New generation of Poly AT (polyphonic aftertouch) keybeds

[FlavioB]

Did you ever try the Hydrasynth (not the Explorer)? Is that different?

[Impact]

I’ve never tested one but I know someone that has. It did it much less than the explorer but it was still noticeable in recorded midi data.

[FlavioB]

OK, good to read about these issues - I still prefer Fatar keybeds over any other, but if a more affordable (price) product would satisfy my polyAT needs (and the haptic feeling), then I would give it a try.
I’m used to play a Fatar TP/8S modified by GEM with polyAT since mid nineties and it’s gorgeous!!! (Modified by GEM = it’s the one installed in GEM S2/S3 music workstations).

[Impact]

@FlavioB

if a more affordable (price) product would satisfy my polyAT needs (and the haptic feeling), then I would give it a try.

That’s what I thought the explorer would be but it just wasn’t good enough. But maybe it’s been fixed.

[Dymaxion]

Sounds like there’s a new option for a polyAT keyboard — the Rhodes midi mk8! Not exactly a budget option, but pretty!

[FilipNest]

@Dymaxion

Rhodes midi mk8!

Wow. I was wondering when they’d add proper midi to it. So tempted, even more so if I had the money or space.

[Jukka]

Sequential Fourm

Sequential Fourm

Sequential Fourm 4-Voice Polyphonic Analog Synthesizer w/ Polyphonic Aftertouch. Legendary Analog Sound, Reimagined Fourm delivers four genuine voices of Sequential analog sound, built on the legendary Prophet-5 voice architecture—right down to its envelope response curves. With dual oscillators offering simultaneous wave selection and a classic 4-pole low-pass filter, now enhanced with bass compensation, Fourm captures the warmth and punch that shaped a generation—and takes it to the next leve…

Said to be a new design, in a “Slim” size.

Will Novation inherit this too ? It would be nice in a controller from them. They need something to compete with the Korg Keystage.

[Jukka]

This poly-at keybed designed by Sequential will be used in another keyboard synth as well besides the Fourm !

From this article in CDM. ( Thanks to cutlery for linking this article over in the Fourm thread. ) :

Oh, and by the way, if you’re hungry for more poly-aftertouch keyboards, you heard it here first from Sequential’s CEO: “We’ve already started the design of another instrument that will use the same keyboard, because we feel like this is something to invest in and keep moving forward with.”

Photo of the keyboard mechanism in the Fourm

The article also relates how closely they had to tune in the outputs of the p-at keybed into the control electronics of the analog synth. ( In the digital Hydrasynth adjustment of the modulation matrix is left to the patch maker. )

ADDED : I am interested to see how well the Fourm can perform as a controller. That is something the Hydrasynths do well. It is a challenge to design both together.