Comparison

7III Tap vs Knobbler

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

7III Tap

This app transforms your iPhone or iPad into a powerful MIDI controller for music production. It offers versatile views for instruments, sequencers, clip launching, and mixing, allowing for hands-on control of compatible software and hardware. Experience full functionality with a one-time purchase.

Highlights
  • Device view with keyboards and sequencers
  • Clips view for launching and editing
  • Mixer view with integrated clips
  • Customizable MIDI CC control
  • USB and WiFi connectivity
  • Portrait and landscape modes
Features
Read full description

Touch your sounds with 7III Tap, a hands-on Ableton Live controller for iPhone and iPad. Play instruments, shape audio clips, launch scenes, and mix your Live Set from the touchscreen. Bring your ideas to life with: - Audio clip editing with zoomable waveforms, editable Warp markers, start and loop controls, gain, pitch, cropping, and conversion tools - Sample browsing and search to find and load sounds for your audio clips - Automation recording and editing: draw curves, adjust individual points, fine-tune transitions, or start with ready-made envelopes - Expressive MPE Pads and Keys with per-note Pitch Bend and Pressure or Slide - Note Repeat for playing repeating notes and drum patterns - Follow Actions for creating evolving clips and performances - Flin, a generative sequencer with 16 independent polymetric note streams written directly into Live clips - Companion, a melodic and rhythmic partner that plays along with you and turns your clips into musical variations - Rhythm Generator for quickly creating new grooves and ideas - Native Simpler integration with sample loading, waveform visualization, slicing, and dedicated controls - Macro Variations and Randomization for instant sound exploration - Searchable Browser for quickly finding and adding devices, effects, presets, and samples - Curated encoder controls for Ableton Live instruments and effects - Device view with MIDI keyboards, melodic and drum step sequencers with powerful note editing and modulation, scales, banks, and 8 encoders - Clips view for triggering, recording and editing clips and scenes, with 8 encoders to control devices - Mixer view with integrated clips panel for simultaneous mixing and launching - Customizable and universal MIDI CC to control any MIDI-compatible device or software - Connect via USB, Wi-Fi, or Bluetooth MIDI on macOS; use a MIDI interface, rtpMIDI, or experimental Bluetooth MIDI on Windows. Includes the custom Ableton Live Remote Script - Portrait and landscape modes on iPad Built for the stage and the studio, Tap keeps instruments, clips, and mixing within reach so you can play Ableton Live like an instrument. Download now and tap into your music. The free version includes all premium features, allowing you to experience the full power of Tap for 15 minutes of MIDI use every 24 hours. Ready to create without limits? Upgrade to Tap Premium for unlimited use. No subscriptions, buy once, jam forever. Important: Requires Ableton Live and the included MIDI Remote Script (download at project7iii.com/tap) for full functionality. Does not help you finish tracks or make your music sound less horrible. Ableton Live is a trademark of Ableton AG, registered in the United States and other countries. This app is a third-party tool and is not officially affiliated with Ableton. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

Knobbler

Transform your iPhone or iPad into a powerful, auto-labeling control surface for Ableton Live. Seamlessly navigate tracks, control parameters, and build custom interfaces that save with your Live sets. Keep your focus on creativity without leaving the music-making flow.

Highlights
  • Auto-labeling and auto-coloring control surface
  • Multitouch parameter control
  • Customizable interface saved with Live sets
  • Real-time parameter updates with units
  • Fast track, group, and device navigation
  • Channel strip mixer controls
Features
Read full description

Knobbler turns your iPhone or iPad into an auto-labeling, auto-coloring, multitouch control surface for Ableton Live. 30 day fully-functioning trial of all features. The Mixer, Clips, Session, and Nav pages are available during the trial and after a one-time purchase of Knobbler or a subscription. Ableton Live 12 Suite or Ableton Live 12 Standard with the Max for Live add-on is required. Simply add the free Knobbler4 device to your Live Set and use the Knobbler app to use your iPhone or iPad to control devices and parameters. ** Control every parameter and build a customized interface, including sliders and X-Y pads that is saved with your Live sets. ** Navigate your tracks, groups, racks and devices faster and easier than ever. ** Full screen Cilps and Mixer views keep you connected to your music. ** Session View gives you a combined clips and mixer view for full control. ** Full access to capture and recall rack variations. ** Navigate cue points and locators in your set. ** Engage Spring mode for momentary effects. Visit https://plugins.steinkamp.us/m4l-Knobbler4 to download the Ableton Live device to use with this app. Map parameters in your Ableton Live set to unmapped sliders on the tablet with a single touch. No need to enter and exit a mapping mode. Access every parameter in the currently selected device, directly on the phone or tablet. Parameter mapping configuration is saved with your Live Set, so you can switch between songs with minimal friction. Track, device, and parameter names are kept synchronized with your Live Set as you change them, even track colors! Parameter sliders and values are updated in real time, with the same units (e.g. dB, ms, %) displayed as what you see in Live. Double tap a slider on the tablet to reset the parameter to its default value. Swipe in the Navigation controls on the right side to dive into your tracks, groups, racks, and devices faster than ever before. Swipe in from the left to show a channel strip with familiar mixer controls, including color-coded sends. Works on phones and tablets, even in multi-window view on the latest IOS 26. Works over USB or WiFi. Knobbler is there to keep you out of the computer and in the creative moment, unlocking more of your music making potential. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

7III Tap4 screens
Knobbler4 screens

Verdict

The call

7III Tap and Knobbler are too close to call on the numbers: across 10 compared parameters — price, rating, review sentiment and ratings volume among them — neither pulls far enough ahead to decide it. What separates them is feature set and interface, not measurable difference.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. 7III Tap sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Knobbler sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.7 for 7III Tap against 4.8 for Knobbler. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 15 and 16 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 92% of 7III Tap's written reviews are positive against 88% of Knobbler's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

7III Tap ships an update fortnightly, Knobbler every 9 days. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.

ScorecardNo meaningful differences
7III Tap versus Knobbler: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
Parameter7III TapKnobbler
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (15 ratings)4.8 (16 ratings) — better
Positive reviews92.3% of reviews — better87.5% of reviews
Number of ratings1516 — better
Update frequencyFortnightlyEvery 9 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS16.0 — better16.4
Further details — not scored
Size13 MB55 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSimon LangZACHARY STEINKAMP

Customer experience

7III Tap

All ratings15 ratings
Positive93.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative6.7%
Written reviews13 reviews
Positive92.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative7.7%

Knobbler

All ratings16 ratings
Positive93.8%
Neutral6.3%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews24 reviews
Positive87.5%
Neutral8.3%
Negative4.2%

In-app purchases

1 purchases

7III Tap

One-time1
  • Tap Premium$24.99
3 purchases

Knobbler

Subscriptions2
  • Knobbler Monthly$0.991 Month
  • Knobbler Annual$9.991 Year
One-time1
  • Knobbler Lifetime$19.99

Questions

Is 7III Tap free?
7III Tap is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Knobbler free?
Knobbler is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, 7III Tap or Knobbler?
Knobbler is rated higher. 7III Tap averages 4.7 out of 5 from 15 ratings, while Knobbler averages 4.8 from 16 ratings.
Do 7III Tap or Knobbler have ads?
Neither 7III Tap nor Knobbler shows ads.
Which is updated more often, 7III Tap or Knobbler?
7III Tap ships an update fortnightly, and Knobbler every 9 days. Most recently, 7III Tap was updated on October 24, 2026 and Knobbler on October 30, 2026.

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