Korg's IMS-20 for the IPad: Virtual Analog Synthesizer for Apple's Popular Tablet Computer

A companion to their popular iElectribe, Korg's iMS-20 is a virtual analog synthesizer and sequencer app for the iPad. Essentially an emulator of the Korg MS-20 analog synthesizer, introduced in the late 70s, the iMS-20 is perfect for electronic musicians and for anyone wanting to learn the basics of analog synthesis.

Korg released a similar product, the DS-10, for the Nintendo DS a few years ago, but the iMS-20 is a superior product, taking full advantage of the iPad's touchscreen interface.

The iMS-20 provides a monophonic synthesizer, a 6-part drum machine, a 16-step sequencer, and a mixer with 14 different effects. It's possible to create individual patterns and assemble those patterns into larger songs.

Virtual Patch Cords on the Korg iMS-20

The main part of the iMS-20's interface features a collection of knobs, a patch bay, and a nearly three-octave keyboard that feels familiar to any veteran synthesizer user. Multitouch is fully supported, so it's possible to tweak more than one parameter at a time on the iPad's touchscreen. Hardware control is also possible through use of a MIDI controller hooked up using the iPad's camera connector kit.

The virtual patch bay allows for even more wild sound construction; a simple finger swipe between two patch bay connectors creates a virtual patch cord, enabling iPad owners to channel their inner Keith Emerson.

For those new to analog synthesis, the iMS-20 comes with a host of preset sounds, which makes it easier to the learn the basics without starting a new patch from scratch. Even veteran synth-heads can find fast inspiration from modifying an existing preset.



Keyboards and Kaoss Pads for Performance

While the keyboard is the standard way to play the iMS-20, the included dual Kaoss Pads are arguably the most fun. Korg makes a variety of hardware Kaoss Pads which serve as effect units or sound generators, and the iMS-20 versions provide similar functionality.

Both the X and Y axises are set to a certain parameters in each Kaoss Pad allowing an amazing amount of sonic control using two fingers. Once again, the iPad is perfect for this kind of music application.

The keyboard also sports a pitch wheel for bending notes during real-time play. Of course, the entire iMS-20 synthesizer with its array of knobs is a real-time performance instrument as well.

The iMS-20 is also Fully Functional Electronica Workstation

In addition to its virtual analog synthesizer, the iMS-20 also features a drum machine and a sequencer which allows anyone to assemble their own electronic patterns and assemble them into songs.

The drum machine has six parts, each with its own sound using a samples from the iMS-20's synthesizer. The individual beat patterns are arranged using a matrix display which is traditional in the drum machine world.

These patterns are assembled into songs and the final sonic product is mixed together using the included 7-part mixer with volume and pan control along with a selection of 14 different effects.

It's possible to export the finished song to a WAV file and upload that file to SoundCloud or any other music hosting service. This reporter imports finished iMS-20 songs into ProTools for even more overdubbing and sonic embellishment.

The iMS-20 is another Korg release that illustrates the iPad's worth as a musical device. This app is must buy for anyone interested in electronic music or analog synthesis.