# FM Essential > FM synthesizer app for real-time performance and voice editing on iOS. (iPhone/iPad app by Yamaha Corporation.) - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/fm-essential/id1105696324 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`) - Developer: [Yamaha Corporation](https://appshunter.io/developer/353469356) - Category: Music, Entertainment - Price: Free - Rating: 3.44/5 from 36 App Store ratings · 26 written reviews indexed - Age rating: 4+ - Requires: iOS 16.0 · 88 MB - Languages: American English, Japanese - Released: 2016-07-21 - Data updated: 2026-08-15 - Monetization: paid - User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/fm-essential/id1105696324/reviews.md ## What is FM Essential? Featuring an FM tone generator, FM Essential is a synthesizer app for the iPhone and iPad that provides for real-time synth performances and also lets you edit voices. [Spec] -FM sound ・Tone Generator: FM ・Part: 1 ・Polyphony: 16 ・Preset Voice: 271 ・Arpeggiator patterns: 64 ・Chord pads: 20 ・Scales: 25 -Drum Part Tone Generator: Audio Part: 1 Drum Pad: 16 Drum Pad Set: 3 Functions Plug into MX! -You can play full 271 voices and voice store function if you connect your iOS with Yamaha MX series. Effects/EQ edit -You can adjust parameters to edit effects and equalization. Ball controller -Touch and drag in ball controller to modulate the sound by simultaneously changing multiple parameters based on the ball position. Step sequencer -We can store the ball position in the currently selected scene box. Arpeggiator and chord pads -You can play Arpeggiator and Chord pads in addition to keyboard with various scales. What's MX series? https://europe.yamaha.com/en/products/music_production/synthesizers/index.html [Support] -Compatible with Audio Unit Extentions *Previous MX series does not activates FM Essential. ## Key features - FM tone generator - Real-time synth performances - Voice editing - Arpeggiator and chord pads - Step sequencer - Effects/EQ editing - Audio Unit Extensions support ## Recent user reviews (10 of 26) All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/fm-essential/id1105696324/reviews.md ### 5/5 — 素晴らしい とても軽い *2026-04-05* 良い音が出ます そして、古いバージョンが残っていて、IPhone5sでも動きました 軽いです ### 3/5 — Almost good *2023-03-19* dear developers PLEASE Make all chord pads editable or do note-by-note editing Among the 20 chord pads on the App, less than half of them fit songs, with the correct chords and variations The other chord pads don't fit at all Fix it ! ### 1/5 — 不安定 *2020-04-23* gatagebandでは、プロジェクトファイルを開き直すたびにパラメータがリセットされる。また、そのせいで書き出しの失敗も多発する。 特にトラックの量が多いほどこの現象が起こりやすい。 改善お願いします。 (確認端末:iPad Air2) ### 3/5 — 旧式のMXではアクティベーション出来ないので注意。 *2018-12-18* ソフトとしては完成度が高く、良質な音が発せられるので満足です。 [UTILITY]→[JOB]→03 Version→[▽]で『(C) 2012 Yamaha Corp』と表示される機種ではアクティベート出来ません。説明通り新型のMXでなければダメな様です。 ### 4/5 — 音色が良い *2018-10-28* だが,フルスクリーンではないですが iPhone Xのスクリーンに対応して欲しいです アップデートしてください ### 5/5 — 古くはDX7、V2と6オペ4オペの制限ある環境エフェクト外部依存で予測しようの無い音作りで大変でしたが *2018-05-11* 何て簡単で多彩な音なんだ！ ### 2/5 — Automation in Cubasis geht nicht *2018-05-10* Finde das Plugin ganz gut, allerdings bin ich etwas entäuscht, das die automation nicht geht. Es werden Daten aufgenommen, aber das Plugin reagiert nicht drauf. Die Möglichkeiten sind gut, aber ohne die automation ist es nix. Hoffe das wird nachgebessert, da Yamaha und Steinberg ja eigentlich gut zusammen laufen sollten. ### 3/5 — free,... *2018-03-08* ...sounds okay but not great. you do NOT need to own a MX synth to unlock the app. go to a music store and connect for one second - done. ### 4/5 — MXとのコンビネーション *2017-12-21* Yamaha mxとのコンビネーションで、mxの、音が見違えるように最新シンセに化けます。 MXユーザーは使ってみる価値アリです。 以下は、期待を込めての要望です。 出来れば、mxとのコンビネーションの音色を、増やしで、欲しい。また、mxから、パッチ切り替えできるようにして欲しい。 ### 3/5 — 保存だけは、繋げんでも使えるようにして欲しい *2017-10-19* 保存したいけど、電子ピアノに繋げんと保存できんけ、そこら辺どうにかして欲しい ## Frequently asked questions about FM Essential ### What is FM Essential? FM Essential is a synthesizer app for iPhone and iPad that features an FM tone generator for real-time synth performances and voice editing. It includes 271 preset voices, 64 arpeggiator patterns, and 25 scales. ### Does FM Essential have ads? No, FM Essential does not contain advertisements. It is a paid application designed for music production. ### What devices does FM Essential support? FM Essential is compatible with both iPhone and iPad devices. It requires iOS 4+ and is available for download on the App Store. ### How often is FM Essential updated? The latest version, 1.1.9, was released on May 12, 2026. While the last update date is in the future, indicating potential ongoing development, users can expect regular updates for bug fixes and new features. ### Can I connect FM Essential to Yamaha MX series synthesizers? Yes, you can plug into the MX series to play the full 271 voices and use the voice store function. However, previous MX series models do not activate FM Essential. ### What are the sound editing capabilities of FM Essential? FM Essential allows for effects and equalization editing by adjusting parameters. It also features a ball controller for modulating sound by changing multiple parameters simultaneously based on ball position. ### What is the user rating for FM Essential? FM Essential has a rating of 3.4 stars based on 36 ratings. This suggests a mixed user reception, with some users finding it valuable and others experiencing issues. ### Does FM Essential offer a free trial? FM Essential is a paid application and does not appear to offer a free trial. Users can purchase it directly from the App Store to access all its features. ## Version history (last 5 releases) ### 1.1.9 — 2026-05-12 Now supports iOS26. ### 1.1.8 — 2024-10-24 Now supports iOS 18 ### 1.1.7 — 2024-03-27 Now supports iOS 17 Fixed a minor bug ### 1.1.6 — 2022-01-21 Now supports iOS 15 ### 1.1.5 — 2021-01-27 Now supports iOS 14 ## More apps by Yamaha Corporation - [AV CONTROLLER](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/av-controller/id418512183) - [Piano Diary](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/piano-diary/id449809658) - [THR Session](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/thr-session/id485607882) - [MGP Editor](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mgp-editor/id493162164) - [Song Beats](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/song-beats/id546319014) - [MusicSoft Manager](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/musicsoft-manager/id569009639) All apps by Yamaha Corporation: https://appshunter.io/developer/353469356 --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-15.*