Comparison

Elastic Drums vs KORG iELECTRIBE for iPhone

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

Head to head
About

Elastic Drums

This app offers a flexible groovebox experience, utilizing drum synthesis models for deeply tweakable sounds. It provides a powerful instrument for sound design and beat-making with extensive effects and a 16-step sequencer.

Highlights
  • Drum synthesis models
  • Deeply tweakable sounds
  • Versatile effects section
  • 16-step sequencer
  • Audio recording and export
  • Ableton Link synchronization
  • Inter-App Audio support
Features
Read full description

Machinedrum: "It's awesome, a lot of fun to work with and very easy to get something going. I love the sound presets too.“ Keyboards: „An extremely flexible beatbox with tons of character." CDM: "Finally, Your Pocket Gets a Perfect Drum Synth: Elastic Drums for iPhone." FACT Magazine: „One of the iPad’s best drum machines.“ Unlike most drum apps that rely heavily on samples, Elastic Drums uses drum synthesis models - making the sounds much more elastic and deeply tweakable. This approach allows for radical sound shaping, and when combined with the app’s versatile effects section, Elastic Drums becomes not just a beat-making tool, but a powerful instrument for sound design. Features: - 6 synth channels with 20 different percussion synth engines (kick, snare, hihat, clap, tom, wobble, fm, fm4, square, grain, synth, drone, sampler, 808 kit) - 12 parameters for each synth engine - Automation for each parameter via knob recording or velocity - 4 send effect channels with 2x13 mono effects and 2x11 stereo effects - Automation for all of the 8 possible effect parameters via xy pad - Master effects (stutter, delay, compressor ...) - 16 step sequencer for the 6 channels, each with it's own tempo multiplier & length - Record audio and export to via Airdrop or Audioshare - Email audio recordings and presets - Ableton Link synchronization and Ableton Live Set Export - Audiobus, Audiobus Remote, Inter-App Audio - Midi learn/Midi implementation of the most important parameters Factory presets by:  App Sound, Ben Jeffrey, Bill Jobs, Dead Fader, Hecq, Kero, Leonard de Leonard, Machine Drum, Mouse on Mars, Ochre, Pan, Phlex, Pilocka Krach, Red Sky Lullaby, Servando, Shadow Dancer, Swarm Intelligence, zNo

About

KORG iELECTRIBE for iPhone

Create powerful beats with a full-fledged rhythm machine for iPhone. This app faithfully reproduces the sound engine and design of a popular hardware unit, offering intuitive operation and a vast library of preset patterns. Enjoy detailed beat-making and sound synthesis anywhere, anytime.

Highlights
  • Faithful reproduction of hardware sound engine and design
  • Intuitive step sequencer for beat creation
  • 300 built-in inimitable rhythm patterns
  • Sound synthesis from single waveforms
  • Eight types of master effects
  • Audio export to DAW software
  • Wireless synchronization with other devices
Read full description

The ELECTRIBE reborn in an even smaller form A full-fledged rhythm machine for iPhone ● Featured in "Best Music Apps" ● Featured in "Best New Apps" This app’s intuitive operation allows anyone to easily create powerful beats on the ELECTRIBE series. The enormously popular ELECTRIBE-R instantly became a must-have item for track-makers around the world, and now it’s been reborn as an app for iPhone. With this app, we’ve effectively “put the original hardware chassis into your iPhone,” by faithfully reproducing the sound engine and design of the ELECTRIBE-R. We’ve also included the latest preset patterns and many new functions that are currently featured on the “iELECTRIBE for iPad”, released in 2010. , taking a further evolutionary step in technology. Taking advantage of the ease of use that you expect on iPhone, we have maximized the intuitive nature of the ELECTRIBE to make this new product worthy of its name: the iELECTRIBE mkII. It won’t take long for you to enjoy the ultimate experience of the Electribe series. This apps intuitive nature and familiar interface make it easy to create beats with an analog feel that’s like nothing else. ● Amazing rhythm machine that generates powerful grooves We’ve perfectly replicated the thick-sounding synth engine of the ELECTRIBE-R and its intuitive step sequencer. Now you can instantly obtain extreme tonal changes and powerful rhythms with just one touch Not only can iELECTRIBE for iPhone be easily enjoyed by anyone, but it also allows detailed beat-making that transcends iPhone specs. In addition to playing back the provided audio data, you can also freely synthesize sounds from a single waveform and combine those sounds into your own original beats. This allows for the true experience of music production that connects all musicians. ● Three hundred built-in rhythm patterns that only this app can produce With 64 of the latest preset patterns, 192 from the first-generation ELECTRIBE-R, and 32 template patterns for various genres, this app successfully draws out the full potential of the thick sounding analog beats. There are approximately 300 inimitable rhythm patterns that you’ll hear only from iELECTRIBE for iPhone. Electro, house, techno, drum'n'bass, dubstep, hip hop, techno pop, and IDM are some of the wide range of electronic music genres that are provided. ● An ELECTRIBE that you can put in your pocket and take anywhere Whether you’re on the train or bus while commuting to school or to work, at a coffee shop, or in your bedroom, you can enjoy beat-making anywhere and anytime you like. Your completed beats can be transferred to your DAW software via the audio export function. You can also use the WIST function to play wirelessly with a friend using two devices simultaneously. ● Powerful functions that bring infinite possibilities to your grooves We’ve packed maximum potential into this machine with eight types of powerful master effects featured on the upper-level models of the ELECTRIBE. This includes the ring modulation function of the ELECTRIBE-R and the cross-modulation function of the ELECTRIBE-R mkII. This app allows you to switch back and forth to choose between the two. It also includes the BEAT FLUTTER function that uses a proprietary randomizer to create fresh rhythms and the motion sequence function that remembers your knob movements. In addition, you can use an external USB-MIDI device such as the nanoPAD or nanoKONTROL for performance and control. There’s also support for the latest iOS technologies such as Inter-App Audio, Audiobus, Virtual MIDI, and iCloud. More info at korg.com

Screenshots

Elastic Drums4 screens
KORG iELECTRIBE for iPhone3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Elastic Drums at $9.99 against KORG iELECTRIBE for iPhone's $19.99. Elastic Drums also leads on rating (4.6 vs 3.9) and review sentiment (78% vs 51%). KORG iELECTRIBE for iPhone's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 8) and iOS requirement (11.0 vs 13.0). On update cadence, 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

Elastic Drums costs $9.99 and KORG iELECTRIBE for iPhone $19.99 up front. Elastic Drums sells 8 one-off in-app purchases. KORG iELECTRIBE for iPhone asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Elastic Drums holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 3.9. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Elastic Drums has 145 ratings behind it against 18, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 78% of Elastic Drums's written reviews are positive against 51% of KORG iELECTRIBE for iPhone's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 3 months. Both last shipped on November 1, 2026.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
Elastic Drums versus KORG iELECTRIBE for iPhone: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterElastic DrumsKORG iELECTRIBE for iPhone
Price$9.99 — better$19.99
Rating4.6 (145 ratings) — better3.9 (18 ratings)
Positive reviews78.3% of reviews — better50.7% of reviews
Number of ratings145 — better18
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsEvery 3 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases — betterPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPod
Requires iOS13.011.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size49 MB90 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperOliver Greschke (DE)KORG INC.

Customer experience

Elastic Drums

All ratings145 ratings
Positive88.3%
Neutral5.5%
Negative6.2%
Written reviews207 reviews
Positive78.3%
Neutral7.2%
Negative14.5%

KORG iELECTRIBE for iPhone

All ratings18 ratings
Positive66.7%
Neutral22.2%
Negative11.1%
Written reviews71 reviews
Positive50.7%
Neutral22.5%
Negative26.8%

Bugs and requests

Elastic Drums

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Crashing and freezing issues on certain devices
  • Audio glitches when switching presets
  • Timing and sync problems with external apps

Requested features

5 requests
  • AUv3 support for state saving and better DAW integration
  • More flexible song/arrangement mode
  • Improved MIDI mapping and control
  • Additional synthesis engines and sound design options
  • Enhanced performance and live playback features

KORG iELECTRIBE for iPhone

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

8 purchases

Elastic Drums

One-time8
  • Factory PresetsFree
  • Dj Elephant Power kit$2.99
  • App-Sound kit$2.99
Show 5 more
  • Bill Jobs (synthQ) kit$2.99
  • Sample Import$3.99
  • Futuristic synths$3.99
  • Analog techno provider$3.99
  • App-Sound Lofi Kit$3.99
None

KORG iELECTRIBE for iPhone

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Elastic Drums free?
Elastic Drums costs $9.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Is KORG iELECTRIBE for iPhone free?
KORG iELECTRIBE for iPhone costs $19.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Elastic Drums or KORG iELECTRIBE for iPhone?
Elastic Drums is rated higher. Elastic Drums averages 4.6 out of 5 from 145 ratings, while KORG iELECTRIBE for iPhone averages 3.9 from 18 ratings.
Do Elastic Drums or KORG iELECTRIBE for iPhone have ads?
Neither Elastic Drums nor KORG iELECTRIBE for iPhone shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Elastic Drums or KORG iELECTRIBE for iPhone?
Elastic Drums ships an update every 3 months, and KORG iELECTRIBE for iPhone every 3 months. Most recently, Elastic Drums was updated on November 1, 2026 and KORG iELECTRIBE for iPhone on November 1, 2026.

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