Comparison

KORG iM1 vs EXPANSION EXPLORER

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

Head to head
About

KORG iM1

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
Read full description

A complete reproduction - and more - of the legendary M1 that defined an era. Mobile Digital Synthesizer for the iPad. ● Selected by Apple as "App Store Best of 2015" ● Ranked #1 on the App Store on Top Paid Music category in more than 20 countries! (15/5/27) Since it went on sale in 1988 the legendary M1 music workstation rapidly achieved record-breaking sales, becoming a mainstay of the music scene from the late 1980s and beyond. The common element of electronic instruments that have left their name in history is that they had a unique sound that was difficult if not impossible to replicate. Sounds such as the “M1 Piano” is instantly recognizable and have appeared on countless hit records over many years, and yet these are sounds that could only be produced by the M1. And that’s what you can now have on your iPad! ● A faithful reproduction of the original M1 Sound The PCM data provides the library of the original M1. For the hardware, we analyzed the circuit diagram of the original design, and completely replicated it in software down to the last detailed parameters. Engineers with an exhaustive knowledge of the M1 made careful adjustments in order to obtain the sound of the original unit, something that cannot be obtained simply by sampling the original sounds. ● A continued evolution of the M1 Not content with simply reproducing the original, iM1 provides further evolutionary developments. Synth parts now have the Filter Resonance that was requested at the time of the original. The effect parts, originally consisting of only two effects, have been powered-up to 18 effects. The user interface has also been refreshed with additions such as a KAOSS pad. iM1 is the ultimate version of the KORG M1. ● A gigantic library encompassing 3,300 sounds and 34 cards* In addition to all 19 of the ROM cards originally released for the M1, iM1 also covers the sounds of the M1EX which expanded the internal PCM of the M1, as well as the sounds of the T-series which appeared as an evolution of the M1. There’s also “BEST OF M1”, a selection of 100 great M1 programs. The new “Smart Sound Browser” makes it quick to find the desired sound. You can also view the sounds ranked by how often they are selected by iM1 users around the world. *with all the expansion card installed via in-app purchase ● KAOSS pad lets anybody perform iM1 features a KAOSS pad from the popular KAOSSILATOR, allowing you to perform intuitively just by touching the screen. By using the dual KAOSS pads to play phrases or adjust the sound, even people who are not accustomed to keyboard instruments or knowledgeable about synthesizers can enjoy performing the iM1. There’s also a conventional keyboard, as well as the “Smart Keyboard”, which lets you specify a scale setting and play phrases with a single finger. ● Use with KORG Gadget for song production iM1 can be used together with Gadget, the music production DAW app that won the App Store Best App of 2014 award in Japan. If both apps are installed, you can use iM1 as a sound module within Gadget, taking advantage of the program sounds in iM1 for music production. iM1 also supports Audiobus and Inter-App Audio, so it can also be used for GarageBand etc. ● Connect a MIDI keyboard and use as a sound module In addition to enjoying iM1 on its own, you can connect a USB MIDI keyboard* via a Lightning adaptor and play the iM1 as an external sound module. You can easily take along an even more powerful workstation sound module as part of your iPad-based compact mobile system. *microKEY, nanoKEY etc. ● Interchangeable with the KORG Legacy Collection and the original M1 Sounds that you create in iM1 can be sent from your iPad via iTunes to a Mac/PC. If you have the Legacy Collection M1, you can use those sounds in a DAW. More info at korg.com

About

EXPANSION EXPLORER

Discover, install, and manage additional content for compatible Yamaha arranger workstations. Explore a library of free Voices, Styles, and Multi Pads, and even get style recommendations based on audio files. Preview content before installing it directly to your instrument.

Highlights
  • Discover and install expansion content
  • Search and filter by country, tempo, beat
  • Analyze audio files for style recommendations
  • Pre-listen to content before installation
  • Wireless or USB installation
  • Create favorite content lists
  • Light and dark mode options
Features
Read full description

Welcome to EXPANSION EXPLORER, a one-stop solution for discovering, installing and managing Expansion content on PSR-SX920/SX720/A5000 and Genos2 Arranger Workstations. ・What is Expansion Content? Expansion Content includes free additional Voices, Styles, Multi Pads, and more for you to install and enjoy on your Arranger Workstation. A growing library of Expansion Content is already available, featuring a diverse range of instruments and Styles from around the world. ・Search Search for content directly from the app's Home screen and use the advanced search options to filter results by country, tempo, beat, and more. ・Style Recommendations If you have an audio file of the song you want to play, Expansion Explorer can analyze it and recommend the most suitable Style from the Expansion Content library for your performance. ・PRE-LISTEN Content can be auditioned in the app before installation. You can listen to the auditions anytime, even without being connected to your instrument. ・INSTALL The app installs your chosen content directly to your instrument. Depending on your instrument’s specification, this is done wirelessly or via a USB cable. ・CONVENIENT FEATURES Create a list of your favorite content, view your preview and installation history, and switch between light and dark modes in the app. ---- CAUTIONS : Contents already installed by Yamaha Expansion Manager into the Expansion area of your keyboard, including pre-installed content in PSR-SX920 and 720, will be removed when installing new content from Yamaha EXPANSION EXPLORER. About pre-installed content in PSR-SX920 and 720, you will be able to reinstall them through the EXPANSION EXPLORER app, if desired.

Screenshots

KORG iM14 screens
EXPANSION EXPLORER4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: KORG iM1 at 82% against EXPANSION EXPLORER's 25%. KORG iM1 also leads on rating (4.7 vs 3.0) and ratings volume (1K vs 2). EXPANSION EXPLORER's advantage is price (Free vs $29.99) and in-app purchases (none vs 2). 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

EXPANSION EXPLORER is free to download; KORG iM1 costs $29.99 up front. KORG iM1 sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. EXPANSION EXPLORER asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

KORG iM1 holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 3.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: KORG iM1 has 1K ratings behind it against 2, 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 25% of EXPANSION EXPLORER's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

KORG iM1 ships an update every 7 months, EXPANSION EXPLORER every 5 months. The most recent releases landed on September 26, 2026 and September 1, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
KORG iM1 versus EXPANSION EXPLORER: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterKORG iM1EXPANSION EXPLORER
Price$29.99Free — better
Rating4.7 (1K ratings) — better3.0 (2 ratings)
Positive reviews81.5% of reviews — better25.0% of reviews
Number of ratings1K — better2
Update frequencyEvery 7 monthsEvery 5 months — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS12.0 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size200 MB154 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperKORG INC.Yamaha Corporation

Customer experience

KORG iM1

All ratings1,007 ratings
Positive93.8%
Neutral2.3%
Negative3.9%
Written reviews487 reviews
Positive81.5%
Neutral7.4%
Negative11.1%

EXPANSION EXPLORER

All ratings2 ratings
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%
Written reviews4 reviews
Positive25.0%
Neutral25.0%
Negative50.0%

Bugs and requests

KORG iM1

Reported bugs

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

Requested features

4 requests
  • 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

EXPANSION EXPLORER

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

2 purchases

KORG iM1

One-time2
  • M1 Cards Pack$4.99
  • T1 Cards Pack$4.99
None

EXPANSION EXPLORER

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is KORG iM1 free?
KORG iM1 costs $29.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Is EXPANSION EXPLORER free?
EXPANSION EXPLORER is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, KORG iM1 or EXPANSION EXPLORER?
KORG iM1 is rated higher. KORG iM1 averages 4.7 out of 5 from 1K ratings, while EXPANSION EXPLORER averages 3.0 from 2 ratings.
Do KORG iM1 or EXPANSION EXPLORER have ads?
Neither KORG iM1 nor EXPANSION EXPLORER shows ads.
Which is updated more often, KORG iM1 or EXPANSION EXPLORER?
KORG iM1 ships an update every 7 months, and EXPANSION EXPLORER every 5 months. Most recently, KORG iM1 was updated on September 26, 2026 and EXPANSION EXPLORER on September 1, 2026.

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