Comparison

PC3K Sound Editor vs Patch Base

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

Head to head
About

PC3K Sound Editor

This tool allows for the editing and manipulation of sound programs and setups for the Kurzweil PC3K synthesizer. It offers real-time parameter adjustments, layer management, and data transfer capabilities directly from an iPad.

Highlights
  • Program Channel Mixer
  • Program Common parameter editing
  • Program Layer manipulation
  • MIDI Continuous Controller tools
  • Real-time Setup Mode parameter editing
  • Import Setup Zones
  • Transmit and receive data
Read full description

PC3K Sound Editor is a Sound Development tool created specifically for Kurzweil PC3K keyboard/synthesizer. It requires a Kurzweil PC3K keyboard.   Some of PC3K Editor's features now include:   •Program Channel Mixer •Editing of Program Common parameters including Insert and Aux FX selectors •Basic Program Layer manipulation. Copy and paste of Layers from other PC3K Programs •MIDI Continuous Controller tools and Program Info display •Real time editing of all PC3K Setup Mode parameters •Import of Setup Zones from other PC3K Setups •Transmitting and receiving of Programs, Setups, FX Chains and other objects data •On-screen keyboard •Direct USB/MIDI connection with Apple iPad Camera Adapter •Wireless connection possible using MIDI network   This PC3K Editor is an app for iPad only. Kurzweil and PC3K is are trademarks of Young Chang Co., Ltd. Soundtower is a trademark of Soundtower Inc.

About

Patch Base

This app allows users to visualize, edit, and organize patches for a wide range of hardware synthesizers. It offers real-time parameter editing, patch bank management, and the ability to create random or initial patches. Users can also test sounds with an on-screen keyboard.

Highlights
  • Visualize synth patches
  • Real-time parameter editing
  • Manage patch banks
  • Create random patches
  • On-screen keyboard for sound testing
  • Extensive synthesizer support
Read full description

Patch Base is a collection of patch editors and librarians for new and vintage synthesizers, enabling easy visualization, editing, and organization of patches. * See what patches on your synth look like * Edit the parameters of your synth in real time, while you play * Manage your patch banks directly from the app * Save patches in Patch Base, and back them up using iCloud * Access your patch files on your computer via iCloud Drive * Create random patches, and "init" patches as starting points for new sounds * Play your synth for sound testing using the on-screen keyboard Patch Base currently has editors for the following synthesizers, with more to come: * Access Virus C, Virus TI, Virus TI Snow * Akai Miniak * Alesis Micron * Behringer Deepmind 12 * Casio CZ-1, CZ-101, CZ-1000, CZ-3000, CZ-5000 * Clavia Nord Lead 2, Nord Lead 2X * DSI Mopho, Mopho Keyboard, Evolver, Evolver Keyboard, Tetra * E-mu Proteus/1, Proteus/2 * Ensoniq ESQ-1, SQ-80, and ESQ-M * Korg Volca FM, Volca FM2, Minilogue, microKORG, MS2000, MS2000R, MS2000B, MS2000BR, DW-8000, EX-8000, Prophecy * Novation Circuit, Bass Station II * Oberheim Matrix-1000, Matrix-6, Matrix-6r * Roland JD-Xi, JV-1080, JV-2080, JV-1010, XP-80, XP-60, XP-50, XP-30, D-50, D-550, D-05, D-110, D-10, D-20, D-5, JV-880, JV-80, XV-5080, XV-3080, XV-5050, XV-2020, Alpha Juno-1, Alpha Juno-2, MKS-50, JD-800, JD-990, JX-8P, JP-8080 * Waldorf Blofeld, Micro Q * Yamaha DX7, DX7II, TX7, TX802, TX816, TX81Z, DX100, FB-01, FS1R, TG33, DX200, TG77, SY77, DX21, DX11, Reface DX The app is free for download and to try out, ensuring that the app works with your hardware setup. For full access to all editor features, each editor is available as an individual In-App Purchase, or via an All Access subscription. ** Unlock Every Editor with All Access ** Patch Base now offers the All Access subscription, giving you access to every editor that Patch Base offers for a single subscription price. You can subscribe on a monthly or annual basis. Subscription payment is charged to your iTunes account at confirmation of subscription purchase. Subscriptions renew automatically unless canceled at least 24 hours prior to the end of the current period. Your iTunes account will be charged for renewal within 24 hours prior to the end of the current period. You can turn off auto-renewal and manage your subscription at any time from your iTunes Account Settings after purchase. Privacy Policy: https://coffeeshopped.com/patch-base-privacy-policy Terms of Use: https://coffeeshopped.com/patch-base-terms-conditions

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: PC3K Sound Editor at 5.0 against Patch Base's 3.4. PC3K Sound Editor also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 31) and review sentiment (67% vs 53%). Patch Base's advantage is update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 3 months) and ratings volume (85 vs 2). On price, 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

Both are free to download. Patch Base sells 31 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per month. PC3K Sound Editor asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

PC3K Sound Editor holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Patch Base has 85 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 67% of PC3K Sound Editor's written reviews are positive against 53% of Patch Base's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

PC3K Sound Editor ships an update every 3 months, Patch Base every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on June 2, 2026 and September 23, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
PC3K Sound Editor versus Patch Base: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPC3K Sound EditorPatch Base
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (2 ratings) — better3.4 (85 ratings)
Positive reviews66.7% of reviews — better52.9% of reviews
Number of ratings285 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPadiPad
Requires iOS8.0 — better12.0
Further details — not scored
Size40 MB69 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSoundTower Inc.Coffeeshopped LLC

Customer experience

PC3K Sound Editor

All ratings2 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews3 reviews
Positive66.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative33.3%

Patch Base

All ratings83 ratings
Positive56.6%
Neutral3.6%
Negative39.8%
Written reviews104 reviews
Positive52.9%
Neutral3.8%
Negative43.3%

Bugs and requests

PC3K Sound Editor

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

Patch Base

Reported bugs

12 issues
  • App crashes on iOS 14.2 and other versions
  • MIDI buffer full errors with DX7IIFD
  • Sysex transfer stalls and timeouts
  • Cannot access operators 4-6 on Volca FM
  • Algorithm changes crash app
Show 7 more
  • Patches randomly deleted after app restart
  • MIDI port assignment not persisting
  • Unable to send patches to synths
  • App hangs during patch transitions
  • Unmute function unavailable while editing
  • iCloud file synchronization not working
  • XV-5080 editor stuck on loading screen

Requested features

13 requests
  • MFB Dominion 1 editor
  • Arturia Microfreak randomizer
  • Novation Circuit Tracks support
  • Korg Wavestate editor
  • Roland MKS-70 and MKS-80 controllers
Show 8 more
  • Access Virus Ti2 character section and banks
  • Custom randomization options
  • Yamaha EX5/r and Motif XF editors
  • Prophet 6 support
  • Korg Minilogue enhancements
  • Undo button functionality
  • Pass-through MIDI option
  • Dropbox and Google Drive cloud support

In-app purchases

None

PC3K Sound Editor

No in-app purchases

31 purchases

Patch Base

Subscriptions2
  • Patch Base: Monthly7 Days trial$5.991 Month
  • All Access: Annual7 Days trial$59.991 Year
One-time29
  • Casio CZ-101$29.99
  • Oberheim Matrix-6r$29.99
  • Yamaha DX7$29.99
Show 26 more
  • Yamaha TX7$29.99
  • Ensoniq ESQ-1$29.99
  • Korg Volca FM$29.99
  • Korg microKorg$29.99
  • Roland JD-Xi$29.99
  • Korg Minilogue$29.99
  • Roland JV-1080$29.99
  • Waldorf Blofeld$29.99
  • Roland D-50$29.99
  • Roland D-05$29.99
  • Roland D-110$29.99
  • Novation Bass Station II$29.99
  • Yamaha DX100$29.99
  • Access Virus TI Snow$29.99
  • Yamaha TG33$29.99
  • Roland JV-1010$29.99
  • Yamaha SY77$29.99
  • Roland XV-5050$29.99
  • Yamaha TX81Z$29.99
  • Oberheim Matrix-1000$29.99
  • Korg Volca FM2$29.99
  • Oberheim Matrix-6$29.99
  • Yamaha DX7II$29.99
  • Roland JV-880$29.99
  • Yamaha Reface DX$29.99
  • All Access$99.99

Questions

Is PC3K Sound Editor free?
PC3K Sound Editor is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Patch Base free?
Patch Base is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, PC3K Sound Editor or Patch Base?
PC3K Sound Editor is rated higher. PC3K Sound Editor averages 5.0 out of 5 from 2 ratings, while Patch Base averages 3.4 from 85 ratings.
Do PC3K Sound Editor or Patch Base have ads?
Neither PC3K Sound Editor nor Patch Base shows ads.
Which is updated more often, PC3K Sound Editor or Patch Base?
PC3K Sound Editor ships an update every 3 months, and Patch Base every 3 weeks. Most recently, PC3K Sound Editor was updated on June 2, 2026 and Patch Base on September 23, 2026.

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