Dreaming of a multi-function midi keyboard controller APP for any Touch-Screen.

[Kalamata Kid]

Hello,

Now that we have touch screens we also have great flexibility for keyboard layouts and functionality. The isomorphic, balanced, harmonic table, continuous, Janko, microtonal and many other layouts are now within reach.

I am hoping that some adventurous visionary will come up with midi keyboard APP for Ipad, Android tablets and Windows 7/8 and Surface Pro. Below are my Feature Requests for anyone willing to make one. This APP then will become the midi keyboard controller that would run any VSTi synth or sampler with greater expressive possibilities than the typical keyboards used over the centuries.

I like to improvise music so I am always looking in new tools to help me create. I suspect that my FR for a midi keyboard controller for Touch Screen APP will be especially beneficial for the experimental and improvisational musician.

The parameters that can be controlled inside each key: Allow layering so several parameters can be address simultaneously.

Midi Velocity 1 to 128. The current touch-screens do not sense velocity but this should not deter us from being creative to overcome this deficiency and in the process maybe come up with something better. Very low velocity is hard to consistently play the old fashioned way. Some musicians may find that they prefer an alternative way to express midi velocity.

Volume. Might be nice to be able to raise the volume of low velocity strikes.

Normally Midi Note length is determined by how long a key is depressed but why not also offer location as an alternative way to express this parameter. Midi Note length from very short to long to sustain (to toggle on and off). Having an alternative way to control note length may prove to be a very interesting creative tool. The very short notes and sustain per note may be useful for some types of music.

But besides having individual note sustain and note length there should also be the sustain and note length for the all keys played.

Individual note pitch-bend but also provide the option to bend all the notes.

Polyphonic after-touch.

How each key can include the parameter selection:Location. Where on the key one strikes determines midi velocity, midi note length etc.

Bulls eye can be at the center or anywhere on the key and any strike away from the eye will yield a lower midi velocity or other parameter.

Gradients in any shape or arrangement for smooth transitions.

Grid with presets and user defined.

The surface area of the finger contact can be use to express midi note length, velocity, pitch-bend or other useful parameter.

Round robin, pre pre-determined or random. Random with variation parameters.

One, two or three fingers simultaneously touch the key. Other gestures that are already built-in in the operating system can be used to further give midi expression to the music on a per note basis.

To be able to add one or more Expressionmate like controller. How about a Kaoss Pad or any type of X/Y control surface. How about some midi FX?

Display a qwerty keyboard as many DAW commands use it. To be able to rename the letter on the qwerty keyboard and be replaced with the command.

Visual effects can be an additional help the musician. Can be used as feedback, patterns, timing, suggestions or information. The way to do this is only limiter by imagination.

Besides me is there anyone else interested in such an APP? I suspect that there are some exotic midi keyboard ideas floating around and I look forward to checking them out when they are released.

I found one midi keyboard controller APP the DAWOSC is a good start:
http://markderrico.com/dawsound/index.html
Are there others that I have missed?

One can sell, this APP as a standalone midi keyboard controller or license it to synth APP developers to incorporate it into their products.