The video, via AndEcho, captures a live performance featuring a minimal setup of a Roger Linn Design LinnStrument and a Teenage Engineering OP-1 Field.
The LinnStrument is a MIDI controller that can capture five different types of expressive control, simultaneously, per finger. The OP-1 Field is a portable synth workstation with synth, drum machine, tape recorder and mixer.
The Roland 50th Anniversary Concept Model Piano is a design concept, rather than a product, designed to challenge traditional assumptions about the instrument and to showcase some of the company’s latest technologies.
We had briefed you on Roland’s stunning 50th anniversary piano last year, but now it has landed at CES, and there is a new surprise: Drone Speakers.
These audio-enabled drones are designed to float around the piano and augment its built-in internal 360-degree, 14-speaker system. They communicate with the instrument on a low-latency channel – Roland had to develop its own platform for this, as Bluetooth audio has too much latency – and players can control their positioning as they perform.
The ultimate aim was to create a speaker system that can replicate the immersive sound of an acoustic piano. To achieve this, Roland created a ‘speaker ball’ to sit within the piano – these balls are positioned in the lid and on the left and right top edges. The sound field changes depending on the type of piano you’re playing, so you should get a different experience for grands and uprights.
The drones take things a stage further, being designed to recreate the reverberant reflections that you hear when playing an acoustic piano. These promise to “bathe the player in a sound shower.”
But, Roland concedes that the drones’ propellers are currently “somewhat noisy”, but there are plans to implement quiet drone technology as and when it becomes available.
While the Roland 50th Anniversary Concept Piano is not for sale, CES attendees can check it out at Roland’s exhibit at CES in Las Vegas, Nevada, till January 8, 2023, at LVCC, Central Hall 15301.
More information on the design is available at the Roland website.
What they say about the unique instrument:
“The concept piano’s one-piece molded wooden body, designed in collaboration with Japanese furniture maker Karimoku, was inspired by the fusion of the past and future, while its exterior, comprised of Japanese oak wood, provides deep piano tones from its speakers.
More than a beautiful design, the 50th anniversary piano aims to fill a gap in the industry. In the age of digital pianos, many find rich sound quality is sacrificed for innovation. With that, Roland’s concept piano offers a 360-degree speaker system, which is able to send sound in any direction through its 14 adjustable speakers placed strategically throughout.
In addition to those onboard speakers, the sound field around the piano will be enhanced with drone speakers, the first of their kind, which float above the piano for an enhanced sound quality and eye-catching experience. These drones operate on a low latency dedicated communication channel, allowing players to control their positioning as they play. Through these unique structural advancements, this concept piano is able to provide the sound quality of classic instruments, all while maintaining the modern enhancements of Roland technology. The 50th anniversary piano offers advanced connectivity through the operation of these drones, as well as through its touch-panel table, which is embedded within the lid, supporting video conferencing, piano lessons and streaming tutorials, available through Roland Cloud.”
Expressive E’s MPE-compatible Osmose synth is finally shipping: “It makes you dream instantly,” says Flying Lotus
After more than three years we first got wind of it, Expressive E has announced that Osmose, its expressive polyphonic synth, is finally shipping.
Osmose is a polyphonic synthesizer that unlocks new ways to control sound. Could this long-awaited 49-note keyboard be the expressive instrument that’s easy to master?
Osmose promises the benefits of an MPE controller in a familiar keyboard form factor, the theory being that this will enable existing players to get good results without having to adapt their technique too much.
As reported previously, you get three dimensions of control on every single key, enabled by the patented AKA – Augmented Keyboard Action – technology.
Osmose features a powerful sound engine, and it also contains Haken Audio’s 24-voice EagenMatrix sound engine, which it developed for its Continuum Fingerboard. This combines digital, additive, FM, virtual analogue and spectral synthesis, with some physical modelling thrown in for good measure.
In addition, Osmose can also function as an MPE MIDI keyboard, offering polyphonic aftertouch, a multichannel MIDI mode and global pitchbend control from every key. You can set it up as a standalone controller, as well, so it can be used away from your computer.
And, you also get a selection of macro controls, giving you further scope to adjust timbre, texture and harmonics. A mod wheel and two continuous pedal inputs are included, and you can configure the sensitivity of the keyboard’s 3D control to your liking.
Despite rising costs and economic uncertainty, Expressive E is committing to a $1,799/€1,799 retail price for Osmose, “within the limits of allocated stocks”. It comes with 500 presets that are suitable for use in multiple genres.
Early adopters have started to receive their units, and pre-orders for the next batch are now being taken.
You can find out more and place a pre-order on the Expressive E website.
What they say about it:
“Expressive E are thrilled to announce the delivery of the first Osmose units to early adopters of the project. The first products had already been delivered in late 2022 and early backers’ shipments will keep flowing continuously.
Expressive E have thus decided to reopen pre-orders on January 5th 2023 for all musicians interested in purchasing Osmose. The pre-order scheme has been reconducted to allow Expressive E to anticipate demand as efficiently as possible and organize their production schedules accordingly.
Despite a tense economical environment driven by inflation, component shortages and the resurgence of epidemics, the company will still commit to guaranteeing a $/€1,799 retail price, within the limits of allocated stocks.” The Osmose is available to pre-order, priced at $1,799.
To celebrate Osmose’s release, Expressive E has created a series of artist videos that will be rolled out over the next few months. The likes of Flying Lotus, AR Rahman, Jean-Michel Jarre, Mike Dean, Cory Henry, André Manoukian and Tarik Azzouz will discuss how they approach musical expression, how they interact with Osmose, and how the new synth has influenced the way they play.
The first three episodes, which feature AR Rahman, J3PO and Tarik Azzouz, are available to watch now, and a trailer for the series is above.
The Osmose is available to pre-order, priced at $1,799.
