NDVR Note Master Keyboard Promises Polyphonic Aftertouch, Starting At $235

ndvr-note-midi-controller

Endevour.de has announced a new MIDI keyboard controller, the NDVR Note Master Keyboard, that promises to deliver polyphonic aftertouch, full-size keys and an aluminum body – all starting at $235.

Analog Keys

The NDVR Note is a USB MIDI Master-Keyboard, with what the designers call ‘analog keys’. The NDVR has 25 or 49 analog keys that respond based on how deeply they are pressed.

While the dimensions and playing feel are much like on other keyboards, it includes optical distance sensors that determine how deeply each key is being pressed:

ndvr-midi-keyboard-controller

These sensors function continuously, smoothly determining the interval between the upward and downward movements of each key. It’s like Polyphonic Aftertouch, but with a continuous range of expression for each key.

Here’s an intro video for the NDVR Note:

Conventional keyboards record movement using two points consecutively measured during the motion. The time difference allows the speed of the key stroke to be determined. The NDVR Note adopts the same principle, but refined, boasting not two points of measurement, but a theoretically limitless number of such points, sampled at 1 kHz with an internal 12-bit resolution.

By mapping this movement to parameters within your MIDI synths, the depth that they key is depressed can be used to change any aspect of each individual note in a chord.

Features:

  • Class-compliant USB MIDI Interface – the Note has a 100% MIDI-compatible interface and generates “Polyphonic Aftertouch” MIDI messages to transmit the Key-Swing. Connect the USB interface to the host system and the unit can be used with any synth software.
  • Standard-sized Keys
  • Anodized Aluminum Housing
  • VST/AU Plugin – The 100% Class-Compliant USB MIDI interface guarantees compatibility with common music software. A VST/AU plugin, though, can be used to let you use the Note’s ‘swing’ expression with software that can’t support it directly.

The NDVR Note is currently under development and being funded as an IndieGoGo project. 25 and 49 note versions are planned, with prices starting at US $235. See the project site for details.

35 thoughts on “NDVR Note Master Keyboard Promises Polyphonic Aftertouch, Starting At $235

  1. I’m not quite understanding what the difference is between polyphonic aftertouch and the way this works. As someone who has enjoyed using Poly AT in the past, I’m very glad to hear about both the device and the price. Though 235 for a 25-key isn’t cheap, if it works well, it would be worth it.

  2. Are there any MIDI controllers available for under $235 that have metal cases? Most are made of cheap plastic.

    As I read the article, it sounds like this lets you use the full range of the key as a MIDI continuous controller. That seems like it would be much easier to control than just the extreme end of the range, like the aftertouch implementation’s I’ve used.

  3. If I understand this correctly, if you play a note you then can begin to create a stream of control data based on the position of the key from all the way down to all the way up. Presumeably, once the key is all the way up, it would stop producing the data stream. It isn’t clear whether the optical sensor is responsible for measuring both velocity and this key-position- or does it also contain the regular contact strips?

    One difference between this and the previous, pressure-sensor-type aftertouch is that with this version (“2.0”), you WILL have to produce this control stream in order to release the key. So every note will end with a little “voop” (or whatever) as the control stream zeros on the way to release.

  4. Yay! indiegogo! Aka the site that allows people to collect funds for a project and if they don’t meet their goal they get to keep your money anyway! Hooray!

      1. Depending on how they set it up, they might keep the money if they don’t meet their goal, but THEY STILL HAVE TO DELIVER THE PRODUCT.
        So, no implication for supporters either way…

        1. Hi

          this is Simon from NDVR. We intended the Note to be a FIXED campaign. During setting it online something went wrong and it became a flexible one.

          However,

          we were in contact with Indiegogo and fixed this. Now we need at least 65.000$ to get the project started. If not we do NOT receive any Funds and you all WILL be refunded!

          This is like Crowdfunding should be! Imho flexible-funding is not working with hardware-projects. And we never wanted the Note-campaign to be a flexible one!

          Link to the Updated Campaign is : igg.me/at/ndvrnote

  5. This is great, in theory. I’m a little disappointed that the design foregoes the usual MIDI out and thru jacks. A MIDI master keyboard at thie level of quality should have at least two MIDI outs and one thru. Even if it’s mostly designed to work with software. Leaving out MIDI makes it less useful while not really cutting the price down significantly I guess. With the cheap plastic USB keyboards I am not complaining, but this seems a little narrow-minded considering that it’s MIDI after all and all they really need is a jack and two resistors (assuming they still have a spare USART somewhere in there which is not wholly unlikely). But I don’t know the design welll enough to supply more than idle speculation and easy criticism.

    1. Considering the amount of data this implementation of polyphonic aftertouch will generate, it’s likely that you could easily exceed the bandwidth of traditional (non USB) MIDI.

      1. MIDI DIN jacks are clearly a serious bottleneck but the actual bandwith here is less than many other instruments and they could institute decimation (data thinning) as needed.

        I know from experience that this works reasonably well.

        Also, it might make sense to simply be able to turn that signal off as there few if any instruments that are limited to MIDI DIN in only and also support PolyAT.

    2. This. MIDI jacks are really a must, even a single MIDI out would really increase the value of the keyboard. There are a number of hardware module (and even full keyboards) that will accept polytouch input. Specifically, DSI synths accept this and plenty of DSI users would kill for a good keyboard that makes use of it. Dave has noted that no one makes a cost effective polytouch keyboard to include in the designs for the various prophet incarnations. If this thing takes off, maybe we can see a similar technology finding its way into the prophet 16 🙂

    1. Simon

      This looks very interesting to me. I like that it’s built from real materials and the technology looks really interesting, too.

      You need to have a better demo, if you want to get people on board with this. Also, hardware MIDI connections are probably a must-have for many users.

      I hope you have success with this!

      1. I completely agree about needing a better demo. Assigning the poly-at to some obvious parameter (perhaps both filter and maybe some wave-shape change– then deliberately changing all the notes independently. Another feature of Poly AT is being able to play chords and a lead and only modulate the lead.

        Though I’ve always though that pitch bending (a la pedal steel ) is cool with poly-AT, the above mentioned limitation (i.e. that all notes will be affected during release)– makes this more difficult.

        FEATURE REQUESTS: inlcude two pedal switch inputs, one CC pedal. The first pedal switch will be a sustain. The second will enable/disable the Poly AT. This way it could be turned on during a particular moment, but then disabled during a note release. IMHO, this is a must.

  6. It looks like an exiting product. But yes Simon, we need a better demo. Prefferebly one that shws the whole keyboard so we can both see its function and the design.

  7. I’ve vowed not to carp about poor keyboard builds anymore. Its just a sad fact of life in some cases, but y’know what? All of this is bloody MAGICAL, so the fix is to buy a really solid controller like this one and fully engage it. The Poly AT is a sweet addition, but a keyboard that strikes a good balance between being synth-y vs. piano-worthy is the real grail here. As with a guitar, I think its vital to HAVE a favorite axe that brings out your best. If you’re going to live in a softsynth world, here’s a rationally-priced solution with a great added bell to it. Love the aluminum frame, too. One question: since its a rather boutique item, what kind of support will users have after the sale?

  8. Yes a more comprehensive demo would be nice but I do get the gist of it, I hope the throw of the keys is a little longer to give you more play with the aftertouch. I also think that a switch to turn the AT off would be nice if you where doing pitch bend with it, unless you already have a built in solution for stuff like that. This is what I though poly AT was until I realized it wasn’t! This implementation is totally logical. This company really is changing the game (more so with the evo) because when was the last time you saw a keyboard that actually changed the technique you use to play the piano. I’ve never seen it until the evo and now they have this too!? I hope this company does really well.

    On another note I will be buying the 49 key not becuase of the poly AT (thats an awesome bonus) but because this is the first normally proportioned midi controller i’ve seen that is the built quality of an actual instrument, and for only $350!?!?! thats cheaper than an LPK 49, i’d buy that without the aftertouch. EVERY midi controller i have ever tried had felt like a cheap plastic toy. I’m using a DX7II as a controller currently because it’s the only thing for under $500 that feels like a real keyboard.

  9. Hey Folks!

    thanks for all that kind words! I appreciate all your comments and think you are all totally right! We WILL make a better Video. In fact we are currently making it. And there WILL be hardware MIDI jacks and … i am currently thinking of implementing a footswitch-jack.

    Simon (from NDVR)

  10. Ok, but PLEASE, TWO switch jacks, and a CC pedal input. I know it adds to the cost, but folks will really appreciate having the ability to use their feet for things the hands aren’t available for. If that’s not doable, then perhaps having some points on the circuit board so that it would be an easy hack.

    1. Simon, I echo the call for 2 switch jacks and a CC input. Its even more important for those of us who often use splits in various ways. I’m not opposed to a MIDI Out either, as I still use some hardware. I’d like to see an option for turning the often-bandwidth-hungry AT off if I don’t need it.

      Since you are an actual manufacturer, please give us the skinny on this: in actual design time, materials and assembly terms, how much more does it really cost to add such jacks, or to build a tougher keyboard mechanism that doesn’t klack like a toy?

      I think the larger industry chronically misses the simple fact that if I’m going to buy a serious instrument, I won’t complain about paying more if its actually tough enough to take the relative beating keyboards should absorb. I mostly use a $99 Samson Carbon 49 at the moment and its treating me well. The odd thing is… I played two mid-line workstations whose keyboards were so bad, if my synth suddenly felt like that, I’d think something had broken. The Carbon feels BETTER. That’s why you have my attention!

  11. of course added more and more may be overwhelming, still a suggestion:

    – add a bevel on the top side to insert a tablet (like this keyboard for the ipad: http://www.logitech.fr/fr-fr/product/ultrathin-keyboard-cover). No need for a connector, only a bevel, so that the tablet stands on the keyboard. Maybe some hardware to hold it firmly, but not mandatory.

    – provide an easily accessible trap and room into the keyboard for a small usb-midi-audio device that can connect to the tablet, and that is connected to the keyboard by usb (the device would not be provided, the user would buy it separately).

    That may interest people who bought Akai or Alesis docks and got stucked when the new ipad connector went out.

  12. Hi

    we have added Midi-In, Midi-Out, 2 Switch-Jacks and one CC-Pedal Jack on our list. The additional cost are low and it is not a problem to implement them. We will make an official statement soon.

    Concerning the Keyboard – the keybed – we are using a FATAR-Module – TP7/BA – So there is no click-clacking or any other bad responses – as you might know FATAR is a high quality manufacturer and makes proper keybeds.

    Simon

  13. That’s fantastic news!! Thanks for listening!

    Switching the AT on/off with the pedal switch solves it. One more little point, I think you will want to include an “invert” function so that the key path either zeros at the bottom and maxes at the top, or vice versa. Ok, you probably already thought of that.

  14. Party like it’s 1992, or whenever it was when they stopped making polyphonic aftertouch keyboards!

    I really like(d) the Prophet T8/Synclavier keyboard.

  15. This controller looks to be the best thing to come around in a long time, and this is coming from someone who has been desperately searching on a regular basis for years. I find it unfortunate that there are no plans to release a 61-key version of this keyboard. As polyphonic aftertouch appeals to actual players rather than laptop DJs, the 25-key makes far less sense than a 61-key. If a 61-key ever becomes available, I would gladly pay good money for a well-built, expressive piece of hardware that this keyboard seems like it will be.

  16. I appreciate these points about 37 and 61 keys. I’m kind of mixed on it. On one hand, I can see how employing Poly AT 2.0 to one’s main controller makes the most sense, so having 61 keys would be pretty sweet. On the other hand, for a project of this size and this type of market, having a 49 key seems like a good compromise between almost big enough and not too small. And having the 25 key as a second controller (stacked on the main controller) for special sounds also makes sense. Hmm.

  17. Hi everyone,

    As you might already know we decided to NOT add a 61-Version at the moment. To do so we would need to rethink the whole keyboard and every single part of it. This is too much since we had to start from the beginning again.

    Instead we added a new Bundle to our Indiegogo Campaign – A 49+25 in a Bundle with 15% Off! (499$)

    An concerning the connection panel there is now USB + MIDI-OUT + 3x PEDAL-JACK (all CC or SWITCH – user definable)

    Thank you guys,

    Simon (from NDVR)

    PS.: Please tell this to everyone if you love our work! We really need your help to spread this

  18. Protect the usb port!
    all of my midi keyboards have broken because of something bending the usb cable making the soldering break on the circuit board.

    maybe have the usb port underneath and something to attach the cable to, if someone trips etc.

  19. I am very excited about this, i have been waiting for new keyboard controllers with polyphonic aftertouch for a long time, but as this feature is aimed at keyboard players mainly, please make a 61-key version and maybe one with 88 weighted keys.

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