TouchKeys: continuous expressive control for your keyboard

Published on Dec 8, 2016 Andrew McPherson

"TouchKeys is available to order at http://touchkeys.co.uk.

TouchKeys transforms the piano-style keyboard into an expressive multi-touch control surface. Sensors on the keys measure where you place your fingers, letting you control vibrato, pitch bends and other techniques naturally and intuitively. The sensor kit installs on any full-size keyboard, retaining the familiar keyboard action while expanding its creative possibilities."

Alien We Three Kings - Mark Steiner - EVI, Artemis, Breath Keyboards

Published on Dec 12, 2015 Mark Steiner

"Pittsburgh Modular Plastic Overlords Mix.

Featured instruments: Modular Synth, Wind Synth (EVI), Wind A6 Andromeda with Touchkeys, Mark Steiner Artemis, QuNexus transported by a Mark Steiner Wobble Wagon."

TouchKeys: Friedlander Violin

Published on Sep 1, 2013 Andrew McPherson·13 videos

"Get your own TouchKeys on Kickstarter through Sept. 2! http://kck.st/13SJwMM

The back-and-forth vibrato motion on the TouchKeys is inspired by string technique, and the TouchKeys make a natural, intuitive controller for string instrument sounds. This video shows the TouchKeys controlling the Embertone Friedlander Violin in classical and folk styles."

TouchKeys: Sample Modeling wind and brass instruments

Published on Aug 28, 2013 Andrew McPherson·12 videos

"Get your own TouchKeys on Kickstarter through Sept. 2! http://kck.st/13SJwMM

The TouchKeys make it natural and intuitive to play expressive techniques used on wind and brass instruments, including vibrato, pitch bends, scoops and falls. Here, the TouchKeys are used with virtual instruments from Sample Modeling (http://samplemodeling.com) to achieve realistic musical results. The TouchKeys feature mappings specifically designed for use with Sample Modeling instruments."

TouchKeys: modular synth control with Silent Way

Published on Aug 25, 2013 Andrew McPherson·11 videos

"Get your own TouchKeys on Kickstarter through Sept. 2! http://kck.st/13SJwMM

The TouchKeys work with the Silent Way software/hardware system by Expert Sleepers (http://expert-sleepers.co.uk) to provide a powerful and flexible way of playing analog modular synths.

More info on "standalone" keyboard-free mode: http://youtu.be/CHWVeQd0bYs"

Follow-up to : TouchKeys Multi-Touch DIY Touch Sensor Kit on Kickstarter

TouchKeys Multi-Touch DIY Touch Sensor Kit on Kickstarter

Some details via Kickstarter here:

"Add continuous expressive control to any keyboard with this DIY touch sensor kit.

What are the TouchKeys?

The TouchKeys are touch sensors that attach to your keyboard to measure where your fingers contact the keys.

Use the TouchKeys with any synth to naturally control vibrato, pitch bends, control changes and many other new sounds while playing.

Put the TouchKeys on your own keyboard with a self-install DIY kit, or go for one of our limited-edition prebuilt instruments.

Transforming the Keyboard

Every keyboard player knows the problem: playing and releasing notes is easy, but shaping what happens in the middle is hard. The acoustic piano wasn't designed to play vibrato, pitch bends or timbre changes, and if you want these techniques on an electronic keyboard, you’re usually stuck with clumsy wheels and pedals or limited aftertouch. The TouchKeys instead put these techniques literally at your fingertips, giving you continuous expressive control with a shake of the wrist or a slide of the finger.

The TouchKeys are capacitive sensor overlays which attach securely to the surface of each key. When you play, the sensors measure the position and contact area of your fingers in real time. This information is sent back to your computer, where the TouchKeys software lets you control any instrument you like. And since they’re attached to your keyboard, you still have the feeling and all the extra controls of your favourite instrument!

The Whole Key a Sensor, with Multi-Touch

The TouchKeys sensors are carefully shaped to fit any keyboard with standard-width keys. The overlays cover the entire playing surface of the key, sensing your finger position in two dimensions (XY). Sensing the touch contact area means the TouchKeys can also distinguish between the fingertip and the pad of the finger. The sensors are even multi-touch: up to three simultaneous touches can be sensed on a single key.

What can I do with the TouchKeys?

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