ROLI has a range of innovative products that provide musicians with a novel way to approach keyboard performance as well as songwriting. It made heads turn when it first launched its keyboards that came without the traditional keys and instead used pressure-sensitive keywaves to produce sounds. Since then, the company has come a long way, and today has a few more products in its portfolio.
About ROLI
Founded in 2009 by Roland Lamb, who describes the company as a “design-technology start-up company“, the London based company makes hardware and software for musicians.
ROLI made its presence felt in the market with its award-winning Seaboard (launched in 2013) that replaced the white and black keys on a keyboard with a continuous, touch-responsive surface that made it a lot easier to add expressions while playing.
Today, ROLI has a range of hardware and software products that allow music-makers to be more expressive.
ROLI products use cutting edge technology with unique designs. As a result, they have a range of products that truly stand apart from the rest.
Add amazing expressions while performing
It’s possible to do a lot of things using software, so you can definitely create/add amazing expressions to your sounds using software, but musicians love it if there’s something that allows them to produce those expressions directly while performing, which they can hear via the amps/speakers.
This was not possible (completely) in the past until ROLI’s products entered the scene.
What makes Roli unique is their five dimensions of touch (Roli calls it 5D) which you can use to generate a lot of expressions.
The five dimensions are Strike, Press, Glide (go left or right on the keyboard), Slide (go up and down the key), and Lift.
Most ROLI products are covered with rubber-like material (silicone), which is sensitive to various levels of pressure, which is what ROLI products use to control sounds (pressure is just one of the dimensions by which ROLI products control sounds).
So, press your fingers and move them up or down or across the surface to alter the various features of the sound.
Works seamlessly with one another
Another good thing about ROLI’s products is that they work seamlessly with each other (and also with many other products outside Roli’s ecosystem).
So, if a ROLI keyboard has two octaves, you can buy two such keyboards and place them next to each other and easily create a four-octave keyboard.
ROLI Products & Tools
ROLI Dashboard
If you’re using ROLI products for music-making, you will need to master the ROLI Dashboard, the software that allows you to customize your ROLI hardware and the dashboard apps to suit your needs.
ROLI’s Songmaker Kit
ROLI’s Songmaker Kit includes everything you need to start making music. It includes a 24-key Seaboard Block (it’s like a 24-key keyboard), a Loop Block (like a little drum pad), and a Lightpad Block.
- ROLI Seaboard RISE 25 USB MIDI Keyboard Controller
- ROLI Seaboard RISE 49 USB MIDI Keyboard Controller
- ROLI Seaboard Block Wireless Bluetooth Keyboard Controller
- ROLI Seaboard Block Studio Edition Controller
- ROLI Songmaker Kit Control Surface Bundle (with Case)
- ROLI Songmaker Kit Studio Edition
- ROLI Beatmaker Kit Control Surface Bundle
- ROLI Touch Block Wireless Bluetooth Controller
- ROLI Lightpad Block M Studio Edition Controller
- ROLI Live Block Wireless Bluetooth Controller
- ROLI Loop Block Bluetooth Wireless Controller
- ROLI Flip Case for Seaboard Rise 25
- ROLI Seaboard RISE 49 Softcase
- ROLI Snapcase Duo Case for Blocks
- ROLI Snapcase Solo Case for Blocks
KeytarHQ editorial team includes musicians who write and review products for pianists, keyboardists, guitarists & other musicians. KeytarHQ is the best online resource for information on keyboards, pianos, synths, keytars, guitars and music gear for musicians of all abilities, ages and interests.
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