# KORG iM1 vs Patch Base

The clearest difference is price: Patch Base at Free against KORG iM1's $29.99. Patch Base also leads on update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 7 months). KORG iM1's advantage is rating (4.7 vs 3.4) and review sentiment (82% vs 53%). On ads, in-app purchases, monetization model and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Patch Base is free to download; KORG iM1 costs $29.99 up front. KORG iM1 sells 2 one-off in-app purchases and Patch Base sells 31 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

KORG iM1 holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 3.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: KORG iM1 has 1K ratings behind it against 85, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 82% of KORG iM1's written reviews are positive against 53% of Patch Base's.

KORG iM1 ships an update every 7 months, Patch Base every 3 weeks. Both last shipped on September 23, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | KORG iM1 | Patch Base |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $29.99 | **Free** |
| Rating | **[4.7 (1K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/korg-im1/id966030326/reviews)** | [3.4 (85 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/patch-base/id1070270299/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **1K** | 85 |
| Positive reviews | **81.5% of reviews** | 52.9% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 7 months | **Every 3 weeks** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | **#126** | — |
| Size | 200 MB | 69 MB |
| Requires iOS | 12.0 | 12.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [KORG INC.](https://appshunter.io/developer/363714046) | [Coffeeshopped LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/316294867) |

## What reviewers say

### KORG iM1

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/korg-im1/id966030326)

**Currently charting:** #126 Top Paid · Music (US App Store)

This app faithfully reproduces the legendary M1 synthesizer, offering its iconic sounds and expanded features for modern music creation. It provides a vast library of presets and intuitive performance tools, making it accessible to both experienced musicians and beginners.

**Highlights:** Faithful reproduction of original M1 sound, Expanded filter resonance and 18 effects, Gigantic library of 3,300 sounds, Intuitive KAOSS pad for performance, Smart Sound Browser for quick sound selection, Compatible with KORG Gadget

**Features:** Family Sharing

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| M1 Cards Pack | $4.99 | one-time |
| T1 Cards Pack | $4.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Authentic M1 sound reproduction
- 💰 Great value for money
- 🎹 Faithful recreation of the original hardware
- 🎨 Powerful sound customization options
- 🔗 Works well with MIDI controllers

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Occasional crashes or stability issues
- 🔇 Low output volume compared to other apps
- 🤔 Confusing UI for patch editing and saving
- 🔴 Missing AUv3 support for integration with DAWs

**Reported bugs**

- Disappearing or missing purchased sound cards
- Bluetooth MIDI connectivity issues
- Compatibility problems with certain iOS versions or devices

**Requested features**

- Add AUv3 support for better DAW integration
- Improve preset management and saving capabilities
- Increase master volume control options
- Expand sound library with more cards/expansions


### Patch Base

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/patch-base/id1070270299)

This app allows users to visualize, edit, and organize patches for a wide range of hardware synthesizers. It offers real-time parameter editing, patch bank management, and the ability to create random or initial patches. Users can also test sounds with an on-screen keyboard.

**Highlights:** Visualize synth patches, Real-time parameter editing, Manage patch banks, Create random patches, On-screen keyboard for sound testing, Extensive synthesizer support

**In-app purchases (31)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Patch Base: Monthly | $5.99 | per month |
| All Access: Annual | $59.99 | per year |
| Casio CZ-101 | $29.99 | one-time |
| Oberheim Matrix-6r | $29.99 | one-time |
| Yamaha DX7 | $29.99 | one-time |
| Yamaha TX7 | $29.99 | one-time |
| Ensoniq ESQ-1 | $29.99 | one-time |
| Korg Volca FM | $29.99 | one-time |
| Korg microKorg | $29.99 | one-time |
| Roland JD-Xi | $29.99 | one-time |
| Korg Minilogue | $29.99 | one-time |
| Roland JV-1080 | $29.99 | one-time |
| Waldorf Blofeld | $29.99 | one-time |
| Roland D-50 | $29.99 | one-time |
| Roland D-05 | $29.99 | one-time |
| Roland D-110 | $29.99 | one-time |
| Novation Bass Station II | $29.99 | one-time |
| Yamaha DX100 | $29.99 | one-time |
| Access Virus TI Snow | $29.99 | one-time |
| Yamaha TG33 | $29.99 | one-time |
| Roland JV-1010 | $29.99 | one-time |
| Yamaha SY77 | $29.99 | one-time |
| Roland XV-5050 | $29.99 | one-time |
| Yamaha TX81Z | $29.99 | one-time |
| Oberheim Matrix-1000 | $29.99 | one-time |
| Korg Volca FM2 | $29.99 | one-time |
| Oberheim Matrix-6 | $29.99 | one-time |
| Yamaha DX7II | $29.99 | one-time |
| Roland JV-880 | $29.99 | one-time |
| Yamaha Reface DX | $29.99 | one-time |
| All Access | $99.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Intuitive and logical interface design
- 🎛️ Comprehensive parameter editing for supported synths
- 💾 Excellent patch management and librarian features
- 📱 Works seamlessly across iPad and Mac
- 🔄 iCloud integration for patch backup and sync

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💰 High pricing model ($30 per synth or subscription)
- 🐛 Frequent crashes and stability issues
- ❌ No free trial without subscription commitment
- 📖 Poor documentation and lack of tutorials
- 🔌 Inconsistent MIDI connectivity and configuration

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes on iOS 14.2 and other versions
- MIDI buffer full errors with DX7IIFD
- Sysex transfer stalls and timeouts
- Cannot access operators 4-6 on Volca FM
- Algorithm changes crash app

**Requested features**

- MFB Dominion 1 editor
- Arturia Microfreak randomizer
- Novation Circuit Tracks support
- Korg Wavestate editor
- Roland MKS-70 and MKS-80 controllers


## Frequently asked questions

### Is KORG iM1 free?

KORG iM1 costs $29.99, and also offers in-app purchases.

### Is Patch Base free?

Patch Base is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, KORG iM1 or Patch Base?

KORG iM1 is rated higher. KORG iM1 averages 4.7 out of 5 from 1K ratings, while Patch Base averages 3.4 from 85 ratings.

### Do KORG iM1 or Patch Base have ads?

Neither KORG iM1 nor Patch Base shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, KORG iM1 or Patch Base?

KORG iM1 ships an update every 7 months, and Patch Base every 3 weeks. Most recently, KORG iM1 was updated on September 23, 2026 and Patch Base on September 23, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*