Knobbler turns your iPhone or iPad into an auto-labeling, auto-coloring, multitouch control surface for Ableton Live. 30 day fully-functioning trial of all features. The Mixer, Clips, Session, and Nav pages are available during the trial and after a one-time purchase of Knobbler or a subscription.
Ableton Live 12 Suite or Ableton Live 12 Standard with the Max for Live add-on is required.
Simply add the free Knobbler4 device to your Live Set and use the Knobbler app to use your iPhone or iPad to control devices and parameters.
** Control every parameter and build a customized interface, including sliders and X-Y pads that is saved with your Live sets.
** Navigate your tracks, groups, racks and devices faster and easier than ever.
** Full screen Cilps and Mixer views keep you connected to your music.
** Session View gives you a combined clips and mixer view for full control.
** Full access to capture and recall rack variations.
** Navigate cue points and locators in your set.
** Engage Spring mode for momentary effects.
Visit https://plugins.steinkamp.us/m4l-Knobbler4 to download the Ableton Live device to use with this app.
Map parameters in your Ableton Live set to unmapped sliders on the tablet with a single touch. No need to enter and exit a mapping mode. Access every parameter in the currently selected device, directly on the phone or tablet.
Parameter mapping configuration is saved with your Live Set, so you can switch between songs with minimal friction. Track, device, and parameter names are kept synchronized with your Live Set as you change them, even track colors!
Parameter sliders and values are updated in real time, with the same units (e.g. dB, ms, %) displayed as what you see in Live. Double tap a slider on the tablet to reset the parameter to its default value.
Swipe in the Navigation controls on the right side to dive into your tracks, groups, racks, and devices faster than ever before.
Swipe in from the left to show a channel strip with familiar mixer controls, including color-coded sends.
Works on phones and tablets, even in multi-window view on the latest IOS 26. Works over USB or WiFi.
Knobbler is there to keep you out of the computer and in the creative moment, unlocking more of your music making potential.
Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
The short of it : Knobbler is amazing. It creates an incredibly elegant, intuitive, and valuable connection between my brain and Ableton.The longer bit : I think thoughtful interfaces for digital creative pursuits are critical. BUT I have TOO many midi controllers that have proven less than revolutionary after extensive use (except Push 2 which stays in heavy rotation). Knobbler speeds up getting to the device you need in the moment. It lets me tweak multiple parameters simultaneously using my HANDS. It is customizable to your needs in a click and a tap. It has almost zero learning curve. Knobbler rules because it immediately removes creative friction and is a focused tool that is not trying to “kitchen sink” the problem. That is all that matters, and after trying and using countless interfaces, Knobbler is the one that does it best for me. Highly recommended.
Awesome!
Raindro7
This is such a great control surface for Live. The navigation features are awesome. The mapping is really easy. The connection is easy (basically automatic) once it's set up. I'm a happy camper. One feautre I would love is a mixer page that showed everything the right side track view does, just for a lot of your tracks at once.
Nearly perfect
Waxmannn
Super easy to get started - the most flexible integration if seen with Ableton thus far for iOS! My only gripe is that it’s difficult to scan Params with the Name being at the bottom and value being at the top of each fader. It would make more sense (to me) if the Names were at the top and the values at the bottom (and even a bit grayed out). Gonna tell all my producer friends about this, though!
Developer Response
Thanks for the feedback :) I tried the values at the bottom and decided against it since as you're adjusting the slider your hand/finger would be in the way of seeing the value, unless you held your hand off to the side. Keeping them at the top keeps them visible no matter how you hold your hand/arm.I appreciate the ideas and the friend outreach! :)
A Must Have
zsteinkamp
I retired early mostly to work on Knobbler. I built it from my own needs in using Ableton Live to make music. No other controller has the level of automated integration with Ableton Live. Literally zero setup after the one-tap connect. The mappings are saved with each set. It's what Ableton has been without.
USB connections to a Mac are now discovered automatically, so using Knobbler over a cable is as simple as Wi-Fi: plug your iPad or iPhone into the Mac running Live, and the Mac appears a second time under Available devices, marked USB. Tap it to connect through the cable. No IP addresses to look up. USB connections to a Windows computer are not supported; use Wi-Fi there.
Version 2026.10.21
The developer, ZACHARY STEINKAMP, indicated that the app’s privacy practices may include handling of data as described below. For more information, see the developer’s privacy policy .
Data Not Collected
The developer does not collect any data from this app.
Privacy practices may vary, for example, based on the features you use or your age. Learn More
Accessibility
The developer has not yet indicated which accessibility features this app supports. Learn More
Information
Seller
ZACHARY STEINKAMP
Size
57.2 MB
Category
Music
Compatibility
Requires iOS 16.4 or later.
iPhone Requires iOS 16.4 or later.
iPad Requires iPadOS 16.4 or later.
Mac Requires macOS 12.0 or later and a Mac with Apple M1 chip or later.
