Seaboard Block: Play it Anywhere

It's a Seaboard.... It's a Block.... It's Seaboard Block. The newest and most affordable Seaboard is an expressive MIDI controller that fits in your backpack and connects to ROLI's NOISE app so you can play it anywhere.

[justine]

I love everything about it, except the price

[TONAH]

tbh, stop complaining about the price... for bluetooth, build quality and features that NO other keyboard produces, the $299 seems more than fair. For a weekend warrior, yeah is an expensive toy but for a professional, it is a nice investment that provides another way of self expression. I already preordered mine, EXCITED to use it with Logic, Kontakt, Massive and my new Omnisphere 2!!

[Sweeps]

Okay, the seaboard block studio edition is the best keyboard out there. I legit am OVERWHELMED with the amount of sounds that come included with the Roli Studio Player software. There has to be at least 800 sounds. Amazing. The product feels extremely nice as well.

[CKC]

By the time that click came, all I could say was shut up and take my money. Roli changing the game again.

[adoginacowboyhat]

Now i'm a fan of traditional music, and using real instruments, but this keyboard... may make me change my mind!

[QuikFix]

I love the entire concept, question is, how many blocks do you get? Because in the presentation it expresses to make the awesome sick beats. Answers?

[ShazammtheProducer]

6 Working with Other Hardware and Software
In addition to NOISE and Equator Player, the Seaboard Block is compatible with any electronic instrument that can receive MIDI and produce sound in response. It transmits MIDI on up to 16 MIDI channels simultaneously, enabling polyphonic pitch bend and the other expressive modulations available via 5D Touch.

The receiving instruments that you use must be multi-timbral for you to experience the full expressive capabilities of the Seaboard Block. They should have a pitch bend range of at least +/- one octave and be able to respond to aftertouch.

Note: a multi-timbral software or hardware instrument is one that can play multiple sounds at the same time by using multiple MIDI channels. Here, we’re using those extra channels for note-by-note expression as opposed to different sounds.

6.1 Multidimensional Polyphonic Expression
The Seaboard Block supports MPE (multidimensional polyphonic expression), a protocol for using standard MIDI messages to communicate with and enable the operation of multidimensional instruments such as the Seaboard Block and the Lightpad Block. MPE-capable devices can control multiple parameters of each note independently such as pitch, timbre, and other nuances when used within MPE-compatible software like Equator. MPE accomplishes this by spreading MIDI data that pertain to each note across a range of MIDI channels and reserving one channel (usually the lowest) for global MIDI messages such as program change, pedal state, and fader positions. These global messages affect all notes equally. Since each note gets its own channel, it’s effectively its own sound “program” – even though you still see a single preset on-screen – and thus can be pitch-bent, filtered, and otherwise modulated independently of other notes.

Please refer to the BLOCKS Dashboard Creator Manual for information on MPE and how to alter the MPE settings for the Seaboard Block.

6.2 Working with Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs)
The Seaboard Block can be used with many digital audio workstations (DAWs) and is especially expressive when used with a multi-timbral plugin like Equator or Strobe2. Because the Seaboard Block transmits standard MIDI messages, it is also compatible with any other software instruments which you might also use in your chosen DAW.

In many DAWs, a single track can receive multiple MIDI channels from the Seaboard Block and send the MIDI data to a multi-timbral synth like Equator. Other DAWs are limited to a single channel per track, so configuring your project to take full advantage of the Seaboard Block’s dimensions of expression is not a uniform process. It depends on the DAW.

You can find detailed guides about working with most DAWs on our Support page at support.roli.com. If you do not see your preferred software on the list, get in touch with the Support Team through our Support page.

6.3 USB MIDI Class Compliancy
The Seaboard Block is a USB Class Compliant device. It can be connected directly to other USB Class Compliant devices which receive MIDI data and produce sound in response, without the need to download and install special drivers.

Although the Seaboard Block does not have traditional five-pin DIN connectors, it lets you connect to hardware that requires these connectors. One option is to connect to a computer and transmit MIDI via a MIDI interface. Or you can connect a USB MIDI Class Compliant device that converts MIDI over USB to traditional five-pin DIN connectors.

[faonisahuman]

imma need to hear the first two beats in full

[MarioDarkboom]

Is there a way to get the full version of the second?

[AlwayzFresh]

I can only imagine how many dozens of these must have sold since this video

[orirori]

0:36 me watching the ad
0:40 me seeing the price

[Scubadog_]

This video has way too much A E S T H E T I C

[itHurtswhenIP]

The fact that its not supported on Android kills it for consumers that are non-apple.

[skimsamy]

Where can u get one? They are sold out everywhere! :/

[regzol]

Hi!
Why can't the blocks be purchased?
Are they out of stock? Will there be another opportunity to buy them?

[VuVoLamQuang]

anyone know which song this sample come from? The 0:17 - 0:19 timecode. I think i have hear it before but cant figure out :(

[Cokey]

The last one doesn't seem correct. His striking doesn't match the music

[yanivaverbuch]

0:07, does anybody know where is the tune from?

[positronikiss]

So what is it that we r buying again?A seaboard? Blocks? Or both?

[DokturQ]

After purchasing the seaboard block, will it be possible to upgrade from Equator Player to the full version of Equator? If so what is the cost?