Knobbler vs M8C Remote Display
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- 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
Read full descriptionHide 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. 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/
M8C Remote Display
This application mirrors the screen of a Dirtywave M8 Tracker to an iOS device. It requires a compatible hardware tracker and does not handle audio routing. Users can view their M8 Tracker's interface remotely.
- Remote screen mirroring
- iOS device compatibility
- Requires M8 Tracker hardware
- No audio routing
- Official companion app
Read full descriptionHide full description
M8C is a remote display client for the hardware Dirtywave M8 Tracker. The app requires a Model 01 or Model 02 Dirtywave M8 tracker with firmware 6.0 or newer. The application allows you to mirror the M8 screen to your iOS device. To learn more about the Dirtywave M8 Tracker, visit the official Dirtywave website. Important Notes: - While Teensy 4.1 based headless units might work with the app, they are not officially supported and haven't been tested. - M8C does not provide audio routing. To handle audio, please use compatible apps such as AUM or other iOS audio hosts.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: M8C Remote Display at none against Knobbler's 3. M8C Remote Display also leads on review sentiment (100% vs 88%). Knobbler's advantage is update cadence (every 9 days vs every 4 months). On price, rating, ratings volume and ads there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
Both are free to download. Knobbler sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. M8C Remote Display asks for nothing beyond the download.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.8 for Knobbler against 4.8 for M8C Remote Display. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 16 and 19 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 88% of Knobbler's written reviews are positive against 100% of M8C Remote Display's.
Knobbler ships an update every 9 days, M8C Remote Display every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on October 21, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Knobbler | M8C Remote Display |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.8 (16 ratings) | 4.8 (19 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 87.5% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 16 | 19 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 9 days — better | Every 4 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 16.4 | 15.6 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 55 MB | 3 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | ZACHARY STEINKAMP | Dirtywave |
Customer experience
Knobbler
M8C Remote Display
In-app purchases
Knobbler
- Knobbler Monthly$0.991 Month
- Knobbler Annual$9.991 Year
- Knobbler Lifetime$19.99
M8C Remote Display
No in-app purchases









