Knob Lab vs MIDI Expression Control
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- Remote DAW control
- USB, WiFi, Bluetooth connectivity
- Virtual MIDI support
- Audiobus integration
- Complex control mapping
- iPad support
- MIDI logger
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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.
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.
- Change device settings
- Compatible with MIDI Expression devices
- iOS firmware compatibility check
- Free to download
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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
Verdict
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
Both are free to download. Knob Lab sells 4 one-off in-app purchases. MIDI Expression Control asks for nothing beyond the download.
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.
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.
| Parameter | Knob Lab | MIDI Expression Control |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.3 (12 ratings) | 5.0 (6 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 91.7% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 12 — better | 6 |
| Update frequency | Every 5 months — better | Every 6 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | 12.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 66 MB | 6 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Uri Nachmias | Robert Jonkman |
Customer experience
Knob Lab
MIDI Expression Control
In-app purchases
Knob Lab
- Two Knob Layout$0.99
- Four/Six Knob Layout$0.99
- Nine/Twelve knob layout.$0.99
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- Unlock all layouts$1.99
MIDI Expression Control
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Knob Lab free?
Is MIDI Expression Control free?
Which has better reviews, Knob Lab or MIDI Expression Control?
Do Knob Lab or MIDI Expression Control have ads?
Which is updated more often, Knob Lab or MIDI Expression Control?
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