Comparison

VocaLive CS for iPad vs KORG iM1

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

Head to head
About

VocaLive CS for iPad

This app provides singers with professional vocal effects, recording tools, and practice aids. It offers real-time processing, a multi-track recorder, and microphone emulations to enhance vocal performance and creativity.

Highlights
  • 12 real-time professional vocal effects
  • 4-processor effects chain
  • 2-track recorder (expandable)
  • Voice Cancel for backing tracks
  • Mic Room with 20 mic emulations
  • Vocal warm-up tools
  • Live Mode optimized GUI
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VocaLive provides singers and vocalists with a suite of 12 real-time professional vocal effects, along with a range of tools to help you practice, sing and record. The effects can be combined into a chain of 4 processors and saved as presets. A collection of 55 presets is included to get you up and running immediately. VocaLive CS for iPad comes with the Reverb effect, and upon registration the Double effect is unlocked. You can add 10 additional effects à la carte from a selection that includes Pitch Fix (for tuning or stylized FX), Choir, Morph, De-Esser, Delay, Parametric EQ, Compressor, Chorus, Phazer and Envelope Filter. Together these effects provide unparalleled creative processing power. With VocaLive you can process your voice, sing along to any song in your iTunes Music library — its Voice Cancel feature lets you remove existing vocals — and warm up with helpful vocal warm-up tools. Use the new 2-track recorder to sing over backing tracks, or expand the studio section (available via in-app purchase) to record whole songs. With the optional Mic Room feature, VocaLive also gives you the sound and color of 20 classic and modern studio microphone emulations, for even more control over your vocal tone. Ready to perform? VocaLive’s new Live Mode offers an optimized GUI specifically for live. See your entire chain at a glance, with all the settings and controls you need in an easy-to-read format designed for the stage. Plus VocaLive offers an optional 4-track looper to easily create songs, harmonies and more on the fly. For best quality, use VocaLive with IK’s iRig Mic range of microphones, from handheld to studio condenser mic. Or connect your favorite 3rd party mic using our iRig Pre interfaces. But you can also have fun with it and record quick ideas using the built-in microphone on your iPad or earbuds. Control your virtual rig just as easily as you would a traditional vocal multiFX with new iRig Stomp I/O integration, so you can change presets, control effects and more right from your feet. Or go wireless with iRig Blueboard, a wireless Bluetooth controller for basic control on the go. VocaLive also supports Core Audio and Core MIDI so you can use any compatible third-party interface or MIDI controller, and Audiobus and Inter-App Audio compatible, letting you use it alongside your favorite recording or songwriting apps. VocaLive CS for iPad features: • Real time vocal processor + recording app • 4-processor vocal effects chain • 12 professional studio-quality effects available - 2 included • Mic Room microphone with 20 classic and modern studio mic emulations* • Includes metronome and vocal warm-up tools • 4-track looper section* • 2-track recorder (expandable to a full 8-track recording studio*) • Import and play songs directly from your Music library or computer • Voice Cancel lets you create sing-along backing tracks by removing the vocal track from existing recordings • Simultaneous multi-track recording • Studio section (included with Recorder) with waveform visualization and editing, touch-and-drag looping, normalization, punch-in/punch-out recording, simultaneous multi-track recording support and more • AutoFreeze (allows each track to have its own full effects chain) • Live Mode shows you your entire rig at a glance, with all the parameters you need on stage easily accessible • 55 presets included with 4 Favorites for fast recall • MIDI controllable and with built-in integration for iRig Stomp I/O, iRig Blueboard and other controllers • Audiobus & Inter-App Audio support • Full version available * available via in-app purchase IMPORTANT: AmpliTube users can add the effects processors from VocaLive to their AmpliTube app using the “Restore my purchases” option in the in-app menu. For more information: www.ikmultimedia.com/vocaliveipad Accessories information: www.ikmultimedia.com

About

KORG iM1

This app faithfully reproduces the legendary M1 synthesizer, offering its iconic sounds and expanded features for modern music creation. It provides a vast library of presets and intuitive performance tools, making it accessible to both experienced musicians and beginners.

Highlights
  • Faithful reproduction of original M1 sound
  • Expanded filter resonance and 18 effects
  • Gigantic library of 3,300 sounds
  • Intuitive KAOSS pad for performance
  • Smart Sound Browser for quick sound selection
  • Compatible with KORG Gadget
Features
Currently charting
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A complete reproduction - and more - of the legendary M1 that defined an era. Mobile Digital Synthesizer for the iPad. ● Selected by Apple as "App Store Best of 2015" ● Ranked #1 on the App Store on Top Paid Music category in more than 20 countries! (15/5/27) Since it went on sale in 1988 the legendary M1 music workstation rapidly achieved record-breaking sales, becoming a mainstay of the music scene from the late 1980s and beyond. The common element of electronic instruments that have left their name in history is that they had a unique sound that was difficult if not impossible to replicate. Sounds such as the “M1 Piano” is instantly recognizable and have appeared on countless hit records over many years, and yet these are sounds that could only be produced by the M1. And that’s what you can now have on your iPad! ● A faithful reproduction of the original M1 Sound The PCM data provides the library of the original M1. For the hardware, we analyzed the circuit diagram of the original design, and completely replicated it in software down to the last detailed parameters. Engineers with an exhaustive knowledge of the M1 made careful adjustments in order to obtain the sound of the original unit, something that cannot be obtained simply by sampling the original sounds. ● A continued evolution of the M1 Not content with simply reproducing the original, iM1 provides further evolutionary developments. Synth parts now have the Filter Resonance that was requested at the time of the original. The effect parts, originally consisting of only two effects, have been powered-up to 18 effects. The user interface has also been refreshed with additions such as a KAOSS pad. iM1 is the ultimate version of the KORG M1. ● A gigantic library encompassing 3,300 sounds and 34 cards* In addition to all 19 of the ROM cards originally released for the M1, iM1 also covers the sounds of the M1EX which expanded the internal PCM of the M1, as well as the sounds of the T-series which appeared as an evolution of the M1. There’s also “BEST OF M1”, a selection of 100 great M1 programs. The new “Smart Sound Browser” makes it quick to find the desired sound. You can also view the sounds ranked by how often they are selected by iM1 users around the world. *with all the expansion card installed via in-app purchase ● KAOSS pad lets anybody perform iM1 features a KAOSS pad from the popular KAOSSILATOR, allowing you to perform intuitively just by touching the screen. By using the dual KAOSS pads to play phrases or adjust the sound, even people who are not accustomed to keyboard instruments or knowledgeable about synthesizers can enjoy performing the iM1. There’s also a conventional keyboard, as well as the “Smart Keyboard”, which lets you specify a scale setting and play phrases with a single finger. ● Use with KORG Gadget for song production iM1 can be used together with Gadget, the music production DAW app that won the App Store Best App of 2014 award in Japan. If both apps are installed, you can use iM1 as a sound module within Gadget, taking advantage of the program sounds in iM1 for music production. iM1 also supports Audiobus and Inter-App Audio, so it can also be used for GarageBand etc. ● Connect a MIDI keyboard and use as a sound module In addition to enjoying iM1 on its own, you can connect a USB MIDI keyboard* via a Lightning adaptor and play the iM1 as an external sound module. You can easily take along an even more powerful workstation sound module as part of your iPad-based compact mobile system. *microKEY, nanoKEY etc. ● Interchangeable with the KORG Legacy Collection and the original M1 Sounds that you create in iM1 can be sent from your iPad via iTunes to a Mac/PC. If you have the Legacy Collection M1, you can use those sounds in a DAW. More info at korg.com

Screenshots

KORG iM14 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: KORG iM1 at 82% against VocaLive CS for iPad's 17%. KORG iM1 also leads on chart position (#86 vs unranked) and device support (3 vs 1). VocaLive CS for iPad's advantage is price (Free vs $29.99). On update cadence, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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

VocaLive CS for iPad is free to download; KORG iM1 costs $29.99 up front. VocaLive CS for iPad sells 10 one-off in-app purchases and KORG iM1 sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

VocaLive CS for iPad ships an update every 9 months, KORG iM1 every 7 months. Both last shipped on November 6, 2026.

Scorecard4 real differences · 7 level
VocaLive CS for iPad versus KORG iM1: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterVocaLive CS for iPadKORG iM1
PriceFree — better$29.99
Rating—4.7 (1K ratings) — better
Positive reviews17.3% of reviews81.5% of reviews — better
Number of ratings—1K — better
Update frequencyEvery 9 monthsEvery 7 months — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank—#86 — better
DevicesiPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS13.012.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size135 MB200 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperIK Multimedia US, LLCKORG INC.

Customer experience

VocaLive CS for iPad

Written reviews98 reviews
Positive17.3%
Neutral13.3%
Negative69.4%

KORG iM1

All ratings1,007 ratings
Positive93.8%
Neutral2.3%
Negative3.9%
Written reviews487 reviews
Positive81.5%
Neutral7.4%
Negative11.1%

User reviews

VocaLive CS for iPad

From App Store reviews

What we love

  • 🎤 High-quality vocal effects and processing
  • 💰 Affordable compared to professional equipment
  • 🎵 Good reverb and audio effects
  • 🔌 Works with external microphones (iRig)
  • 🎚️ Useful for home recording and songwriting

Room to improve

  • 💸 Aggressive in-app purchase model
  • 🐛 Frequent crashes and stability issues
  • ❌ Poor iOS compatibility after updates
  • 📚 Confusing and complicated user interface
  • 🔧 Inadequate customer support

KORG iM1

From 1K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Authentic M1 sound reproduction
  • 💰 Great value for money
  • 🎹 Faithful recreation of the original hardware
  • 🎨 Powerful sound customization options
  • 🔗 Works well with MIDI controllers

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Occasional crashes or stability issues
  • 🔇 Low output volume compared to other apps
  • 🤔 Confusing UI for patch editing and saving
  • 🔴 Missing AUv3 support for integration with DAWs

Bugs and requests

VocaLive CS for iPad

Reported bugs

15 issues
  • App crashes on iOS updates
  • Cannot import songs from iTunes library
  • Registration system malfunction
  • Audiobus initialization errors
  • Built-in microphone not functioning properly
Show 10 more
  • Audio artifacts and noise in processed signals
  • Track naming freezes
  • Multi-track recording failures
  • Export audio quality degradation
  • Recording not working on some devices
  • Latency issues with pitch detection
  • App won't open after updates
  • Glitchy inter-app audio compatibility
  • Pop-up ads requiring dismissal
  • File conversion issues

Requested features

14 requests
  • Update to Files app integration
  • USB microphone support
  • MIDI control for effects and presets
  • Audiobus and inter-app audio compatibility
  • Cross-device purchase transfer
Show 9 more
  • Video tutorials and better documentation
  • Facebook sharing capability
  • Package deals for add-ons
  • Cross-device discount pricing
  • Simplified user interface
  • Low-latency pitch detection
  • iOS 7+ compatibility updates
  • Looper functionality
  • Bypass effects via MIDI/Bluetooth

KORG iM1

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Disappearing or missing purchased sound cards
  • Bluetooth MIDI connectivity issues
  • Compatibility problems with certain iOS versions or devices

Requested features

4 requests
  • Add AUv3 support for better DAW integration
  • Improve preset management and saving capabilities
  • Increase master volume control options
  • Expand sound library with more cards/expansions

In-app purchases

10 purchases

VocaLive CS for iPad

One-time10
  • Chorus$4.99
  • Compressor$4.99
  • Delay$4.99
Show 7 more
  • Parametric Equalizer$4.99
  • Choir$5.99
  • Morph$5.99
  • PitchFix$5.99
  • Recorder$19.99
  • Recorder + Studio$24.99
  • All FX Pack$24.99
2 purchases

KORG iM1

One-time2
  • M1 Cards Pack$4.99
  • T1 Cards Pack$4.99

Questions

Is VocaLive CS for iPad free?
VocaLive CS for iPad is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is KORG iM1 free?
KORG iM1 costs $29.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Do VocaLive CS for iPad or KORG iM1 have ads?
Neither VocaLive CS for iPad nor KORG iM1 shows ads.
Which is updated more often, VocaLive CS for iPad or KORG iM1?
VocaLive CS for iPad ships an update every 9 months, and KORG iM1 every 7 months. Most recently, VocaLive CS for iPad was updated on November 6, 2026 and KORG iM1 on November 6, 2026.

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