Melbourne Instruments Backs Its Motorized Controls With a 10-year Warranty
Guaranteed to feel the same in 10 years as it does on day one. Every motorized rotary control that Melbourne Instruments builds is now covered by a 10-year warranty.
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - Melbourne Instruments today announced a 10-year warranty on the motorized rotary control components in every product it builds, covering NINA, DELIA and ROTO-CONTROL. The cover sits alongside the standard product warranty and is activated by registering the instrument.
A conventional knob uses a wiper dragging across a resistive track, and that contact is what wears, collects dust and eventually fails. Melbourne Instruments' controls remove contact from the assembly. Torque passes from the motor through a magnetic field rather than a gear train. Position is read optically, with nothing touching. There is no wear surface anywhere between the motor and the player's fingers.
That has benefits beyond durability. An endless encoder has no fixed position, so the knob sits wherever the last hand left it and the true value lives on a screen or LED. Its detents soften over time as the disc and wipers wear. Melbourne Instruments' knobs drive to the exact preset position, hold detents and switch positions under the hand, and change character on demand - stepped, smooth, or switch-like. No gears between the motor and your fingers. The knob moves the instant the sound does.
The motors have been tested 50 million times, far more than a lifetime of playing could reach. The 10-year warranty is not the limit of the mechanism. It is the point at which Melbourne Instruments stopped counting.
Customers who bought before 17 August 2026 have until 17 February 2027 to register at melbourneinstruments.com and activate their full 10 years, running from the original date of purchase. The terms and scope are the same as for a new purchase.
The warranty launches with a campaign called "A decade of play", running across Melbourne Instruments' channels and dealer partners from 17 August. The line appears on a 10-year motor warranty roundel supplied to retailers alongside product artwork and spec listings.
Claims in the first 2 years go through the customer's place of purchase, as they do today. From year 3 to year 10, claims come directly to Melbourne Instruments, with service points in Europe, the USA and Australia. Cover applies to the motorized rotary control components only and requires registration.
Sound Test: All 45 Mutable Instruments Braids Waveform Models (V3.0)
In this video, I’m putting the legendary Mutable Instruments Braids to the test, showcasing all 45 waveform models added in the V3.0 update. Explore the vast sonic palette of this iconic digital oscillator, from classic analog emulations to complex digital synthesis.
NINA Macro Oscillator Mode - BRAIDS Update! Demo and deep dive with THE UNPERSON video upload by Melbourne Instruments
"The powerful new Macro Oscillator Mode firmware update for Melbourne Instruments' motorised polysynth, NINA, has arrived. This new update adds 45 synthesis waveform models using open-source code from Émilie Gillet’s Mutable Instruments Braids, one of the most celebrated Eurorack synth modules.
This new mode massively expands Nina's sonic capabilities, unlocking a new world of synthesis, from classic analog textures to cutting-edge digital experimentation. Powered by Nina’s innovative architecture, the new Macro Oscillator Mode delivers an incredibly versatile hands-on sound design experience unlike any other.
In this video Melbourne Instruments collaborator THE UNPERSON takes a deep dive into Macro Mode, exploring some of the Macro Oscillator models, and demonstrates just some of the 60 new presets created for this update, exploring the sonic possibilities of the new Macro Oscillator.
To support this update there is a new bank of 60 Macro Presets, designed by Protovolt, Tom Hall and James Terris. Available to download now: https://www.melbourneinstruments.com/..."
2nd video followed by the press release:
NINA Macro Oscillator Mode — 12 polyphonic voices of BRAIDS! Macro Presets audio demo with PROTOVOLT
"In this video, Sound Designer PROTOVOLT demonstrates a selection of the 20 new presets he created for this update, exploring the sonic possibilities of the new Macro Oscillator.
0:00:20 Xenomorph
0:01:02 String Theory
0:01:40 Zero Space
0:02:28 Harpsichon
0:02:58 Dark Matter
0:03:41 Supernova
0:03:58 Nucleus
0:04:38 Flux
0:05:09 Datablade
0:05:38 Retsu
0:06:04 Event Horizon
To support this update there is a new bank of 60 Macro Presets, designed by Protovolt, Tom Hall and James Terris. Available to download now: https://www.melbourneinstruments.com/..."
Press release follows:
Melbourne Instruments brings Braids engine to desktop NINA analogue polysynth
“NINA has always been an absolute powerhouse of a synth, but this update is insane; OSC 3 gives you 45 Braids macros across 12 voices, plus its massive mod matrix — the range of sounds and textures you can create now knows no bounds.”
- Musician/sound designer PROTOVOLT, 2026
MELBOURNE, VIC, AUSTRALIA: Melbourne Instruments is proud to bring Mutable Instruments’ Braids engine — Emilie Gillet’s celebrated open-source macro oscillator — to its desktop NINA analogue polysynth, as of April 30…
Available as a free firmware update, all 45 Braids synthesis models run across NINA’s 12 true polyphonic voices, each shaped by a dedicated overdrive-able analogue filter. Ultimately, users can now layer Braids and analogue VCOs (Voltage Controlled Oscillators) across four multitimbral parts, morph between presets, and sequence everything.
Duly described by Mutable Instruments as a macro oscillator, Braids was a mono Eurorack module: one voice, no internal filter, and no modulation routing. It is now something else entirely on NINA, itself described as the world’s first motorised polysynth. Put it this way: when switching layers, the motorised knobs snap to new positions; morph between patches and they sweep in real time. Meanwhile, modulation routings are all visible on the panel from the moment they are selected. Surely Braids has never been this hands-on.
Digging deeper, each waveform model is shaped by two expressive parameters — Timbre and Color — adapted from the original Braids module. More meaningfully, these controls affect multiple tonal dimensions simultaneously, producing complex, evolving, and musically responsive sounds. Spanning analogue VCO emulation, vowel and formant synthesis, 2-operator FM, physical modelling of strings and wind instruments, wavetable synthesis with smooth interpolation, granular synthesis, and electronic drum simulation, the 45 models evidently elevate NINA to a new level, further cementing itself as a premium analogue polysynth powerhouse for experimental, generative, analogue, and digital synthesis.
Says musician/sound designer James Terris, ending on a high note: “I’ve always described NINA as a beautiful beast — analogue oscillators paired with its super-fat and driven analogue filter make it beastly! But while the existing wavetable oscillator adds a crystal sheen that provides a beauty, the new macro oscillator models expand this tremendously. Indeed, it can go from delicate FM, Karplus-Strong, and even vocal formant textures straight into swarming, stacked super-waves. With this update, it feels like an instant NINA ‘MK-2’!”
Excluding taxes applicable to the territory concerned, NINA is presently priced at $3,299.00 USD in North America; €3,165.00 EUR in the EU; £2,835.00 GBP in the UK; and $3,499.00 USD in Japan, while it is presently priced in Australia at $4,995.00 AU, including GST (Goods and Services Tax) — all via Melbourne Instruments’ growing global network of dealers.
Coinciding with the new NINA MACRO OSC UPDATE firmware release, owners of the world’s first motorised polysynth can also download 60 new presets for free from here: https://www.melbourneinstruments.com/presets#nina
Full analog sequenced performance featuring:
Melbourne Instruments Nina (2 layers)
Roland TR-1000 (direct analog outs)
Sequentix Cirklon (doin all dat sequencing that the kids are talking about)
API the BOX mk1 (accepting all those analog signals and spitting out a mixed one)
Prism Titan (turning those volts into bits)"
"New to the studio is a Melbourne Instruments Nina. The Analog Four mk2 is still playing the central role, but the Nina is contributing 2 patches to the music here.
This was music that came to me rather serendipitously, so while not typical of what I would post here, I did want to share it despite it maybe not being as accessible as other posts. Odd meter + fairly niche gear + no real drum track will limit itself with who ends up listening. But if you're someone who does listen and enjoy it, thank you.
"How close can the Nina get to the Vermona Perfourmer? Distributing MIDI notes evenly across three layers on the Nina, each with slight variations in filter and envelope settings. The track, originally made with the Perfourmer (ID: Samuel Yang - Skyward Bound), is now played on the Nina, and I’m amazed by how closely it replicates the original, with its round-robin arps.
Arps coming from Nina, everything else was pre-recorded / taken from the original track."
"I'm sending the same pattern to eight different kits that I programmed on the Melbourne Instruments Nina. Pattern information is sent via MIDI from Ableton, to four different channels. Each kit that I load on the Nina consists of four parts respectively. Basic mastering applied, but sounds from these Nina kits only."
"⚡ Step inside the sonic universe of Mr. Dataline with his exclusive Pattern Bank for NINA’s Multi-track Sequencer. Crafted with precision and groove, these patterns demonstrate Nina's many sonic dimensions — from hypnotic sequences and retro video games to raw machine funk. Whether you’re into techno, electro, or left-field machine jams, these patterns showcase Nina's full creative power.
🎛️ ABOUT NINA: Unlock a standalone groovebox for beatmakers, producers, performers and sound designers with NINA's Multi-Track Sequencer. A groovebox for dynamic and expressive performance anywhere - studio or stage. Great for generating quick new ideas or adding some amazing complexity to your music. This is all powered by NINA's raw analog oscillators, ladder filter and wavetable oscillator. Not forgetting the revolutionary motorized knobs that snap to life for hands-on, tactile interactive control. Whether you’re crafting tough beats or complex melodic patterns, this next-gen groovebox workflow unlocks an exciting new way to create. And don't forget, NINA is also an incredible standalone 12-voice, 4-part multitimbral hybrid analog-wavetable synth beast!
"In this demo I'll introduce & play with the new 4-track 64-step "parameter locking" analogue groovebox mode that's been added to the Melbourne Instruments Nina analogue polysynth. You can have completely different sounds on different steps, opening up Nina for experimental jamming and writing entire track ideas - drums and bass and pads and all. Discount link below! 👇
MORE INFO
▶︎ Official Site: https://www.melbourneinstruments.com/...
▶︎ Thanks to @Honeysmack for your help teaching me the Octatrack and Nina behind the scenes! Check out David's channel for more of his live acid techno (he's great) and also his videos he does for Melbourne Instruments as he explains this mode in greater depth - his DNA is all over this!"
"Synth lord Protovolt has created a bank of patterns for NINA's Multi-Track Sequencer. Protovolt's Pattern Bank will take you to a cyborg sci-fi thriller in which you are evading a deranged robot, drawing inspiration from the great exploitation movies of the 1980s. With a contemporary twist, each of these patterns has all the sound characteristics of vintage analog synths. Set your coordinates to the future, grab your protective gear and motorcycle helmet, and get ready for a wild ride! All sounds and patterns in this video were created solely using NINA.
ABOUT NINA: Unlock a standalone groovebox for beatmakers, producers, performers and sound designers with NINA's Multi-Track Sequencer. A groovebox for dynamic and expressive performance anywhere - studio or stage. Great for generating quick new ideas or work some amazing complexity into your music. This is all powered by NINA's raw analog oscillators, ladder filter and wavetable oscillator. Not forgetting the revolutionary motorized knobs that snap to life for hands-on, tactile interactive control, now you can feel your sound. Whether you’re crafting beats or complex melodic patterns, this next-gen groovebox workflow unlocks a completely new way to create.
Key Features of the Multi-Track Sequencer: • 4-Tracks—up to 64 steps with independent length per track, for polyrhythmic sequencing. • Per-step Automation—front panel parameters can be locked per step. • Polyphonic Sequencing — up to 12 voices available spread across 4 tracks. • 64 Noise types — percussive hits, metallic textures, buzzes and digital percussion. • Motorized Automation— you can see the front panel move, turn automation on/off. • Time-based features —shuffle, micro-timing, clock multiplication, variable gate lengths, and probability. • Perform patterns—recall and chain up to 16 patterns. • Internal Storage for more than 4,000 patterns. • Save a pattern with all sound and sequencer data in save into a single file. • Standalone operation— no other gear required. Of course NINA works well with other gear too! • New features include: timing quantization, clear notes and clear steps.
ABOUT PROTOVOLT: Protovolt is a sound designer, and composer known for his high-energy videos showcasing his original music, spot-on classic covers, and meticulous sound design. As a child of the ’80s, his work draws heavily from the vibrant entertainment and pop culture of the time. His music and sound design bridges nostalgia and innovation, creating a sonic world that feels both timeless and futuristic."
"Ever wanted to know what it's like to make a banger using just NINA, Melbourne Instruments motorized analog polysynth? Well now you can thanks to the NINA's new Multi-Track Sequencer update. In this video @Honeysmack jams on a single pattern exclusively using NINA. All recorded in a single unedited take. No other gear was harmed making this video. Imagine what you can do with a NINA now!
Here's a breakdown of the Pattern:
TRACK 1: BASSIC ACID - noisy monosynth sound.
TRACK 2: SLIDER ACID - main synth sound that slides around and gets wobbly.
TRACK 3: CRAZY PERCS - uncontrollable percussion sounds using the NINA's new Noise Types.
TRACK 4: BANGING KICK - you guessed it, the monster kick drum!
NINA Multi-Track Sequencer Patterns by The Unperson Melbourne Instruments Polyphonic Synth Groovebox video upload by Melbourne Instruments
"The Unperson explores some of the patterns he created for NINA's Multi-Track sequencer update. His patterns and sound are marked by crunchy, wobbly tones, saturated layers, and a touch of melancholy, offering an evocative listening experience. Inspired by unusual sounds and the art of sound design, The Unperson crafts patterns that explore texture and emotion, finding harmony between the unexpected and the familiar. All sounds and patterns created in this video were made exclusively with NINA's multi-track sequencer update.
NINA’s new multi-track sequencer delivers next-gen groovebox power with four independent polyrhythmic, polyphonic tracks. With per-step automation and motorized control, it brings hands-on precision to sequencing. This supercharges NINA’s analog synth engine, unlocking deeper performance possibilities. Add 64 new noise types — from percussive hits to loopable metallic textures and you’ve got a powerful tool for expressive sound design and dynamic rhythm creation. Find out more about NINA here: https://www.melbourneinstruments.com/...
Melbourne Instruments Backs Its Motorized Controls With a 10-year Warranty
