Comparison

KORG GEC5 Controller vs Random Student

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

KORG GEC5 Controller

This software provides a comprehensive system for group instruction in music, language, or technology labs. It offers flexible modes for lectures, individual practice with teacher eavesdropping, and collaborative group work, enhancing classroom efficiency and engagement.

Highlights
  • Multiple practice and instruction modes
  • Fully-digital stereo sound
  • Intuitive software user interface
  • Flexible audio routing
  • Open curriculum compatibility
  • Lecture, Practice, and Group modes
Read full description

GEC5 Lab System Controller The Korg Group Education Controller (GEC5) represents the most advanced system in group instruction technology. With an intuitive, easy-to-use software user interface, multiple practice and instruction modes, fully-digital stereo sound - the Korg GEC5 Lab System will take any music, language or technology lab to a new level of high efficiency and create a superior classroom experience. The advanced, yet easy-to-use audio routing in the GEC5 is compatible with any digital audio signal, so get creative and build a room with any combination of electronic instruments including digital pianos, guitars, synthesizers, and even MIDI-controlled software instruments. Want to do even more? Integrate computers with your lab and take learning to a new level of excitement and capability. Unlike other systems, the Korg GEC5 is completely open and allows you to use any curriculum that suits your classroom best. The sky is the limit! For over 20 years Korg has worked extensively with educators all over the world with overwhelming success in thousands of music, language and technology labs. This expertise in educational technology has led to the development of the Korg GEC5 Lab System - the most user-friendly, flexible and powerful lab control system available. Software Control Application MULTIPLE MODES MEAN FLEXIBILITY There are three main modes of GEC5 operation. Each of these can be selected within the software interface at the teacher’s station: Lecture Mode: Present material and instruction in a lecture format. All students hear the teacher’s microphone and instrument or computer allowing for a captive and quiet audience. - Tap the Student Instrument/Student Stations button and allow the students to play along. - Tap and hold to exclude a student from the lecture for independent work. - Double tap to bring a student into the lecture for comments or questions. Practice Mode: Practice mode is used when the students are working independently. Each student hears only his or her own instrument or computer. In Practice Mode, the teacher has the option of “eavesdropping” on the student and initiating 2 way communication with the student for individualized instruction. - Double-tap to eavesdrop, double-tap again to talk - Tap All Call to call attention to the group - Single tap to clear eavesdrop - Performance Mode allows the teacher to hear all of the students and their instruments at the same time while each student can only hear themselves, their instrument and the teacher’s audio. Group Mode: This mode is used when students are working together in groups (two or more student workstations in any conceivable configuration). Each student in a group can hear his or her own instrument as well as the instruments or computer and microphone of the other members of their group. - Tap and hold to select students to put in a group, then select New Group - Recall Auto Group Presets - Make your own custom presets for each class *This app must be used with the GEC5 hardware system available from an authorized Korg Dealer. http://www.korg.com/us/products/audio/gec5/index.php

About

Random Student

This app helps educators randomly select students for participation or group assignments. It supports classes up to 200 students, tracks responses, and can speak student names aloud. Import student lists and manage attendance to ensure equitable participation.

Highlights
  • Random student selection
  • Track correct responses
  • Import student lists from Google Classroom
  • Speak student names aloud
  • Attendance tracking
  • Create random groups
Features
Read full description

Main Features • Classes of up to 200 students each • Select a student at random. Track correct responses • Easily import student lists from Google Classroom • Device speaks name aloud • Take attendance so absent students are not called • Create random groups Now there is no need for teachers to use popsicle sticks or playing cards to call on students in class. Instead, use your iOS device to call on students in a truly random manner. For student enjoyment, use the 'speak aloud' option so students can hear their name called. The free version allows the use of 1 class while the premium upgrade supports up to 20 classes. In my classroom I allow the last selected student to push the random call button. This really takes teacher bias out of the selection process and the students feel a need to participate when the device speaks their name. Support information Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/randomstudentapp

Screenshots

Random Student4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Random Student at 75% against KORG GEC5 Controller's 25%. Random Student also leads on update cadence (every 2 months vs every 11 months) and ratings volume (23 vs 4). KORG GEC5 Controller's advantage is rating (5.0 vs 4.2) and in-app purchases (none vs 1). On price and ads 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. Random Student sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. KORG GEC5 Controller asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

KORG GEC5 Controller holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Random Student has 23 ratings behind it against 4, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 25% of KORG GEC5 Controller's written reviews are positive against 75% of Random Student's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

KORG GEC5 Controller ships an update every 11 months, Random Student every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 22, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard8 real differences · 2 level
KORG GEC5 Controller versus Random Student: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterKORG GEC5 ControllerRandom Student
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (4 ratings) — better4.2 (23 ratings)
Positive reviews25.0% of reviews75.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings423 — better
Update frequencyEvery 11 monthsEvery 2 months — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFreemium
DevicesiPadiPhone, iPad, Mac — better
Requires iOS11.0 — better18.0
Further details — not scored
Size22 MB20 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperKORG INC.Glen Botha

Customer experience

KORG GEC5 Controller

All ratings4 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews4 reviews
Positive25.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative75.0%

Random Student

All ratings23 ratings
Positive82.6%
Neutral0.0%
Negative17.4%
Written reviews4 reviews
Positive75.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative25.0%

In-app purchases

None

KORG GEC5 Controller

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

Random Student

One-time1
  • Premium features$19.99

Questions

Is KORG GEC5 Controller free?
KORG GEC5 Controller is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Random Student free?
Random Student is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, KORG GEC5 Controller or Random Student?
KORG GEC5 Controller is rated higher. KORG GEC5 Controller averages 5.0 out of 5 from 4 ratings, while Random Student averages 4.2 from 23 ratings.
Do KORG GEC5 Controller or Random Student have ads?
Neither KORG GEC5 Controller nor Random Student shows ads.
Which is updated more often, KORG GEC5 Controller or Random Student?
KORG GEC5 Controller ships an update every 11 months, and Random Student every 2 months. Most recently, KORG GEC5 Controller was updated on October 22, 2026 and Random Student on October 24, 2026.

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