Comparison

Knob Lab vs 7III Tap

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 color, 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 colored 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, Dark, Light and Neon themes, and full support for iPhone Duo in portrait and landscape. 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

7III Tap

This app transforms your iPhone or iPad into a powerful MIDI controller for music production. It offers versatile views for instruments, sequencers, clip launching, and mixing, allowing for hands-on control of compatible software and hardware. Experience full functionality with a one-time purchase.

Highlights
  • Device view with keyboards and sequencers
  • Clips view for launching and editing
  • Mixer view with integrated clips
  • Customizable MIDI CC control
  • USB and WiFi connectivity
  • Portrait and landscape modes
Features
Read full description

Touch your sounds with 7III Tap, a hands-on Ableton Live controller for iPhone and iPad. Play instruments, shape audio clips, launch scenes, and mix your Live Set from the touchscreen. Bring your ideas to life with: - Audio clip editing with zoomable waveforms, editable Warp markers, start and loop controls, gain, pitch, cropping, and conversion tools - Sample browsing and search to find and load sounds for your audio clips - Automation recording and editing: draw curves, adjust individual points, fine-tune transitions, or start with ready-made envelopes - Expressive MPE Pads and Keys with per-note Pitch Bend and Pressure or Slide - Note Repeat for playing repeating notes and drum patterns - Follow Actions for creating evolving clips and performances - Flin, a generative sequencer with 16 independent polymetric note streams written directly into Live clips - Companion, a melodic and rhythmic partner that plays along with you and turns your clips into musical variations - Rhythm Generator for quickly creating new grooves and ideas - Native Simpler integration with sample loading, waveform visualization, slicing, and dedicated controls - Macro Variations and Randomization for instant sound exploration - Searchable Browser for quickly finding and adding devices, effects, presets, and samples - Curated encoder controls for Ableton Live instruments and effects - Device view with MIDI keyboards, melodic and drum step sequencers with powerful note editing and modulation, scales, banks, and 8 encoders - Clips view for triggering, recording and editing clips and scenes, with 8 encoders to control devices - Mixer view with integrated clips panel for simultaneous mixing and launching - Customizable and universal MIDI CC to control any MIDI-compatible device or software - Connect via USB, Wi-Fi, or Bluetooth MIDI on macOS; use a MIDI interface, rtpMIDI, or experimental Bluetooth MIDI on Windows. Includes the custom Ableton Live Remote Script - Portrait and landscape modes on iPad Built for the stage and the studio, Tap keeps instruments, clips, and mixing within reach so you can play Ableton Live like an instrument. Download now and tap into your music. The free version includes all premium features, allowing you to experience the full power of Tap for 15 minutes of MIDI use every 24 hours. Ready to create without limits? Upgrade to Tap Premium for unlimited use. No subscriptions, buy once, jam forever. Important: Requires Ableton Live and the included MIDI Remote Script (download at project7iii.com/tap) for full functionality. Does not help you finish tracks or make your music sound less horrible. Ableton Live is a trademark of Ableton AG, registered in the United States and other countries. This app is a third-party tool and is not officially affiliated with Ableton. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Knob Lab4 screens
7III Tap4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: 7III Tap at fortnightly against Knob Lab's every 4 months. 7III Tap also leads on rating (4.7 vs 4.3). On price, review sentiment, 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Knob Lab sells 4 one-off in-app purchases and 7III Tap sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

7III Tap holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.3. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 12 and 15 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 85% of Knob Lab's written reviews are positive against 92% of 7III Tap's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Knob Lab ships an update every 4 months, 7III Tap fortnightly. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Knob Lab versus 7III Tap: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterKnob Lab7III Tap
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.3 (12 ratings)4.7 (15 ratings) — better
Positive reviews84.6% of reviews92.3% of reviews — better
Number of ratings1215 — better
Update frequencyEvery 4 monthsFortnightly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.0 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size66 MB13 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperUri NachmiasSimon Lang

Customer experience

Knob Lab

All ratings12 ratings
Positive83.3%
Neutral8.3%
Negative8.3%
Written reviews13 reviews
Positive84.6%
Neutral0.0%
Negative15.4%

7III Tap

All ratings15 ratings
Positive93.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative6.7%
Written reviews13 reviews
Positive92.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative7.7%

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
1 purchases

7III Tap

One-time1
  • Tap Premium$24.99

Questions

Is Knob Lab free?
Knob Lab is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is 7III Tap free?
7III Tap is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Knob Lab or 7III Tap?
7III Tap is rated higher. Knob Lab averages 4.3 out of 5 from 12 ratings, while 7III Tap averages 4.7 from 15 ratings.
Do Knob Lab or 7III Tap have ads?
Neither Knob Lab nor 7III Tap shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Knob Lab or 7III Tap?
Knob Lab ships an update every 4 months, and 7III Tap fortnightly. Most recently, Knob Lab was updated on October 24, 2026 and 7III Tap on October 24, 2026.

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