Comparison

Knob16 vs midi

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

Head to head
About

Knob16

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Knob16 is a MIDI controller for producers and performers who want hands-on control from their iPhone or iPad. 64 Knobs Across 4 Banks 16 knobs per bank, instantly switchable. Configure each knob's CC number, channel, output range, label, and fine-tune multiplier. Bidirectional MIDI Send MIDI CC values and receive feedback. When your DAW or MIDI device sends CC values back, matching knob positions update on screen. MIDI Learn Enable MIDI Learn. Double-tap any knob. Send a CC from your MIDI controller. Done. Play Mode Turn Knob16 into a playable MIDI surface with 16 pads per bank, 29 scales, and semitone transpose. Snapshots and Presets Save and recall knob values with snapshots. Use presets to switch between complete setups. Connect Your Way Connect to compatible MIDI destinations over USB or Network MIDI via Wi-Fi. KNOB16 PRO Unlock advanced control, performance, and connectivity features: β€’ Ableton Live Mode β€” control the mixer, devices, macros, and transport, with automatic Blue Hand device mapping β€’ Bluetooth MIDI β€” connect wirelessly to compatible MIDI devices β€’ Grouping Mode β€” link knobs with adjustable output curves β€’ MPE β€” per-note pitch bend, slide, and pressure β€’ 14-bit CC β€” 16,384 steps for high-resolution control β€’ NRPN β€” access deeper parameters on compatible MIDI gear β€’ 4 snapshots per bank β€’ Unlimited custom presets, import, and duplication β€’ iCloud preset sync across your devices β€’ Custom skins β€” personalize the knobs and app appearance β€’ All future features designated as Pro Bluetooth MIDI, Grouping Mode, and Live Mode each include three free 24-hour trials. Knob16 Pro is a one-time purchase. No subscription. FREE FOREVER The core of Knob16 stays free: β€’ 64 knobs across 4 banks β€’ Standard 7-bit MIDI CC β€’ Per-knob setup for standard CC β€’ Bidirectional MIDI feedback β€’ MIDI Learn β€’ Play Mode β€’ USB MIDI β€’ Network MIDI over Wi-Fi β€’ 1 snapshot per bank β€’ Two editable built-in presets A compatible DAW, MIDI app, or MIDI device is needed to receive MIDI output. Ableton Live Mode requires the Knob16 Remote Script.

About

midi

Features
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midi-sink models a tray of water with ink floating on it. Every gesture is an exact, area-preserving transformation of the whole sheet β€” Aubrey Jaffer's mathematical marbling β€” so the rings stay crisp after a thousand strokes. Two modes. MARBLE MODE is the tray under your hands: tap for a drop, drag to comb, twist two fingers for a vortex, pinch to fold, draw with the Pencil and a wake follows the tip. Plug in a MIDI instrument and it plays into the same water: an MPE controller's strike, pressure, glide and slide become drop, feed, comb and hue; a wind controller draws a single calligraphic line; any keyboard plays drops on the circle of fifths. PLAY MODE turns the iPad into an MPE instrument. A pitch lattice β€” chromatic grid, JankΓ³ or piano grid β€” sits under your fingers; every touch is a joystick (sideways bends in semitones, push to feed ink, pull back to stir). The Apple Pencil plays legato across the keys with real force as velocity, its barrel roll deepens vibrato and the Pencil Pro's squeeze is the sustain pedal. A floating strip carries pitch, mod, two assignable wheels and sustain on the MPE master channel. The stream goes out over a virtual CoreMIDI source (also to a USB-tethered Mac), the MIDI network session and Bluetooth LE MIDI, so any DAW or synth records a standard MPE performance while the water paints it. Made for MPE controllers β€” ROLI Piano and Seaboard, Expressive E Osmose β€” the ROLI Airwave's gesture CCs, wind controllers (Roland Aerophone, Odisei Travel Sax) and classic keyboards. midi-sink makes no sound of its own: it is a visualizer and a controller. Free software (AGPL-3.0). Collects nothing.

Screenshots

Knob164 screens
midi4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: midi at none against Knob16's 1. midi also leads on iOS requirement (16.0 vs 18.6). Knob16's advantage is update cadence (every 8 days vs every 5 weeks). On price, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

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

CostPrice Β· In-app purchases Β· Ads Β· Monetization

Both are free to download. Knob16 sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. midi asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Knob16 ships an update every 8 days, midi every 5 weeks. Both last shipped on October 31, 2026.

Scorecard3 real differences Β· 3 level
Knob16 versus midi: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterKnob16midi
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyEvery 8 days β€” betterEvery 5 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo β€” better
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS18.616.0 β€” better
Further details β€” not scored
Size12 MB8 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperJURIJS KOSKINSVibetuned

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Knob16

One-time1
  • Knob16 Pro$11.99
None

midi

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Knob16 free?
Knob16 is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is midi free?
midi is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Knob16 or midi have ads?
Neither Knob16 nor midi shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Knob16 or midi?
Knob16 ships an update every 8 days, and midi every 5 weeks. Most recently, Knob16 was updated on October 31, 2026 and midi on October 31, 2026.

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