Top KORG iM1 Alternatives for Modern Music Production
The KORG iM1 brought the legendary M1 music workstation's iconic sounds to the iPad, making those instantly recognizable tones accessible to a new generation. While the M1 Piano and other unique sounds are truly historic, musicians often seek new sonic palettes or more modern features. If you love the concept of a classic digital synth recreated for your device but are looking for a KORG iM1 alternative, you're in the right place.
The Best KORG iM1 Alternatives
Whether you're after faithful emulations of other vintage hardware, powerful modular systems, or comprehensive music production studios, there are fantastic alternatives to the KORG iM1 that offer unique sounds and innovative workflows for your iOS device.
Moog Model 15
The Moog Model 15 is a meticulously recreated rendition of the classic Moog Model 15 modular synthesizer, available for Commercial use on iPhone and iPad. Unlike the M1's digital synthesis, this alternative offers the authentic warmth and flexibility of a modular analog system, providing a completely different sonic landscape for those looking beyond the M1's iconic sounds. It features a robust Modular System and functions as a Virtual Instrument.
DRC - Polyphonic Synthesizer
DRC - Polyphonic Synthesizer is a cross-platform, virtual synthesizer available for Commercial use on Mac, Windows, Android, iPhone, Android Tablet, and iPad. It excels at recreating the sound of classic, analog synths, making it a compelling KORG iM1 alternative if you're seeking a broad palette of warm, rich analog tones rather than the M1's digital character. It serves as a versatile Virtual Instrument.
Poison-202
Poison-202 is a virtual synth designed to emulate the sounds of classic hardware synths from the '80s and '90s, available for Commercial use on Mac, iPhone, and iPad. If you appreciate the retro appeal of the KORG iM1 but want to explore other iconic sounds from the same era, Poison-202 offers a wide range of nostalgic tones that complement or expand upon the M1's unique character.
KORG Gadget
KORG Gadget is a complete music creation studio featuring over 20 full-featured synths from Korg themselves, available on a Freemium model for Mac, iPhone, and iPad. As a KORG iM1 alternative, Gadget offers not just one but a diverse collection of synthesizers, including many Korg classics and modern designs, along with a Built-in Sequencer, DAW capabilities, MultiTrack recording, and Music Composer tools, providing a much more expansive production environment.
KORG iWAVESTATION
The KORG iWAVESTATION is Korg's stunning recreation of its legendary WAVESTATION synthesizer from 1990, available for Commercial use on iPhone and iPad. If you appreciate the M1's historical significance but are curious about other Korg innovations from that era, the iWAVESTATION provides a distinct 'wave sequencing' synthesis method that offers a completely different sonic texture as a Virtual Instrument, making it a natural KORG iM1 alternative within the Korg family.
KORG iMS-20
iMS-20 is an analog synth studio that completely recreates the Korg MS-20 synth, an analog sequencer, a drum machine, and even Korg's Kaoss Pad technology, available for Commercial use on iPad and supporting AudioBus. For those who enjoy KORG iM1's vintage appeal but want to dive into the raw, hands-on world of analog synthesis with a comprehensive studio environment, iMS-20 provides a powerful and authentic alternative.
ARP ODYSSEi
ARP ODYSSEi is a masterful recreation of Korg's legendary 1972 synthesizer, the ARP Odyssey, made exclusively for iOS (iPhone and iPad) and available for Commercial use. As a KORG iM1 alternative, the ARP ODYSSEi offers a distinctly different, earlier analog sound palette. It's polyphonic and provides a faithful emulation of a true analog classic, appealing to those who appreciate vintage synth sounds but desire the growl and bite of an analog instead of the M1's digital character.
Animoog
Animoog captures the vast sonic vocabulary of Moog synthesizers and applies it to the modern touch surface paradigm, enabling you to quickly sculpt incredibly fluid and expressive sounds. Available for Commercial use on iPhone, iPad, and supporting AudioBus, Animoog stands out as a KORG iM1 alternative for its unique 'Anisotropic Synthesis Engine'. It offers a fresh, modern approach to synthesis with a Moog pedigree, moving beyond classic emulations into innovative sound design possibilities.
Exploring these KORG iM1 alternatives can open up a world of new sonic possibilities for your music production. Each offers a unique take on virtual instruments, from classic analog emulations to full-fledged music creation environments. Consider your preferred workflow, desired sound characteristics, and budget to find the best fit for your creative needs.