Comparison

LK vs 4

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

Head to head
About

LK

This application acts as a remote control for Ableton Live and MIDI devices, enhancing electronic music production and live performance. It offers deep integration with Ableton Live and extensive MIDI capabilities for controlling software and hardware. The app is modular, with features available as separate in-app purchases.

Highlights
  • Ableton Live integration
  • MIDI device control
  • Clip launching and sequencing
  • Device parameter control
  • Virtual MIDI and AUv3 support
  • Modular in-app purchases
Features
Read full description

LK is a flexible remote control application for Ableton Live and MIDI devices, providing a wide range of features and functionality to enhance the production and live performance of electronic music. LK offers tight integration with Ableton Live using our free UBRIDGE desktop application, providing access and control of Ableton Live projects, with both wired and wireless connection options. LK has extensive MIDI capabilities too, allowing for communication and control of any MIDI compliant software or hardware, even apps running on the same device thanks to virtual MIDI support and AUv3 integration too. LK is split into six unique modules, each available as a separate in-app purchase, offering great value that you can tailor to your specific needs. LK is also capable of connecting with USB MIDI interfaces which allows you to interact with external gear. To connect LK to your host computer you will need to download and install a free software utility called UBRIDGE on your computer. It is available for Windows and macOS and it can be downloaded from Imaginando website. See our setup guide for further details in LK’s product page. MATRIX MODULE - Live Mode - In Live mode, you can control almost every aspect of Ableton Live directly from LK. The app mirrors your session view, allowing you to launch clips, add tracks and scenes, arm, solo, and mute tracks, and adjust track monitoring, volume, pan, and cue settings on the master track. You can create and edit clips with the powerful built-in clip composer, featuring tools like scales, swing, humanize, horizontal and vertical mirroring, time-shifting notes, pitch swapping, transposing, and even chord and melody generation within a defined range. LK also enables device control within each track, offering a range of generic layouts for quick access and instant parameter adjustments, so you can modify settings without needing to interact directly with your computer. - MIDI Mode - In MIDI mode, LK enhances workflow with a flexible, independent sequencing environment for streamlined composition and arrangement. Users can create and manage MIDI clips per track, arrange scenes, and send MIDI to other software or hardware. When loaded as an AUv3 in hosts like AUM, LK sequences and coordinates various instruments, perfect for complex setups and live performances. Essential editing tools like signatures, scales and transformative tools simplify MIDI editing, while automation and generative tools enable dynamic compositions. Follow actions and probability settings further smooth transitions, making performance arrangements seamless and spontaneous—all within a single, powerful interface. PADS MODULE - Get the MPC feel on your touchscreen with PADS, featuring an arpeggiator and a chorder. When working in Ableton Live mode it automatically maps drum rack pad names to each pad on the app - never miss a pad again. Use it in MIDI mode to quickly play other synth apps. CONTROLLER MODULE - Extensive control of 128 parameters with CONTROLLER. Use assignable and customisable knobs, faders, buttons and pads to control MIDI hardware, desktop and mobile DAWs - now with the power of AUv3 integration too. X/Y MODULE - Three dimensional parameter tweaking with X/Y PAD. This module can work with CC or NOTE events. In CC mode, a CC can be assigned per axis. In NOTE mode, X is pitch, Y is velocity and Z is Note ON/ Note OFF. CHORDER MODULE - Play chords like never before with the CHORDER module. Use this chord generator to build chords and lay them out according to your needs. KEYBOARD MODULE - KEYBOARD features 3-axis expression capabilities with scale and range controls. It also allows the possibility of mapping any Live or MIDI CC parameters to be controlled by the X and Y position within each of the keys, providing additional expression to the performance. It also has an MPE mode so you can use it with your favorite MPE compatible synths.

About

4

Features
Read full description

4パッドサンプラーはシンプルなサウンドプレーヤーです。 録音、ファイル、動画からオーディオをインポートし、4つのパッドに割り当てることができます。 各パッドは独立して動作するため、複数のサウンドを同時に再生できます。 波形を表示しながら開始位置を調整することで、簡単にオーディオをトリミングでき、再生タイミングを合わせることができます。 機能: - ファイル、録音、動画からオーディオをインポート - 4つのパッドにサウンドを割り当て - タップで即座に再生 - 複数のサウンドを同時に再生 - 波形プレビューでオーディオをトリミング - シンプルでミニマルなインターフェース すべてのオーディオはデバイスにローカルに保存されます。 データの収集や共有は一切行いません。 The 4-pad sampler is a simple sound player. You can import audio from recordings, files, and videos and assign them to 4 pads. Each pad operates independently, so you can play multiple sounds at the same time. By adjusting the starting position while displaying the waveform, you can easily trim the audio and adjust the playback timing. Function: - Import audio from files, recordings, and videos - Assign sound to 4 pads - Play instantly with a tap - Play multiple sounds at the same time - Trim audio with waveform preview - Simple and minimalist interface All audio is stored locally on the device. We do not collect or share data at all.

Screenshots

LK4 screens
43 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: LK at Free against 4's $1.99. LK also leads on iOS requirement (17.0 vs 26.2). 4's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 8). On ads 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

LK is free to download; 4 costs $1.99 up front. LK sells 8 one-off in-app purchases. 4 asks for nothing beyond the download.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
LK versus 4: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterLK4
PriceFree — better$1.99
Rating4.3 (708 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews64.3% of reviews—
Number of ratings708 — better—
Update frequencyFortnightly—
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS17.0 — better26.2
Further details — not scored
Size123 MB11 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperImaginando Ldaeiki yonemoto

Bugs and requests

LK

Reported bugs

5 issues
  • Clip renaming tool not working
  • Occasional MIDI note sticking
  • UI disappearing and requiring restart
  • Wireless connection randomly dropping
  • Exclusive track arming mode issues

Requested features

6 requests
  • Add MIDI CC mapping and automation
  • Implement vertical view for session mode
  • Allow saving and loading of custom settings
  • Improve MIDI note and velocity handling
  • Add MIDI transformers and generators
Show 1 more
  • Provide a discounted bundle for all modules

4

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

8 purchases

LK

One-time8
  • Unlock Chorder$4.99
  • Unlock MIDI Pads$4.99
  • Unlock MIDI Controller$4.99
Show 5 more
  • Unlock X/Y Pad$4.99
  • Unlock Keyboard$4.99
  • Unlock Step Sequencer$7.99
  • Unlock Matrix$9.99
  • All Modules Bundle$39.90
None

4

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is LK free?
LK is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is 4 free?
4 costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.
Do LK or 4 have ads?
Neither LK nor 4 shows ads.

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