Comments on: Melbourne Instruments Roto-Control: firmware 2.0 adds Bitwig Studio & Linux support and more https://synthanatomy.com/2025/07/melbourne-instruments-roto-control-a-motorized-midi-controller-for-hard-and-software.html Music Tech News, Reviews, Events, Music Fri, 04 Jul 2025 15:44:22 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.2 By: ldb https://synthanatomy.com/2025/07/melbourne-instruments-roto-control-a-motorized-midi-controller-for-hard-and-software.html#comment-140558 Sun, 04 May 2025 12:21:18 +0000 https://synthanatomy.com/?p=91547#comment-140558 In reply to Alan.

I was about to say this, I’d take endless encoders with an LED ring around them over motorized any day. Motors seem to me like just another potential noise source.

]]> By: Rthree https://synthanatomy.com/2025/07/melbourne-instruments-roto-control-a-motorized-midi-controller-for-hard-and-software.html#comment-135163 Sun, 26 Jan 2025 16:28:00 +0000 https://synthanatomy.com/?p=91547#comment-135163 In reply to momo.

from their site on Nina (which I’m assuming is very close/same as what is used in this device):

We have developed our own motorized controller to replace the potentiometers in a traditional synth.

Our design is based on a brushless drone motor with our own ultra-hires optical sensor. These brushless motors and contactless optical sensors are extremely robust with a lifetime rating in excess of 50 million cycles, which is 500 times more than conventional pots.

*patent pending

]]> By: Roto-midi https://synthanatomy.com/2025/07/melbourne-instruments-roto-control-a-motorized-midi-controller-for-hard-and-software.html#comment-135041 Sat, 25 Jan 2025 02:22:17 +0000 https://synthanatomy.com/?p=91547#comment-135041 I love this and am so interested but can’t justify it at $420 USD. Need the DIY kit.

]]> By: zz https://synthanatomy.com/2025/07/melbourne-instruments-roto-control-a-motorized-midi-controller-for-hard-and-software.html#comment-135024 Fri, 24 Jan 2025 21:19:10 +0000 https://synthanatomy.com/?p=91547#comment-135024 In reply to momo.

so is literally any other potentiometer or encoder….

]]> By: momo https://synthanatomy.com/2025/07/melbourne-instruments-roto-control-a-motorized-midi-controller-for-hard-and-software.html#comment-134616 Tue, 21 Jan 2025 15:41:25 +0000 https://synthanatomy.com/?p=91547#comment-134616 In reply to Ryan H.

They’re mechanical parts, how long before they wear out? How will they be replaced after the boutique manufacturer hangs up their soldering iron?

]]> By: Ryan H https://synthanatomy.com/2025/07/melbourne-instruments-roto-control-a-motorized-midi-controller-for-hard-and-software.html#comment-134442 Sat, 18 Jan 2025 15:37:53 +0000 https://synthanatomy.com/?p=91547#comment-134442 Welll, if they are anything like their previous ones, the knobs are more than motorized – they are haptic. So imagine you having the feel of a center detent, or 32 steps of control, or a continuous controller but that builds resistance as you turn, all software controlled. I have used these knobs in person and they aren’t just gimmicky they are really great for expression and control!

]]> By: Rnedp https://synthanatomy.com/2025/07/melbourne-instruments-roto-control-a-motorized-midi-controller-for-hard-and-software.html#comment-134412 Fri, 17 Jan 2025 18:51:59 +0000 https://synthanatomy.com/?p=91547#comment-134412 In reply to Alan.

I agree – I do like the idea of the screens per knob, but guessing this will be a premium for something not really necessary.

]]> By: Alan https://synthanatomy.com/2025/07/melbourne-instruments-roto-control-a-motorized-midi-controller-for-hard-and-software.html#comment-134410 Fri, 17 Jan 2025 17:13:43 +0000 https://synthanatomy.com/?p=91547#comment-134410 I don’t see the point of this, endless encoders are a much better and more reliable solution, no point in making rotary controllers automated unless they’re faders

]]>