Among the handful of genuinely unexpected launches at this year’s show is a new MPE (Midi Polyphonic Expression) keyboard controller, the K-Board Pro 4, developed as a joint project by the Pearl Corporation and Keith McMillen Instruments.
The K-Board Pro 4 is four octave MIDI keyboard controller based on the traditional look of a piano with multiple dimensions of touch sensitivity in each key. It sends attack velocity, release velocity, continuous pressure, horizontal position and vertical position data to offer the deepest level of musical expression.
‘I’m excited that Keith McMillen Instruments are bringing out the K-Board Pro 4, further expanding the next generation of expressive keyboard instruments! It’s a joy to play and their expertise in the field of sensor technology and delivering great musical products makes this instrument a guaranteed winner,’ said Jordan Rudess of Dream Theater.
Pearl says this unique function is achieved by sending control messages to multiple midi channels, allowing the commands to be transmitted separately rather than the conventional method where the controls function globally, and the effects are unison. K-Board Pro 4 features KMI’s patented Smart Sensor Technology that is the core of all the KMI control surfaces.
the K-Board Pro 4 is USB powered and class compliant to ensure both portability and compatibility with MacOS, Windows, iOS, Android, as well as MIDI capable hardware. No UK price was quoted but the K-Biard Pro 4 has an SSP of 749 Euros.
Info: www.pearleurope.com