Melbourne Instruments Roto-Control Motorized MIDI Controller

What we say about the Melbourne Instruments Roto-Control Motorized Midi Controller...

The Roto-Control smart MIDI controller with Melbourne's signature motorised knobs is designed to integrate seamlessly with Ableton Live, Bitwig Studio, Logic Pro and any other MIDI gear in your studio. We’ve been playing with a Roto-Control in the shop and the instant visual feedback from the knobs as you move between channels and plug-ins is like magic! It really improves the experience of using Live and it can bring a new dimension of control to just about any setup.

Manufacturer's description

The Melbourne Roto-Control is a truly unique motorized MIDI controller, unlike anything seen before. Rethink software and hardware interactions via fully assignable motorized touch-sensitive knobs, user definable haptics for detailed control, high-res screens providing easy-to-read labels for every control, and internal memory with storage for over 8,000 possible assignments. Powerful, compact, and portable, Roto-Control features three main modes of operation: MIX, PLUGIN and MIDI with Motion Recorder.

NEW: Max support for Roto-Control

Melbourne Instruments announce native Cycling ’74 Max integration for Roto-Control. With Max now supported directly in PLUGIN Mode, Roto-Control becomes a powerful hands-on interface for creating and using custom instruments, audio, MIDI effects, and performance tools built in Max. Motorized knobs, touch-and-learn mapping, and haptic feedback bring physical control and recall to Max’s customizable user interfaces — bridging visual patching with tactile performance.

NEW: Logic Pro integration for ROTO-CONTROL

Roto-Control introduces a fully tactile, motorized controller for Logic Pro users, delivering fast, hands-on control of tracks, plugins, smart controls and automation.

MIX Mode mirrors Logic Pro's session track names, colours and order, while providing high-resolution control of volume, pan, sends, and instant access to mute, solo, record-arm and track focus.

PLUGIN Mode allows users to browse and select Logic Pro instruments and effects directly from Roto-Control. Parameters can be mapped instantly using touch-and-learn, with up to eight pages of controls stored on the device ready for any project.

Smart Controls are automatically mapped, offering up to 16 parameters available in both PLUGIN Mode and the dedicated SMART Mode.

Three modes of operation

MIX Mode

Plug & play dedicated Ableton Live audio mix environment. Automatically sync Ableton Live Sets with all track names and colors instantly appearing on Roto-Control displays. Roto-Control will automatically update track names and colors when connected to an active Ableton Live Set. No need to save or edit labels – all data is taken directly from the active Ableton Live Set.

PLUGIN Mode

Plugin parameters and labels are taken directly from Ableton Live with one touch, one-time, intuitive easy set-up. Learn plugin parameters once and Roto-Control will remember learnt parameters anytime you use Ableton Live. All learnt plugin parameters are stored locally on Roto-Control, making it quick and easy to use Roto-Control with any computer setup.

• Up to 128 plugins, each with 64 learnt control assignments (32 knobs and 32 button destinations).

MIX and PLUGIN Modes complement each other with fast intuitive switching between modes. Both modes include full suite of Ableton Live transport controls.

MIDI Mode with Motion Recorder

Control MIDI hardware and software including synths, DAWs, lighting, media applications and any MIDI compatible technology. MIDI Mode can operate stand-alone without a computer.

• Up to 64 MIDI Setups stored on Roto-Control.
• Each Setup can consist of up to 64 controls (32 knob + 32 button assignments).
• Setups can be imported and exported via the Roto-Setup app, for sharing with others.

Motion Recorder

Motion Recording brings Melbourne Instruments’ motorized knob technology to external gear. Motion Recorder is a creative
and fun way to automate and loop MIDI parameters on external hardware and software. Simple one-step record and playback functions.

• Record up to 8 parameters per Setup.
• Save up to 8 MIDI Set-Ups with Motion Recording.
• Clock source: Internal or external MIDI clock.
• Step recording lengths: 16, 32, 48 or 64 steps.
• Playback modes: forward, backward, random, ping-pong.

Features

• 8 x touch sensitive motorized knobs with haptic feedback and instant parameter recall.
• 9 x high-res LCD (IPS) displays.
• 16 x backlit RGB LED buttons.
• 2 x USB-C ports (Data + Power)
• MIDI in/out/thru, 5-pin MIDI DIN
• MIDI over USB.
• Power: USB-C 5V (15W)

Motorized knobs

• Brushless drone motors with Melbourne Instruments’ patented ultra-hires contactless optical sensors.
• Lifetime rating in excess of 50 million cycles, 500 times more than conventional pots.

Minimum requirements

• Ableton Live 10 or higher for MIX and PLUGIN Modes.
• MIDI compatible hardware and/or software for MIDI Mode.

What’s in the box

• ROTO-CONTROL unit
• USB-C power supply 5V (15W)
• USB-C cable
• Carry bag and cable tie.
• Quick Start Guide

Roto-Setup App

Provides additional configuration and customization of knobs and buttons including multi-position switches, haptic control,
toggles, minimum and maximum values, in addition to MIDI channel, CC, NPRN, resolution and naming of steps.

• Edit label colors and names for knobs and buttons in MIDI and PLUGIN Modes.
• Import and export MIDI and PLUGIN Setups.
• Roto-Setup will automatically detect and update firmware when connected to Roto-Control.

Minimum requirements for Roto-Setup App:

• Windows 10 or higher
• Mac OS 12 or higher