MPE Synth/Controller options

The Lounge Other Gear
54

I put together a list of the options available for MPE Keyboard Controllers. I am trying to be complete, so if i am missing something let me know.

I’ve broken down the classification of these to three general areas :

  • Type A - Standard Keyboards ( or very close )
  • Type B - Resembles a Standard Keyboard ( close but different )
  • Type C - Other Arrangements

The List

  • Korg Keystage – (49, 61), Controller – Type A
  • Expressive E Osmose — (49), Synth — Type A
  • ASM Hydrasynth — Keys (49), Deluxe (73, with split), Synth — Type A
    =-=-=-=
  • ASM Hydrasynth — Explorer (37 mini keys), Synth — Type B+
  • KMI KBoard Pro 4 — (49) — Type B+
  • Sensel Morph, keyboard overlay — (24 mini keys) — Type B* – No longer made
  • Joué Play, keyboard overlay – (25 mini keys) — Type B – Out of business
  • ROLI Lumi— Type B
  • ROLI Seaboard Rise — Type B
  • ROLI Block M — Type B
    =-=-=-=
  • Ableton Push 3 — grid, controller and standalone — Type C
  • Haken Continuum — surface, three sizes, Synth — Type C
  • Aodyo Loom – surface, 25 keys – Type C – Out of business
  • Linnstrument — grid, two sizes — Type C
  • Polyend / Dreadbox Medusa – grid, Synth – Type C
  • Madrona Labs Soundplane – grid – Type C
  • ASM Hydrasynth Desktop —grid (24 pads ), Synth — Type C
  • Joyst JV-1 – 39 game style joysticks – Type C
  • Striso Board – 61 key isomorphic key board – Type C
  • Intuitive Instruments - Exquis —hexagonal isomorphic — Type C
  • Sensel Morph, non-keyboard overlays — custom, various — Type C – No longer made
  • Joué Play, non-keyboard overlays — custom, various — Type C – Out of business
  • Embodme Erae Touch — custom, various— Type C
  • ROLI Lightpad — custom, vatious — Type C
  • KMI QuNexus — 25 blobs — Type C+
  • KMI K-Board-C — 25 blobs — Type C+
  • KMI QuNeo – 4x4 grid – Type C
  • KMI BopPad – drum surface – Type C
  • Artiphon Chorda — Guitar like fingerboard — Type C
  • Zivix Jamstik Studio Midi Guitar – Guitar – Type C
  • Eigenlabs Eigenharp – A whatchamajigger – Type C – No longer made

When considering a controller, you need to understand the details of the MPE implementations of both your target device, and your prospective controller. The MPE depth and dimensions of the devices above vary greatly.

Edits & Credits :

ADDED : Polyend / Dreadbox Medusa, Thank you craig !
ADDED : Hydrasynth Desktop. Thank you obscurerobot !
ADDED : Madrona Labs Soundplane, Thank you craig !
ADDED : Arturia MicroFreak. Thank you TBN !
ADDED : Artiphon Instrument 1, and Joué Play.
ADDED : Joyst JV-1.
ADDED : Striso Board and Eigenharp. Thank you thetechnobear !
EDIT : Improved order of Type C entries, added BopPad, added “Edits & Credits” section.
ADDED : Jamstik.
EDIT : Changed closing paragraph.
DELETED : Arturia MicroFreak. It is not really MPE, though it does have poly-aftertouch.
ADDED : QuNeo.
ADDED : K-Board-C
ADDED : Exquis
ADDED : Push 3
ADDED : Korg Keystage
ADDED : Aodyo Loom
ADDED : Roli Block M
EDIT : Aodyo and Joué now out of business.
EDIT : Changed Artiphon Instrument 1 to Chorda.

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