VocaLive for iPad vs KORG iM1
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
VocaLive for iPad
This app provides singers with studio-quality vocal effects and recording tools. It offers real-time processing, a multi-track recorder, and microphone emulations to enhance vocal performances and practice sessions.
- 12 real-time professional vocal effects
- 4-processor effects chain
- 2-track recorder (expandable)
- Mic Room with 20 mic emulations
- Vocal warm-up tools
- Voice Cancel for backing tracks
- Live Mode 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 for iPad includes 12 vocal effects: Pitch Fix (for tuning or stylized FX), Choir, Morph, Reverb, De-Esser, Delay, Parametric EQ, Compressor, Chorus, Phazer and Envelope Filter plus a vocal Double effect available via registration. 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 use. 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 for iPad features: • Real time vocal processor + recording app • 4-processor vocal effects chain • 12 professional studio-quality vocal effects 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 * 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
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.
- 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
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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
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: KORG iM1 at 82% against VocaLive for iPad's 35%. KORG iM1 also leads on device support (3 vs 1). VocaLive for iPad's advantage is price ($24.99 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
VocaLive for iPad costs $24.99 and KORG iM1 $29.99 up front. VocaLive for iPad sells 6 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.
VocaLive for iPad ships an update every 9 months, KORG iM1 every 7 months. The most recent releases landed on October 22, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | VocaLive for iPad | KORG iM1 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $24.99 — better | $29.99 |
| Rating | — | 4.7 (1K ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 35.1% of reviews | 81.5% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | — | 1K — better |
| Update frequency | Every 9 months | Every 7 months — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPad | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 | 12.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 135 MB | 200 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | IK Multimedia US, LLC | KORG INC. |
Customer experience
VocaLive for iPad
KORG iM1
User reviews
VocaLive for iPad
From App Store reviewsWhat we love
- 🎤 High-quality vocal effects and processors
- 🎛️ Intuitive interface and easy-to-use controls
- 🎵 Professional sound quality when working properly
- ⚙️ Comprehensive effect presets available
- 📱 Portable vocal recording solution for iOS
Room to improve
- 💰 Excessive in-app purchases and hidden costs
- 🐛 Frequent crashes and stability issues across iOS updates
- ⏸️ Poor compatibility with iOS version updates
- 🔌 Limited microphone/hardware compatibility
- 📦 Incomplete base app requiring additional paid features
KORG iM1
From 1K App Store ratingsWhat 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 for iPad
Reported bugs
14 issues- App crashes on iOS 7, iOS 11, iOS 15, iOS 16 updates
- App won't start after iOS updates
- Harmony presets reverting to other presets after updates
- Stereo recording with phase cancellation instead of mono
- Vocal audio too quiet or inaudible
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- Microphone input not recognized
- App disappears when minimized or switching apps
- Audible hum in audio output
- Lag and latency in pitch control and harmonizer
- Recording glitches, pops, and drops
- In-app purchases not persisting after reinstall or update
- Audiobus initialization errors
- Unable to load sounds for upload
- WiFi file transfer link not functional
Requested features
15 requests- Audio Unit Extension (AUv3) support for use in other DAWs
- AudioBus compatibility
- Stereo to mono conversion effect
- Distortion effect
- Looper functionality for stacking vocal loops
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- Multi-track recording with proper timeline editing
- Waveform visualization for editing
- Audio copy/paste functionality
- Better file transfer options (Dropbox, Google Drive integration)
- GarageBand plugin integration
- Bluetooth speaker connectivity
- Keyboard chord control with polyphony
- Video playback for karaoke/practice
- Dock connector microphone support
- Better song list UI with longer character limits
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
VocaLive for iPad
- External Control$5.99
- Looper$14.99
- Mic Pack$14.99
Show 3 moreShow fewer
- Recorder$19.99
- Studio$19.99
- Recorder + Studio$24.99
KORG iM1
- M1 Cards Pack$4.99
- T1 Cards Pack$4.99
Questions
Is VocaLive for iPad free?
Is KORG iM1 free?
Do VocaLive for iPad or KORG iM1 have ads?
Which is updated more often, VocaLive for iPad or KORG iM1?
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