Isomorphism FTW

[The Elf]

I like Lumi as an idea, but to me it seems an expensive option for a few light-up keys. And for how long would two octaves suit a learner?

Compare it, for example, with something like this light-up keys option (from 2012!)...

[Sam Spoons]

The 'Re.corder' looks like serious fun.....

[ManFromGlass]

I like Lumi as an idea, but to me it seems an expensive option for a few light-up keys. And for how long would two octaves suit a learner?

Compare it, for example, with something like this light-up keys option (from 2012!)...
]

I thought the same as you about 2 octaves so in a burst of insanity I bought 2 to lock them together. I don’t really care about the light up keys, I’m more interested in a good feeling keybed that can do MPE. As much as I like the squishy keys of the Seaboard I hit a lot of unintended notes to either side of the intended notes. My fingers are crossed that all their marketing blah blah about the Lumi keybed is not a crock.

[BJG145]

Here's a new one - the Lumatone, launched at NAMM 2020. It looks a little like the Rainboard at the top of the thread, with a harmonic table layout and illuminated keys.



https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/luma ... oming_soon

https://youtu.be/9ZozXzKOf8o

I think I might have to get one of those...

[Arpangel]

Some of these are truly stunning! Even if they didn't make a sound I'd still love to own one.

Yes a lot of these alternative interfaces are very beautiful, and I’ve been tempted by them in the past, but the musical examples, and actuality playing them, has always been a disappointment. It’s as if the actual chromatic keyboard, in all its forms (even my Buchla has one) has always won out, it’s been developed over centuries, it’s like it can’t be improved upon or superseded.

[ManFromGlass]

I agree but the few alternate controllers I’ve tried always inspire me to play not in my usual way. Sometimes I need that.

[BJG145]

...yep, I like the way different interfaces (and that could be a MIDI violin or trumpet) make you take a different approach to playing music, and often offer up a whole new repertoire of standard pieces.

I agree that the demos for novel keyboards are usually dire, but I don't think that's because they're inherently bad, or that the standard keyboard is necessarily better (although it's clearly very good), just that few or no people have taken the time to develop the same expertise.

Some of them are destined for failure, but others have untapped potential. I'm still interested in the Dualo, and especially the discontinued "du-touch L". I think the thing is nicely designed, and capable of virtuosity rivalling the melodeon or concertina if anyone spent the time on it.

[Arpangel]

Just my opinion, but I think one of my best recordings (again IMO) was done without any keyboards at all, the only interface I used was a computer mouse. Every one hears it and asks what keyboards were used, none.
It also taught me how to approach sounds in a different way, although the results still sound very "traditional" even though the sounds, are quite unusual.

[BJG145]

I finally found out how to add vibrato aftertouch on my Dualo. (The settings are rather obscure.) I'm enjoying this thing at the moment; it's a perfect commuter instrument.

(I used to feel unprepared if I didn't have a paperback on me; I hate being out and waiting for something when I've nothing to do. These days it's generally an instrument instead.)

I've just set the aftertouch to a subtle amount, but it makes a lot of difference to the feel of it when you're playing. I've recently been practising some folk tunes on the bus to work...here's a quick demo of "Fairy Dance" with the new vibrato effect on Ocarina.

Fairy Dance on Dualo Du-touch

(Excuse the unglamorous fingernails; I recently trapped my hand in the bathroom door. Ow.)

[The Elf]

How does anyone learn to play like that?!?!?



Impressed, annoyed, and rather envious!

[ManFromGlass]

Very cool. My first thought for fingering was button accordion. Is it your custom fingering setup? It looks very natural feeling.

[ConcertinaChap]

Here's a new one - the Lumatone, launched at NAMM 2020. It looks a little like the Rainboard at the top of the thread, with a harmonic table layout and illuminated keys.

Much intrigued. There are a number of keyboard layouts for both accordion and concertina that would be easy to implement on a keyboard like this. The one that immediately comes to mind is the Hayden. This is the layout of the notes on a Hayden concertina.



If you can create your own keyboard layout as they say you can then it should be easy to set up something like this.

CC

PS I've come late to this discussion so bear with me if this is what you've all been talking about already

[The Elf]

[Martin Walker]

I finally found out how to add vibrato aftertouch on my Dualo.

I've recently been practising some folk tunes on the bus to work...here's a quick demo of "Fairy Dance" with the new vibrato effect on Ocarina.

Fairy Dance on Dualo Du-touch

Beautifully played BJG! That aftertouch adds a lot to your performance

Martin

[ManFromGlass]

Mr Elf - that is the freakiest picture I’ve ever seen!

I mentioned about the Kickstarters I had participated in. The latest email from the recorder people said there will be delays due to moving assembly to Italy from China. The Roli product has been delayed due to ironing out a few kinks with the software. (More bugs I assume) Of the five products Ive supported over the years only one has delivered so far.

I’m seeing a bit of a pattern here with this crowdfunding process. . . . . .

[BJG145]

Is it your custom fingering setup?

One of the early designers behind the Dualo was a mathematician/musician called Jules Hotrique. It has several different layouts, and I think he came up with these. (The one I like is called "Universal".)

I’m seeing a bit of a pattern here with this crowdfunding process.

Yes, it can be a bit hit and miss. I think the original Dualo came unstuck when they tried to launch a full-size version on Kickstarter and then couldn't deliver. It's a pity, because I think it's a great design, and I admire the work that's gone into it.

I got hold of an early full-size version which I occasionally pull out from a cupboard and gloat over, but I mainly play the mini one which is still in production.



There seems to be a kind of legendary instrument called the Thummer which didn't get beyond prototype, and I guess it takes inspiration from that.



(It was intended to use the Wicki-Hayden system that CC mentions.)

[ConcertinaChap]

I'd forgotten about the Thummer! Thanks for the reminder. Incidentally I knew Brian Hayden, a great bear of a man, a sort of concertina-playing Patrick Moore.

CC

[ManFromGlass]

How the heck do you know the correct position to put your hands in order to play the notes you want? I’ve wondered that about the left hand of accordion too. Even on the guitar neck I’ve marveled at those who don’t look at the neck and can whip up and down. Practice I’m sure, but still there must be a "base" position?

[ConcertinaChap]

I know on the accordion left hand certain buttons are marked in some way that can be felt (a dimple or engraved cross-hatching or that sort of thing) and you locate your fingering with reference to those buttons. With Hayden concertinas as with other concertinas the wrist straps (actually more back-of-the-hand straps) hold your hand in the right position to start with. Dunno about any of the other keyboards shown here. I guess it's done visually, hence all the colour schemes.

CC

[ConcertinaChap]

Here's a new one - the Lumatone, launched at NAMM 2020. It looks a little like the Rainboard at the top of the thread, with a harmonic table layout and illuminated keys.
...
https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/luma ... oming_soon

...

Well that link didn't last too long .

CC

[ManFromGlass]

One has to move fast to get something these days!

[BJG145]

Here's a new one - the Lumatone, launched at NAMM 2020. It looks a little like the Rainboard at the top of the thread, with a harmonic table layout and illuminated keys.

https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/luma ... oming_soon

Well that link didn't last too long

...strange...

https://www.lumatone.io/

[BJG145]

Coming soon on Kickstarter...the Striso.

https://www.striso.org/

The board looks nice, but I love the early box prototypes...





https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uXI6N541oeM

[pierstitus]

The Striso board is now on kickstarter! And I, the creator, now also on this forum. I'll also make a separate post in news.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/st ... iso-board/

[BJG145]

Striso has done really well...£20K pledged of £22K goal so far, and 8 days to go. Hopefully it'll get there; will be interested to see how it develops.