ROLI Seaboard

One Instrument that has caught my eye is the new ROLI Seaboard, a digital piano that promises to reinvent the way we play piano. While we can see that the ROLI Seaboard is clearly based around a keyboard layout, we can also see that it does not really look at all like a keyboard. So what makes the ROLI Seaboard so different?

The ROLI Seaboard is made out of a layer of soft silicon, which is on top of multiple sensors  that allow for pitchbending, aftertouch, and vibrato expression. This is completely different from a classic synth that has knobs and buttons to do that. Instead it is all under your fingers, which is a very interesting idea. We can assume that using this, the ROLI Seaboard performs in a way which other MIDI controllers simply do not. The ROLI Seaboard could have many benefits to it, and I’m sure it will. For now though, ROLI is only accepting pre-orders for a high end, hand-built version of the Seaboard. We can assume that a more mass produced version of it will follow though.

As of right now, I’m a little skeptical as to whether or not this will catch on. I can see the many benefits though, and would be very interested to see if other companies try and make competing products. As an idea though, the ROLI Seaboard is very interesting and should serve a number of applications quite well.