Comparison

CZ App for iPad 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

CZ App for iPad

This music app recreates the functionality of classic Casio CZ-series synthesizers, offering a 4-part PD sound source with 36 waveforms for diverse sound creation. It allows users to play along with audio files, utilize multi-play modes for collaborative performance, and connect with external MIDI instruments.

Highlights
  • Phase Distortion (PD) sound source
  • 36 waveforms for diverse sounds
  • Play along to audio files
  • Multi-play mode for collaborative performance
  • External MIDI instrument support
  • Inter-App Audio and Audiobus compatibility
Read full description

【Recommended model】iPad mini 3、iPad Air、iPad Air 2 This app reproduces the functionality of Casio’s best-selling CZ-series models, such as the CZ-101 (first released in 1984), and also includes new functions. Featuring a built-in 4-part PD (phase distortion) sound source, its 36 waveforms are capable of generating an extensive and diverse range of sounds. The created tones can also be played on MIDI-compatible instruments. ======The PD sound source system========   Phase Distortion (PD) works by distorting a sine wave when it is read so that various different waveforms are produced.At the time, it was a ground-breaking system for generating waveforms other than simple sine waves. In the CZ series, 8 basic waveforms were generated by the PD sound source, with pairs of those 8 waveforms cascaded to provide a total of 33 waveforms. ----- An extensive parameter set to allow richly varied sound creation ----- Two block configuration systems are provided for each of the DCO, DCW and DCA ・ WAVE FORM (DCO1/DCO2)  Parameters to set basic waveforms. 8 basic waveforms can be selected for each of the 2 sound sources. You can play with a wide range of sounds based on eight basic waveforms and 28 combinations of those basic waveforms—for a total of 36 types of waveforms.  ・ KEY FOLLOW  One Key Follow feature (DCW1/DCW2) controls waveforms based on the upper and lower extent of the keyboard's register while the other Key Follow feature (DCA1/DCA2) controls the envelope duration based on the keyboard's register. ・ DETUNE/LINE SELECT CZ-series synthesizers allowed users to choose from 4 types of line output (1, 2, 1+2 or 1+1) depending on the purpose. Using 2 DCOs allowed the use of detuning to fine-tune the pitch shift in the two systems to within ±4 octaves, which is useful not only in creating a chorus effect, but also for producing sounds with specific harmonics emphasized. ・ RING/NOISE MODULATION Ring modulation can be used to produce metallic tones that include non-integer harmonics, while noise modulation is effective in creating percussion-like sounds.   ・ ENVELOPE GENERATOR An envelope generator is provided for each DCO, DCW and DCA core block in the two systems, which makes it possible to vary the tuning, tones and volume over time. -----Play along to your favorite audio files----- You can use the keyboard to play along to audio files on an iPad. -----Multi-play mode combines keyboard layouts to allow new ways of playing The new performance interface lets you can combine 2, 3 or 4 keyboards, or even flip the layout so that other people can play along with you. -----MIDI Player----- It is possible to play by reading the SMF. The maximum number of MIDI channels is 4. -----Supports external MIDI instruments and inter-app collaboration----- ・Inter-App Audio (iOS 7 or later) ・Audiobus compatible (input only) ・Playable using an external MIDI keyboard(via a third-party MIDI interface, an Apple Lightning-USB camera adapter* plus USB cable, or the Apple iPad Camera Connection Kit* plus USB cable) ・Virtual MIDI ・MIDI over Bluetooth

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 A, Virus B, Virus C, Virus TI, Virus TI Snow, Virus Indigo, Virus KB, Virus Classic * 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, Proteus 2000, Proteus 1000, Orbit-3, Virtuoso 2000, Xtreme Lead-1, Mo'Phatt, Planet Earth * 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 price: Patch Base at Free against CZ App for iPad's $14.99. Patch Base also leads on review sentiment (53% vs 35%) and update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 2 months). CZ App for iPad's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 31) and rating (3.8 vs 3.4). On 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

Patch Base is free to download; CZ App for iPad costs $14.99 up front. Patch Base sells 31 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per month. CZ App for iPad asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

CZ App for iPad holds the better App Store score, 3.8 against 3.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Patch Base has 87 ratings behind it against 8, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 35% of CZ App for iPad's written reviews are positive against 53% of Patch Base's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

CZ App for iPad ships an update every 2 months, Patch Base every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 23, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard8 real differences · 2 level
CZ App for iPad versus Patch Base: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCZ App for iPadPatch Base
Price$14.99Free — better
Rating3.8 (8 ratings) — better3.4 (87 ratings)
Positive reviews34.8% of reviews52.9% of reviews — better
Number of ratings887 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaidFree with in-app purchases — better
DevicesiPadiPad
Requires iOS8.0 — better13.0
Further details — not scored
Size33 MB67 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperCASIO COMPUTER CO., LTD.Coffeeshopped LLC

Customer experience

CZ App for iPad

All ratings8 ratings
Positive50.0%
Neutral37.5%
Negative12.5%
Written reviews23 reviews
Positive34.8%
Neutral43.5%
Negative21.7%

Patch Base

All ratings87 ratings
Positive57.5%
Neutral3.4%
Negative39.1%
Written reviews104 reviews
Positive52.9%
Neutral3.8%
Negative43.3%

Bugs and requests

CZ App for iPad

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

CZ App for iPad

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 CZ App for iPad free?
CZ App for iPad costs $14.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Patch Base free?
Patch Base is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, CZ App for iPad or Patch Base?
CZ App for iPad is rated higher. CZ App for iPad averages 3.8 out of 5 from 8 ratings, while Patch Base averages 3.4 from 87 ratings.
Do CZ App for iPad or Patch Base have ads?
Neither CZ App for iPad nor Patch Base shows ads.
Which is updated more often, CZ App for iPad or Patch Base?
CZ App for iPad ships an update every 2 months, and Patch Base every 3 weeks. Most recently, CZ App for iPad was updated on October 23, 2026 and Patch Base on October 24, 2026.

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