WORLD OF MUSIC ; PORTABLE KEYBOARD - Latest Portable Music Keyboards, Synthesizers and Music News

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.

At the 2025 NAMM Show, Rhodes Music announced the MIDI MK8, a powerful MIDI system for its MK8 electromechanical piano.

The fully integrated, touchless solution expands the capabilities of the iconic instrument, letting you use it to control MIDI instruments, and even to add expression with polyphonic aftertouch.

“After two years of painstaking research and development, we’re proud to present a first-in-class MIDI system that seamlessly integrates with the Rhodes MK8 piano,” said Dan Goldman, Product Manager at Rhodes. “We’ve gone to great lengths to ensure we deliver a fully optimized, noise-free solution that enhances the Rhodes experience while preserving the piano’s signature touch and feel.”

At the core of the MIDI MK8 is Rhodes’ proprietary MIDI sensing technology, which ensures zero interference with the feel of the MK8’s Steinway-designed Kluge keybed. This system transforms the MK8 into a MIDI controller, without changing the instrument’s touch and playability.

This means that you can use the MIDI MK8 to control other hardware synths and virtual instruments, whether layering the Rhodes sound with a synth pad or using the MK8’s onboard effect knobs to adjust settings of a hardware synth.

The MIDI MK8 also features polyphonic aftertouch, which lets you shape dynamics, modulation, and other parameters independently for each note.

“This is our own system, developed in-house in collaboration with industry experts and fully integrated with our piano,” Goldman added. “Just like the MK8’s effects, it’s optimized for the Rhodes by Rhodes, preserving the signature experience while offering unmatched versatility for musicians. With the inclusion of advanced features like high-resolution polyphonic aftertouch, the MIDI MK8 represents a major leap forward in MIDI technology.”

Here’s a live performance demo, featuring Dan Goldman on the MK8 & Errol Rollins on drums:

Features:

• Proprietary MIDI Sensing Technology: Ensures zero interference with the Steinway-designed Kluge keybed, preserving the touch and feel of the MK8.
• High-Resolution Polyphonic Aftertouch: Allows independent control over each note’s dynamics and modulation for nuanced, expressive performances.
• Channel Aftertouch Support: Offers global pressure modulation for all notes being played.
• Dynamic Key Monitoring: Continuous, high-resolution tracking of key positions ensures precise control and expression.
• Onboard Effects Control: Enables MIDI implementation of over 30 MK8 parameters, including preamp and effects settings, for integration with DAWs and MIDI hardware.
• Damper Pedal Integration: Features an optical damper pedal sensor with multiple sustain modes for enhanced playability.
• USB MIDI In/Out: For integration with modern hardware and software setups.
• DIN MIDI Out: Provides compatibility with traditional MIDI devices.
• Noise-Free Design: Fully isolated electronics eliminate noise, ground loops, and interference when connecting to multiple devices in studio or live settings.
• Firmware Expandability: Capabilities are extendable through firmware updates, ensuring adaptability to future advancements.

Note: While the MK8, as an electromechanical piano, cannot generate sound from incoming MIDI data, it can receive MIDI information to control its onboard parameters. For instance, you can program automation data in a DAW — such as adjusting effects like chorus or delay — and send it to the MK8, allowing its effects to shift dynamically in real time during a performance.

The MIDI MK8 is available now as a factory-installed option for the Rhodes MK8 piano, with an introductory pricing of $1,295 / £995 / €1,195 through April 1st, 2025. The regular price is $1,695  / £1,295  / €1,495 . An update option for existing MK8 owners is expected to be available later this year.

At the 2025 NAMM Show, held Jan 21–25 in Anaheim, CA, Korg has introduced the handytraxx line of portable turntables.

The Handy Trax, originally created by Vestax, redefined portable turntables by giving users the freedom to play and scratch records anywhere. Beloved by DJs and vinyl enthusiasts alike, it helped spark the rise of “portablism”.

Now, Korg has introduced an updated take, with the handytraxx. Developed in collaboration with Toshihide Nakama, former President of Vestax and co-creator of the Handy Trax, the handytraxx play retains the essence of the original while introducing several new features. These include digital effects, a built-in looper, and high-quality controls that make it possible to physically “play” with records on the go.

Korg introduced four versions of the handytraxx. Here’s the official intro to the base model, the handytraxx play:

The handtraxx play features a portable design, three built-in effects, looping, scratching support and more.

The handytraxx tube has a similar design, but with a focus on listening to records, instead of performing with them.

Here’s what they have to say about it:

“Each component has been meticulously crafted to prioritise sound quality, including an aluminium die-cast platter* for precise and stable rotation, a balanced tone arm featuring an MM cartridge, and a phono amp powered by Korg’s innovative Nutube next-generation vacuum tube.

Unlike the average turntable, the handytraxx tube maximises sound quality with the warmth of a triode vacuum tube and incorporates unique features, while remaining remarkably compact.”

Next up is the handytraxx 1bit, which is designed for playing records and archiving them as digital audio files.

Here’s what they have to say about it:

“The handytraxx 1bit is the flagship model in the handytraxx series, offering state-of-the-art recording capabilities. Capture the essence of your vinyl in stunning 5.6 MHz, 1-bit (DSD) format, delivering 5.6 million samples per second for unparalleled sound quality.

Whether you’re digitizing a priceless vinyl library or enjoying casual playback, the handytraxx 1bit is the perfect solution for every vinyl enthusiast.”

Finally, Korg introduced the handytraxx tube J, created in collaboration with JICO, a manufacturer of high-quality analog audio styli and cartridges.

Here’s what they have to say about it:

“The cartridge and styli are the heart of any turntable, and even modest systems can achieve significantly improved sound with high-quality components. To meet the challenge of delivering exceptional sound quality in a portable, all-in-one player, the handytraxx tube J incorporates the precision-engineered Clipper cartridge, ensuring a listening experience that is rich, detailed, and true to the original recording.”

The Korg handytraxx turntables are available now to pre-order, with the following pricing:

• Korg handytraxx play – $399.99
• Korg handytraxx tube – $799.99
• Korg handytraxx 1bit – $999.99
• Korg handytraxx tube J – $1,199.99