Seaboard RISE 2: Tips & Tricks for the Ultimate 5D MIDI Controller

video upload by ROLI

"Where should you start conducting when you have a whole orchestra at your fingertips? The Seaboard RISE 2 gives you endless possibilities — whether you’re an experienced musician or just starting out producing. Throw out the MIDI controller rule book and watch the latest video to get our top insider tips and tricks on how to make the most of your Seaboard.

ROLI’s own Head of Film and Music Production, Heen-Wah Wai has performed around the globe from Los Angeles’ NAMM Show to London’s Abbey Road Studio. Renowned for his expressive playing in true Seaboard style, Heen-Wah gives a detailed look at how make the most of the RISE 2 out of the box — from how to manipulate the intuitive surface, discovering new sounds from the powerful synth and sound library Equator2, to making the best of MPE.

▬▬ Contents ▬▬
0:00 — Intro
0:25 — Use 5D touch
1:45 — Explore MPE sounds
3:10 — Refine sounds directly on the UI-panel
5:00 — Don't press too hard
6:04 — How to play natural vibrato
7:47 — Smooth glissandos using the ribbons
9:06 — Create jazzy licks with Semitone-bend
11:24 — Outro"

Equator2 Choral Ensembles: Soundpack Performance

video upload by ROLI

"Create a vocal symphony with Choral Ensembles, a curated selection of men’s and woman’s choirs recorded by sample experts, SoundIron – Reimagined for MPE and standard MIDI controllers through Equator2 — Ranging from natural angelic oohs and ahhs to otherworldly chorus — transformed by the Granular Engine. Whether you need authentic symphonic choirs, or lush vocal pads, Choral Ensembles will make your next production sing.

Presets used from Choral Ensembles:

CH ME Choir - Eh Ah Flip-Flop MPE
CH ME Choir Eh - Soft MPE
CH OE Men Ah - Loud MPE
CH OE Men Staccato ih MPE
CH OE Women Oh - Loud MPE
CH OE Men and Women Oo MPE
CH OE Men and Women Mm MPE
CH OE Men and Women Ah MPE
CH OE Men and Women Oh 2D
CH OE Women Staccato Oh MPE
CH OE Women Staccato Ah MPE

Presets from Orchestral Ensembles:
Strings - Loud Sustain - Big
Strings - Loud Sustain
Strings - Staccato Ensemble

Native Instruments - Kontakt Factory Library:
All Percussion
Snare Drums
Timpani Rolls"

Learn more about Choral Ensembles: bit.ly/3DShCaL

Making Waves: How we made the sounds of Seaboard RISE 2

video upload by ROLI

"Transcend your musical boundaries with RISE 2 and Equator2 — the mpe combo so rewarding and intuitive — it becomes a real instrument.

Seaboard RISE 2 is at the cutting edge of hardware design. The touch-responsive surface makes creating expressive electronic music more natural and enjoyable than ever before — so it’s no wonder it’s becoming a favorite instrument for artists all over the world.

But the technology that goes into the physical instrument is only half of the amazing story of the Seaboard. See how some of the world’s leading software developers and sound designers have helped to create the amazing synths and presets that make Seaboard RISE 2 the world’s most expressive keyboard."

Syntakt Meets LightPadBlock (Pentagome Script)

video upload by Perplex On

"#Jamuary2023 day 23: #Syntakt meets #lightpadblock today. Loaded with the wonderful #pentagome script @ldmdesign5610 First going into an iPad to distribute the midi notes over multiple channels in a round robin fashion using #polythemus and adding velocity randomization using #mozaicapp, then passed to the Syntakt with some velocity sensitive modulation going on."

Cinematic Pads (Seaboard Block + Noise App)

video upload by Perplex On

"#Jamuary2023 day 16: Today i had fun with this little cinematic soundscape. Only using #seaboardblock with an iPad loaded with 3 instances of #rolinoise app. Visuals #madewithnotch with the pressure data from the #seaboard modulating the turbulence strength of the projected particles."

Dark Ambient (Seaboard Block + AnimoogZ)

video upload by Perplex On

"Not gonna lie, the recent announcement for the #expressiveeosmose blew me away. The only thing that kept me away from preordering it was the realization that i have a Seaboard Block sleeping in my drawer 😉😅 As i felt sorry for it, i fired up #AnimoogZ and #Quantasynth for a quick messing around with some #mpe action. GAS kept away for the moment 😂
.
Nice thing about this audiovisual jam was to use the pressure data from the #seaboardblock to modulate the turbulence strength of the projected particle simulation #madewithnotch. So the harder i press on the Seaboard the more swirling around is happening."

Seaboard RISE 2: Logic Pro Walkthrough

video upload by ROLI

"Looking to make a track with your Seaboard RISE 2 in Apple's Logic Pro? Join producer De Ana in this in-depth tutorial and make infinitely expressive music in a MPE-compatible DAW.

From perfecting your MPE settings in Logic Pro to layering instruments, this walkthrough has you covered.

For an even more in-depth Seaboard RISE 2 walkthrough that covers setting up, 5D Touch, ROLI Dashboard, ROLI Studio, playing techniques and more, check out this film: [posted here]

▬▬ Contents ▬▬
0:00 — Introduction
0:16 — Starting in Logic Pro
0:45 — RISE 2 Settings
1:51 — Layering Instruments
3:39 — Final Tips"

The Tale of The Ondioline: Music's Oldest Synthesizer?

video upload by The Lemon Master

0:00 Intro
1:21 Design
5:50 History
7:46 Rise
10:39 Downfall
12:47 Revival?
14:24 Outro

Note the first "synth" is debatable. The Telharmonium (1897), Ondes-Martenot (1928), Mixturtrautonium (1936), Novachord (1939), amongst others predated it. The Theremin, although not a keyboard instrument, but the inspiration if not the basis for Bob Moog's creations arrived in 1921. For a timeline of electronic instruments see https://120years.net, and for more synth centric, as we know them, see The First Synth to.....

For reverything Ondioline see https://ondioline.com

And related posts:

Jean Jacques Perrey & Dana Countryman - The Good Old Days

New Website Dedicated to the Ondioline

Jean-Jacques Perrey et son Ondioline (pics of my copy here)

And of course, see the Ondioline label for additional posts.

Playing an MPE Prophet-6 patch (No talking)

video upload by MR TUNA Music

"MIDI Polyphonic Expression is the most interesting thing to happen in the studio for years!! Playing MPE sounds on the #Prophet6 is my new favorite thing. Per-note pitch bend and polyphonic aftertouch take exploring sounds on synthesizers into a whole new universe of discovery and expression."

Seaboard RISE 2: The Music of Hans Zimmer

video upload by ROLI

"Seaboard RISE 2 is as expressive as an entire orchestra — and maybe even more!

Watch ROLI’s very own MPE maestro Heen Wai put this to the test in a jaw-dropping new performance inspired by one of the greatest film composers of all time: Hans Zimmer.

As one of the earliest fans of the original Seaboard, this medley is a fitting tribute to Zimmer’s inescapably epic soundtracks, including Gladiator, Pirates Of The Caribbean, The Dark Knight (Batman), Interstellar, Sherlock Holmes and Dune.

The track is performed on Seaboard RISE 2, featuring SWAM Cello and Violin leads by Audio Modeling. The backing track was rearranged entirely with Equator2’s Orchestral Ensembles soundpack and Kontakt factory library percussion.

Read the full story: https://roli.com/stories/the-music-of...
Learn more about Orchestral Ensembles: https://roli.com/stories/craft-sweepi...

▬▬ Featured ▬▬
0:00 — Pirates Of The Caribbean
0:59 — Dune
2:21 — The Dark Knight
2:53 — Sherlock Holmes
3:41 — Gladiator
5:02 — Interstellar"

Seaboard RISE 2: Cubase Walkthrough

video upload by ROLI

"Looking to make a track with your Seaboard RISE 2 in Cubase? Join producer Venus Theory in this in-depth tutorial and make infinitely expressive music in an MPE-compatible DAW.

From perfecting your MPE settings in Cubase to layering pads, basslines and plucks, Venus Theory's walkthrough has you covered.

For an even more in-depth Seaboard RISE 2 walkthrough that covers setting up, 5D Touch, ROLI Dashboard, ROLI Studio, playing techniques and more, check out this film: [posted here]

▬▬ Contents ▬▬
0:00 — Introduction
0:35 — First Steps in Cubase
0:50 — Using Equator2
1:38 — Laying down tracks
2:10 — Adding pads
2:48 — Recording a bassline
3:17 — Adding plucks
4:06 — Outro"

♥ Made By Heart - - - 4 - - - Audiovisual Jam Driven By The Heartbeat

video upload by Perplex On

"Jamming along my own heartbeat. Using an early alpha of an app by @floverse292 which uses the #applewatch to send a midi note with every heartbeat. I'm using this note further in various ways. First, it's used to cycle through 3 preprogrammed note sequences (with different step lengths and speed) in Rozeta Cells app, going into #purepiano. Secondly, the incoming midi pulses tap the master clock in AUM, resulting in ongoing timing variations including the delay effect which is synced to the master clock. And thirdly, the midi note is used to modulate the speed of the projected visuals to visualize the rhythmic flow of the heart pulses.

Added texture to all this with #UASilo, #UAlofiaf and #Rymdigare."

Seaboard RISE 2 Tutorial: Create Infinitely Expressive Music

video upload by ROLI

"Looking to get started with your Seaboard RISE 2? Join producer Taetro in this in-depth walkthrough and make infinitely expressive music. From perfecting your MPE settings; to mastering 5D Touch; to recording tracks in your DAW, this deep dive has all you need to begin. You'll also learn how to get the most from your included ROLI Studio and Equator2 software.

▬▬ Contents ▬▬
0:00 — Introduction
0:37 — Getting Started
1:23 — Connecting and Charging
3:51 — 5D Touch
6:30 — Expressive Settings
9:20 — Touch Faders & Side Panel Controls
10:15 — ROLI Dashboard
13:49 — MIDI Mapping
21:55 — ROLI Studio
32:42 — Equator2
36:32 — Setting up RISE 2 in LIVE 11
37:07 — Playing Techniques
38:00 — Caring for your RISE 2"

Seaboard RISE 2: Introducing Semitone Legato

video upload by ROLI

"Semitone Legato is an inbuilt Seaboard RISE 2 feature that lets you create astonishingly expressive tracks. Toggle it on and off while playing different parts and presets on the Keywave2 surface — and unlock the full potential of an MPE instrument able to master any musical style.

WHAT IS SEMITONE LEGATO?

Semitone Legato is a RISE 2 setting perfect for playing luscious, fluid leads and shimmering vibrato. In this setting, pitchbend between each note — the Glide Dimension of Touch — is set to maximum. Make sure it's switched on if you're recording a richly expressive or microtonal part, such as a bowed-string instrument melody.

Semitone Legato is on by default when the Glide Fader is set to 100%. You can adjust it on the RISE 2 control panel, or within your included ROLI Dashboard software.

PLAYING WITHOUT SEMITONE LEGATO

For Seaboard parts where you need plenty of distinct tones and semitones — for instance a melody line with many chromatic notes or a jazzy chord accompaniment — it’s often better not to activate Semitone Legato. As the Glide Dimension of Touch is turned down, each keywave will behave closer to distinct keyboard or piano keys, with less sensitivity to gliding, vibrato gestures.

To turn Semitone Legato off or down, simply adjust the Glide Fader below 100% on the side panel or in ROLI Dashboard. Don’t forget, you can adjust Glide in real time with the side panel Touch Fader — even mid-performance.

Any musical style is possible with Seaboard RISE 2: https://bit.ly/semitonelegato"

Creating MPE Sounds on the OB-6 with Roli LUMI Keys (No Talking)

video upload by MR TUNA Music

"MPE is the most exciting advancement in instrument technology since the inception of MIDI and I've just got my hands on the Roli LUMI Keys Studio Edition to take control of the newly updated capabilities of the awesome and analog Sequential OB-6 synthesizer.

Featuring per-note pitchbend and poly-aftertouch, the LUMI Keys makes for an incredibly expressive playing experience and brings the synth into completely new territories. It's an extremely satisfying way to enjoy the sounds of the OB-6 and something I hope you'll enjoy as I build up some patches from an initialized tone, going from basic to bonkers.

No talking or time-wasting, just pure sound design and exploration.

Roli LUMI Keys is first keyboard controller offering per-key pitchbend and polyphonic aftertouch, plus whole-key illumination for scales, performance, and composing.

Per-key pitchbend and polyphonic aftertouch
Whole-key illumination
Expandability through magnetic connectors
ROLI Studio software suite
DS5.5 sized keys
Compact and easily transportable

Its seriously a great tool for taking control in and out of the studio."

Futuresonus Parva 2010 Black

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this auction

It's hard to believe it's already been 12 years. You can find some demos in previous posts here.

"Parva by Futuresonus is an 8-voice digitally-controlled analog multi-timbral MPE-compatible polyphonic synthesizer. combining the warmth and fullness of true analog synthesis with the power, convenience and connectivity provided by a digital brain, Parva represents a huge step forward for desktop synthesizers. inside Parva are eight voice cards, each its own complete analog synthesizer, loaded with a plethora of incredible features:

3 digitally-controlled analog oscillators with a +/-5 octave range, hard sync and choice of triangle, variable-width sawtooth, and PWM waveforms
4 ADSR envelopes with choice of exponential and linear modes and looping option
4 LFOs with key-synced and free-running options and a wide variety of waveshapes including sine, saw, triangle, square, random and even stepped shapes
dual VCFs with 12 and 24dB LPF and HPF modes, a 12 dB BPF mode, self-oscillation and filter FM
to be clear - each voice has all the features listed above, and because Parva is multitimbral it's possible to distribute its 8 voices as desired across multiple patches simultaneously. on top of that, Parva is one of the very few hardware synthesizers to offer full MPE support. hook up a Linnstrument, Continuum, Sensel Morph or Roli Seaboard to unlock the incredible potential of per-voice velocity, pitch bend, pressure and modulation - and put it all to work just as you'd like with the Parva's 40-point internal modulation routing matrix!

in addition to its robust analog synthesis engine, Parva's hardware is geared towards maximum power and flexibility with minimum effort. Parva's main outputs and headphone output make simple L/R stereo synthesis a breeze, but each voice also has its own stereo 1/4" TRS line level output, enabling independent recording and effects processing of any or all of Parva's eight voices! the USB type B port makes connection to a computer host easy while standard 5-pin DIN MIDI I/O ports enable connection with controllers old and new. Parva's USB type A host port - a first among analog synthesizers! - enables direct support for USB MIDI controller connection. no more running power this way and signals that way. just plug and play!"

Equator2 performance: Introducing Granular Foley

video upload by ROLI

Download Granular Foley: https://bit.ly/granular_foley
Download Equator2: https://roli.com/products/software/eq...

Soundpack designer: Rozz3r (Rory Dow)
Performance by @SyntheticEpiphany. Recorded and performed with Equator2, LUMI Keys Studio Edition, Seaboard RISE and Roland JD-XA.

Forge phenomenal soundscapes with Granular Foley, a collection of samples processed through Equator2’s extraordinary granular engine. A must-have for cinematic and atmospheric productions, this soundpack features field recordings of natural ambience, machinery and radio chatter — all transformed into alien textures, metallic hits, moody tones, and bizarre organic instruments that defy categorization.

Includes: 30 x MPE and 30 x Standard MIDI Presets

Audiovisual Piano Jam (iPad + Roli Lightpad Block)

video upload by Perplex On

"Playing some piano sequences using #roliblocks #lightpad loaded with #pressurecafe script which sends notes to the iPad loaded with #purepiano and #decentsampler and a few fx. The same midi notes are used to trigger the visuals made with #visualsynthesizer @Imaginando using my preset 'Blinds' that comes with the recent Retina Refill preset pack."

Chordset - LDM ROLI Blocks Novation Circuit Pack

video upload by

"The LDM ROLI Blocks Novation Circuit Pack consists of 7 unique custom-built Roli Lightpad M apps designed to expand the control and possibilities of the Novation Circuit. Play samples chromatically, do some fingerdrumming, or bring full tactile control of Synth Macros using Aftertouch and Slide! The pack also includes a Circuit pack with 64 specially designed patches and samples to demonstrate the power of the apps.

These 7 custom-built Roli Lightpad M apps have been created to open up a whole new level of functionality and incredible tactile control of synth parameters of the Novation Circuit.

CLICK FOR MORE »

EaganMatrix Eurorack by Haken Audio

video upload by Cinematic Laboratory

"The EaganMatrix is a eurorack module with a remarkable built-in synth engine that's also featured in the Haken Slim Continuum and ContinuuMini. It has four CV inputs that control 'note on' (W), pitch (X), expression (Y) and pressure (Z). It has over 500 patches on board which offer amazing sonic renders of strings, plucks, pads, choirs, physical models and a wide array of effects that are just made for feedback. In the Eurorack universe it's a mono experience, but the EaganMatrix serves eight voice polyphony. So notes aren't just cut off, they have their own independent envelopes. There are four 'bespoke' control inputs (I, II, III and IV) which offer tailor-made control over a patch. Their function depends on that patch, e.g. a custom control can affect reverb, feedback, filtering, or all at once through functions. The eight voice polyphonic engine can be 'read' by the EaganMatrix Editor (a Max application) and allows you to create your own patches and save them to the module. It's not a VST, the EaganMatrix can run without a PC or Mac. However, when you patch it up with an MPE midi controller (e.g. the Linnstrument, Sensel Morph or Seaboard RISE) the module turns into a full blown Continuum synth with eight voice polyphony. The module is not exactly a bargain, but it offers you a breathtaking sonic journey that could keep you occupied for decades."