Comparison

iMPC for iPhone vs KORG Gadget 3

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

Head to head
About

iMPC for iPhone

Transform your iPhone into a powerful music production studio. Create beats with over 600 samples, editable programs, and sequences. Record, overdub, and apply built-in effects for endless creative possibilities.

Highlights
  • Over 600 samples
  • 47 editable programs
  • 80 editable sequences
  • Built-in sampler with mic, line-in, and turntable recording
  • Built-in effects (delay, bit crusher, compressor)
  • Export to MPC Software and share to social media
  • 16 Levels mode and Note Variation slider
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

Turn your iPhone into an MPC with more than 600 samples, 47 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 iPhone. 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 iPhone, using the line input on the iPhone, 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 - 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

About

KORG Gadget 3

Create music with a comprehensive suite of over 40 virtual instruments and effects. This powerful yet intuitive ecosystem allows you to quickly turn your musical ideas into finished tracks, offering a vast sound library and flexible workflow for various genres.

Highlights
  • Over 40 virtual instruments and drum machines
  • New Santa Ana (Guitar) and Sydney (Sampler) gadgets
  • 5 new insert effects (IFX)
  • Intuitive user interface and workflow
  • Genre select system for songwriting
  • AUv3 support for iOS integration
  • Extensive sound library with 6,000+ programs
Features
Read full description

More Powerful Than Ever, Quickly Turn Your Ideas Into Music KORG Gadget 3 - A Complete, Seamlessly Integrated Music Production Ecosystem KORG Gadget has received numerous awards from around the world: • Apple: "App Store Best of 2014" in Japan • #1 in the Top Paid Music iPad App category* • TECH AWARD 2015 "Best Music Production App" • MusicTech's "Gear of the Year: Best App" Gold Award • “Musikmesse international press award 2016” Mobile Music App * USA, UK, Japan, Germany, France, Italy and much more! KORG Gadget is the ideal all-in-one music production software and plug-in suite featuring over 40* small synthesizers/drum machines (“gadgets”), which can be freely combined to create music driven by a powerful yet intuitive user interface. The range of products includes the award-winning iOS version, a Mac version that includes all functions and plug-ins, and a plug-in version that can be used with your favorite DAW on Mac/PC. Now in its third generation, more powerful than ever, the workflow is now more intuitive and easier to use than ever before and there are plenty of new features and new gadgets. KORG Gadget 3 offers an expanded variety of even more features to quickly turn your ideas into music, including two new gadgets, five insert effects (IFX), a new genre select system, and AUv3 support. In addition, the user interface has been brushed up to make the Gadget Browser, IFX page, and Play page even more intuitive. KORG Gadget 3 is the perfect tool to quickly turn your ideas into music. What's New in KORG Gadget 3 • Gadget Instrument Collection with a total over 6,000 sound programs • New gadgets: Santa Ana* (Guitar) and Sydney* (Sampler) • Improved user interface, making the workflow more intuitive than ever • A genre select function that allows you to create songs from your favorite patterns • 5 new IFX including an 8-Band EQ, Transient Shaper, Stereo Image, Auto Pumper, Pitch Shifter • The Play page: easy arpeggiator use and chord entry • A whole new sound browser that lets you select gadgets by the timbre you want • AUv3 support on iOS, allowing gadgets to be used in other music apps like Garageband, Logic Pro • A huge collection of over 40* gadget instruments Overwhelming sound. Immersive, intuitive and powerful user interface. Unprecedented and innovative quality. KORG Gadget 3 is a collection of over 40* gadget instruments, including compact synthesizers, drum machines, samplers, and audio and MIDI utilities. It has sophisticated parameters that make it easy for you to get to the sound they want, so you can create your own sounds instantly. The new Sound Browser allows you to get to your favorite sounds in the quickest time possible. It is perfectly suited for dance music as well as rock, pop, jazz, and other music sounds and genres. • Get your songwriting ideas with Genre Select The new "Genre Select" feature allows you to select your favorite genre and sound, and then start songwriting by freely combining patterns. 5 x 5 pads are all assigned with phrases created by gadgets, so you can start songwriting by freely combining your favorite patterns. You can start creating a song from a project in which each track's gadgets and scenes have been developed. Choose from the standard genre packs and enjoy a different approach to music production. • Tons of sounds readily available with the New Browser To make it easier than ever to find the desired gadget instrument, we have revised the Gadget Browser and added various functions. New features include displaying gadgets by instrument category, a Favourites function that allows you to group your favorite gadgets, and a search function that allows you to freely search for sounds in each gadget. Using the program search function, it is now possible to quickly and easily preview and search for the sound you wanted from a vast array of sounds. * Some gadgets are available as in-app purchases (IAP) or by purchasing other KORG apps. More info at korg.com

Screenshots

iMPC for iPhone4 screens
KORG Gadget 34 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: iMPC for iPhone at $6.99 against KORG Gadget 3's $39.99. iMPC for iPhone also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 11) and chart position (#169 vs unranked). KORG Gadget 3's advantage is rating (4.8 vs 2.8) and review sentiment (76% vs 35%). 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 for iPhone costs $6.99 and KORG Gadget 3 $39.99 up front. KORG Gadget 3 sells 11 one-off in-app purchases. iMPC for iPhone asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

KORG Gadget 3 holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 2.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: KORG Gadget 3 has 2.9K ratings behind it against 84, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 35% of iMPC for iPhone's written reviews are positive against 76% of KORG Gadget 3's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

iMPC for iPhone ships an update every 6 months, KORG Gadget 3 monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 15, 2026 and October 19, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard9 real differences · 2 level
iMPC for iPhone versus KORG Gadget 3: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameteriMPC for iPhoneKORG Gadget 3
Price$6.99 — better$39.99
Rating2.8 (84 ratings)4.8 (2.9K ratings) — better
Positive reviews35.0% of reviews75.8% of reviews — better
Number of ratings842.9K — better
Update frequencyEvery 6 monthsMonthly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaidFree with in-app purchases — better
Best chart rank#169 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS8.0 — better13.0
Further details — not scored
Size79 MB1.9 GB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAkai ProfessionalKORG INC.

Customer experience

iMPC for iPhone

All ratings84 ratings
Positive36.9%
Neutral16.7%
Negative46.4%
Written reviews246 reviews
Positive35.0%
Neutral15.0%
Negative50.0%

KORG Gadget 3

All ratings2,929 ratings
Positive94.7%
Neutral2.5%
Negative2.8%
Written reviews525 reviews
Positive75.8%
Neutral9.3%
Negative14.9%

User reviews

iMPC for iPhone

From 84 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Classic MPC feel
  • 👍 Intuitive interface
  • 🎨 Good sound quality
  • 💰 Affordable price

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Frequent crashes
  • 🔀 Unreliable sample playback
  • 🚫 Inability to delete samples
  • 🤖 Outdated and unresponsive UI

KORG Gadget 3

From 2.9K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Great for creating rave and dance music
  • 👍 Intuitive and easy to use
  • 🎨 Powerful sound design capabilities
  • 💡 Useful for live performance
  • 👍 Excellent workflow for sketching ideas

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Crashes and stability issues
  • 💰 Expensive with many in-app purchases
  • 🔀 Randomized saved project order
  • 🔍 Difficult to precisely control zoom and note editing
  • 🔓 Issues with restoring purchased content

Bugs and requests

iMPC for iPhone

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Crashes when editing samples
  • Playback issues with iOS 9 and later
  • Bluetooth connectivity problems

Requested features

4 requests
  • Add song mode to link sequences
  • Implement Audiobus support
  • Improve sample chopping and editing
  • Allow importing samples from cloud storage

KORG Gadget 3

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Playback issues with latest update
  • Imported samples limited to 5 seconds
  • Bilbao sampler crashes when importing WAV files
  • Gadget instruments not showing up in AUv3 lists

Requested features

8 requests
  • Add more acoustic drum and bass sounds
  • Implement MIDI out functionality
  • Allow customizable scales and tunings
  • Add a proper sampler with more advanced features
  • Improve copy/paste and track management capabilities
Show 3 more
  • Implement a linear song mode for non-grid-based compositions
  • Add more effects like halftime, sample degrader, etc.
  • Allow using AUv3 effects within Gadget

In-app purchases

None

iMPC for iPhone

No in-app purchases

11 purchases

KORG Gadget 3

One-time11
  • Bilbao$9.99
  • Abu Dhabi$9.99
  • Madrid$14.99
Show 8 more
  • Gladstone$14.99
  • Kamata$14.99
  • Lisbon$14.99
  • Vancouver$14.99
  • Stockholm$14.99
  • Otorii$14.99
  • Santa Ana$14.99
  • Ebina$14.99

Questions

Is iMPC for iPhone free?
iMPC for iPhone costs $6.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is KORG Gadget 3 free?
KORG Gadget 3 costs $39.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, iMPC for iPhone or KORG Gadget 3?
KORG Gadget 3 is rated higher. iMPC for iPhone averages 2.8 out of 5 from 84 ratings, while KORG Gadget 3 averages 4.8 from 2.9K ratings.
Do iMPC for iPhone or KORG Gadget 3 have ads?
Neither iMPC for iPhone nor KORG Gadget 3 shows ads.
Which is updated more often, iMPC for iPhone or KORG Gadget 3?
iMPC for iPhone ships an update every 6 months, and KORG Gadget 3 monthly. Most recently, iMPC for iPhone was updated on October 15, 2026 and KORG Gadget 3 on October 19, 2026.

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