NAMM 2025: Melbourne Instruments ROTO-Control MIDI Controller Could Revolutionise Studio Software & Hardware Control
2025 NAMM Show: Melbourne Instruments has introduced Roto-Control – cool and compact, a unique motorized MIDI controller to tame your gear and plugins.
Melbourne Instruments ROTO Control, is a new controller that utilises the company’s groundbreaking motorised fader technology – as found on its Delia and Nina synths – to create a device that aims to revolutionise hardware or software control.
We first got wind of ROTO Control just before the NAMM show, But now Melbourne Instruments has officially launched the unit and given us all the glorious details about its new unit.
The Melbourne Instruments Roto-Control features fully assignable motorized touch-sensitive knobs, user definable haptics for detailed control, high-res screens that provide easy-to-read labels for every control, and internal memory with storage for over 8000 assignments.
ROTO Control can be set up to control all sorts of hardware and software parameters, with 16,000 memory locations available for instant recall. At the moment, ROTO Control links up best with Ableton Live, with pretty much instant syncing to control both the DAW’s mixer and plugins. We’re assuming that future updates or releases will include templates for other DAWs, although there’s nothing to stop you customising the unit’s controls to your DAW of choice.
The device has three modes to switch between: Mix, Plugin and MIDI with Motion Recorder. Mix syncs the controller with your Live Sets so that the track names and colours appear on ROTO Control’s front panel, meaning you are less reliant on your computer screen. As all data is taken from the Ableton Live Set currently loaded in, ROTO Control automatically updates its displays as you change anything within the software.
In Plugin mode, ROTO Control syncs to Live’s plugins using a one-time learning setup to recall everything later. You can set it up to control up to 64 plugins per channel with up to 128 controls (64 each for knobs and buttons) per plugin. That’s a pretty exceptional number of options, and makes us feel inadequate that we’d never need that level of control in one of our typical projects.
Finally, you get MIDI Control with Motion Recorder. This mode enables you to control any MIDI device – that could be software, hardware, or lighting – and use the Motion Recorder to record automation data via the motorised dials, with up to eight parameters per setup.
The motorized knobs use brushless drone motors with custom ultra-hires contactless optical sensors. They have a lifetime rating in excess of 50 million cycles, 500 times more than conventional pots.
Here’s a video overview:
Roto-Control offers three main 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 on – all data is taken from the active Ableton Live Set.
- PLUGIN Mode – Plugin parameters and labels are taken directly from Ableton Live with one touch, one-time, intuitive setup. 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. Up to 64 plugins per single track, with up to 128 controls (64 knobs + 64 buttons) per plugin.
- 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.
Features and Specifications:
- 8 x Touch sensitive motorized knobs with haptic feedback and instant 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 and MIDI over USB.
- Power: USB-C 5V (15W)
ROTO Control is available now for around $419/£389/€419. Visit the Melbourne Instruments site for details.