New Roli "Piano"

[stubbsonic]

Roli demoed their new 49-semi-weighted-key controller at NAMM. It has polyphonic-aftertouch, and per-note pitch control that allows you to wiggle side-to-side to impart pitch vibrato. Each key has LED lights in it. The product name "Piano" should be pretty easy to search (sarcasm-emoji). It's not clear if the per-note pitch requires MPE mode. I'm hoping that the polyphonic aftertouch can happen in a non-MPE mode. Will need to do more digging.

Hovering over the "Piano" is a separate (but integrated) product called AirWave-- which, like Imogen Heap's gloves or the Leap Motion (from 12 years ago), interprets hand gestures and converts them into control data. It sort of looks like a music holder you attach to the keyboard, but it is a free-standing brackety thing. It also looks like you could lean a tablet on it.

They are having early bird prices thru Jan 30 at noon GMT (I think)

The "Piano" is available with two different software bundle options: Create (soundware), and Learn (piano lessons for kids)-- both $400 USD. The AirWaves thingy is $350. There's also a bundle with Piano & AirWaves together for $650.

It's possible the Piano is a repackaging of the Piano M but with 49 standard-sized keys. The Piano M got mixed reviews with some negative observations about its responsiveness.

https://roli.com/us/experience/piano-create

[daniel.sneed]

Thanks for posting, Stubbsonic.
Full 49 size keyboard, with pitch and poly-aftertouch, is much tempting. Hum, hum...

Leap-motion did get lost a few years ago, letting a gig-friend of mine very disapointed.
AirWave could be good news for him.

[stubbsonic]

I got cold feet and cancelled my order.

It's a new product, where there are lots of unanswered questions, as well as potential and real compromises. Also, the allure of polyAT has kind of subsided for me. So if I'm ever going to pursue it, it needs to be the right one.

[mikehalloran]

I saw it at NAMM. Because it required two hands for anything, I shrugged and thought, "Not for me" and didn't pay much attention to anything else.

[stubbsonic]

I saw it at NAMM. Because it required two hands for anything, I shrugged and thought, "Not for me" and didn't pay much attention to anything else.

Understood.

The AirWaves thing is a separate product. I expect it won't be very different from the Leap Motion-- which I think suffered more from just overburdening computers that weren't quite up to the task.

I'd rather have hands-free expression options like expression pedals, breath control, and other add-ons that can come with breath controllers like bite/lip, head-tilt, etc.

[daniel.sneed]

If someone has opportunity to put fingers on this keyboard, I'd be very interested by first impressions.

Mainly about key feeling : how does it compare to the TP/8S and TP/9S Fatar semi-weighted keys?

[stubbsonic]

If someone has opportunity to put fingers on this keyboard, I'd be very interested by first impressions.

Mainly about key feeling : how does it compare to the TP/8S and TP/9S Fatar semi-weighted keys?

I'm curious about that, too. There just isn't reliable info out there about the keyboard feel & response.

I think for a few hundred more, the Korg KeyStage or Kontrol might be safer bets.