This video is a live demo & comparison between the Korg iMS-20, running on an iPad, versus the original classic analog synthesizer, the Korg MS-20.
The comparison, via modul8tor, is “Not an academical approach, just some playing to get you the idea with some tunes.”
So what’s the verdict?
For Modul8tor, at least, its simple. “If you happen to have an MS-20 laying somewhere, go with that. Otherwise, buy the iMS-20 and enjoy the drums section!”
Got a different verdict? Let us know in the comments!
via modul8tor:
modul8tor(–at–)gmail.com
http://www.modul8tor.com
Can An Virtual iPad Synthesizer Match The Real Thing?
ehm… no.
Sure it can not match the real deal but im quite sure you can have equal fun with iMS-20. On the first night i jammed for hours until 5 in the morning until i realized i need to go to work in 2 hours. I love it.
The Korg iMS-20 would be indistinguishable from a real Korg in a mix, but it's not going to match the exact sound of the analog original.
The important thing is that it sounds great and it's not going to set you back $1,500, like a Korg MS-20 probably would nowadays.
how about "no fucking way"
Next time I go to a park to play with some ideas I'll have a hard time choosing between packing the MS-20 or the iPad in my satchel!
If my favorite artist played it and didn't tell me, I wouldn't be bad ass enough to tell the difference.
As you can clearly see from the video, it’s not the same thing twisting the knob on the hardware, and trying to move some pixels with your finger on the iPad… that’s the main difference to me. For the rest probably they sound more or less the same, the original has more depth, sounds rounder, the digital imitation is quite good, but shows it’s imitational nature in some cases.
I think to buy an ms-20 is a choice for life, you spend a lot of money and decide to dedicate a part of your life and music production to that instrument. Because that’s what it takes to get the full potential out of any instrument.The iPad version is more for those who just want to play around with it for some time… it’s a toy for the musical geek. Nothing bad with that (I’m a musical geek myself) but it’s just to say where the difference is imho. And it’s not really about how much the ipad version sounds like the orginal… it’s more a cultural thing. Hardware culture vs. software culture, and about lifecycles in these two fields.
the iMS-20 sounds good, almost as good as the original (just not as full and round).
The main diffirence though, lays elsewhere…
If you buy an MS-20 then that's a precise choice you make, it's a commitment to an extraordinary instrument, and you're committing yourself to dedicate a part of your life to it.
the iPad version is more for those who just want to check it out, or need a bit of MS-20 in their productions… it's something you buy, play around with, then forget because you'll be moving on to the next one.
How long will the iPad last? will you still be playing with the iMS-20 in 5 years? And in 10?
I always hate the "You'd never notice in a mix" response. I don't what kind of mixing you do but I can hear an analogue filter about 50 meters away. They are extremely different. I am not sure what you are hearing and what kind of music you make but I would most definitely notice it in a mix. I would notice it even more when I am playing it. I can only guess that you do not have any analogue gear and don't know what they sound like. This is not a better worse argument (although the real Korg is clearly going to be better – there is a reason people still want them) this is more of a 'there is a difference' argument.