NAMM 2025: Melbourne Instruments' RotoControl

[@HarMegiddo]

The screen under each Roto name is so key for live performance and production when you assign to so many synths or parameters

[@thestever]

Kudos to Melbourne. I can't believe it's taken this long for someone to make a simple, slim midi controller with digital scribble strips above the knobs that [appears to] work well with Ableton. The fact that they're motorized and it's got those lovely tactile keyboard-style buttons is just a bonus. I also love that it doesn't try to do everything - it's not billed as "the new center of your setup" like everything else -- instead it can easily fit into any other setup. I've tried so many other options: The Kenton Killamix and MIDI Fighter Twister, and APC40 have been around for years but didn't have screens. Even custom solutions like Yaeltex don't have screens yet. The Push, Behringer X-Touch, and Novation SLMKIII have parameter readouts but are all too bulky. The Faderfox EC4 requires too much manual work. iPad apps lack the physical controls. Finally, it seems we're entering a new age. I'm curious what magic they're using under the hood to achieve this tight two-way Ableton and third party plugin integration without MCU.

[@valdir7426]

Ableton scripting capability is very advanced.

[@mylarmelodies]

Looks very interesting this and hoping it’s solving that issue that all MIDI controllers have (knobs in the wrong place, no labels to know what it’s controlling). Must try one. Great to see David here doing the lords work of demos for them, he’s a great dude!

[@valdir7426]

We need more custom template you can print or write on for controller (taktility makes them for some controllers and that changes everything)

[@LarryJones101]

agree. nice dude!

[@KYTHERAOfficial]

Finally someone did it! I hope this is gaining a lot of interested. I want this to be a futureproof forever solution

[@jocee2257]

Depends on the price really. Remember, its still just a midi controller, and brands avoid futureproof solutions as it takes away business from them.

[@Degree3Audio]

Instant purchase. God bless you signal sounds and sonic state. I have been waiting for this format and implementation. I was literally mulling over how cool it would be to have flying pots not just faders, a few nights ago. You can imagine my surprise and happiness when I got the newsletter of them being in stock. Almost didn't know what I was looking at until it dawned on me. Then I found this video a few hours later. Absolutely hyped.

[@zoundzpy]

Now we just need Bitwig (and other DAWs) mix mode support and macro control to control multiple CCs with one knob and it’s perfect. Great work!

[@justinma]

you can do this in bitwig with a macro knob modulator in the project modulator slot!

[@zoundzpy]

@ true dat

[@nyanko2077]

This thing looks amazing. Gonna keep it on my radar. Thanks for the video

[@LarryJones101]

Best midi controller I've seen in years, I saw him at namm gave me demo. the dude is a funny aussie, knows his stuff and not too serious. refreshing

[@DiegoFuego87]

Super cool! Actually solving a long term problem and genuine gap in the controller market. Hope we see lots more of these next gen midi devices from here.

[@martinnonstatic7435]

6 minutes of roto control and i felt in love. so perfect for live sessions!!!

[@thomasyon4332]

I'm no expert, but Melbourne Ins' gear looks really innovative (as Polyend, for instance).

[@ksqmusic]

Coolest midi controller I’ve ever seen by far.

[@jelms152]

The doctor himself! Great release! Love the Delia too

[@risingphoenix1484]

This is pretty cool a great way to control synths that aren't on your desk.

[@ejmikk]

Is it MIDI 2.0?

[@Windiguana]

Yeah this seems like the perfect application for MIDI 2.0

[@CrisBlyth]

WITHOUT EVEN LOOKING I'M GONNA GET THIS.. !!!!! I tried their original synth with these knobs and it was AMAZING.. you have to expirience it to understand really.

[@djnoshow]

Can it send NPRN?

[@drofdissonance]

yeah apparently can

[@tomhallsonics]

Yes, it can!

[@HustonSingletary]

This looks great and is going to be so fun to use with heavy knob related plugin synth and having hands on the keys at the same time for flow-state. Huge!! Well done guys💥

[@McEnroe911]

Great product. Well done Melbourne Instruments.

[@robertreid8241]

Ordered immediately! Game changer, even without the rotary features. The Blokas Midihub is a great pairing, and this opens it up to much more flexible live performance

[@MrSunnyBra]

Good on ya boys and girls. Making Straya proud! Salesmanship reminding me of the Midday Show too haha!

[@gladtobeangry]

I've been hoping they would do this ever since I saw their synths. Great move, price seems fair, I hope to be able to order it soon.

[@steveelbows3797]

Its also got a 2nd USB C port for MIDI over USB but the demonstrator forgot to mention this. I'm getting one.

[@valdir7426]

One for power and usb/midi, one for power in case you don't connect directly to a usb-c port with 15w

[@Spirit-Groove]

Thanks for this info!

[@Tommass79]

So that’s what he’s up to nowadays great to see both Melbourne based legends here

[@Bigger-Circuitry-Bigger-SOUND]

can it send SYSEX?

[@atommachine]

I second that.

[@Zimmermusic]

does plugin mode jump to the selected ableton device ? this could be amazing to control EQs and basic ableton device you use all the time, especially since you can choose your parameters (vs push). The motorized knobs are much nicer than encoders, it enables to have muscle memory, you don't have to stare at the screen to see the knob's position

[@drofdissonance]

yep it does!

[@valdir7426]

Does it support multiple banks of parameters?

[@effext1]

⁠@@valdir7426Yup, 8 banks. 64 encoders and 64 buttons to control the parameters of a plugin.

[@AdamsOlympia]

@@valdir7426 yes

[@seanwayland]

great idea . I enjoyed the "but wait there is more" shout out to Tim Shaw and DEMTEL.

[@pupkid8613]

Super cool - wish it had some CV outs too - would be incredible

[@HarMegiddo]

Dang that looks amazing!

[@martijn_thatsme]

Does it support system exclusive midi messages next to standard CC ?

[@silverlight2004db]

essential for most pre-millenium synths like my Yamaha TG77 and even newer synths like Roland Integra 7

[@yvesb.5190]

Would anyone know if Roto Control can handle grouping / ungrouping of channels in Ableton and if there is (or will be) a possibility to use the 8 buttons (+ left and right bottons) to program steps and scroll-through / jump trough sequences? Also the encoders could be used to control things like velocity per step etc. So many possibilitues! This thing is dope!! 🤯 An instant buy if somewhat affordable! 😉

[@valdir7426]

You'd need someone to program a tool with max for live for a sequencer. But that's totally doable.

[@robertreid8241]

The possibilities of this box seem boundless. Looking forward to seeing a community of builders sharing all sorts of mappings for....

[@gusmcbean9474]

Very curious for clarity on the midi loopback, at no point was it demonstrated that you could change a parameter on the syntakt and it would immediately be reflected by the motorised knob. As far as I know only the octatrack has the function on mass dumping it’s parameters put via midi so I imagine that once presets are changed the rotocontrol wouldn’t update, but hoping that if you are actively changing parameters that it would move on the roto control as well. Can anyone confirm this behaviour?

[@xfghffhfg]

Preset dump requests are quite common with most synths

[@isaac.anthony]

Nice! Real nice!

[@timn6767]

Did they say anything about cost? I’m at work and didn’t hear anything.

[@NgaTaeOfficial]

$419USD

[@timn6767]

@ nice! Thanks

[@C74connect]

Game Changer !!!

[@dcashley303]

Wonder if you can set max and minimum values, reverse values (so it's anticlockwise) and whether the buttons can be momentary as well as cycle through numbers rather than being an A/B absolute switch. Seems great though.

[@valdir7426]

max and min yeah it's shown in the video (probably should reverse if you reverse min and max too)

[@bojangprodoktschns5428]

Does the cycle thingy too at 5:10

[@dcashley303]

Nice! Thanks for the replies and pointing those out 👍. Seems like a really great product. Would be great to get a 16 knob version or a mix of knobs and faders but I'd imagine it'd really push up the price.

[@tk1ngatk1nga]

What updates do we get on the Delia ? Please, give us some love.

[@mallblimps]

what would you like added to delia?

[@tk1ngatk1nga]

Was watching NAMM and heard about the sequencing updates for NINA coming, e.g additional lanes for parameter locking/sequencing, that is a beauty, hopefully we get it on Delia.

[@tk1ngatk1nga]

I wonder if they can even add sampling, we have usb ports at the back maybe sample playback, nice simple way to possibly edit sequences would be nice, the screen is such beautiful thing would be a shame not to use it for intricate edits.

[@hakonsoreide]

That is a really nicely designed controller. Does it also have A-B parameter morph, like on their synths?

[@jutjup4731]

Can we have 4 or 8 rows by 8 encoders? Imagine to control Plugins with 32 or 64 encoders

[@xfghffhfg]

64 parameters per page

[@RadekPilich]

8200 / 64 = 128 controllers per setup..... with 8 knobs and 8 buttons, does this mean that there is 8 pages / banks of encoders and buttons in each setup?

[@RaffRobinson]

No it’s 64 setup of 8 knobs = 512 knobs

[@RadekPilich]

@RaffRobinson so what are those 8200 controllers claimed in the official promo video?

[@MyAlteredSoul]

Do the track labels and onobs work with the MCU protocol?

[@Ancaja123]

I don’t think so as then it would have support in any Daw, but I could be wrong

[@Vim-Wolf]

Ooh, I like this. Waiting on the RotoControl 64 so I can use it with my D50.

[@xfghffhfg]

Is 8000 parameters not enough? :)

[@peaterrepeater4441]

Is it possible to create banks and leave controls unassigned as well? I mean, can I create a bank called „osc 1“ but if this oscillator only has 6 controls I’m not forced to fill the remaining two controls with something unrelatated? Can it speak sysex as well? Is there support for Cycling 74’s Max?

[@valdir7426]

a mode to trigger a row of clips with the buttons would be grand. Also the plugin system looks ok but having auto-assignation woul be easier (with still the ability to change it). Ableton has that built in their remote system and for vst you can simply use the controls mapped to live in the order they're mapped (that can be saved as a preset). Other than that looks like the perfect controller for live, waiting for a manual to really figure everything out.

[@redwalks]

it didnt make much sense to me until he mentioned the motion control recording of the knobs and the ableton live integration, nice !!

[@MadelnMachines]

Are the rotocontrol pots as high quality as the nina? I really hope this company does well!

[@ahdchild]

I started off skeptical (why not just use endless encoders with indicator lights?) but being able to add steps with haptic feedback is a killer feature

[@xfghffhfg]

Or making it act like an analog potentiometer with endpoints!

[@darrenmackay2536]

G'Day! And love the aussie humour scattered through (only other aussies and perhaps kiwis will know...)

[@peterling1422]

@@darrenmackay2536 "but wait there's more......." Looks to camera 😂

[@Ancaja123]

This is pretty fantastic, I love the footprint as well. I’m a little nervous about support with other DAWs though

[@antabby]

Represent Mr Honeysmack ❤

[@Tommass79]

💯👍🇦🇺

[@drofdissonance]

thats Dr Honeysmack to you🤣

[@manny_f]

Finally someone did it. Manufacturings have been regurgitating the same old crap for decades. We've invented the internet, smart phones, IoT devices, now AI... and yet it took longer to make a box with knobs and a display This is awesome! I'm curious, does it use MIDI 1.0 or 2.0? I notice the LCD scribble strip cascades left to right as it updates, is this an effect of the camera or is it just slow?

[@drofdissonance]

in person it defiantly updates from right to left. It must not have any buffering.

[@HarMegiddo]

Oh I want this!!!!

[@valdir7426]

I mean for ableton there's already a perfectly functionning mapping function in remote mode; you just add controls from a vst to the live interface and then your controller will grab them in the the order you added them (usually by groups of 8). granted it doesn't do that with native live plugins where the order is preset. The system shown here looks workable but I hope it does allows for several pages of controls per plugins

[@valdir7426]

oh and can you map the buttons also in plugin mode?

[@vishnudh1216]

Love it

[@roncoleman5007]

Excellent. Just need to add snapshot (preset) with a transition time between we can set between snapshots. You will be the first to make it hardware based rather dealing with then daw. Thanks for a great product.

[@athenamultimedia01-zs9op]

Would be nice to make it like a midi sequencer

[@SandyZoop]

Now, of course, I'm dreaming of a flagship controller that's basically a programmable, motorized BCR2000 with accompanying buttons per knob and programmable labels, so I don't have to have a Stereoping controller for each old (or new) rack mount synth or effect that nonetheless has MIDI control. Anyway, I'll probably get one of these to help fund my future dream. :)

[@xfghffhfg]

And an Elektra One with this tech would be perfect.

[@marzzz1]

I had an Electra One controller, it was fantastic but just a bit too complicated for me. This looks like it is just what I need, order placed!

[@xfghffhfg]

I wish the two could be combined

[@dingbatjack1234]

Buying this

[@chateaudisco1436]

Dr AcidJacks in 'Merica!

[@tk-kw6xg]

Onya Honeysmack!

[@aeko]

Finally an interesting MIDI controller. Knobs would look better as black top w/ white line though.

[@ConductiveIRL]

Honeysmack at NAMM . Nice

[@dickydoes]

Quite pricy, but a great idea.

[@MrSunnyBra]

If you knew how bad our US to AUD exchange rate is right now, you’d understand. Parts from anywhere in the world would cost these dudes a small fortune. Might also be paying their employees a living wage which is awesome, but adds to costs.

[@Zimmermusic]

honestly when i saw that i thought it was going to be 800 usd. 8 screens + motors for under 500 is very fair I think

[@frankschneider7190]

too expensive. its a controller

[@valdir7426]

@@frankschneider7190 yeah so? have you seen the price of something like the ssl ef8?

[@xfghffhfg]

I expected it to be at least twice the price, it's incredible how affordable it is

[@WhoIsAlexElliott]

Want this so bad!

[@StevenClements]

Sysex?

[@pawelgrund4540]

I mean it's cool and fancy. However, it would be sufficient to have led rings around the knobs. Would make the whole device way cheaper. Or just introduce a bar indicating the amount in the displays. Otherwise cool product.

[@xfghffhfg]

It’s far more precise than any LED ring, and it can function as a pot with an endpoint, which is important for performance, or as a stepped encoder with variable step selection, ideal for choosing values within categories. As a bonus, the encoders are reportedly very resilient, and you can also bypass the motors. The price seems incredibly low for such a high-quality, multi-screen controller.

[@AdamsOlympia]

The displays are essential so you can have text labels for all your dozens of mappings.

[@whoadog8725]

Instabuy for me. I have the MP Midi Controller which is rad, but it’s too large for my setup. This is perfect for my needs and portable.

[@bdxfhsf]

Arggh... Bypassing other DAW support :/ Really like the device hence the lil' frustration

[@InFamousProductions]

that's totally rad.

[@theinvisibleman-e8v]

Wow

[@ScottMoonSharon]

but wait there's more...

[@JohnSmith-pn2vl]

why no led rings and stupid non 360 knobs ..... this way there is no fine control

[@drofdissonance]

they're much more precise than normal knobs, 14 bit

[@xfghffhfg]

It can also function like an analog pot, which is one of the reasons why.

[@rbgsounds1]

Flaming Galah 😂

[@gwsound]

Yeah support for Bitwig

[@uredeye]

this is made for elastic bands.

[@HarMegiddo]

Pwm=nick lol love it

[@el_dani]

Honeysmack!

[@substance90]

Nice to see a proper Ableton mode and not some half-baked integration (cough Native Instruments 😢)

[@pdlkmusic]

Extremely dumb nerd shit but does anyone know if the keyswitches can be hotswapped lol

[@drofdissonance]

yeah they are cherry MX

[@KevinPrice]

“As well” isn’t a period.

[@melime]

Another controller to Buy and at the end not use..... 8 knobs fancy moving and menu switching because of 8 knobs. That would make it my 5th controller. Yeah

[@DonaldDuck-i2e]

Hmm this is not the unit I was hoping for when I got the word a controller was coming out. I was over the moon when they told me but I really don't get this design. It looks very outdated. 9 small displays, annoying loud buttons, lots of menu diving? I'll rather wait for MK2 in 2030.

[@drofdissonance]

what type of controller would you have wanted to see?

[@DonaldDuck-i2e]

@@drofdissonance That's though to answer but here goes.. I would rather have one large touchscreen with more graphic representations. The tiny screens will still make me wanna look at the monitor etc. I would've like to see more knobs. More buttons maybe even faders. Why not pads instead of buttons. Sure the tactile feel of those buttons is nice but I don't like the loud clickediclack and a coloured pad would provide better visual feedback and more cleaner overall ecstatic design imo. And there are other things which I would've done differently. Let me say I wish they would've contacted me and let me bother them with my designs/ideas cause I wanted a MIDI controller with haptic controls for decades already. Maybe therefor my mind is already at version MK10 and MK1 was always going to be too limited in what I want to see.

[@xfghffhfg]

@@DonaldDuck-i2e I prefer the one they made, it's dedicated to the cause, yet wonderfully flexible, with numerous features that seems to make it practical and useful.

[@DonaldDuck-i2e]

@ I'm not saying it's a bad product btw. I'm still interested to find out more but not as much as I thought I would. It feels more like a controller to add with other controllers. Every piece of hw or plugin has probably more than 8 controls yet the RT can only show 8 parameters at a time. Let's just say I'm lazy plus greedy and wanna do/see more all at once. :P

[@xfghffhfg]

@ I also think the design leaves something to be desired, maybe more knobs, a bigger screen FOR HIGHER higher price, but I much prefer this to a controller with pads, a touch screen, and faders.