Knobbler vs Venue Advance
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Knobbler
Transform your mobile device into a powerful, auto-labeling multitouch control surface for Ableton Live. Seamlessly control parameters, navigate tracks, and manage clips with a customized interface. Requires Ableton Live 12 Suite or Standard with Max for Live.
- Auto-labeling and auto-coloring control surface
- Multitouch control for Ableton Live parameters
- Customizable interface with sliders and X-Y pads
- Faster track, group, rack, and device navigation
- Full-screen Clips and Mixer views
- Session View for combined clips and mixer control
- Real-time parameter updates with units displayed
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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/
Venue Advance
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Prepare the next show before the van reaches the loading dock. PlotCue Advance turns one master stage setup into a venue-specific show advance. It keeps the venue contact, day schedule, technical limits, patch sheet, packing counts, change decisions, and open questions in one local workspace. SEE WHAT IS READY TO SEND Add the venue contact, load-in, soundcheck, and show times. A six-part readiness checklist shows exactly what is confirmed and what still needs attention. The percentage reaches 100% only when the required venue facts, input patch, conflicts, and questions are resolved. BUILD A PATCH SHEET FROM REAL INPUTS Every patch row comes from an audio source you entered. Review channel, source, connector, capture method, and performer-perspective stage zone. PlotCue never creates a microphone, DI, or channel just because an instrument icon exists on the diagram. PACK FOR THIS SHOW PlotCue derives cable, DI box, mic stand, wedge monitor, and power-drop counts from the venue variant. Use the pack list as a practical check before departure. ADAPT ONE MASTER TO EACH VENUE Record stage size, available inputs, monitor mixes, power drops, supplied backline, access notes, and venue questions. Resolve capacity conflicts while preserving the original tour master. Compare the variant with the master to keep removals, substitutions, and channel changes visible. SEND A COMPLETE ADVANCE PACKET Preview a PDF with the schedule and contact, readiness, patch sheet, packing list, adapted stage diagram, input list, revision decisions, and unanswered questions. Confirmed questions leave the open-question page without deleting the underlying venue facts. BUILD THE STAGE PLOT Place performers, instruments, microphones, DIs, monitors, power, risers, and custom items. Add explicit sources and keep technical details tied to the visual stage. Start with Quick Setup or an empty stage. TRY THE CORE WORKFLOW Create a stage plot, preview the rider, and export the first standard PDF free. PlotCue Pro weekly and yearly subscriptions unlock unlimited saved plots, clean PDF exports, and JSON backup tools. Live localized prices and renewal terms appear before purchase. Restore Purchases is available in Settings and on the paywall. LOCAL AND ACCOUNT-FREE Show advances stay on your device unless you choose to export or share them. No band account or cloud workspace is required. Terms of Use: https://smartaitomation.com/termsplotcueapp.html
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is iOS requirement: Knobbler at 16.4 against Venue Advance's 18.2. On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support 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 and Venue Advance sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $8.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
| Parameter | Knobbler | Venue Advance |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.8 (16 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 87.5% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 16 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 9 days | — |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 16.4 — better | 18.2 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 55 MB | 9 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | ZACHARY STEINKAMP | Smart Automation SRL |
In-app purchases
Knobbler
- Knobbler Monthly$0.991 Month
- Knobbler Annual$9.991 Year
- Knobbler Lifetime$19.99
Venue Advance
- PlotCue Pro · Weekly$8.997 Days
- PlotCue Pro · Yearly$89.991 Year









