Comparison

KORG cortosia vs Dexed Synth

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

Head to head
About

KORG cortosia

This app helps musicians improve their sound quality by analyzing five key elements of performance in real-time. It provides instant feedback, tracks daily progress, and allows users to compare their skills globally. Ideal for beginners and intermediate players seeking to refine their technique.

Highlights
  • Real-time analysis of five 'good sound' elements
  • Instant scoring on a 100-point scale
  • Daily practice recording and progress tracking
  • Global ranking for 'good sound' competition
  • Supports multiple wind and string instruments
  • Model tone comparison
Currently charting
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KORG cortosia, the tuner app that makes it enjoyable to practice the basics Learn “good sound” and enjoy “good performance”! *This app can evaluate only flute, clarinet, trumpet, violin, cello, saxophone, trombone and euphonium performances. (Operating Requirements) iOS8 or later iPhone 5 or later, iPod Touch 5th Generation or later KORG has answered the question: “Can a tuner recognize good sound?” With the KORG cortosia you'll see what's missing from “good sound” with just a glance. Even practice that's slightly boring (such as practicing the production of single notes) will become enjoyable. The cortosia is a completely new type of interactive tuner app designed to improve the overall quality of sound produced by the artist. * Analyzes five elements of “good sound” and rates them in real time * Automatically records “good sound” so you can check your daily improvement in technique * Lets you compete against the world in “good sound” and vie for ranking * Supports flute, clarinet, trumpet, violin, cello, saxophone, trombone and euphonium Analyze five elements of “good sound” and rate them in real time: Just what is “good sound”? Beautiful sound, pleasant sound, sound that resonates in the listener's heart. Perceptions of “good sound” differ between people, but could there be some commonalities? Through cooperative research with Pompeu Fabra University in Barcelona, Spain, under the direction of Professor Xavier Serra, Korg has arrived at a technology “Artistry” (*1) for evaluating “good sound” based on five elements. 1: Pitch Stability 2: Dynamic Stability 3: Timbre Stability 4: Timbre Richness 5: Attack Clarity Simultaneously with the tuner display, a radar chart shows the results of analyzing these five elements in real time, and scores them on a scale of 100 points. While tuning, you can see at a glance what aspects of your tone are lacking. You can also listen to a model tone and hear how it differs from your own sound. This is highly recommended for beginners who have just started a musical instrument, as well as for intermediate players who want to advance to the next level. *1: Automatic Rating Technology for musical InSTRument plaYers Automatically record “good sound,” and check your daily advances in technique: Data is automatically recorded and kept when tuning and scoring. You can audition the accumulated recording data or recall a radar chart for it, and you can also check the number of hours you practiced and your best score for each day. By looking at your past results, you can see how you are progressing. In addition, you can post your score to a social networking service such as Facebook or Twitter allowing you to record or upload your daily progress (or backsliding) as if you were writing a diary. Whether you use this to compete with your friends or to give encouraging comments, it's a great way to improve your skill while enjoyably sharing information. Compete with the world for “good sound”: Your ranking is compiled by averaging your highest score for each note, and displayed. You'll be able to see your current position among performers around the world who use cortosia. Supports flute, clarinet, trumpet, violin, cello, saxophone, trombone and euphonium. A full range of basic functionality including tuner, metronome, and level meter: In addition to a chromatic tuner that benefits from Korg's forty years of know-how in tuner development, there's a metronome that supports tap tempo, and even a level meter, making cortosia a great partner for performance or practice.

About

Dexed Synth

This app brings a powerful FM synthesizer to your mobile device, offering a vast library of sounds. It integrates with popular DAWs and supports external MIDI controllers for enhanced control and performance.

Highlights
  • FM Synthesizer port
  • Over 20,000 cartridges with 32 patches each
  • AudioUnit AUv3 plugin support
  • MIDI controller input via USB
  • Lock scroll and parameter locking
  • MIDI CC mapping
Features
Currently charting
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A port of Dexed, a FM Synthesizer. Features over 20,000 Cartridges with 32 patches each. Comes with AudioUnit AUv3 plugin for use inside AUM and other DAW apps like GarageBand. Get a camera kit and plug in a midi controller through USB, or get a 5-PIN DIN 1/in 1/out, to: USB and use the camera kit through USB MIDI Spec, NOTE: some devices handle SysEx differently and therefore we cannot promise support for SysEx, so invest in connectors and cables wisely. If you have questions involving making MIDI-USB work the best for your situation, email support. This iOS app was designed especially with small interfaces in mind. Example: an iPhone 5S or a resizable window inside AUM. If one clicks the menu eye, a feature LOCK SCROLL can be –very– important to set knobs, sliders, et cetera: if screen size is limited. LOCK PARAMs in the eye menu locks the parameters for scrolling without knocking loose the preset. In the CARTs menu double tap a cartridge to load a series of patches, the files will have a .syx extension. To use MIDI CC, in the menu eye you must first turn on MIDI CC. When MIDI CC is on it makes the tap events react like a right mouse button click. NOTE: MIDI CC, in eye menu, doesn't have to be on after CC controls are mapped. MIDI CC touch modifier will also turn off after you have successfully mapped a CC control, or when you delete the current mappings. You can turn it on again later to turn off mappings or create new CC mappings. I would suggest setting CC knobs in the bottom section of the screen – above keyboard (if visible). Currently you must save patch in DAW – for instance: GarageBand or AUM. Once we can determine unity and saving/loading between the AUv3 plugin and the StandAlone app, external save will be eventually developed. There is a pathway set to transfer .syx files through iTunes to the StandAlone app, only. Other plans include fixing pixelated images, a quick zoom to set CC mode and updating GUI to a higher degree, make sure midi CC knobs update.

Screenshots

KORG cortosia4 screens
Dexed Synth4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: KORG cortosia at 4.2 against Dexed Synth's 3.3. KORG cortosia also leads on review sentiment (48% vs 30%) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 15.0). Dexed Synth's advantage is price ($3.99 vs $9.99) and ratings volume (40 vs 6). On update cadence, ads, in-app purchases and chart position 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

KORG cortosia costs $9.99 and Dexed Synth $3.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

KORG cortosia holds the better App Store score, 4.2 against 3.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Dexed Synth has 40 ratings behind it against 6, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 48% of KORG cortosia's written reviews are positive against 30% of Dexed Synth's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 2 months. Both last shipped on September 23, 2026.

Scorecard6 real differences · 5 level
KORG cortosia versus Dexed Synth: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterKORG cortosiaDexed Synth
Price$9.99$3.99 — better
Rating4.2 (6 ratings) — better3.3 (40 ratings)
Positive reviews47.8% of reviews — better29.8% of reviews
Number of ratings640 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 2 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidFree — better
Best chart rank#190#152 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS12.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size35 MB105 MB
Age rating12+12+
DeveloperKORG INC.George Rosar

Customer experience

KORG cortosia

All ratings6 ratings
Positive66.7%
Neutral16.7%
Negative16.7%
Written reviews23 reviews
Positive47.8%
Neutral26.1%
Negative26.1%

Dexed Synth

All ratings40 ratings
Positive42.5%
Neutral30.0%
Negative27.5%
Written reviews57 reviews
Positive29.8%
Neutral24.6%
Negative45.6%

In-app purchases

None

KORG cortosia

No in-app purchases

None

Dexed Synth

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is KORG cortosia free?
KORG cortosia costs $9.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Dexed Synth free?
Dexed Synth costs $3.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, KORG cortosia or Dexed Synth?
KORG cortosia is rated higher. KORG cortosia averages 4.2 out of 5 from 6 ratings, while Dexed Synth averages 3.3 from 40 ratings.
Do KORG cortosia or Dexed Synth have ads?
Neither KORG cortosia nor Dexed Synth shows ads.
Which is updated more often, KORG cortosia or Dexed Synth?
KORG cortosia ships an update every 2 months, and Dexed Synth every 2 months. Most recently, KORG cortosia was updated on September 23, 2026 and Dexed Synth on September 23, 2026.
Which is more popular, KORG cortosia or Dexed Synth?
KORG cortosia currently peaks at #190 in the App Store charts, and Dexed Synth at #152. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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