Questions
Pro and purchases, recordings, devices and privacy, and what to check when something seems off.
What does PocketTone Pro unlock?
Fantasy, Violin, Guitar and the ADSR voice you program yourself, all ten rhythms, recording and sharing, the melody memory (REC, AUTO, 1KEY and the MUSIC demo tune) and the Delay and Crush effects. Piano, Flute, March, Waltz, the keyboard and the calculator are free. More in PocketTone Pro.
Is it a subscription?
No. It is one purchase, US $3.99 (prices vary by region), and it is yours to keep. There is no account.
How do I restore my purchase on a new device?
Open Settings with the gear at the top right and tap Restore Purchase, signed in with the same Apple Account you bought with. The unlock sheet has the same link.
How do I record what I play?
Tap the red cap at the top right, play, then tap stop. Listen back, then keep the take with ✓ or throw it away with the bin. Kept takes are under RECORDINGS in Settings, where you can play, share or delete them. See Record and share.
Where are my recordings stored?
On your device only, in PocketTone's own storage, as .m4a audio files. PocketTone never uploads them; share one from Settings whenever you like.
Why doesn't PocketTone ask for microphone access?
Because it never uses the microphone. Recording captures the synth's own sound, not your room, so there is nothing to ask permission for.
How do I play the calculator?
Slide POWER to CAL. Each digit key sounds a note, the operators add a short rest, and = gives the answer and plays what you typed back as a little melody. See The calculator.
How do I program the ADSR voice?
Slide POWER to CAL and TONE to ADSR, press MC, type an eight-digit code on the keys, press M+, then slide POWER back to ON and play. The LCD shows your code and its envelope. Try 23099130 for a violin or 61079130 for an English horn. Every digit is explained in The ADSR voice.
Why can I only play one note at a time?
PocketTone is monophonic, like the pocket synths it is modelled on. The newest key always wins, and when you let go the key you are still holding takes over again.
How long can a tune in the melody memory be?
Up to 100 notes. The memory keeps the notes, not their timing, and plays them back one per beat at the current tempo. See Melody memory.
Which devices are supported?
iPhone and iPad running iOS or iPadOS 17 or later. iPhone plays in landscape; iPad works in any orientation.
Can I use PocketTone inside GarageBand or another music app?
No. PocketTone is a standalone app: it is not an Audio Unit (AUv3) and has no MIDI in or out. To use what you played somewhere else, record it and share the audio file.
Does PocketTone collect any data?
No. There are no accounts, no analytics, no tracking and no ads. The only network traffic is Apple's App Store, for the Pro price and purchase. See the privacy policy.
I stored a code but the ADSR voice didn't change.
M+ stores the code only while TONE is on ADSR, and it adds the display to the memory, so press MC first. Nothing is stored while the display shows ERR: press AC and type the code again.
My voice or rhythm jumped back to Piano or March.
That voice or rhythm is part of Pro. Choosing it opens the unlock sheet, and closing the sheet without buying puts back the free one. A free launch does the same with a Pro choice saved earlier. If you bought Pro, use Restore Purchase in Settings.
The keyboard doesn't play.
While AUTO or MUSIC is playing, the keys are quiet: press the same key again to stop it. In CAL mode only the eleven white keys with digits type; the other keys stay silent.
The `M-C` key does nothing.
It does nothing while POWER is on ON, which is why it is dimmed. On CAL it is the + key.
The `=` playback doesn't use my voice.
In CAL mode every note, the playback included, uses the calculator's own buzzy beep. Your voice comes back when you slide POWER to ON.
Related
Still stuck? Write to zhi@nonoaudio.com. Support page