Melbourne Instruments - Roto-Control
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354,17 €
excl VAT
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years
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The Melbourne Instruments ROTO-CONTROL is a compact MIDI controller featuring eight motorised touch-sensitive knobs, capable of automatically tracking the parameters of software or MIDI equipment. Its high-resolution LCD screens, RGB buttons and haptic feedback make control particularly intuitive. Compatible with Ableton Live, Bitwig Studio and Logic Pro, it can also control MIDI hardware in standalone mode.
ARTICLE N° 126129
Presentation
The Melbourne Instruments ROTO-CONTROL is designed for musicians, producers, sound designers and performers who want to recapture the feel and precision of hardware control when working with a DAW, plug-ins or MIDI synthesisers. Its unique feature lies in its eight motorised, tactile knobs, which can move automatically to match the current value of the selected parameter. This means that switching between tracks or plug-ins no longer requires manually searching for a control’s position: the controls follow instantly.
The ROTO-CONTROL offers three main operating modes. In MIX Mode, it acts as a control surface for the mixer in Ableton Live, Bitwig Studio or Logic Pro: track names and colours are automatically synchronised, whilst the knobs provide access to levels, panning and sends. Dedicated buttons also allow you to manage mute, solo and record arm. There is no limit to the number of tracks: you can navigate your entire session via banks and pages.
In PLUGIN Mode, the ROTO-CONTROL stores the learnt parameters along with their names and the plug-in’s name. Once learnt, it can automatically retrieve the assignments, display the correct labels and reposition the motorised controls. Up to 64 plug-ins, with up to 128 parameters each, can thus be stored on the device. With Logic Pro, Smart Mode also offers automatic access to Smart Controls, with up to 16 parameters per instrument or effect.
Finally, MIDI Mode transforms the ROTO-CONTROL into a universal controller for synthesisers, machines, software, lighting or other MIDI devices. It can operate without a computer and store up to 64 MIDI configurations. The Motion Recorder adds a particularly interesting creative dimension: up to 8 parameters can be recorded and then looped in various playback modes, with a length of 16 to 64 steps.
The ROTO-CONTROL is therefore an ideal solution for anyone looking for a motorised MIDI controller with automatic recall, rather than a simple traditional MIDI surface.
The ROTO-CONTROL offers three main operating modes. In MIX Mode, it acts as a control surface for the mixer in Ableton Live, Bitwig Studio or Logic Pro: track names and colours are automatically synchronised, whilst the knobs provide access to levels, panning and sends. Dedicated buttons also allow you to manage mute, solo and record arm. There is no limit to the number of tracks: you can navigate your entire session via banks and pages.
In PLUGIN Mode, the ROTO-CONTROL stores the learnt parameters along with their names and the plug-in’s name. Once learnt, it can automatically retrieve the assignments, display the correct labels and reposition the motorised controls. Up to 64 plug-ins, with up to 128 parameters each, can thus be stored on the device. With Logic Pro, Smart Mode also offers automatic access to Smart Controls, with up to 16 parameters per instrument or effect.
Finally, MIDI Mode transforms the ROTO-CONTROL into a universal controller for synthesisers, machines, software, lighting or other MIDI devices. It can operate without a computer and store up to 64 MIDI configurations. The Motion Recorder adds a particularly interesting creative dimension: up to 8 parameters can be recorded and then looped in various playback modes, with a length of 16 to 64 steps.
The ROTO-CONTROL is therefore an ideal solution for anyone looking for a motorised MIDI controller with automatic recall, rather than a simple traditional MIDI surface.
Features
Potentiometers
8
Number of keys
16
Controller
No
Screen
Yes
MIDI port
Yes
USB port
Yes
Compatibility
MacOS, Windows
Power supply
Power adapter (included), Via USB bus
Transport functions
Yes
Color
Black, Black
Case or cover included
Gigbag
Connectors
MIDI Female, null
Packaging
Single unit
Other features
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Melbourne Instruments Roto-Control
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MIDI and DAW controller
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8 motorised, touch-sensitive encoders
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Hardware and software control without parameter jumps
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9 LCD screens for programming and displaying controls
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16 buttons with RGB LEDs
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Direct integration with Ableton Live for controlling the mixer and plug-ins
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MIDI mode for controlling MIDI hardware and software
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Motion Recorder for recording up to 8 parameters (sequences of 16 to 64 steps)
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Memory for 64 configurations (Setups), each with 8 banks (64 encoders and 64 buttons)
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Editing directly on the unit or via the Roto Setup app (Mac and PC)
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2 USB-C ports (1 for connecting to a computer and for MIDI via USB, 1 for power)
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MIDI In / Out / Thru via 5-pin DIN connectors
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Dimensions (W × D × H): 341 × 112 × 44 mm
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Weight: 715 g
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Supplied with a USB-C cable, an external power supply (USB-C, 5 V / 15 W) and a carrying case
To find out more...
- ROTO-CONTROL is not limited to standard MIDI parameters: Roto-Setup also allows you to define sophisticated control behaviours — detents, centre positions, multi-position switches, toggles, min/max limits, etc. This allows you, for example, to transform an encoder into a proper selector rather than a simple continuous controller.
- For third-party plug-ins in Ableton Live, you must first make the desired parameters available in the device’s Configure section, then use the LEARN function on the ROTO-CONTROL. Once learnt, the mapping is saved with the plug-in.
- An interesting feature for live performance: MIDI Mode works without a computer. The ROTO-CONTROL can therefore serve as a compact control surface for a synth or other MIDI hardware, without relying on DAW integration.
- For users of Cycling’74 Max (which offers native Max integration in PLUGIN Mode), the ROTO-CONTROL has the potential to become a control surface that is very different from a generic MIDI controller. The design featuring 8 motorised encoders allows you to create a Max patch where the parameters are physically represented: when switching patches or contexts, the encoders can return to the corresponding values rather than remaining in their previous positions.
- The supplied USB-C power supply is recommended to ensure touch sensitivity works correctly. Melbourne Instruments advises plugging it in if touch detection is not working properly.
- Please note regarding Logic Pro 12: if PLUGIN Mode is not working correctly after the update, Melbourne Instruments advises checking that ‘Control surface follows focused view’ is not enabled in the control surface settings.
- Please note for sales in 2026: the new ROTO-CONTROL units now include a Bitwig Studio 8-Track licence, which adds real value to the product for new users.
- For third-party plug-ins in Ableton Live, you must first make the desired parameters available in the device’s Configure section, then use the LEARN function on the ROTO-CONTROL. Once learnt, the mapping is saved with the plug-in.
- An interesting feature for live performance: MIDI Mode works without a computer. The ROTO-CONTROL can therefore serve as a compact control surface for a synth or other MIDI hardware, without relying on DAW integration.
- For users of Cycling’74 Max (which offers native Max integration in PLUGIN Mode), the ROTO-CONTROL has the potential to become a control surface that is very different from a generic MIDI controller. The design featuring 8 motorised encoders allows you to create a Max patch where the parameters are physically represented: when switching patches or contexts, the encoders can return to the corresponding values rather than remaining in their previous positions.
- The supplied USB-C power supply is recommended to ensure touch sensitivity works correctly. Melbourne Instruments advises plugging it in if touch detection is not working properly.
- Please note regarding Logic Pro 12: if PLUGIN Mode is not working correctly after the update, Melbourne Instruments advises checking that ‘Control surface follows focused view’ is not enabled in the control surface settings.
- Please note for sales in 2026: the new ROTO-CONTROL units now include a Bitwig Studio 8-Track licence, which adds real value to the product for new users.
