Comparison

iMPC vs iVCS3

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

Head to head
About

iMPC

Transform your iPad into a powerful music production tool with this app. It offers a classic MPC workflow, extensive sample libraries, and advanced editing features to create beats and sequences. Easily record, overdub, and share your musical creations.

Highlights
  • Classic MPC workflow
  • Over 1,200 samples
  • Record and overdub beats
  • Built-in effects
  • Sampler with multiple input options
  • Export tracks to MPC Software
  • 16 Levels mode
Features
Read full description

Turn your iPad into an MPC with more than 1,200 samples, 50 editable programs, 80 editable sequences, and iconic MPC workflow. Need help? Have an issue or question? Please email us at support@retronyms.com. iMPC brings the look and feel of the classic Akai Pro MPC to your iPad. iMPC includes everything you need to create a beat quickly and easily. With features including built-in effects, plus the ability to create new sequences and record and overdub beats, the possibilities are endless. The app’s built-in sampler can record samples three different ways: using the mic on the iPad, using the line input on the iPad, or using the multi-touch turntable interface in iMPC to record samples directly from iTunes or other music libraries. - Exclusive iMPC sound set and classic Akai Professional sound library - "3D Perform" controls -- use your iPhone's motion sensors to control parameters - Export tracks to MPC Software for use with MPC Renaissance and MPC Studio - Share on SoundCloud, Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, or export to your computer - 16 Levels mode: 16 levels of attack, velocity, length, and tuning - Note Variation slider: adjust attack, velocity, length, and tuning as you play - Trim and categorize samples, undo takes and erase samples - Use with Tabletop’s Timeline Editor - Tabletop Ready iMPC is free for for iMPC owners - Route to and use with your favorite Tabletop Effects and devices - Line-in allows you to resample Tabletop devices - Create new sequences, record and overdub beats - Live Sequence queuing for real-time performance and playback - Simple drag and drop program creation - Effects include delay, bit crusher, master compressor/limiter - Time correct: 1/8 note - 1/32T with variable swing - Note Repeat: 1/8 note - 1/32T timing, with latch - AudioCopy beats and sequences to compatible apps - AudioPaste samples from hundreds of compatible apps Check out our other apps in the MPC Collection: iMPC for iPhone and iMPC Pro 2. Happy music making!

About

iVCS3

This application emulates the iconic EMS VCS3 synthesizer, a pioneering portable synthesizer from 1969. It recreates the original's unique sound generation capabilities, including its oscillators, filters, and patch matrix, allowing users to explore its distinctive sonic palette.

Highlights
  • Official EMS VCS3 emulation
  • Three oscillators (2 VCOs, 1 LFO)
  • Noise generator
  • Voltage controlled low pass filter (VCF)
  • Patch board matrix
  • Joy-stick controller
  • Voltage controlled spring reverb
Features
Read full description

iVCS3 Official EMS VCS3 emulator The VCS3 was created in 1969 by Peter Zinovieff's EMS company. The electronics were largely designed by David Cockerell and the machine's distinctive visual appearance was the work of electronic composer Tristram Cary. The VCS3 was more or less the first portable commercially available synthesizer—portable in the sense that the VCS 3 was housed entirely in a small, wooden case. The VCS3 was quite popular among progressive rock bands and was used on recordings by The Alan Parsons Project, Jean Michel Jarre, Hawkwind, Brian Eno (with Roxy Music), King Crimson, The Who, Gong, and Pink Floyd, among many others. Well-known examples of its use are on The Who track "Won't Get Fooled Again" (as an external sound processor, in this case with Pete Townshend running the signal of a Lowrey Organ through the VCS3's filter and low frequency oscillators) on Who's Next. Pink Floyd's "On the Run" (from The Dark Side of the Moon) made use of its oscillators, filter and noise generator, as well as the sequencer. Their song Welcome to the Machine also used the VCS3. The bassy throb at the beginning of the recording formed the foundation of the song, with the other parts being recorded in response. The VCS3 was also a staple at the BBC’s Radiophonic Workshop, and was a regular (and most frightening) sound generator for the Dr Who TV series. Many fo the monsters and atmoshere;s created for the show came directly from the VCS3. Description The VCS3 has three oscillators (in reality, the first 2 oscillators are normal oscillators and the 3rd an LFO or Low Frequency Oscillator), a noise generator, two input amplifiers, a ring modulator, a 18dB/octave (pre-1974) or 24dB/octave (after 1974) voltage controlled low pass filter (VCF), a trapezoid envelope generator, joy-stick controller, voltage controlled spring reverb unit and 2 stereo output amplifiers. Unlike most modular synthesizer systems which use cables to link components together, the VCS3 uses a distinctive patch board matrix into which pins are inserted in order to connect its components together. Keyboards controller DK1 keyboard controller Although the VCS3 is often used for generating sound effects due to lack of built-in keyboard, there were external keyboard controllers for melodic play. The DK1 in 1969 was an early velocity sensitive monophonic keyboard for VCS3 with an extra VCO and VCA. Later it was extended for duophonic play, as DK2, in 1972. Also in 1972, Synthi AKS was released, and its digital sequencer with a touch-sensitive flat keyboard, KS sequencer, and its mechanical keyboard version, DKS, were also released. (See: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VCS3)

Screenshots

iVCS34 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: iVCS3 at 91% against iMPC's 44%. iVCS3 also leads on rating (4.9 vs 2.3) and update cadence (every 2 months vs every 10 months). iMPC's advantage is price ($9.99 vs $19.99) and in-app purchases (none vs 10). On ads and device support 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

iMPC costs $9.99 and iVCS3 $19.99 up front. iVCS3 sells 10 one-off in-app purchases. iMPC asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

iVCS3 holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 2.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: iVCS3 has 206 ratings behind it against 32, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 44% of iMPC's written reviews are positive against 91% of iVCS3's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

iMPC ships an update every 10 months, iVCS3 every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 6, 2026 and October 7, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard8 real differences · 2 level
iMPC versus iVCS3: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameteriMPCiVCS3
Price$9.99 — better$19.99
Rating2.3 (32 ratings)4.9 (206 ratings) — better
Positive reviews44.5% of reviews90.7% of reviews — better
Number of ratings32206 — better
Update frequencyEvery 10 monthsEvery 2 months — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaidFree with in-app purchases — better
DevicesiPadiPhone, iPad — better
Requires iOS8.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size440 MB107 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAkai ProfessionalapeSoft

Customer experience

iMPC

All ratings30 ratings
Positive23.3%
Neutral10.0%
Negative66.7%
Written reviews443 reviews
Positive44.5%
Neutral15.1%
Negative40.4%

iVCS3

All ratings206 ratings
Positive96.6%
Neutral1.5%
Negative1.9%
Written reviews193 reviews
Positive90.7%
Neutral2.6%
Negative6.7%

User reviews

iMPC

From 32 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Intuitive workflow
  • 💯 Great sample library
  • 🎨 Classic MPC look and feel
  • 💰 Good value for money

Room to improve

  • 🔇 Weak metronome
  • 🔢 Limited to 4 tracks
  • 🔁 No sample editing after assignment
  • 🔌 Lack of Audiobus/MIDI support

iVCS3

From 206 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Faithful recreation of the original
  • 👍 Powerful and versatile sound
  • 🎨 Gorgeous vintage interface
  • 💡 Additional features beyond the original
  • 🎛️ Excellent integration with MIDI and other apps

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Occasional crashes and bugs
  • 🤔 Steep learning curve
  • 🔍 Difficult to navigate the matrix

Bugs and requests

iMPC

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Crashes and freezes
  • Exported audio quality issues
  • Inconsistent MIDI implementation

Requested features

5 requests
  • Ability to chop samples
  • More effects and sound processing options
  • Increased track count
  • Audiobus and MIDI integration
  • Improved sample management and organization

iVCS3

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Presets not loading
  • Crashes on iOS 15.04
  • Sampler not functioning properly

Requested features

3 requests
  • Mac compatibility
  • Improved preset management
  • Expanded sampling capabilities

In-app purchases

None

iMPC

No in-app purchases

10 purchases

iVCS3

One-time10
  • Red Sky Lullaby - 180 PresetsFree
  • Singe Difficile by RUST(i)KFree
  • RUMBLEFree
Show 7 more
  • OLD GRIT - COLLECTIONFree
  • JEC 2018 Iconic PinkFloydFree
  • JEC EMS-50Free
  • SINAPSYA - Under The Dust$2.99
  • LALA - Sonic Pleasures$3.99
  • JEC Mega Bank$4.99
  • Essential EMS Modifications$6.99

Questions

Is iMPC free?
iMPC costs $9.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is iVCS3 free?
iVCS3 costs $19.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, iMPC or iVCS3?
iVCS3 is rated higher. iMPC averages 2.3 out of 5 from 32 ratings, while iVCS3 averages 4.9 from 206 ratings.
Do iMPC or iVCS3 have ads?
Neither iMPC nor iVCS3 shows ads.
Which is updated more often, iMPC or iVCS3?
iMPC ships an update every 10 months, and iVCS3 every 2 months. Most recently, iMPC was updated on October 6, 2026 and iVCS3 on October 7, 2026.

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