Roli Lumi Keys (Now Called "Piano M")

[FranklyFlawless]

So do your homework and you won't have a problem.

Right, that is more or less the reason why I compiled these lists of MPE hardware in the first place.

How is that any different to Roli? Just because they stop making a product doesn't mean they stop fixing them if you need it.

...

Better hope he doesn't drop dead of a heart attack before he gets that all organised. Roli have been through a bankruptcy and come out the other side and they aren't wholly reliant on a single person to keep it all up and running. I think they are a much safer bet than any 69 year old going it alone.

Product support after discontinuation is variable regardless of industry, but I prefer to avoid solely relying on the manufacturer if possible. In the case of the LinnStrument, other than the STEP files Roger has publicly distributed on KVR Audio Forum, I am aware of the process and cost of molding an entirely custom silicone playing surface due to my LinnStrument Darker Mod project. For other hardware components without STEP files or McMaster-Carr product listings, especially the FSR sensors from Tangio Electronics (due to a patent), I can harvest them from other LinnStruments if needed. I also maintain my own LinnStrument custom firmware repository on Codeberg.

[BONES]

You and absolutely nobody else in the entire world. When Roli suggested I ship my ( at the time discontinued) Seaboard Block back to them so they could fix it, I threw it in the bin instead. I have a life and music to create, things that need fixing get chucked out and replaced so I can get on with those two things.

I've never even seen a Linnstrument in the flesh, they are unobtanium in Australia. You'd have to have rocks in your head to even consider one if you live here. OTOH, Roli have a new distributor here now, so I am more confident that should I need service, I will be able to get it locally.

[FranklyFlawless]

I am not the only LinnStrumentalist who takes advantage of these various technical opportunities. The most recent development from the broader community has exactly been a custom silicone playing surface, although currently just for the LinnStrument 128:

• Sound Workshop

The LinnStrument build quality is good enough that I have yet to perform any component replacements, but I still need a solid contingency plan in order to be reassured about my musical options in the future.

You can contact Roger about finding a local LinnStrument owner in your area:

• Where to Buy - Dealers

If you don't find a local LinnStrument dealer below, email me (Roger) and there's a good chance of a local LinnStrument owner who is willing to show you his. Or please suggest to your favorite local dealer to place an order for LinnStrument.

If you decide to pursue this possibility further, try to find two local LinnStrument owners, one for each LinnStrument size, so you have an idea of which form factor is best for your workflow.

[imrae]

Am I seriously the only person on KVR who has a Lumi Keys? WTF is wrong with you people?

For myself?

No 5-pin DIN so doesn't play nicely with hardware. 2 octave range so can't play with two hands. Mini keys so can't play accurately without looking. Lights are useless because I can already read a keyboard.

For the target audience of "people who want to learn piano" (which, based on the new name, is still the goal): It has too few keys in the wrong size. No piano teacher would recommend it.

[BONES]

I have 4 octave range on mine (because I bought two of them). You can connect up to four Lumis and get 96 keys! Bes tof all, once you've connected them, you can separate them again and they remain as a single entity via Bluetooth, so you can place them exactly where your hands naturally fall, for a much more comfortable experience than a normal 49 key keybed.

Or, as I do at home, you can connect your Lumi to a Lightpad Block and get your 2 extra octaves that way, or use the Lightpad for drum pads, an X-Y-Z controller or multiple faders, which you can easily cycle through as required. Oh, and don't forget it's a proper MPE controller so you can do Velocity, Polyphonic Aftertouch and Lift, all with per-note pitch bend just like an Osmose.

I doubt very much their goal is to teach anyone how to play an actual piano, they just want to teach you how to play songs on a keyboard (which is something I can't really do). After all, it doesn't have a jack for any pedals they don't sell it with a virtual piano, they give you a very broad range of sample-based sounds via their very comprehensive ROMpler, Roli Studio Player. Given that Nexus costs the same as this controller, you 're almost getting the Lumi Keys for free.

You might find this video illuminating (see what I did there!?!) -

[pc999]

Firstly, why is that any kind of issue? If you buy one, why would you care if it was discontinued the next day?

Money is a finite resource, so I must ration it towards purchasing long-lasting products. In an ideal scenario, I purchase a product only once, not multiple times through planned obsolescence and/or subscriptions. The LinnStrument is an easy example due to its replaceable hardware components and open-source firmware:

• Support - LinnStrument - FAQs

Q: Roger, you're 69 (as of 2024). What if you retire? Will I be able to get parts? Will LinnStrument become unavailable?

A: That's a legitimate question. First, I'm not the type of person to retire because I enjoy what I do too much, and I have enough time to enjoy other life pursuits. Second, I keep my expenses low and don't take investment, so there's no chance of an investor pulling his funding or demanding compromises, as happens sometimes to funded companies.

If I do semi-retire someday, I'd make sure that some company continues to make LinnStruments and LinnStrument replacement parts. If needed, I'll open-source the hardware, just as I open-sourced the software. The most important thing to me is that people are able to continue to get LinnStruments and replacement parts forever.

THAT IS GREAT!!!

I wish there are more cases like that!

[FranklyFlawless]

Sure, but it is important to take advantage of such opportunities if they have any value to you.

[BONES]

Where's the opportunity here? It's no different to how a proper company would work.

[pc999]

Sure, but it is important to take advantage of such opportunities if they have any value to you.

Agree but, unfortunately, it is outside my price range

[FranklyFlawless]

Where's the opportunity here?

I am referring to the LinnStrument's replaceable hardware components and open-source firmware:

• LinnStrument products
• rogerlinndesign/linnstrument-firmware - GotHub (on my GotHub instance)

Agree but, unfortunately, it is outside my price range

You can contact Roger about finding a local LinnStrument owner in your area for demonstration, or alternatively through an applicable dealer as I mentioned to BONES earlier in this thread.

[BONES]

I am referring to the LinnStrument's replaceable hardware components and open-source firmware

Not much of an opportunity if you can't buy a Linnstrumemt in the first place, and nobody sells them here in Australia. Even if it were possible, the thing is eye-wateringly expensive - more than twice what I paid for my Erae Touch, and that's before they add another $100+ for shipping! It seems opportunity comes at a considerable premium.

You can contact Roger about finding a local LinnStrument owner in your area for demonstration, or alternatively through an applicable dealer as I mentioned to BONES earlier in this thread.

Yeah, that wouldn't be awkward, would it? "Hi, Roger Linn gave me your address so I thought I'd just pop over to have a play around with your Linnstrument. Roger said you wouldn't mind."

BTW, I'm more than a little disappointed at the reception my, frankly, brilliant pun received. Tough audience.

[FranklyFlawless]

Right, the LinnStrument is quite expensive when compared to most MPE hardware controllers except the Continuum series, but that is largely attributed to its high build quality and manufacturing costs in the USA. Some alternative solutions are to inquire about a special order for the LinnStrument with your preferred music retail store, or using a dedicated music equipment marketplace such as Reverb. As for meeting a local LinnStrument owner in your area, Roger is likely to facilitate arrangement of a public encounter between willing parties, so that all social boundaries are fully respected in pursuit of learning and experiencing the LinnStrument itself.

[BONES]

Or buy something else that is easier to use and costs a lot less, like a Lumi Keys or an Erae Touch (version 2 is imminent).

[FranklyFlawless]

Unfortunately the piano/keyboard is no longer efficient for my musical progression, and due to my security practices, I can only use equipment that works with Linux and does not require proprietary software/drivers to operate and/or update it.

[pc999]

Unfortunately the piano/keyboard is no longer efficient for my musical progression, and due to my security practices, I can only use equipment that works with Linux and does not require proprietary software/drivers to operate and/or update it.

Erae Touch does support Linux and have an open API AFAIK, but still have proprietary drivers/firmware, it is a better middle ground than must.