Comparison

Patchsynth vs SL Bass

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

Head to head
About

Patchsynth

Features
Read full description

Patchsynth is a Eurorack-style modular synthesizer for iPhone and iPad — and a place to actually learn how modular synthesis works, one patch cable at a time. Instead of a fixed synth engine with knobs, you build your own instrument by dragging cables between modules: oscillators into filters, envelopes into amplifiers, LFOs wobbling anything you point them at. If you've ever wanted to understand what a Eurorack rig actually does, this is the fastest way in. LEARN BY PATCHING, NOT BY READING 28 hands-on Lessons cover every module, from your first oscillator to full generative patches — some just explain, others build a real patch step-by-step in front of you as you tap "Next." No prior synthesis knowledge required. TRAIN YOUR EAR 15 Challenges hide a patch and play it for you — your job is to rebuild it by ear, with hints if you get stuck. A genuinely fun way to internalize how filters, envelopes, and modulation actually sound. 21 REAL MODULES Oscillator · Filter · VCA · ADSR Envelope · LFO · Noise · Delay · Reverb · Mixer · Sequencer · Arpeggiator · Clock · Attenuverter · Quantizer · Slew Limiter · Sample & Hold · Logic · Ring Modulator · Sampler · Keyboard · Output (with a live oscilloscope) Record your own sounds with the Sampler, or use the built-in factory drum kit. Quantize any CV to a musical scale. Chain multiple clocks for polyrhythms. It's a real modular rig, just without the cables costing $30 each. 70+ FACTORY PATCHES From simple bass and pad sounds to sprawling, 20+ module "flagship" patches — browse them, load them, take them apart to see how they're wired, then make them your own. PLAY IT WITH REAL GEAR Full MIDI support over Bluetooth or USB — plug in any MIDI keyboard or controller and play your patch's Keyboard module directly, no setup beyond pairing. BUILT FOR TOUCH, NOT PORTED FROM DESKTOP Every interaction — dragging cables, turning knobs, panning and zooming a big patch — is designed for a phone screen from the ground up. A dedicated Patch Bay view even gives you a spreadsheet-style matrix of every connection when patches get complex. Undo and redo everything. Save as many patches as you like. No ads, no in-app purchases, no internet connection required — just synthesis.

About

SL Bass

Features
Read full description

SL Bass is a bass synth and 808 instrument for iPhone and iPad. Explore 146 factory presets and 102 bundled sample variants, then shape each sound with editable pitch and amplitude envelopes, mono and legato modes, glide, saturation and a playable keyboard. Use SL Bass as a standalone instrument or load it as an AUv3 in a compatible host such as GarageBand, Logic Pro for iPad, AUM or Cubasis. The interface adapts to compact iPhone and iPad windows while preserving direct touch control. Features: - 146 factory presets - 102 sample variants - Editable pitch and amplitude envelopes - Mono, legato and glide controls - Saturation and output control - Standalone app and AUv3 instrument - Local processing with no account or subscription SL Bass is an instrument and responds to MIDI notes. It does not process incoming audio as an effect. Support: support@sfoorlabs.com

Screenshots

Patchsynth4 screens
SL Bass3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Patchsynth at $7.99 against SL Bass's $14.99. SL Bass's advantage is iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.0). On 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

Patchsynth costs $7.99 and SL Bass $14.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Scorecard2 real differences · 4 level
Patchsynth versus SL Bass: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPatchsynthSL Bass
Price$7.99 — better$14.99
Update frequency—Every 6 days
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS17.015.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size2 MB99 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMartin AdlerVIACHESLAV ZHILTSOV

In-app purchases

None

Patchsynth

No in-app purchases

None

SL Bass

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Patchsynth free?
Patchsynth costs $7.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is SL Bass free?
SL Bass costs $14.99, with no in-app purchases.
Do Patchsynth or SL Bass have ads?
Neither Patchsynth nor SL Bass shows ads.

Other comparisons