Comparison

Nave vs KORG iWAVESTATION

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

Head to head
About

Nave

This app is a powerful wavetable synthesizer for creating complex and evolving sounds. It features advanced oscillators, a versatile filter, and extensive modulation options. Users can craft unique wavetables from audio files or speech synthesis, and record their musical ideas.

Highlights
  • Advanced Wavetable Oscillators
  • Überwave Oscillator Module
  • Multimode Filter
  • Extensive Modulation Matrix
  • Speech and Audio File Wavetable Creation
  • 4-Track Recorder
  • Blades for Polyphonic Modulation
Features
Read full description

Nave - next generation Wavetable Synthesis Nave is Waldorf’s first synthesizer App development – created by chief engineer and 
director Stefan Stenzel, NLog mastermind Rolf Wöhrmann and Design Guru Axel Hartmann. The Nave sound engine includes two novel Wavetable oscillators, leaving every previous attempt in wavetable synthesis far behind. The spectrum of a sound can be transposed independently of its pitch. The waves are being rendered periodically to noisy. Especially sounds with an accent on formants can be reproduced easily, which made us integrate a speech synthesizer for the easy creation of wavetables. The clearly structured UI invites both beginners and advanced users to experiment, and the large display of 
the iPad makes Wavetable creation and editing a blast. Besides Speech Synthesis, Wavetables can also be made by analysing audio files. Further stretching, rotating and shifting in spectral domain allows Wavetables to be further refined or distorted. All factory Wavetables from Microwave, Wave and Blofeld are included, complemented by new ones that make extensive useof the enhanced possibilities. In addition to the Wavetable Oscillators, Nave offers an oscillator module featuring the novel Überwave that can fatten your sound by up to eight detuned oscillators. The filter offers the familiar outstanding Waldorf sound, featuring lowpass, bandpass and highpass with either 12dB or 24dB slope. The Drive section offers different characteristics, and it can be positioned in the signal path: before or after the filter, or as a summing overdrive before or after the equalizer - for those who prefer harsh screaming sounds over delicate Wavetable sweeps. An extended modulation matrix and diverse real time control functionality is waiting for animating Nave sounds in any desired direction. Besides the classic virtual chromatic keyboard, Nave can be played with the “Blades” that allow for dynamic triggering of polyphonic modulation by sliding the fingers in x or y direction. The 4-track recorder can be used to build your own Nave songs or to simply sketch your music, inspired by the sounds of Nave. Audio Demos: nave.waldorfmusic.de/sound Nave Specifications per Voice: · Two independent advanced Wavetable Oscillators · Osc module with up to 8 oscillator Überosc with sawtooth, triangle, PWM, white or pink noise · Two Ring Modulators · Multimode Filter with LP,BP and HP, each either 12 dB or 24 dB · 3 Envelopes · 2 LFO · 10 Modulation Matrix Entries · Drive with adjustable curve, depth and position Effects: · Modulation Effect with either Chorus, Flanger or Phaser · Modulation Delay · High Quality Reverb · Three band parametric Equalizer · Compressor Additional Features: · Keyboard with adjustable size, scrolling and glissando modes · Blades with musical scales and optional chord mode · Polyphonic X/Y finger modulation on keyboard and blades · Modulation Wheel and Pitch Bender · Up to 3 X/Y Control Pads · Four Track Recorder with clip based editing · Core MIDI in / out support · MIDI device manager for external hardware and virtual connections · Sync to MIDI Clock or WIST · MIDI Learn · Audiobus compatible · Background Audio · Arpeggiator · Polyphonic Unisono · Speech Synthesizer for Wavetables · 3D Wavetable Editing · Generation of Wavetables from external audio files · Audio Copy / Paste Support · Patch Management with unlimited user banks and categories · Import / Export audio and sound patches from iTunes

About

KORG iWAVESTATION

This app recreates a legendary 1990s synthesizer, offering time-varying timbre creation and advanced vector synthesis. Experience its unique sound-shaping potential with a renewed graphic interface and touch-based operation for iOS devices.

Highlights
  • Faithful reproduction of original WAVESTATION sound
  • Graphical wave sequence view with touch control
  • 1,500 sounds, 700+ waveforms, 55 effects
  • Powerful random sequence engine
  • AUv3 support for Logic Pro and GarageBand
  • Integration with KORG Gadget DAW
Features
Read full description

Creating sounds with time-varying timbre, on your mobile device. KORG iWAVESTATION - A wave sequence synthesizer for iOS. The WAVESTATION synthesizer went on sale in 1990. This instrument featured an advanced vector synthesis system which created new sounds by combining and connecting multiple waveforms; it provided a mix/morphing function that let you use a joystick to change the balance of four oscillators, and a distinctive wave sequence function that allowed you to place waveforms in a desired sequence to create sequence patterns. To this day, it continues to be considered a legendary and still-unique instrument. Now in 2016, the WAVESTATION has been reborn as "KORG iWAVESTATION," an app for iPad/iPhone. In addition to completely reproducing the programs, it also features a renewed design that lets everyone experience the stupendous sound-shaping potential of the WAVESTATION. It features touch-based operation that's distinctive of iOS, in conjunction with a new graphic interface that allows you to visualize and edit the time-varying timbral changes that are distinctive of the WAVESTATION. [ Features ] - A faithful reproduction of the original WAVESTATION sound: In addition to providing the sounds from all PCM memories of the WAVESTATION, the new iWAVESTATION also reproduces in software every detail of the parameters, based on an analysis of the original hardware circuit diagram. - A new wave sequence view that can be graphically controlled: The iWAVESTATION, we advance another step with a graphical user interface that takes advantage of the touch operations that are a characteristic of iOS. Even more than ever, we've updated the screen design with an emphasis on creating sequences. - 1,500 sounds, more than 700 waveforms, 55 effects, and a powerful random sequence engine: This new instrument includes a stupendous number of presets and waveforms, covering all models of the series. iWAVESTATION also provides a new random sequence function which will give you different perspectives to inspire new sounds. - Use with KORG Gadget and AUv3 for song production: iWAVESTATION can be used in conjunction with the "KORG Gadget" music production DAW app that has won numerous awards around the world. If both apps are installed, it can be used as the "Milpitas" gadget inside the KORG Gadget app. And also supports AUv3, so it can also be used as a sound module for Logic Pro and GarageBand. With a convenient and richly varied set of sounds, iWAVESTATION can be the foundation for either of these music production environments. More info at korg.com

Screenshots

KORG iWAVESTATION4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Nave at $19.99 against KORG iWAVESTATION's $29.99. Nave also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 1) and rating (4.6 vs 4.2). KORG iWAVESTATION's advantage is device support (3 vs 1). On ratings volume, update cadence 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

Nave costs $19.99 and KORG iWAVESTATION $29.99 up front. KORG iWAVESTATION sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Nave asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Nave holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 4.2. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 78 and 134 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 87% of Nave's written reviews are positive against 69% of KORG iWAVESTATION's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Nave ships an update every 3 months, KORG iWAVESTATION every 5 months. The most recent releases landed on October 22, 2026 and October 21, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
Nave versus KORG iWAVESTATION: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterNaveKORG iWAVESTATION
Price$19.99 — better$29.99
Rating4.6 (78 ratings) — better4.2 (134 ratings)
Positive reviews87.2% of reviews — better69.0% of reviews
Number of ratings78134 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 months — betterEvery 5 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaidFree with in-app purchases — better
DevicesiPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS10.3 — better13.0
Further details — not scored
Size198 MB96 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperWaldorf MusicKORG INC.

Customer experience

Nave

All ratings77 ratings
Positive88.3%
Neutral6.5%
Negative5.2%
Written reviews288 reviews
Positive87.2%
Neutral6.3%
Negative6.6%

KORG iWAVESTATION

All ratings132 ratings
Positive78.8%
Neutral8.3%
Negative12.9%
Written reviews203 reviews
Positive69.0%
Neutral17.2%
Negative13.8%

User reviews

Nave

From 78 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Powerful sound engine
  • 👍 Intuitive and visually appealing interface
  • 🎨 Vast sound design capabilities
  • 💯 High-quality presets
  • 🎹 Excellent on-screen keyboard

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Stability issues and crashes
  • 🔋 High battery consumption
  • 🔀 Preset navigation could be improved
  • 🔒 Lack of AUv3 support
  • 🔇 Some presets rely heavily on built-in effects

KORG iWAVESTATION

From 134 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🎹 Classic synth sounds
  • 👍 Improved interface over hardware
  • 🎨 Excellent sound design capabilities
  • 🎉 Randomize feature for inspiration
  • 🔌 Gadget integration

Room to improve

  • 🔍 Lack of preset search/organization
  • 🔊 Weak filter capabilities
  • 🔌 No MIDI channel selection
  • 🔌 Limited MIDI control options

Bugs and requests

Nave

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Audio dropouts and glitches when used with other apps
  • Presets not saving correctly
  • Keyboard issues like lack of lock function

Requested features

4 requests
  • Add AUv3 support for better integration with other apps
  • Improve preset management and organization
  • Implement a basic sequencer or MIDI recording
  • Add more modulation options and deeper sound design capabilities

KORG iWAVESTATION

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • Crashes when saving user presets
  • Compatibility issues with newer iOS versions

Requested features

4 requests
  • Add AUv3 support
  • Improve preset management and browsing
  • Enhance MIDI functionality (channel selection, more CCs)
  • Expand filter options (high-pass, band-pass)

In-app purchases

None

Nave

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

KORG iWAVESTATION

One-time1
  • Expansion Card Pack$4.99

Questions

Is Nave free?
Nave costs $19.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is KORG iWAVESTATION free?
KORG iWAVESTATION costs $29.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Nave or KORG iWAVESTATION?
Nave is rated higher. Nave averages 4.6 out of 5 from 78 ratings, while KORG iWAVESTATION averages 4.2 from 134 ratings.
Do Nave or KORG iWAVESTATION have ads?
Neither Nave nor KORG iWAVESTATION shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Nave or KORG iWAVESTATION?
Nave ships an update every 3 months, and KORG iWAVESTATION every 5 months. Most recently, Nave was updated on October 22, 2026 and KORG iWAVESTATION on October 21, 2026.

Other comparisons