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MIDI Commander by Justin Joe

TAKE COMMAND WITH YOUR ABLETON MOVE.

MIDI Commander by Justin Joe turns your Ableton Move into a standalone MIDI controller — 8 assignable encoders, 32 velocity-sensitive pads and 16 saveable presets, all running on the Move itself. No laptop after install.

  • Ableton Move native: Runs on the Move as an RNBO Takeover device — no computer needed once installed
  • 128 knobs, eight at a time: Sixteen banks of 8 encoders, flipped instantly with the step buttons — every one assignable on the device
  • Assign on the fly: Hold Shift, turn a knob — the new CC number appears on the OLED. No menu diving, no laptop
  • Notes and velocity: 32 pads play notes with selectable scales, layouts, root note, drum mode and MIDI channel
  • Program Change and Bank Select: Assign an encoder to send PC; Bank MSB/LSB changes re-fire it automatically for browsing patches on hardware
  • 16 saveable presets: Every assignment, label and setting stored to a slot — and they persist across reboots
  • DAW control surface ready: Four encoder modes — Absolute plus three Relative — for endless-encoder control in Live and beyond
  • Transport out: Play sends MIDI Start/Stop, Shift+Play sends Continue
  • Pure MIDI, no DSP: Minimal CPU. Outputs over USB-A and USB-C simultaneously

PLEASE NOTE: Coupons are not valid on this product during the Intro Pricing - Ends 10th Septemeber 2026

USER GUIDE:
MIDI Commander Isotonik Manual

Additional information

OS

Mac or Windows – one-time install only; device runs on Ableton Move

Controllers

Ableton Move

Min. Requirements

Ableton Move running RNBO Takeover firmware 1.4.4-alpha (free from Cycling '74); a computer with a browser for the one-time install; a data-capable USB cable

PRICE: Original price was: £22.00.Current price is: £18.00.

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MIDI Commander by Justin Joe

The Ableton Move is a game-changer for portable production and live performance — and MIDI Commander turns it into something it has never been before: a standalone MIDI controller for everything else in your studio. Built by Justin Joe, it is one of the first commercial RNBO devices for the Move.

For too long, hands-on control of outboard gear has meant a laptop in the middle of the setup. MIDI Commander removes it. Built for the Move’s architecture using Cycling ’74’s RNBO framework, it runs in RNBO Takeover mode on the Move itself. No laptop required. No compromise. Just control.

What It Does

Think Faderfox EC4 or MIDI Fighter Twister, running on hardware you already own. Move’s 8 encoders send MIDI CCs and Program Change messages. Its 32 pads play notes with velocity. The 16 step buttons switch encoder banks, giving you 128 assignable CCs inside a single preset.

Every encoder is assigned on the device — hold Shift, turn the knob, and the new CC number appears on the OLED. No menu diving, no editor software, no laptop. Save your work to any of 16 preset slots and it comes back after a power cycle.

Key Features

  • Ableton Move native: Runs on the Move as an RNBO Takeover device — no computer needed once installed
  • 128 knobs, eight at a time: Sixteen banks of 8 encoders, flipped instantly with the step buttons — every one assignable on the device
  • Assign on the fly: Hold Shift and turn a knob to change its CC — the new number appears on the OLED
  • Notes and velocity: 32 pads play notes with selectable scales, layouts, root note, drum mode and MIDI channel
  • Program Change and Bank Select: Assign an encoder to send PC; Bank MSB/LSB changes re-fire it automatically for browsing patches on hardware
  • 16 saveable presets: Every assignment, label and setting stored to a slot — and restored after a reboot
  • DAW control surface ready: Four encoder modes — Absolute plus three Relative — for endless-encoder control in Live and beyond
  • Transport out: Play sends MIDI Start/Stop, Shift+Play sends Continue
  • Pure MIDI, no DSP: Minimal CPU footprint. Outputs over USB-A and USB-C simultaneously

What You Need

An Ableton Move running Cycling ’74’s RNBO Takeover firmware 1.4.4-alpha, a free download from Cycling ’74. Installation is a one-time job from a browser on any Mac or Windows computer; after that the Move runs standalone. Full step-by-step instructions are in the User Guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

A: An Ableton Move running Cycling ’74’s RNBO Takeover firmware (1.4.4-alpha), which is a free download from Cycling ’74. You also need a computer with a browser once, to install the device, and a data-capable USB cable to connect Move to your gear.

A: No. MIDI Commander is built with Cycling ’74’s RNBO and runs on the Ableton Move itself in RNBO Takeover mode. It is not a Max for Live device and does not run inside Ableton Live.

A: Not to perform. Installing is a one-time job on a computer, and after that MIDI Commander runs standalone on the Move – no laptop needed to play, edit or save.

A: Any MIDI-capable gear connected to Move over USB – hardware synths, drum machines, samplers, MIDI interfaces or a DAW. The 8 encoders send assignable CCs and Program Change, and the 32 pads send notes with velocity, all on your chosen MIDI channel.

A: Yes. A full User Guide PDF is available at isotonikstudios.com. It covers installation, assigning CCs on the device, presets and persistence, pad scales and layouts, and performance tips to get you up and running quickly.

A: None. MIDI Commander runs standalone on the Ableton Move and does not require Ableton Live at all. What it does need is Move running Cycling ’74’s RNBO Takeover firmware 1.4.4-alpha – see the User Guide for the full install steps.

A: Yes. Turn a knob and it sends a CC; hold Shift and turn it to change which CC it sends. That is the whole learning curve. It is equally at home in an advanced live rig, but nothing about it assumes prior experience with hardware MIDI.

A: MIDI Commander is Justin Joe’s first release through Isotonik Studios. Keep an eye on the Justin Joe page at Isotonik Studios for future releases and updates.

Important Information

v1.0.0 – Initial Release

Our Products are generally provided as Zip file downloads which in all cases will need to be extracted before use. For Max for Live Devices please place the extracted device in your User Library. For Ableton Live Packs please double click the extracted .alp file to install. For Ableton Live Projects please place in your projects folder.

END-USER LICENSE AGREEMENT FOR ISOTONIK STUDIOS SOFTWARE PRODUCTS.

PLEASE READ THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THIS LICENSE AGREEMENT CAREFULLY BEFORE CONTINUING WITH THIS PROGRAM INSTALL.

This End-User License Agreement (referred to as “EULA”) is a legal agreement between an individual or a single entity (referred to as “LICENSEE”) and Isotonik Studios for the Isotonik Studios software product(s) which may include associated software components, media, printed materials, and “online” or electronic documentation (referred to as “SOFTWARE PRODUCT”). By installing, copying, or otherwise using the SOFTWARE PRODUCT, the LICENSEE agrees to be bound by the terms of this EULA.

This EULA represents the entire agreement concerning the program between the LICENSEE and Isotonik Studios and it supersedes any prior proposal, representation, or understanding between the parties. If the LICENSEE does not agree to the terms of this EULA, the LICENSEE should not install or use the SOFTWARE PRODUCT.

The SOFTWARE PRODUCT is protected by copyright laws and international copyright treaties, as well as other intellectual property laws and treaties. The SOFTWARE PRODUCT is licensed, not sold.

  1. GRANT OF LICENSE.

The SOFTWARE PRODUCT is licensed as follows:

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  1. DESCRIPTION OF OTHER RIGHTS AND LIMITATIONS.

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(g) Compliance with Applicable Laws. The LICENSEE must comply with all applicable laws regarding use of the SOFTWARE PRODUCT.

  1. TERMINATION Without prejudice to any other rights, Isotonik Studios may terminate this EULA if the LICENSEE fails to comply with the terms and conditions of this EULA. In such event, the LICENSEE must destroy all copies of the SOFTWARE PRODUCT in the LICENSEE’s possession.
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MIDI Commander by Justin Joe
Original price was: £22.00.Current price is: £18.00.