The recently announced NDVR Note looks like it could be a really interesting new MIDI control keyboard, combining a metal case and polyphonic aftertouch in a too-rarely-seen metal body.
The NDVR Note is being developed with an IndieGogo campaign, though, which means that it really needs an intro video that serves as an ‘elevator pitch’, demonstrating in a couple of minutes what makes the keyboard unique and why you should care. This was the most common feedback on our initial post about the NDVR.
The project team has released a second video that’s more of a sneak preview. This peaks our interest again, but we’d really like to see an intro video for the NDVR Note video that:
- Includes expressive musical demonstrations of the potential of polyphonic aftertouch;
- Shows clearly what the final NDVR Note hardware is expected to look like;
- Explains the controller’s connectivity and compatibility; and
- Covers what non-technical users will be able to do with it, out of the box.
Checkout the new preview video and let us know what you think. Are you potentially interested in the NDVR Note? If so, what would you like to see in an intro video for it?
That video is much better in getting the basic info across. I especially like the one “arty” note in the other-wise two chord progression.
Does the unit have USB 1, 2 or 3? I assume power is supplied via USB bus. If used with MIDI only, can power be supplied with a dumb USB power supply? If so, what are the power requirements.
If I wanted to use this rig with an iPad (via camera kit) could it get power some other way? I suppose a hub could be used, but the hub would need to provide enough juice.
I’m jazzed on this! Yeah, they need a good demo video that really shows how you can use this, but this looks like it will do things that weren’t even possible on a CS80, which could make it an easy buy at $235.
Hey everyone!
First of all -> It uses USB 2.0. Power is supplied via USB -> If you want to use it without your computer you can use a simple USB-Power-Adapter which will be included. iPad and Camera Kit? Yes! Right now with using a powered Hub. More on that soon.
So now let me tell you something about the new VIDEOS. We are currently making some new videos where we will tell you more about the technicals things and what you can do with the note – and – especially – with the software and non-poly-at plugins -> AND YES! It’s better than what you can do with the CS-80
It’ll blow your mind – i promise!!!
Simon (from NDVR)
Ah and before i forget! The new Videos will be ready next week!
I love the poly Aftertouch of my old Roland A-50, I hope this brings back that expresive element that modern keyboard controllers don’t have.
Will the note start right when the key is slightly depressed? Or must the note start via the standard contact strips? Does this even have contact strips?
You guys should do inverted keys! like the korg special editions.
It would really make your keyboard stand out and might drum up more takers 😉
Or even all black keys?
They mentioned they are using Fatar keybeds, so unless Fatar offers that, it’s probably not going to happen. I suspect Korg can do this because they make their own keybaords.
It still could be a possibility because if I’m not mistaken fatar makes organ keyboards and a lot of organs have that inverted octave at the bottom, so they may make them, haven’t checked though
Your optical sensor tech can provide great sensitivity & flexibility! Will your software let us EASILY access it, e.g. calibration and midi mapping? Can we ‘swing’ samples mapped to a keyboard, or only oscillators?
I really understand why we have to do more Videos. Most of your questions are about things we already implemented. Basically everything you can image doing with optical sensors is possible. we have taken care of this.
But in a very few weeks things will get clearer …
Simon
Oh i am sorry i meant -> In a very few DAYS!
I really dont understand why a 5 octave isnt offered ; surely polyphonic aftertouch is something real players have been wanting even more than other users , and real players use 5 octaves minimum .
Even the choice of a 2 octave seems strange .I know its a popular format for portability , but originally devised for monophonic bass and leads! …after all , the whole point of poly aftertouch is that its poly ..
There are some chord extensions you cant even play on a 2 octave .
For a range of keyboards whose main selling point is poly aftertouch , a flagship 5 octave and a portable 3 octave would have been a much more sensible offering
/My opinion ,which I was invited to share .
it would be cool if they used the extra space in a 5-octave to add more controls or functionality. that’s always been a disappointment for me when a 2 or 3 octave keyboard gets a big brother and then no use is made of the extra real estate on the control panel… i want a 5-octave controller that looks like a novation supernova 2!
Well said, sparkle. That’s what I was trying to say in my post on the previous article about the Note on synthtopia.
Keyboard players (who are drawn to 61 keys over 25) have been waiting years for well-implemented, affordable polyphonic aftertouch (and have had to pick up 30-year-old Ensoniqs off of craigslist to get it), whereas laptop DJs and people who want to fiddle with a few notes and mainly trigger loops and samples (who are drawn to 25 keys over 61) likely have never even heard of poly AT and probably don’t care as much.
Even though I’m disappointed that there are no plans for a 61, I still give NDVR my full support and hope they’re able to fund this and every project they dream up. This truly is “game changing”; it’s not just a cool tagline. I love their direction and philosophy, and hopefully this will force other companies out of their comfort zone, make them stop resting on their laurels, and compete. Too long has the world of MIDI controllers and hardware synths been dominated by the notion of, “people can’t miss what they don’t know existed” and “let’s give them the flimsiest and most cost-effective thing we can that we think they’ll still buy.” NDVR is finally pointing things toward the future instead of making us long for the hardware of 30 years ago.
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.
It really is cool when the keyboard can have recessed connections. At this price, if they were to be able to make that happen it would be pretty nice, indeed.
@ c_c I understand your motivation for wanting to show support and be enthusiastic to get this company and their poly aftertouch up ,running and out there … but if I seem negative its out of frustration of this being so near to what I’ve dreamt of and yet so far ! They’ve come up with a brilliant new technology and yet decided to implement it in two form factors which both undermine its raison d’etre .
The fact that the market is saturated with 2 octave portables should be even more of a reason to offer 3 ! , with its poly credentials the extra octave justification . I’m sure the Korg Prophecy sold many more units for its 3 octaves as a portable keyboard even though it was a monophonic synth , and the Ultranova and Gaia do so currently.
But if pandering to current market trends is the reason for a 2 octave portable , what on earth is the reason for offering 4 in preference to 5 ? Every keyboard maker I can think of if they only offer one larger model ..its 5 ! So it’s even more ironic and frustrating that when they are willing to buck the trend it’s with the wrong model …the 4 and not the 2 .
So the irony is they offer keyboard real players a new dimension of expressivity , but limited the basic dimension (5 octave note range) the player has learnt /worked with all their playing life .
A final irony will be , if they do jumpstart the rest of the market into implementing poly aftertouch , the first company to put out a 5 octave could be the end of them .
Well,
To implement a 61-Key Version we need to redesign a lot of the parts that are already in a final state. Which isn’t a problem because we now how to do that
But -> Offering a 61-Key Version would mean that we won’t be able to deliver this version until mid january/early february 2014! This is an approximate estimation of the “worst case”. Guess we will be a lot faster. But just to let you know…
If you can deal with that we are going to rethink again…
BTW -> The 61-Key Version would feature the FATAR TP/8XX keybed.
Speaking personally, I would gladly wait the extra time for a 61-key version, Simon! A new 61-key USB MIDI controller with an aluminum body and polyphonic aftertouch (even better than poly AT, actually!) sounds like a dream come true for me (and from the sounds of it, for some other people as well). It’s not uncommon for manufacturers to release a 61 after an initial 25 and 49 release (recently, for example, Alesis with their QX series), so no worries there.
When you say the FATAR TP/8XX, do you mean the synth-style TP/8SK keys (http://www.fatar.com/pages/TP_8SK.htm) or the piano-style TP-8 keys (http://www.fatar.com/pages/TP_8PIANO.htm)? Maybe there’s one I’m missing? I hope you’ll stick with the synth style keys for the 61. as that’s the standard 61-key users are familiar with.
I’m a member of some online forums/communities dealing with synths/MIDI controllers/electronic gear, so I’ll spread the word and link people to this site as well as your Indiegogo page.
No, you aren’t missing one. It will be the TP/8SK.
If you spread the word we will be very grateful for this. And let me just tell you that we are just about to release some new videos which will go a lot more deeper into the note and the swing. For us the note and especially the swing – is a dream come true. So the next video will show what you can expect/what the swing can do with your synth/what you can do with the swing …
For example, with the help of a simple curve you can set wether you want more swing or more aftertouch … And Still talking polyphonic …
Just give us a few more days. By the end of the week everyone should really understand why the note is changing the game in so many ways!
BTW, if got a list next to me where I write down every usefull help/tip/advice we get from you and everyone else – if there is more you want us to know – just let us know!
Simon (from NDVR)
A 61-key Note with the TP/8SK keybed sounds incredible! That will definitely have a buy from me.
One thing I’m still pushing for is keeping the actual body of the Note blank/plain like your Evo – no knobs. The Note looks very sleek, symmetrical, and very aesthetically pleasing as it is seen right now in your photos. Not to mention, most users I’ve encountered (in my years of discussing the lack of good MIDI controllers, on various forums) are simply clamoring for a solid, reliable, expressive set of keys to use in conjunction with the synth modules/racks/control surfaces they already own or will buy separately.
People will eventually tire of control surfaces, and they will go through different racks/synth modules as time goes on, but a great set of keys like the Note looks like it will offer will never get old or go out of style. People want solid keys that they can go to for reliability and quality, regardless of what synth/surface they’re using alongside them. Many seem fond of the idea of interchanging other elements, but they want the keyboard itself to remain the same.
And, in fact, after the Note project is finished and released, your company could consider making the external control surfaces (something like the Novation Remote Zero SL) to be used alongside it. Interchanging control surfaces over time keeps the world of MIDI control interesting and fun, while having a great, ‘go-to’ set of keys means not having to keep searching or buying a new keyboard every time you want different controls. Not to mention, from the company’s perspective, it is more profitable to sell the keyboards separate from the control surfaces. It’s win-win for consumers and for manufacturers.
Just something to consider!
I for one think the 49 key is a pretty good compromise. I wonder if buying two 49-keys and banking them like an organ might work for the 61 key lovers. That gets you 98 keys.
now THIS is customer service. I didn’t even KNOW I needed one of these..but now, Im drooling !!
@Simon I’m really pleased you’re willing to rethink ..it just seems to make so much more sense to offer a 5 for players who’ve spent their career playing one , so the poly aftertouch is an additional luxury they dont have to sacrifice an octave for .
Also, at least in my own playing , I envisage poly aftertouch encouraging more open voicings to allow more “room” around each note for its individual modulation ,so even more reason why that octave is welcome.
The opinion / analysis I offered was a general response ..I am not sure if I can find the funds
Within the time remaining , but if a 5 is offered I will try to commit and would not mind a further delay ,
whereas I had discounted the 4 as not being worth the attempt for me .
I think a future version should include built-in iPad stand, at least an iPad notch. The 61-key version could be self powered and connect via buetooth instead of USB?
I love this. It will turn the iPad into an instrument
An iPad (generally – Tablet) Notch? We were actually thinking of this at the beginning … We’ll see ..
Simon
It would be almost perfect if you could vibrate like a string from side to side instead of up and down. The Yamaha CS80 did that, (if I’m not mistaken!!!)
This all sounds great!! You guys rock! But what I’m hoping to be implemented is an ‘old-school’ MIDI interface (the one’s with DIN jacks) beside the USB… Please guys, go on with this fantastic project – and please, create a 61 key version too.
Hi Miks, they said on the other page that normal MIDI will be included thanks to many people requesting it. So will two footswitch inputs and some other useful things.
Hi Miks, they said on the other page that normal MIDI ports would indeed be added. So will 2 jacks for pedals and some other useful things.
Yes we will!!! Hardware MIDI out + 3x footswitch (analog and/or switch) + 61-key version and new videos … On Friday .. At most Monday … Will post it here
Simon from NDVR