Comparison

OmniRTA vs Patch & I/O

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

Head to head
About

OmniRTA

Features
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OmniRTA is an advanced real-time acoustic analyzer engineered for audio professionals, sound design students, musicians, and acousticians. Combining high-performance DSP with a clear, pedagogical interface, OmniRTA bridges the gap between signal theory and practical sound analysis. A Unique Educational & Comparative Platform: Unlike traditional RTAs limited to a single processing method, OmniRTA integrates multiple frequency analysis engines, allowing you to compare signal behaviors side by side and understand how different algorithms handle transient vs. steady-state audio: Standard Direct FFT: High-speed frequency decomposition optimized for real-time responsiveness, wideband signals, and general monitoring. Constant-Q / Fractional Octave Filterbank: Acoustically relevant octave and fractional-octave banding (1/1, 1/3, 1/6, 1/12, 1/24 octave) that matches human auditory perception across the audible spectrum. Proprietary Low-Frequency Transient Engine (Exclusive): Traditional FFT algorithms suffer from a strict time-frequency uncertainty trade-off, either sacrificing time accuracy or frequency resolution in the low end. OmniRTA introduces an innovative analysis engine specifically designed for low-frequency transient and percussive content. Accurately track fast double-kick drums, heavy techno sub-bass patterns, and low-end impact dynamics with surgical frequency definition and zero temporal smearing. Key Features: • Real-time multi-algorithm spectrum visualization. • Standard acoustic weightings: A, C, and Z (Flat). • Response ballistics: Fast, Slow, Peak Hold, and Infinite Peak. • Native high-performance DSP core written in Rust for minimal latency and optimal battery efficiency. • Seamless cross-platform experience across iOS, iPadOS, and macOS. Free vs Pro Version: OmniRTA offers essential spectrum analysis features for everyday work and learning. Upgrade to OmniRTA Pro via a one-time in-app purchase to unlock advanced fractional octave bands, deep algorithm customization, and extended logging tools.

About

Patch & I/O

Features
Read full description

Input list, patchbay and stage plot in one app. Type the sheet and the signal flow diagram draws itself, and the app tells you when a mic that needs phantom is sitting on an input that cannot supply it. One show is one project. Fill in the channel sheet, lay out the patchbay, draw the stage plot, and print the paper you hand the crew — all in one app. ā–  I/O LIST CH Ā· SOURCE Ā· PICK UP Ā· STAND Ā· REMARKS, the way the sheet looks on site. Live and recording need different columns, so they are separate kinds — recording shows PREAMP, INSERT and DAW TRACK as well. Mics and stands are counted by model into their own list. No counting when you pull gear from the store room. ā–  WHAT IT CATCHES - A source that needs 48V phantom on an input that cannot supply it - Phantom reaching a ribbon mic or other gear it can damage - A speaker-level output going into a line input - The same channel number used on two rows - Connector families that do not mate, so an adapter is needed ā–  SIGNAL FLOW The sources and mics you typed become the diagram. Identical models are merged and counted (x4), and tapping one channel follows just that path. Chains that do not fit a channel sheet — outputs and monitors, clock, power — are drawn by hand. Drag block to block to connect them, or draw the line with Apple Pencil. ā–  PATCHBAY 24, 48 or 96 columns. Draw a segment and the jacks in that range get names and numbers; normalling is set per segment too — full normal, half normal, thru. Label strips print at actual size. That is the paper you cut and slide into the bay window. Jack pitch differs by model, so you measure and enter it, and the sheet carries a ruler mark to prove your printer did not scale the page. If it is not 100 mm, print again. Note: the default pitch (9.5 mm for a 48-point 1U bantam bay) is a reference value. Measure your own bay before printing. ā–  STAGE PLOT Place, rotate and resize drums, amps, wedges and stands. Put things on risers, and attach channel numbers from the I/O list to any symbol. Draw the venue's standard layout once, then copy it for each show. You can mark it up with Apple Pencil (view-only on Mac). ā–  ON PAPER I/O list, patchbay sheet, label strip, signal flow, stage plot — all export as PDF. Long channel counts split across pages, and when the inputs overflow they flow into two columns so you use less paper. ā–  LEARN (ALL FREE) Photographs and pin tables for nine connectors: XLR, TRS, TS, bantam, RCA, Speakon and DB25. Cable wiring diagrams, and a practice mode where you connect the pins at each end yourself. The things that catch people out on site are written down — such as how to handle pin 3 (cold) in an insert Y-cable. ā–  WHAT THE FREE VERSION DOES - Build and view every screen. No limit on channel count - Two each of: live projects, recording projects, patchbays, diagrams, stage plots - PDF export works (with a watermark) - All of Learn - iCloud sync is free too. Change devices and everything is still there The lifetime unlock removes the document limits and the watermark, and adds CSV import/export and actual-size label strip printing. It is not a subscription. Buy once, and it opens on your iPhone, iPad and Mac under the same Apple Account. ā–  FROM THE MAKER Built to use on the job. If something is missing or wrong, tell me.

Screenshots

OmniRTA4 screens
Patch & I/O4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is iOS requirement: OmniRTA at 15.6 against Patch & I/O's 18.0. On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price Ā· Rating Ā· Positive reviews Ā· Number of ratings Ā· Update frequency Ā· Ads Ā· In-app purchases Ā· Monetization Ā· Best chart rank Ā· Devices Ā· Requires iOS

CostPrice Ā· In-app purchases Ā· Ads Ā· Monetization

Both are free to download. OmniRTA sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Patch & I/O sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Scorecard1 real difference Ā· 5 level
OmniRTA versus Patch & I/O: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterOmniRTAPatch & I/O
PriceFreeFree
Update frequency—Weekly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — betteriPhone, iPad, Mac
Requires iOS15.6 — better18.0
Further details — not scored
Size5 MB6 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperOlivier ADAMHYO SEOP LEE

In-app purchases

1 purchases

OmniRTA

One-time1
  • OmniRTA Pro Unlock$14.99
1 purchases

Patch & I/O

One-time1
  • Lifetime Unlock$11.99

Questions

Is OmniRTA free?
OmniRTA is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Patch & I/O free?
Patch & I/O is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do OmniRTA or Patch & I/O have ads?
Neither OmniRTA nor Patch & I/O shows ads.

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