Comparison

PC3K Sound Editor vs VB3

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

VB3

This app emulates a classic tonewheel organ, offering advanced sound modeling and effects. It includes a session recorder, audio player for backing tracks, and extensive MIDI control for live performance and production.

Highlights
  • Tonewheel engine and rotary simulator
  • Ring Modulator and Delay effects
  • Session Recorder (MIDI & WAV)
  • Built-in Audio Player
  • Extensive MIDI control and mapping
  • Touch-friendly interface with drawbar views
Read full description

Released in 2023, this is the second version of GSi's most famous product: VB3-II Tonewheel Organ emulator. This marks 20 years of research and development of this instrument. New VB3-II 2023 edition features: - Added both the tonewheel engine and the rotary simulator from VB3 v.1.4 - The V1 rotary simulator features 3 variations, for a total of 4 different amplifiers - Added 1 new tonewheel generator - Added Ring Modulator and Delay effects (pre) - Added FET Limiter (post) - Sub-Presets for Rotary effect and Digital reverb sections - Session Recorder: silently records everything is played and imports/exports standard Midi Files and renders to WAV files - Built-in Audio Player plays the most common audio formats to add a backing track to your music - Octave transposers for upper and lower separately - New Program browser shows full list with move, swap, delete functions along with import/export of banks and single Programs - Built-in function to import/export from/to VB3-II 2018 (and Crumar Mojo Desktop) Program and Bank formats - New Midi Map with reverse, latch and lock functions for each parameter - Quick Midi Learn for main screen/performance controls, normal Midi Learn for all other parameters - New advanced Midi Javascript processor for custom event transformations (supports SysEx and RPN/NRPN) - Multiple outputs (Main + Organ Only) - Separate plugin for remote Audio and Midi input - includes the exclusive VoMidiCoder - New bigger touch-friendly interface - Four different drawbar view styles - On-screen keyboards with two different viewing styles - Random program generator - Added rotary effect speed control from Channel Aftertouch - Supports Midi Output, can send whole "snapshots" when loading and when changing Programs - Supports different curves for the Swell Pedal - Built-in Midi Monitor for monitoring incoming Midi messages - Free Cloud service for sharing Programs, Midi Maps and Midi Processor Scripts with other users Features already present in the 2018 edition: - Full polyphony (61 upper + 61 lower + 25 pedals = 147 notes) - 91 modeled tonewheels with accurate phase synchronization - Adjustable leakage noise and cross modulation between tonewheels - A total of 22 different tonewheel generators to choose from - Generator shaping for a total of 154 generator combinations - Adjustable global tuning from 430 to 450 Hz - Foldback on 16" deactivatable - Complex wheels - Resistor wiring with multiple options - Realistic "run" motor wow and flutter - Busbars and 9 key contact simulation - Two separate sets of drawbars per manual - Full "inverted octave" presets - String Bass with adjustable release time - Loudness "robbing" effect - Single triggered percussion with natural capacitor discharge/recharge - Adjustable Percussion Level and Decay - Vibrato/Chorus virtual scanner - Adjustable Vibrato Scanner depth and mix - Separated Upper and Lower V/C tablets with smooth switching - Dynamic tube overdrive simulation - Spring Reverb (pre) and Digital stereo reverb (post) - Rotary speaker simulation with virtual microphone positioning, tube overdrive, tube feedback - Rotors "Front Stop" brake position with adjustable preferred position - Very low CPU consumption - Advanced MIDI Learn function with import/export of custom mappings - Upper and Lower manuals SPLIT with adjustable split point - Supports pedal sustain - Custom programmer with import/export of Programs and Banks Available for iPad as standalone App with IAA support or AUv3 plugin, compatible with all plugin hosts.

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: PC3K Sound Editor at 5.0 against VB3's 3.5. PC3K Sound Editor also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 2) and review sentiment (67% vs 50%). VB3's advantage is ratings volume (16 vs 2). On price 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. VB3 sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. 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 3.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: VB3 has 16 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 50% of VB3's.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
PC3K Sound Editor versus VB3: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPC3K Sound EditorVB3
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (2 ratings) — better3.5 (16 ratings)
Positive reviews66.7% of reviews — better50.0% of reviews
Number of ratings216 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 months—
AdsNo—
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPad — better—
Requires iOS8.0 — better12.0
Further details — not scored
Size40 MB23 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSoundTower Inc.Genuine Soundware

Customer experience

PC3K Sound Editor

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

VB3

Written reviews4 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral25.0%
Negative25.0%

In-app purchases

None

PC3K Sound Editor

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

VB3

One-time2
  • Log-in to your GSi account$0.99
  • Unlock All Pro Features$99.99

Questions

Is PC3K Sound Editor free?
PC3K Sound Editor is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is VB3 free?
VB3 is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, PC3K Sound Editor or VB3?
PC3K Sound Editor is rated higher. PC3K Sound Editor averages 5.0 out of 5 from 2 ratings, while VB3 averages 3.5 from 16 ratings.

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