iKoto Hack 5.0.1 + Redeem Codes

I've always had this app from my first iPod Touch years ago and downloaded on my newest Apple device. Thank you so much for keeping it updated! As for the app: iKoto is a great introduction to the Koto's soothing, elegant, harp-like melody. I've been to a koto concert (Miyabi with Masayo Ishigure) and the music moves you emotionally. This app captures the beauty of this ancient instrument in the palm of your hand.

I loved this app and always had this "vintage" app on my iPhones since 2008. Thanks for keeping it working!

From 2008: Boy, I wanted to make this App! What a great job: simple; elegant; beautiful; great sound and no 'click' sounds. Great job, guys! Would love ability to port songs, btw ;)

I originally downloaded the first version and I enjoyed it immensely.
It had one scale, was simple to use, and glitch-free.

The new update is so wonderful, I had to write a review.

It's very calming to pluck out notes and hear the calming scales we associate with the Koto. The graphics are quite nice too.

It now has 11 scales to choose from, ranging from plaintive to happy. You can also bend the pitch of the string!

The demo contains three songs, that indicate the scales used, shows the performance on screen, and indicates string-bend notes. You can also record three of your own performances.

Musicians: This app would be great for recording. There is subtle low-level sample noise, but it only appear the duration of the note.

Developers: this app is perfect. I love it. How about having the option of having background sounds, like wind, a stream, birds chirping?

I love this app. I'm an elementary music teacher and used it for the intro to a Chinese folk song in concert. The sound is wonderful, the playing interface is absolutely easy to use. I love the variety of the scales and it has made me learn more about various tunings or scales. You can record what you play and play it back easily. All that and it looks beautiful on the iPod Touch screen. I can't think of a single thing to make it better. Maybe develop some other instruments, such hammered dulcimer or something. A gong app would be awesome. Besides all that, the sound is soothing, just perfect for sitting around in the dentist's waiting room! Oh, I know, add a way to add ambient sounds like a fountain, or surf or the rustling leaves..... getting a little New Age-ish here. Look out Kitaro : )

as a musician interested in world instruments, i am thrilled someone made this app. it sounds great, works simply and is fun. it's fast becoming my favorite instrument app, beating out pocketguitar, guitarist, and even Tingalin. i love that you can record yourself, and then play a duet with yourself. My only suggestion is to get rid of the opening splash page, or at the very least, have it automatically fade away, rather than having to tap it to make it go away. but that's a minor qualm. now, somebody please make an iSitar!!

They seem to have incorporated much of the feedback from earlier reviews and I found it extremely easy to use and fun too! I'm happy with it as is, but if you'd like to
make this app even more useful, here are a few suggestions:

First, allow the samples to be played in a continuous repeat mode. I'm trying to play along on shakuhachi and I don't want to stop every 30 seconds to press play.
Second, add more samples... many more samples. Perhaps some full classic shakuhachi/koto duets?
I haven't tried the record feature yet, but it would be nice to be able to save an unlimited number of recordings (limited only by available storage).

Thanks for a great app!

A very nice koto simulation, and I love the sound quality and the multitouch interface, in particular when you turn on the pitch-bend function. However, in order to play it with other instruments, not only does the choice of scale need to change (which is offered in 2.0), but also what note the base key of the scale is in needs to be changeable (for instance, I need Akebono in D). Without being able to change the base key, this is a solo instrument. That capability, plus the ability to download and upload songs to iKoto would change my rating from 4 to 5.

I don't get it. So many reviews say "great samples!" but after listening with my own ears, they are quite noisy. Particularly when the notes fade out but before the end of the sample, the noise is extremely obvious - and worse - granular, as if recorded at a very low sample rate. Others rave that this instrument is much easier to play than PocketGuitar, but this is an apples/oranges comparison. PG requires two hands. So do REAL kotos. This app is a toy at best.

Suggestions: 1. Better samples with longer sustain and higher sample rates. 2. Keep the app tuned to a traditional Japanese scale, but offer the ability to transpose keys. 3. Add motion sensor support for expression control such as bends.

And that's my take.

This sounds great and is really easy to play. The touch controls are very responsive and the pitch bend means that this sounds pretty authentic. There are a lot of preset tone scales that you can use and an option that shows the key of each string. The recording feature is also pretty neat. You can play along with your recording. iKoto is really outstanding and is relaxing and very fun to play.

Of all the music apps I've tried so far, this has the most authentic feel. The tone is crisp and beautiful and the controls simple. I'd like an option to switch off the introductory sound and the sound played as you enter the options screen. It'd also be great to be able to record more than one tune and save each composition with a title. Even without these improvements, it's well worth the price.