Synthecaster vs PitchSetCalc
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Synthecaster
This app offers a unique polyphonic instrument that blends guitar and keyboard elements, allowing for diverse playing styles and sound generation. It features intuitive controls, motion modulation for expressive performance, and a powerful synth engine with extensive customization options.
- Polyphonic synth engine
- String-like key rows
- Motion Modulation for expressiveness
- MIDI controller functionality
- Built-in effects (flanger, chorus, delay)
- Customizable synth presets
- Inter-App Audio and Audiobus support
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Synthecaster fuses elements from guitars and keyboards into a full range polyphonic instrument that is intuitive, accommodates a wide variety of playing styles, and generates an even wider variety of sounds. The instrument allows for technical playing styles such as shredding and complex chord formation and can be used as a MIDI controller. Now with Motion Modulation, Synthecaster is more expressive than ever. - Keys are arranged in string-like rows (tuned in perfect fourths by default) - Sliding across keys in a row results in legato sliding or portamento gliding from note to note - Sliding a key up or down will bend its pitch in the same direction - Several notes can be played on the same row simultaneously - Simultaneously play up to 10 notes on iPad Pro, 7 notes on iPad, or 5 notes on iPhone - The entire keyboard spans over 6 octaves (not including the range added by oscillator tuning) - Tune each row individually - Highlight or show only the notes from any scale How Motion Modulation works: - Any slider-based synth parameter with blue or green text can be tapped to view its motion settings - The parameter can be modulated by the device's roll (tilting vertically clockwise or counterclockwise) or pitch (tilting upward or downward) - The position of the parameter's slider is the base setting for the parameter - Tilting the device modulates the value either from its base setting to its minimum or maximum setting depending on the tilt, the modulation amount, and the modulation direction. Synthecaster's audio is generated by a powerful and highly configurable polyphonic synth engine: - Dual oscillators with individual tuning - Filter with envelope sweeping - Amplifier ADSR envelope - Soft clip, hard clip, bitcrush, and downsampling distortion - LFO assignable to amplitude, filter cutoff, or oscillator tuning - Stereo flanger, chorus, and delay effects - Over 55 preloaded synth presets including 7 motion presets - Create custom presets and share them using AirDrop or Mail - High quality stereo audio output - Inter-App Audio support - Audiobus compatibility with state saving Synthecaster is Core MIDI compatible as a MIDI controller. In Multi Channel mode, MIDI messages are output in OMNI mode, where each MIDI channel represents a synth voice (channels 1-7 on the iPad, 1-5 on the iPhone). To best replicate Synthecaster’s polyphonic expressiveness, try setting a separate instrument voice for each channel. The following MIDI messages are supported: - Note on/off events, by touching and releasing keys - Pitch wheel change, by sliding a key up or down - Polyphonic legato ties by sliding across keys. Compatible with a variety of apps including Animoog and ThumbJam. - Legato pedal on/off for legato ties, by sliding across keys For best results, play through speakers or headphones. Note: Not recommended for iPhone 4 due to performance issues.
PitchSetCalc
This music theory tool aids students and theorists in analyzing music using Set Theory. It calculates normal order, prime form, Forte number, and interval class vectors from user-inputted pitch class sets. The app also offers audio playback of entered sets as scales or simultaneities.
- Pitch class set entry via pitch wheel
- Calculates normal order
- Calculates prime form
- Calculates Forte number
- Calculates interval class vector
- Audio playback of pitch sets
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PitchSetCalc is a tool for music student and theorists that will help with the analysis of music using Set Theory. This app has a simple interface and works on both iPhone and iPad with iOS 10.0 and up. To enter in a new pitch class set, the user simply touches the pitches on the pitch wheel. As the pitches are entered, the app will calculate normal order, prime form, Forte number, and the interval class vector. The pitch wheel will display the pitches using sharps or flats. When the pitches are entered, each one will sound to give the user an idea of how the pitch class set sounds. There is also a playback function which will play the set as either a scale or simultaneity.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Synthecaster at 4.9 against PitchSetCalc's 3.5. Synthecaster also leads on review sentiment (90% vs 50%) and update cadence (every 2 months vs every 19 months). On price, ads, in-app purchases 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
Synthecaster costs $0.99 and PitchSetCalc $0.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Synthecaster holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 3.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Synthecaster has 14 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 90% of Synthecaster's written reviews are positive against 50% of PitchSetCalc's.
Synthecaster ships an update every 2 months, PitchSetCalc every 19 months. Both last shipped on November 1, 2026.
| Parameter | Synthecaster | PitchSetCalc |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $0.99 | $0.99 |
| Rating | 4.9 (14 ratings) — better | 3.5 (2 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 90.0% of reviews — better | 50.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 14 — better | 2 |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months — better | Every 19 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 12.0 — better | 15.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 4 MB | 36 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Daniel Resnick | Jess Hendricks |
Customer experience
Synthecaster
PitchSetCalc
In-app purchases
Synthecaster
No in-app purchases
PitchSetCalc
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Synthecaster free?
Is PitchSetCalc free?
Which has better reviews, Synthecaster or PitchSetCalc?
Do Synthecaster or PitchSetCalc have ads?
Which is updated more often, Synthecaster or PitchSetCalc?
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