Comparison

Knob Lab vs MIDI Expression Control

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

Head to head
About

Knob Lab

This application transforms your iOS device into a versatile MIDI controller. It allows you to manage various DAWs and music software remotely via USB, WiFi, or Bluetooth. Create intricate control setups with a single rotary knob, affecting multiple MIDI destinations simultaneously.

Highlights
  • Remote DAW control
  • USB, WiFi, Bluetooth connectivity
  • Virtual MIDI support
  • Audiobus integration
  • Complex control mapping
  • iPad support
  • MIDI logger
Features
Read full description

Knob Lab turns your iPhone or iPad into a MIDI controller built around one idea: a single knob can do many things at once. ONE KNOB. MANY MOVES. Map a knob to up to 8 MIDI destinations. Each has its own range, direction, channel and colour, so one turn can open a filter, pull the resonance back and bring the delay in over the second half of the sweep. BUILD YOUR OWN MACROS • Control Change, Program Change and Pitch Bend destinations • Name every knob and every destination, so a setup reads at a glance • Invert any range, or start a destination part-way through the turn • Rotate completely, snap to middle, pan left/right, or return to origin on release • A coloured lane for every destination shows where each one is A LAYOUT FOR EVERY SETUP Start with one big knob, or unlock layouts with 2, 6 or 12 knobs on a single screen. PLAYS WITH EVERYTHING • Music apps on the same device, through Knob Lab's virtual MIDI output • Computers over Wi-Fi, with a network MIDI session • A Mac over USB or Bluetooth, with Sonic Logic Central • Class-compliant USB MIDI interfaces and synths plugged into your iPhone or iPad MADE FOR TOUCH Large, precise knobs, a quick guided start, and Dark, Light and Neon themes. The one-knob layout is free. The 2, 6 and 12 knob layouts are in-app purchases, available one at a time or all together.

About

MIDI Expression Control

This application allows users to modify settings for MIDI Expression devices. Ensure your device has firmware version 2.6 or higher for iOS compatibility.

Highlights
  • Change device settings
  • Compatible with MIDI Expression devices
  • iOS firmware compatibility check
  • Free to download
Read full description

This is the Control Application for MIDI Expression devices. It lets you change settings for the devices. Please note that the iOS version of the Control Application is only compatible with devices running firmware version 2.6 and up.

Screenshots

Knob Lab4 screens
MIDI Expression Control4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: MIDI Expression Control at 5.0 against Knob Lab's 4.3. MIDI Expression Control also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 4) and review sentiment (100% vs 92%). On price, ratings volume, update cadence 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Knob Lab sells 4 one-off in-app purchases. MIDI Expression Control asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

MIDI Expression Control holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.3. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 12 and 6 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 92% of Knob Lab's written reviews are positive against 100% of MIDI Expression Control's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Knob Lab ships an update every 5 months, MIDI Expression Control every 6 months. The most recent releases landed on October 1, 2026 and June 1, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Knob Lab versus MIDI Expression Control: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterKnob LabMIDI Expression Control
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.3 (12 ratings)5.0 (6 ratings) — better
Positive reviews91.7% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings12 — better6
Update frequencyEvery 5 months — betterEvery 6 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.012.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size66 MB6 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperUri NachmiasRobert Jonkman

Customer experience

Knob Lab

All ratings12 ratings
Positive83.3%
Neutral8.3%
Negative8.3%
Written reviews12 reviews
Positive91.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative8.3%

MIDI Expression Control

All ratings6 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews3 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

4 purchases

Knob Lab

One-time4
  • Two Knob Layout$0.99
  • Four/Six Knob Layout$0.99
  • Nine/Twelve knob layout.$0.99
Show 1 more
  • Unlock all layouts$1.99
None

MIDI Expression Control

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Knob Lab free?
Knob Lab is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is MIDI Expression Control free?
MIDI Expression Control is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Knob Lab or MIDI Expression Control?
MIDI Expression Control is rated higher. Knob Lab averages 4.3 out of 5 from 12 ratings, while MIDI Expression Control averages 5.0 from 6 ratings.
Do Knob Lab or MIDI Expression Control have ads?
Neither Knob Lab nor MIDI Expression Control shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Knob Lab or MIDI Expression Control?
Knob Lab ships an update every 5 months, and MIDI Expression Control every 6 months. Most recently, Knob Lab was updated on October 1, 2026 and MIDI Expression Control on June 1, 2026.

Other comparisons