Talk me into it - Expressive E Touché SE + ROLI Piano
- KVRAF
- 2796 posts since 28 Feb, 2015
O.k., usually people post to have others talk them out of buying something. I'm doing the opposite.
I just ordered Expressive E's Touché SE, and I'm thinking of maybe buying the new 49-key ROLI Piano MPE keyboard.
I currently own the Arturia KeyLab 61 MkII, so the Touché SE will give me (for the first time) a taste of MPE. I also decided to purchase Soliste from Expressive E, and I own a couple of MPE enabled synths already.
I did consider the Osmose, but I'm afraid it will be a little too big for my desk, and it's a bit too expensive for me as well, even though I find it to be a very cool MPE-enabled synth. Instead, I noticed that ROLI just released the 49-key ROLI Piano, which has a smaller form factor than both the KeyLab 61 and the Osmose.
I'm not a piano or keyboard player, so using the Touché SE together with the ROLI Piano would mostly be for inspiration purposes. Then I'll need to edit the MPE data manually.
I prefer piano keys over the "rubber" keys on the Seaboard 2, and I think the lighting feature of the ROLI Piano is quite cool.
Anyway, the question is:
Should I go for the ROLI Piano as a companion for the Touché SE, or would I be fine keeping the KeyLab 61 and using that with the Touché SE? Or should I maybe wait for a potential sale on the Seaboard 2 instead of buying the ROLI Piano?
I just ordered Expressive E's Touché SE, and I'm thinking of maybe buying the new 49-key ROLI Piano MPE keyboard.
I currently own the Arturia KeyLab 61 MkII, so the Touché SE will give me (for the first time) a taste of MPE. I also decided to purchase Soliste from Expressive E, and I own a couple of MPE enabled synths already.
I did consider the Osmose, but I'm afraid it will be a little too big for my desk, and it's a bit too expensive for me as well, even though I find it to be a very cool MPE-enabled synth. Instead, I noticed that ROLI just released the 49-key ROLI Piano, which has a smaller form factor than both the KeyLab 61 and the Osmose.
I'm not a piano or keyboard player, so using the Touché SE together with the ROLI Piano would mostly be for inspiration purposes. Then I'll need to edit the MPE data manually.
I prefer piano keys over the "rubber" keys on the Seaboard 2, and I think the lighting feature of the ROLI Piano is quite cool.
Anyway, the question is:
Should I go for the ROLI Piano as a companion for the Touché SE, or would I be fine keeping the KeyLab 61 and using that with the Touché SE? Or should I maybe wait for a potential sale on the Seaboard 2 instead of buying the ROLI Piano?
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- KVRAF
- 4083 posts since 28 Jan, 2011 from MEXICO
Given Roli history i would be hesitant dropping too much money with them, so their Piano and the touche SE seems like the safest option.
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Constructed Identity Constructed Identity https://www.kvraudio.com/forum/memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=288890
- KVRian
- 1347 posts since 29 Sep, 2012 from Minnesota
If you don't buy it you'll never own it.
there
there
- KVRAF
- Topic Starter
- 2796 posts since 28 Feb, 2015
Thank you for the advise. There is currently a €200 discount on the ROLI Piano, so I might grab it.rod_zero wrote: Mon Jul 14, 2025 8:20 pm Given Roli history i would be hesitant dropping too much money with them, so their Piano and the touche SE seems like the safest option.
Mac Mini M4 Pro | 14 Cores (10P/4E) | 48GB RAM | Studio One | Reason | Bitwig Studio | Logic Pro | FL Studio | Cubase Pro | Waveform | Reaper | Renoise | ~1000 VSTs/AUs | ~350 REs
- KVRAF
- Topic Starter
- 2796 posts since 28 Feb, 2015
Best advise ever!Constructed Identity wrote: Mon Jul 14, 2025 11:59 pm If you don't buy it you'll never own it.
there
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vitocorleone123 vitocorleone123 https://www.kvraudio.com/forum/memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=333504
- KVRAF
- 2505 posts since 30 Jun, 2014 from Pacific NW
I pre-ordered the Piano the other day (ship in mid-November).
I have a dual expression pedal I can use, MIDI mapped. I also have a Plus3, but don't think the Piano has an expression input.
I have a dual expression pedal I can use, MIDI mapped. I also have a Plus3, but don't think the Piano has an expression input.
- KVRAF
- Topic Starter
- 2796 posts since 28 Feb, 2015
I'm really curious about the Piano, and will most likely pre-order as well. November is fine I guess for saving €200. The keys seems quite "clicky" though, as heard in some videos.vitocorleone123 wrote: Thu Jul 17, 2025 7:56 pm I pre-ordered the Piano the other day (ship in mid-November).
I have a dual expression pedal I can use, MIDI mapped. I also have a Plus3, but don't think the Piano has an expression input.
Looks like it as an expression input actually.
"Pedal support (continuous TRS, 3.5 mm plug, compatible with sustain and expression pedals)"
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vitocorleone123 vitocorleone123 https://www.kvraudio.com/forum/memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=333504
- KVRAF
- 2505 posts since 30 Jun, 2014 from Pacific NW
Ah. Right. Sustain OR expression. But not both? That would be silly, but not surprising by Roli.starflakeprj wrote: Thu Jul 17, 2025 8:03 pmI'm really curious about the Piano, and will most likely pre-order as well. November is fine I guess for saving €200. The keys seems quite "clicky" though, as heard in some videos.vitocorleone123 wrote: Thu Jul 17, 2025 7:56 pm I pre-ordered the Piano the other day (ship in mid-November).
I have a dual expression pedal I can use, MIDI mapped. I also have a Plus3, but don't think the Piano has an expression input.
Looks like it as an expression input actually.
"Pedal support (continuous TRS, 3.5 mm plug, compatible with sustain and expression pedals)"
I'm getting it because I want 49 keys and have very very little space. It's already going to make it a bit squished, but my Keystep 37, which is an ideal size, doesn't feel like enough. And maybe I'll also subscribe for a year to learn piano or something crazy.
I also have a Seaboard M.
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FranklyFlawless FranklyFlawless https://www.kvraudio.com/forum/memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=586325
- KVRian
- 1091 posts since 24 Oct, 2022
If you prefer purchasing products designed primarily for vendor lock-in that become discontinued prematurely due to lack of mass appeal, ROLI would be an excellent candidate to spend your hard earned money.starflakeprj wrote: Mon Jul 14, 2025 11:40 am Should I go for the ROLI Piano as a companion for the Touché SE, or would I be fine keeping the KeyLab 61 and using that with the Touché SE? Or should I maybe wait for a potential sale on the Seaboard 2 instead of buying the ROLI Piano?
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- KVRist
- 413 posts since 11 Mar, 2004
I really like using my old Seaboard with the Touche SE. That combination is especially good for the SWAM stuff. (A barely used Seaboard 49 version 1 that I got off Reverb a year or two ago.)
I've got the Piano on order as well. I'm in batch 3, so I figure it'll get here in late August.
I've got the Piano on order as well. I'm in batch 3, so I figure it'll get here in late August.
- KVRAF
- Topic Starter
- 2796 posts since 28 Feb, 2015
Interesting! If I order the Piano now I will get it in November I guess, but that's alright as it's in the beginning and middle of the darker and colder part of the year, here in the Nordicspapatomany wrote: Thu Jul 24, 2025 3:18 pm I really like using my old Seaboard with the Touche SE. That combination is especially good for the SWAM stuff. (A barely used Seaboard 49 version 1 that I got off Reverb a year or two ago.)
I've got the Piano on order as well. I'm in batch 3, so I figure it'll get here in late August.
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- KVRAF
- 4811 posts since 21 Jan, 2008 from oO
I got two Lumi Key, which would become the Roli Piano essentially now. Just ordered the Touché SE, looking forward to this setup. I heard the software on the Touché is not so super, but the mapping can also be done directly, without the software afaik, so should be fine. It extends the Lumi keys nicely, because they lack an additional MPE dimension compared to the Seaboard.
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- KVRian
- 794 posts since 26 Jan, 2020
Can you control anything by sliding up and down on the keys on the Roli Piano?
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- KVRAF
- 4811 posts since 21 Jan, 2008 from oO
On the Lumi keys you can't, that is only at Seaboard. I don't know for sure for the Piano, but I think it's just a bigger size and new name, so doubt it.TheMaestro wrote: Wed Jul 30, 2025 7:24 pm Can you control anything by sliding up and down on the keys on the Roli Piano?
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- KVRist
- 413 posts since 11 Mar, 2004
That would be what they call "slide", so, no, it doesn't have that.TheMaestro wrote: Wed Jul 30, 2025 7:24 pm Can you control anything by sliding up and down on the keys on the Roli Piano?