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How iM1 is different from Darwin in Gadget (and why the update is good news)
If you buy the two IAP, you will have 3300 presets in iM1. Try to think of another iPad synth that gives you that many. 
Can you get all 3300 in the Darwin gadget? No, probably less than half. iM1 and Darwin are different in many ways.
iM1 has Programs and Combis (built from up to 8 Programs); Darwin only has programs. You can program patches in iM1; you can only adjust a few parameters of each program in Darwin. For example, unlike other gadgets, you can’t choose which 2 effects are in a Darwin patch. In fact, it doesn't even tell you what they are! Just FX1 and FX1 Dry/Wet!.But you can change the effects to whatever you want for a preset in iM1, save them in a new patch on a Library Card and then you’ll have access to the preset in Gadget, and you can adjust the effects there. Or maybe it would be easiest to leave them totally dry and use the Gadget effects.
This is why it is nice that Korg just added 100 more spots to save iM1 presets to in the new update—a total of 200. This allows you to tweak and program new patches, or just store your favorites on these Library Cards. It’s easier to search through 3000+ presets in iM1 than in Gadget. Both iM1 and Darwin have excellent search tools, similar to looking for loops in GarageBand.
One reason I’m writing this is because @JohnnyGoodyear had difficulty saving patches in his Library. It was frustrating for me, until I figured it out. When you save a preset: 1) make sure the name of the patch you want to save is on top 2) click “write” 3) select the slot on one of the 4 Library cards 4) if it's a new patch, if you want you can give it a new name and tag it so it will turn up in searches later.
Then… click “Close.” If you don't click “Close” it won’t save.
Also, there are 4 other cards, marked “User.” These don't share with Gadget. And these don't save unless you go to the File menu to save a session.
A little note about the M1 and iM1
The M1 combined digital samples with traditional subtractive synthesis. Instead of oscillators, samples are used as the basis and then filters, LFOs, envelope generators, and effects are put on them. The Programs (aside from the drum ones) are built from one or two samples. As I said, the Combis are built up from up to 8 Programs, which can stacked or turned into split keyboards. A good example is the Combi “Sax&Growl,” which is built from the program “Tenor Sax” and “Hard Sax” The first patch plays for all velocities; the Hard Sax patch plays when the velocity is 106-127, which makes this a very expressive preset.
A lot of Combis are either lush layers, or split keyboards (lots of bass on the left, instruments on the right), or velocity switched patches like "Sax&Growl," where you can trigger feedback on a distorted guitar combi at a certain velocity level.
If you enjoy playing with a combi in iM1, you might be able to get something similar with multiple instances of Darwin in Gadget. I haven’t tried it, but maybe you could achieve a “Sax & Growl” effect using Midiflow to filter the velocity change.
It’s really fun to do programming experiments in iM1, by using an existing patch and swapping one of the basic sounds. So for example, if you wanted to use the sound of a hammer to be the attack for a choir or a guitar, just make the switch. You can use the same search tools for the basic samples, that you use for Programs and Combis.
By the way, iM1 adds something that the iM1 doesn’t have: Multi mode, which allows you to easily use iM1 as a sound module, and set up to 8 programs to be controlled on different MIDI channels. Many of you do this with Gadget and programs like Fugue Machine. Of course you can do this in Gadget, with multiple instances of Darwin, but it's easier to do it in iM1 and you have many other options, like velocity filtering.
Comments
Lots of good information on saving patches for use in Gadget - had no idea there was a difference between "user cards" and the Library cards. Good to know. Thanks!
Excellent summation Mister @Reid.
I think I have finally nailed the saving, but I had done a year ago and somehow forgot in the interim. However, im1 is going to get a lot more use moving forward. Was very pleased to see the addition of extra Library cards, encourages me to work on more sounds....it really is a trove.
Thank you for your post.
Thanks @eustressor and @JohnnyGoodyear
Reading all the stuff about Gadget that has been written here in the last few days has really inspired me. I have never used Gadget for songwriting before, only Auria Pro and Cubasis. But I'm going to be doing a lot of exploring Gadget, and that means getting more out of iM1 and Darwin.
iM1 is pretty amazing. When you bought new sounds for the M1 synth, you had to stick the PCM card in one slot and stick the other card in to get the programs and combis. You had to have both of them plugged in. Now you have access to ALL the sounds, including stuff that was done for the Korg Legacy app and was never actually sold for M1s or T1s. Also, each pair of cards cost about $60, I believe. You had to pay that for the cards to hold your sequences too. So figure out what the 42 cards on iM1 would be worth. Much more than the $2000 for an M1. (But not as much as the $4000 for a T1)
But iM1 is less than an M1 one in one crucial way--it has no sequencer. You need to have Gadget and Darwin to get full M1 functionality.
@Reid Thanks for this comprehensive explanation. Posts like this one are what make this forum great.
Completely agree.
The iM1 also differs from the original M1 in that it has resonance on the filters, this adds hugely to its sound shaping capabilities.
...and I can take iM1 wherever I go
Here's what search looks like in iM1 and Darwin
Having the character filters saves a lot of time.
So even if you never plan to do any programming in iM1, you can get more use out of Darwin by searching for programs you like within iM1 and putting the stuff you like into one of your Libraries.
The reason you can get such a diverse range of sounds out of iM1 is that some of the samples that are the "Oscillators" for the app are things like Banjo, Harp, E. Guitar, etc but others are things like 2%Pulse, Saw Wave, Noise, WaveSweep, etc.
Don't forget there are a lot of drum kits and percussion instruments in there, processed in a variety of ways. When you program in iM1, you can select "Drums" Then it will filter out all the instruments on the various cards and only show you iM1 drum kits. All the drum programs can be fattened up and split across the keyboard in a Combi, which is useful.
Awesome post! To truly appreciate the value of the iM1 one has to remember how expensive these hardware units were. Amazing time to live and enjoy all this amazing sonic power in the size of a simple notebook. Amazing!
This is an interesting one as regards playability etc. I have hardly bothered with the search and if truthful, I have probably been overwhelmed a little by the sheer numbers of patches and all tucked away in these funny different card thingies I can barely see as my eyes continue to decline at an alarming rate etc. OF COURSE search. Thank you.
There was a bump to a recent thread regarding saving programs to iM1 cards. Reid's opening post here is super useful in that regard. So.. bump!
@Reid
ARGH.
When you save a preset: 1) make sure the name of the patch you want to save is on top
2) click “write” 3) select the slot on one of the 4 Library cards 4) if it's a new patch, if you want you can give it a new name and tag it so it will turn up in searches later.
Then… click “Close.” If you don't click “Close” it won’t save.
I do this precisely, but then go back to the Library cards and no dice. Nothing there.
Is there something one should do BEFORE
Then… click “Close.” If you don't click “Close” it won’t save.
The weird thing, as alluded to, is that I have 14 or so presets saved in the Library from the dim and distant, but can't make it work now. I am at the point I believe that 'it's broken' and am thinking of reinstalling, BUT I remember stumbling on making the thing save in the past, but can't remember what magic extra words or hand signals I used to make it then so...
Just venting as much as anything.
I like to have my own combi's of a sort in Gadget.
It may be an obvious one- but- in case you have not thought of this you can try it if you like.
Write a chord sequence on track 1 with Darwin
Copy it to tracks 2,3,4.... however many you want.
Now change the sounds of each of the tracks.
I usually do this with chords played over a long duration- using pads and the like. Try adjusting the attack of each (to start with) and you will hear the whole thing evolving..... and all the rest of it
Are you sure you are saving a program? I followed the same process and spent a frustrating hour wondering why it wouldn't show in Darwin before I realized I was saving a combi!
Hi @JohnnyGoodyear Where are you not seeing the patches on the library card? Is it within the iM1 app or Gadget?
Are you saving Programs or Combis? I'm sure you're aware that Darwin only displays Programs.
Not sure what's going wrong for you. I've tested these steps 4 times just now and they're saved and displayed on the library cards within both iM1 and Gadget/Darwin.
@SpookyZoo @excesseye
Thanks guys....imagine it may be a combi issue. Have a few hours hauling furniture around in front of me (rare foray into musclebound manly activity) and then I shall take another stumble.
Thanks again.
Wow. Missed this post the first time around. Very nice and generous work Mr. @Reid.
Thanks for bumping this @SpookyZoo and thanks @Reid for the information. I have copied it to my Evernote for reference.