Midi keyboards with polyphonic aftertouch?
- KVRAF
- 4821 posts since 25 Jan, 2014 from The End of The World as We Knowit
Vax are not quite DIY but "some assembly required" (estimated 90 minutes) and it's open source with many cool design features so you can get to know your instrument inside-out. Here are the assembly instructions with times: http://vaxmidi.com/assembly-instructions.html (I have been following this project for a while)
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fluffy_little_something fluffy_little_something https://www.kvraudio.com/forum/memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=281847
- Banned
- Topic Starter
- 12880 posts since 5 Jun, 2012
4 octaves is too little, I currently have 4 octaves and it sucks for playing Rhodes.Michael L wrote:Buy a Vax midi controller: 4, 6 or 8 octaves (96 keys). From the Features description:
Polyphonic Aftertouch changes the tonal characteristics of a note while it is being held. VAXMIDI keys strike felt first for a traditional feel, but underneath the felt is a layer of urethane foam that compresses as you press harder. With 10 levels of programmable sensitivity, you can set the degree of aftertouch. Because the key design incorporates a stainless steel bar, you can actually bend the key by sliding your finger up on the key. This creates an additional level of aftertouch control, making other effects, even tremelo, possible.
Release velocity sends a MIDI message based on the speed you release a note. You can, for example, control the envelope (or reverberation) based on how quickly you release a note. Release quickly and the note cuts off immediately, release slowly and the note slowly fades away.
vaxmidi.com
(I don't have one because my technique is not yet good enough to take advantage of Vax awesomeness.)
So, I would need the 6-octave version, which is 900 dollars. Importing that thing from the US would increase the price considerably, so I might as well buy a Doepfer. 1000+ dollars or euros is not my idea of affordable, frankly. I am just an amateur, after all.
Since someone asked, my playing is not that good, no.
For instance, I have a problem with synths set to full velocity sensitivity. Then again, as long the sensitivity is not there on the equipment's part, I will never develop the sensitivity myself. It's a vicious circle
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- KVRAF
- 5627 posts since 23 Mar, 2006 from pendeLondonmonium
Michael L wrote:Vax are not quite DIY but "some assembly required" (estimated 90 minutes) and it's open source with many cool design features so you can get to know your instrument inside-out. Here are the assembly instructions with times: http://vaxmidi.com/assembly-instructions.html (I have been following this project for a while)
Oh, it's definitely a DIY project. It's clear from the online instructions you link, which also stipulate that wit will take 4 hours and not 90 minutes:
But it's cool. Not complaining just pointing out it's a proper DIY job however you look at it.You will need about 4 uninterrupted hours to complete the task
Thinking it through, though, I wouldn't even have the space to do the assembly. Not for 4 hours, not with the kids running amok all around the room. haha!
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Peter Widdicombe Peter Widdicombe https://www.kvraudio.com/forum/memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=336849
- KVRian
- 1071 posts since 29 Aug, 2014
I have an old Ensoniq VFX (bought new myself many years ago), and love the way it's poly aftertouch works. It basically doesn't do anything unless you really press into the keys, but being able to make strings or horns stand out individually is really nice.
My XKEY just can't achieve that, and I've tried calibrating the sensitivity to no avail. It works, but generates SO much data when PolyAT is enabled it confuses a DAW, and isn't smooth at all.
On the other hand, I can attest to the fear of buying the VFX. Every few years I have to take the whole thing apart, as I get the dreaded "keyboard calibration error" when the internal buss between the 2 halves of the keyboard get somewhat corroded. And this isn't taken on the road - it sits on a tabletop and only moves the few times *I* have moved.
My XKEY just can't achieve that, and I've tried calibrating the sensitivity to no avail. It works, but generates SO much data when PolyAT is enabled it confuses a DAW, and isn't smooth at all.
On the other hand, I can attest to the fear of buying the VFX. Every few years I have to take the whole thing apart, as I get the dreaded "keyboard calibration error" when the internal buss between the 2 halves of the keyboard get somewhat corroded. And this isn't taken on the road - it sits on a tabletop and only moves the few times *I* have moved.
Waveform 11; Win10 desktop/8 Gig; Win8 Laptop 4Gig; MPK261; VFX+disfunctional ESQ-1
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- KVRian
- 809 posts since 2 Mar, 2018
To answer the actual question...most inexpensive 61-key (or greater) MIDI controllers with aftertouch:
Swissonic Controlkey 88 $250
M Audio Oxygen 61 Pro $300
Nektar Panorama T6 $300
Nektar Impact GXP88 $320
Swissonic Controlkey 88 $250
M Audio Oxygen 61 Pro $300
Nektar Panorama T6 $300
Nektar Impact GXP88 $320
- KVRAF
- 14991 posts since 26 Jun, 2006 from San Francisco Bay Area
Not an answer to the actual question.
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- KVRAF
- 14991 posts since 26 Jun, 2006 from San Francisco Bay Area
Your lowest cost option for polyphonic aftertouch in 2022 is a Hydrasynth.
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- KVRian
- 809 posts since 2 Mar, 2018
ahh yeah these may not be polyphonic, my bad!
- KVRAF
- 14991 posts since 26 Jun, 2006 from San Francisco Bay Area
Polyphonic is still really rare. The only instruments currently being made that feature it are the Iridium and Hydrasynth. I think CME and McMillian make some controllers, though the McMillian might be MPE (which is kind of channel aftertouch over many channels, a bit different but ultimately more powerful) and neither feature traditional keys.
There are a few MPE controllers, but again, nothing with traditional style keys. The Osmose promised to have both traditional style keys and MPE, but… well it’s having a lot of trouble shipping.
I almost bought a Hydrasynth Deluxe for its polyphonic aftertouch, but I’ve heard the quality of the keys isn’t that great. I’ve already got a General Music (GEM) S2 that has a great feeling keybed. It’s pretty damn old, but I’m going to hang on to it until it fails, and hopefully by then someone will be making a 61 key controller with polyphonic aftertouch.
Zerocrossing Media
4th Law of Robotics: When turning evil, display a red indicator light. ~[ ●_● ]~
4th Law of Robotics: When turning evil, display a red indicator light. ~[ ●_● ]~
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- KVRAF
- 15517 posts since 13 Oct, 2009
Is this true? I'm doing a studio shrink and I want one keyboard that I love. At the moment, I have keybeds that I tolerate.
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- KVRAF
- 15517 posts since 13 Oct, 2009
Since I'm in the U.S., that's unlikely. I'm looking for something new. I might just have to bite the bullet and get the Osmos.