# KORG iDS-10 — user reviews > 43 indexed App Store user reviews of KORG iDS by KORG INC., rated 4.50/5 from 75 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/korg-ids-10/id999702563/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/korg-ids-10/id999702563.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 56 · 4★ 9 · 3★ 4 · 2★ 4 · 1★ 2 ## Newest reviews (15 of 43) ### 3/5 — FANTASTIC app, BUT… *2022-12-05, version 2.1.4* Why can’t we get the thing to run in gadget? especially the vocoder. Gadget has no vocoder. why would you guys just leave this out when this feature is so great? Besides that this thing is amazing on its own, but I wish I could use it with other apps. ### 4/5 — Not as heavy as the Nintendo version *2020-02-21, version 2.1.3* It’s ok but I bought this app thinking the synth bass was as heavy as the Nintendo version ### 4/5 — DS Max *2018-07-13, version 2.1.1* I bought the cartridge for my DS-Lite back before I had any iOS devices. Now I can play with it on a much bigger screen! Soooo…when do we get it in Gadget? ### 4/5 — Great app but support is lacking *2017-06-13, version 2.1.1* Great app with a couple downfalls. Dropbox link has ceased to function and emailing seems broken. Not a big deal if you are importing on the same device. Great version of an awesome platform for creating with more power and good upgrades. ### 4/5 — More fun functions, but less tweaky tone *2017-04-01, version 2.1.1* I haven't been able to attain the same great tones I was finding with the ds-10, many of which I recorded despite the nintendos volume. But patterning and arranging is pretty easy and fun ### 3/5 — Happily overlooked deficiencies until I bought Plus Mode *2016-12-02, version 2.1.1* Updated December 2, 2016: I recently bought the +Plus mode for iDS-10 during the Korg sale season. While it's nice to have three more synth tracks, the integration is very poor and makes the purchase a questionable value. Instead of a "+Plus" button being stuck on the various screens, the added tracks/synths should be integrated into the main views with the rest of the synth tracks. For example: the main screen should scroll vertically to view all tracks. The same should be done elsewhere. This frustration reminds me again that there's still no transport control for IAA functionality in ANY Korg app to date, and that iDS-10 has no MIDI or individual track export. These deficiencies become more relevant when you have more tracks to work with; when you make more complex songs and you find you want to export to a regular DAW, you're left without a reasonable methodology other than muting all tracks and exporting one at a time as a wave file. As a result, I have removed another star from my review. Original Review: I'm enjoying this synth on an iPhone 6s and iPad Pro. The UI is pretty on the iPhone, but the controls are fiddly on even that medium-sized screen. On the iPad, however, it's much more usable. In fact, I wish Korg Gadget used the same gestures and UI conventions for pattern copy/paste, because the UI for those functions is WAY better in THIS app! It would massively improve iMS-20 to use iDS-10's sequencer UI, as well. ### 5/5 — YYYYYYEEEEEEEAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!!! *2016-10-20, version 2.1.1* Update: still needs the ability to undo/redo. Still need to be able to program "held" notes, instead of just staccato. Still a great synth app. THANK YOU, KORG!!! AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!! FINALLY!! Update: audiobus/iaa = 5 stars Revised review: Ok, having messed with this thing some more, I am ready to review it in a better mindset. In comparison to the DS-10 and DS-10+ (both of which I have owned), it is a clear upgrade over the DS-10 and a partial upgrade over the DS-10+. It has 32 patterns, which is double the patterns over the previous versions. The vocoder is a completely new feature, and an incredibly important (and enjoyable!) one. It doesn't have the "Dual DS-10" option that the DS-10+ had. As for the drum synth: it is limited in that you cannot assign individual effects to each sound, within the initial synth bus. However, you can put effects on the back end in the mixing bus. With the option to add effects to the two synth parts in their respective modes, you can at least assign one effect to the drums via the mixer. It is not the same, at all, really; it's just a workaround. A very important feature is the ability to set individual pattern lengths in the "Set" section of the app. You can also program the BPM ratio. That is to say, set the BPM ratio at 2, and that particular pattern now runs double the BPM. This is how they got that spectacular synth arp break in the included demo song "The Good Times." Bottom line: this app, while lacking a couple of features that were really nice to have in the original DS-10s, is an upgrade over both of those previous apps, when you take into account the overall function and ability of this new version. And it's $9.99. Try getting the Nintendo DS versions for that. IT'S SO SYNTHY I WANNA DIE! ### 5/5 — Great port. *2016-10-12, version 2.1.1* About 1/8 the power or Gadget but this is far more approachable and fun. The sound is pretty decent, you get two MS-10's, a vocoder and a pretty limited drum machine with an extremely simplified sequencer. Fx per part and master fx. I find myself using this on my commute to work and on lunch breaks and stuff while using Gadget with my controller when I have more time to flesh something more intricate out. But this is fantastic and brings nostalgia of the old DS version. It'd be great to see it in Gadget someday. ### 5/5 — Awesome!! *2016-09-01, version 2.1.1* Get this now. So many things you can do with this. Synths vocoder automation and much more. Very stable you won't regret it ### 5/5 — Great *2016-08-27, version 2.1.1* Great music app. It has a lot in common with KORG DS10plus on the Nintendo DS/DSi. I do wish the percussions in iDS10 could do notation similar to DS10plus, specifically the tom and generically labeled "percussion", but that's minor. The single bothersome thing to me is when editing in song mode, if you set channel muting up but then need to reorganize the pattern scenes it erases the channel mute setups for any scene you edit. I also don't like how the legato settings do this same behaviors. Aside from not being able to set scene muting for scenes that haven't been assigned a pattern in song mode, there is nothing else I would want the software to change that I can think of. iDS10 is awesomely powerful, and is the sole reason I got an iPad. ### 5/5 — What did you expect? *2016-07-23, version 2.1.1* I have the tendency to get far too many apps and I hesitated with this, not because of the cost (same price as lunch out), but thought it would just be another thing I felt bad if it weren't used often. I've been absolutely hooked since it was opened for the first time. It's playful yet POWERFUL. Like all the Korg stuff it sounds stellar. Korg has been absolutely on point these pat several years so I have to take a couple minutes to applaud their staff and their ability to both innovative and draw from their archives to consistently impress in every way. ### 4/5 — Needs kaoss pad, and independent fx processor for drum set, and WIST *2016-02-28, version 2.0.0* This app is definitely fun, and the synth, and vocoder engines are very powerful. The capabilities of sound design are great too. My major complaint are definitely the drums. They don't have their own independent fx processor, and they don't have kaoss pad support. If the did you would be able to make much more complex, and glitchy drums. They just seem a bit too basic. My other complaint is the IDS-10 doesn't support WIST if we could sync two IDS-10's it would definitely be much more fun for live on the fly jams. If Korg can make these things possible I will give the app 5 stars ### 5/5 — Great re-port of a DS Classic *2016-02-25, version 2.0.0* With the 2.0 update making this a universal app, I think iDS-10 is a 5-star app. Really, everything from Korg on iOS is terrific. That being said, Korg Gadget (recently made universal also) kind of supersedes the functionality and sound quality of iDS-10 in every meaningful way. Still, iDS-10 has some great sounds, cool sequencing functionality, and arguably the best vocoder on iOS. ### 4/5 — Bring back the old drums please! *2016-02-19, version 2.0.0* Being a big fan of the DS-10 since back when it first came out I was very excited to see it come to the ios (especially since I don't really lug around my old DS these days). For the most part it works great and even has a really cool Voice Synthesizer/Vocoder feature! My only complaint, and it's actually a pretty big complaint, is the drums. Instead of like the old DS-10 were you would use the actual MS-10 synthesizer to create each drum sound, here it gives you an 808 style drum synthesizer, which is much less versatile and inspiring. Korg, if your reading this, please please please give me the option to use the old DS-10 style drums and I will give this a full 5 star rating! ### 5/5 — Best Sequencer Ever *2016-02-17, version 2.0.0* But I wish it had MIDI out. 😭 ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — Korg usually makes great stuff *2021-09-02, version 2.1.3* This is not one of those things. Total piece of overpriced crap. ### 1/5 — MIDI *2016-03-18, version 2.0.0* NO MIDI.....WTW? ITZ A RIP OFF WITHOUT IT!!!😡😡😡😡 COME ON KORG..... ### 1/5 — iPad 4 *2016-02-17, version 2.0.0* iPad 4 not compatible ? Why not? ### 1/5 — Amazing and fun app - sounds incredible *2016-01-09, version 1.1.0* But the iPhone screen is much too small for precision composition- why doesn't it work on iPad mini?! there should be a bigger disclaimer. I wish I could ask for my money back so I could save up for a newer iPad :\ ### 1/5 — No inter app or audiobus or midi *2015-12-03, version 1.0.0* Even getting this app at half the cost. At the moment It is useless without midi, inter app and audio bus. Hoping for an update with at least the inter app feature soon. If not I will be deleting the app and calling it a waste if money.. even at half the cost. No way I would pay the full amount for this app that does not support inter app or midi. Please update soon! ### 2/5 — Cash grab *2018-04-24, version 2.1.1* This is a cash grab. 1. Not only does this app charge you an extra 9.99 for an extra 2 synth track (there’s only 2 to begin with) as well as an extra voice track (1, to begin with) There are WAY MORE features on the Korg dsn12 available for a Nintendo handheld. I bought this app for the voice encoder, and was left underwhelmed due to the fact that I thought this would carry over some of the improvements from the DSN12 software. It hasn’t and I’m disappointed. The kaos pad doesn’t seem to allow for custom tuning. I wish that the dsn12 would one day be brought over to iOS, Along with the voice encoder feature. The only reason I’m giving. This a 2 star review is because I enjoyed the voice encoder. Tltr version: korg you obviously should have ported the dsn12, the more recent version of this software and you shouldn’t charge users extra money for additional tracks in a software that has a name that implies 10 tracks. At most this software features 8 tracks if you are willing to shell out an extra 10 dollars. The dsn12 has 12 tracks. It’s really disappointing. Like I said, I expected way more from this app due to the high score, and my experience with the dsn12 which is really awesome and should have been ported instead of this lackluster experience. ### 2/5 — Disappointed *2017-09-08, version 2.1.1* Requires in-app purchases for basic functions advertised in the description. You only find this out after you purchase the app. ### 2/5 — The UI needs a complete overhaul *2015-12-06, version 1.0.0* Korg Gadget has a usable UI, base it on that but this is just a mess. ### 2/5 — No midi or audio copy/paste *2015-12-03, version 1.0.0* Was fun on Nintendo. Still fun toy but was hoping it would play well with other music apps. There is no midi or audio copy making it a completely stand alone app. Even though it sounds good as a fun analog toy you can't use it to with other music apps to make music. The first Korg app I'm disappointed in. I love the fun factor but Wished I could use it beyond the app itself. I wanted to be able to use the sounds and patterns in my music workflow. Glad I only paid half price. Would NEVER pay more. In reality it's worth about $1-5, not really a bargain at $10. Again still fun, just not really useable beyond a toy even though it's sounds good. ### 2/5 — Meh.. *2015-12-02, version 1.0.0* I am sure Happy and I only paid half price for this...Um where is the midi support???????????Please integrate such feature. ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — Please add MIDI and iOS 16 support *2022-12-05, version 2.1.4* The iDS-10 is an incredible music studio app, however can it please be updated to accept MIDI clock from DAW software including Cubasis, FL Studio and GarageBand? This is the only drawback to the software as it can’t be played in time with other instruments. If this is already possible, what is the CC command to start the sequencer? ### 5/5 — KORG is amazing for doing this *2021-12-27, version 2.1.3* I fell in love with KORG back in the Nintendo DS days with the KORG DS-10 and KORG M01. Instead of forcing everyone to buy their very high end physical equipment, they have made extremely well designed software versions of their gear available to everyone at ridiculously good prices. I use these for live shows with Ableton, and I use their DAW plugins for recordings, mixing and producing. I really love being able to hang out with my hip hop buddies and whip out my ipad to make beats for them to rap to. So much fun and even a way to make income, I love these apps so much!!!! ### 5/5 — Fantastic!!! *2018-09-23, version 2.1.1* The sound of this app is terrific, out of space, from another planet !!! 🤪🤪🎶🎶🔊😱love it ! Easy to use... ### 5/5 — Get this app *2018-09-21, version 2.1.1* It’s fun, although I did buy the actual hardware Kong MS 20. I also bought an iPad Pro. Enjoyed re_solving the mystery again on a new song, nine icons. I now work with multiple DAW’s & soft synthesizers & can make a song even with limitations. I recommend getting this little brother soft synthesizer app. ### 5/5 — Great upgrade from the DS-10 *2018-05-01, version 2.1.1* I never got the DS-10 plus, but played around with the vanilla DS-10 quite a bit. This app is a pretty nice leap from the original! Approaching this review from my perspective: Ability to set a pattern length to up to 64 beats is very nice. Being able to apply an effect per track is great too Also way less menu swapping here - all the synth stuff (patching, effects, etc) are all on one screen Way better controls for copying/pasting patterns too. Being able to paste a single track instead of the entire pattern is very convenient Being able to record changes to an individual knob is very powerful too. I'll admit that this feature could be much easier to use though. Very cool voice synth too! This is a must buy from me :) ### 5/5 — I was wrong *2018-01-01, version 2.1.1* I have thoroughly enjoyed the KORG DS & 3DS applications, and have been thirsty for more high-quality music experiences on gaming hardware. When I heard they were bringing the software to iOS, I chalked it up to porting software to another device to recoup losses on the eShop. On a whim, I decided to purchase the app as an extra hammer in my toolbox, only to be blown away by the refinement of an already useful piece of software, on top of the expanded functionality that utilizes the iDevice bag of tricks. I was wrong to pass it off as a cash-grab transposition, and have not been so delighted to be on the losing end of an assumption! It is indeed worthy of its place in my repertoire! ### 5/5 — Great synth, and on your iPhone! *2017-06-04, version 2.1.1* This is a great app for not only developing your skills at shaping sounds in a virtual analog and semi-modular environment. It also let's you quickly patch together loops, 303-style. On top of that, the vocoder function is great. Of course, the sequencer has some limitations as a tool for a full composition, and the live tools aren't nearly as flexible as those of Gadget, but it is very fun to be able to create rhythms and develop some fundamental modular-synthesis skills while riding the bus. This app is not perfect, but I'm giving it 5 star because it is easily worth $20. ### 5/5 — Good little noisemaker *2017-01-14, version 2.1.1* I like this a lot. Please buy! ### 5/5 — Very powerful and very fun *2016-11-17, version 2.1.1* This app has a step sequencer and a keyboard for recording notes. IGNORE THEM. The real meat and potatoes is in the Kaoss pad from which you can record your note sequences and record parameter automation of everything in the synths. Press record and play and jam out. New notes replace old notes so you don't have to stop playing until you like what you hear. Switch seamlessly back and forth between notes and synth parameters. You can literally do almost everything from the Kaoss pad save for copying sequences, panning, and master effects. Absolutely brilliant. Includes a voice synth that can produce words from text and also record external sounds. Awesome! IAP gets you two additional synth tracks and an additional voice synth. Do not overlook this! ### 5/5 — I'm so glad this is for iOS now! *2016-10-23, version 2.1.1* Not only I am able to have it on iOS now, it is way better than the DS-10/+ and the DSN-12 combined. For example, you no longer have to import patches from other songs to obtain them, and you can sequence every parameter of the synthesizer. Also, the drum sounds are no longer samples but synthesized drum sounds you can actually edit and have their own patches! Don't forget to buy Plus Mode so you can have an additional vocoder and two more synth voices --- *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 2026-06-10.*