its complement. FIND • Tap notes on a keyboard, or type a Forte number (3-11, 6-Z44) or pitch-class numbers (0 4 7). • Browse all 224 Forte set classes, with Z-relations, filtered by size. TRANSFORM • Transpose, invert and multiply (M5, M7) any set. • Morph smoothly from one set to another. CREATE • Generate sets by cardinality, symmetry and density. • Arrange sets into rhythmic sequences using P, T, I, R and RI operations, with every inversion level. • Build a serial matrix from rows of 2 to 12 notes. • See each set as geometry in tonal space, with symmetry axes. • Export to MIDI and MusicXML. LEARN • A built-in theory guide. • Analysis examples from Debussy, Schoenberg, Stravinsky, Berg, Messiaen and more, with links to scores. Built for students, composers and theorists, from first-time learners to advanced analysis.
PLICATA
This is a compact monophonic synthesizer for hands-on sound design and performance. It features a morphing oscillator, wavefolding, a resonant filter, and a flexible VCA contour, with an independent SUB oscillator for added depth. A 28-socket patch system allows for extensive audio, CV, and event routing.
- Morphing oscillator with wavefolding
- Independent SUB oscillator
- 28-socket patch system
- Microtonal XY keyboard
- 32-step arpeggiator
- Performance macros
- AUv3 support
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PLICATA is a compact patchable monophonic instrument for hands-on sound design and performance. A morphing oscillator feeds wavefolding, a resonant filter and flexible VCA contour, while an independent SUB oscillator adds octave, interval and eight waveform modes. PATCH IT The 28-socket patch system opens audio, CV and event routing. Modulate FOLD without replacing the oscillator path, reset the LFO externally, replace the internal SUB source, control SUB level by CV, distribute modulation through MULT, or build feedback and audio-rate networks. Patch cables are recalled with your sounds. MICROTONAL XY PERFORMANCE The 13-key XY keyboard spans C4–C5. Tune every key independently by ±100 cents or start from 12-TET, Just Intonation, Pythagorean and quarter-tone templates. Horizontal movement adds pitch expression up to ±24 semitones; vertical movement can map each key to as many as eight sound parameters or performance macros. PERFORMANCE VIEW + 32-STEP ARPEGGIATOR Tap PERF for an expanded keyboard-focused surface. The arpeggiator follows INTERNAL, HOST or MIDI clock and offers UP, DOWN, UP/DOWN, AS PLAYED, RANDOM, WALK, CONVERGE, DIVERGE and CHORD styles across up to four octaves. Build patterns from 1 to 32 steps with independent pitch, octave, velocity, gate, probability and ratchet lanes. HOLD captures the note pool; FILL creates a momentary variation. Adjust swing, gate, velocity behavior, probability and ratchets live. Rotate patterns, create temporary MUTATE variations, FREEZE the result, and recall seven ARP scenes with optional MIDI keyswitch control. MACROS, MIDI AND SYNC Six bounded performance macros shape tone, motion, fold, envelope, drive and level. IGNITE is editable: choose multiple targets, ranges and response curves, then store the mapping independently from sound presets. The keyboard can output 12-TET MIDI or preserve microtonal tuning through pitch bend with ±1, ±2, ±12 and ±24 semitone ranges. PLICATA also supports MIDI/MPE input, host sync and externally reset or free-running LFO operation. COMPLETE SOUND STATES PLICATA ships with 20 factory sounds and a full user-preset system. User sounds recall synthesis, patch cables and performance configuration together. Search, organize, favorite, duplicate and tag sounds, or use GEN to create a complete new musical state without overwriting your library. STANDALONE + AUv3 Use PLICATA standalone or as an AUv3 instrument inside compatible Apple music hosts. FEATURES • Morphing oscillator, wavefolding and pulse-width shaping • Independent SUB oscillator with interval and eight waveform modes • Resonant filter, ADSR articulation and drive • 28-socket audio, CV and event patch system • 13-key microtonal XY keyboard with independent tuning • Dedicated PERFORMANCE view with expanded keyboard • 32-step arpeggiator with nine styles and three clock modes • Per-step pitch, octave, velocity, gate, probability and ratchet • HOLD, FILL, rotate, MUTATE/FREEZE and seven ARP scenes • Six performance macros plus editable IGNITE • MIDI/MPE input and microtonal MIDI output • Factory and user presets with complete-state recall • Complete-state generation with GEN • Standalone and AUv3 operation Support, bug reports and feature requests: support@alessandroguardascione.com
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is update cadence: PLICATA at every 2 days against SetClass's every 2 months. PLICATA also leads on chart position (#161 vs unranked). SetClass's advantage is price ($4.99 vs $7.99). On ads, in-app purchases, device support and iOS requirement 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
SetClass costs $4.99 and PLICATA $7.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
SetClass ships an update every 2 months, PLICATA every 2 days. Both last shipped on October 13, 2026.
| Parameter | SetClass | PLICATA |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $4.99 — better | $7.99 |
| Rating | — | 3.5 (2 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | — | 50.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | — | 2 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Every 2 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | — | Paid |
| Best chart rank | — | #161 — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | 17.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 88 MB | 71 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Martin Adler | Alessandro Guardascione |
In-app purchases
SetClass
No in-app purchases
PLICATA
No in-app purchases









