just got kickstarter update from arpeggio! If they reach the next goal we will get Sample playback on this little guy and an included SD card slot. Wow i think that could kick it up a notch or two imo!!!
"The first dedicated arpeggiator and sequencer in one portable device. A simple instrument for composing, saving, and performing melodies... Internal 2-oscillator virtual analog monophonic synth."
Yes! This Kickstarter needs another 20k or something to be successful. 8 days to go Will it mean doom if they do not meet their target figure? I backed it. If you haven’t already, please get involved, so I can cuddle it on my couch!
Ah cool. Looking forward to getting mine next year.
I currently have a little bit of money burning a hole in my pocket. I’ve been keeping a close eye on the Novation Circuit, but now I’m getting distracted by Roland’s Boutique range and just today I saw that JDXI. So many cool little boxes around.
At the moment, I’m rocking an OP-1, PO-12, PO-16, and a Korg Electribe 2. Soon a an Arpeggio too hopefully. What to get next?
At the moment, I'm rocking an OP-1, PO-12, PO-16, and a Korg Electribe 2. Soon a an Arpeggio too hopefully. What to get next?
I think the XKey Air (totally wireless controller—rechargable battery and MIDI over Bluetooth) coming out soon would be perfect for such a compact, portable setup. After reviews are out, and I expect them to be good based on the response to their prior, almost identical keyboards, I'm getting one. It'll be primarily for the OP-1 and Analog Four, but also for when I wanna play with the many software synths in Komplete 10 in the sofa, far away from where you normally have to be to play them. Already dreamt about how fun it'll be to play jazz with the various K10 electric pianos from the sofa.
I think the XKey Air (totally wireless controller—rechargable battery and MIDI over Bluetooth) coming out soon would be perfect for such a compact, portable setup.
I have the XKey 37, and although it is the larger version and not wireless, it's SUPER portable. Just one micro USB cable with a lightning adapter, and it's good to go with an iPad. And it's built nicely and plays well, too (polyphonic aftertouch!). It's easily the best midi controller I've ever owned, and I've owned like a million.
It's easily the best midi controller I've ever owned, and I've owned like a million.
That’s reassuring. Like so many, I’m curious and concerned about how it feels exactly, with the short travel of the keys, and how it sounds (how resonant is the clatter of the keys). But I think I’m quite open-minded and adaptable with keybeds—I absolutely love the OP-1’s keys (they are well designed though) and I’m even fine with the Analog Four’s pebbles (without them I haven’t have gotten it).
Like so many, I'm curious and concerned about how it feels exactly, with the short travel of the keys, and how it sounds (how resonant is the clatter of the keys).
It’s a little odd at first (the short travel), but you get used to it fast. It basically just feels like typing on a really nice laptop keyboard. The sound is no louder than that, either. And you can fine-tune the velocity/aftertouch sensitivities in the software to really get them to work how you like.
It's a little odd at first (the short travel), but you get used to it fast. It basically just feels like typing on a really nice laptop keyboard. The sound is no louder than that, either. And you can fine-tune the velocity/aftertouch sensitivities in the software to really get them to work how you like.
I think I’ll like it then, as I love the feel of laptop keys (the low profile ones on Macs) and prefer their hushed clatter to mechanical keys. It comes out in November! Can’t wait. Thanks for the info.
For those interested in the Roland Boutique line, just saw the first details on the nature of its limited edition status from a Resident Advisor review: “All three of the Boutique line are part of a six-month limited run according to Roland…”
"All three of the Boutique line are part of a six-month limited run according to Roland..."
A limited run but not a limited number If the take up is massive then they could sell so many of these little synths - especially due to the urgency factor " Buy now, they’ll be gone in 6 months!".
I’ve been reading complaints about the Roland Boutiques only receiving 3 MIDI CCs, but from the perspective of us OP-1 owners, that’s 2 more than what the OP-1’s got (it sends more than it receives).
Arpeggio Kickstarter goal has been met. Now for the stretch goals!
I posted a question about knob automation. Their answer:
Knob turn automation is definitely something we will include, though I can’t confirm if Arpeggio will ship with these features. We will be releasing free firmware updates to users as we improve and advance Arpeggios features.
Check out this little fella… based on the Buchla Music Easel.
Here is a remake of the original which would be more comfortable on a table top but I’d happily jam with it on my sofa.
It looks weird and a lot of fun. The price is staggering. They’re asking a whopping 3,999 dollars which is roughly £2,600.
They have some more cooler products too.
I even came across a video where the device is paired with our beloved to toy of joy - the Op-1 - and a radio.
On a separate note I just found out that the Roland Boutique modules can be powered and sequenced, mixed and effected with the MX-1 mix performer USB 3 slot. Ace.
Oh, and Goonies 2 is happening.
It does look like it could be quite fun. I don’t know if I’d get much use out of it, but the fun factor could hard to overlook—after more is revealed.
On a separate note I just found out that the Roland Boutique modules can be powered and sequenced, mixed and effected with the MX-1 mix performer USB 3 slot. Ace.
Oh, and Goonies 2 is happening.
That’s really neat. I don’t have the AIRA products, but I much appreciate some of the connectivity they’re bringing with them. Hope to see more companies doing that in the future.
I’m all paid up (ie. the full price) and managed to get in the first drop of the Boutique units in the UK. I bought all three units plus the keyboard dock. Regarding the comment above about the limited run, I was told by the Roland rep that the UK shops will be getting two small deliveries of the units (a total of 700 units in the UK) and no more ever. I’m obviously not sure of the accuracy of that statement, but the separate ‘brand’ created and the RB logo in some marketing materials lends some credibility.
I have the XKey 37, and although it is the larger version and not wireless, it's SUPER portable. Just one micro USB cable with a lightning adapter, and it's good to go with an iPad. And it's built nicely and plays well, too (polyphonic aftertouch!). It's easily the best midi controller I've ever owned, and I've owned like a million.
@wingo, would you mind telling me if you can easily switch XKey 37 MIDI channel ? I mean : without a computer, live channel switching.
I’m about to send the iCon 49 back, I just need easy MIDI channel switching.
I’m using the new electibe sampler as my default sofa (well, armchair in my case) instrument right now, I have not used the OP-1 since I got the es2, but I plan to see how I can integrate the OP-1, probably as sample fodder… For pattern based stuff I think the electribe sampler beats the OP-1 with some reservations, like missing master compressor/eq (or really: only possible by using up the master effect slot). It would also be great if I could render an event recording directly to audio on the SD card, to not have to hook up my audio interface.
Will it mean doom if they do not meet their target figure? I backed it. If you haven’t already, please get involved, so I can cuddle it on my couch!
