When you compare Ableton’s offering of a mobile app, namely Note, to that of Logic Pro, Studio One, or Pro Tools, one thing becomes clear: a dedicated remote control app is nowhere to be seen. Project7III Tap aims to change that. The iOS app allows you to control Ableton Live remotely from your iPhone. Which makes recording from the other side of the room much more convenient.
Remote control apps for Ableton Live
When Ableton Note was released in 2022, it showed that the Berlin DAW makers is finally paying attention to mobile music makers. Similar to FL Studio Mobile, the app was a mobile-only software that was, in essence, a much more dialed-down version of Ableton Live. It also conveniently allowed for syncing the smartphone-created beats directly to Live through Ableton Cloud.
However, a way to remotely control Ableton Live through Note was and still is missing. The gap is big enough that there is a long line of third-party apps like touchable, V-Control Pro, or DAW Control that make it possible to remotely start playback, edit and automate clips, and more. Project7III Tap aims to make this more accessible and streamlined – for iOS users, that is.
Project7III Tap: The ultimate Ableton Live remote control app?
Project7III Tap seems to fuse the best of both worlds—Ableton Note and remote control apps—into a very slick interface. When connected to the DAW, you can create beats and melodies directly in the app. Even Ableton’s magical Capture feature, which silently records all MIDI notes you play, even when recording isn’t enabled, works in the app.
Tap also allows for creating clip automation, so if you’re using a drum rack or an instrument rack with macros, you can create infinite musical variations just by recording knob movements! The iOS app works through a custom MIDI script that you install in Ableton Live. So far, the app seems to need a wired USB connection from your iPhone to your computer. The manual goes into further detail on how to set it up on Windows machines and on Macs.
There are five dedicated views for individual instruments, clip launching, mixing, options, and MIDI CC that each offer a whole range of ways to control Ableton Live remotely. It remains to be seen if the developer will add wireless capabilities to the app as well.
How much does Project7III Tap cost?
Project7III Tap is still in beta and as of today, you need to sign up for the free beta test on the developer’s website. The workflow and UI of the app look very promising, so we’re hoping it’ll be available for every iOS user soon! And fingers crossed that the dev also considers a full-blown iPad version of that app. Because that would make it very interesting and useful for live performance,
More on the Ableton Live remote app
