Roli just launched Seaboard Block, a two-octave Bluetooth keyboard that lets electronic producers do more than the usual piano-type controller. Apart from just pressing down on a piano key, you can strike it, hold it down, and glide and slide your fingers across the pressure-responsive keybed for some really expressive control. It comes with 200+ free sounds, along with Roli’s bundled software to get you started playing straight away.
You can expand it by adding another Seaboard Block keyboard, or by combining it with other Roli Blocks modules: the Loop Block, for instance, gives you production controls, while the Live Block gives you looping features right under your fingertips. It’s also compatible with laptops running digital audio workstations like Ableton Live.
We like the modular nature of Roli’s Blocks series, but the addition of the Seaboard Block keyboard makes the lineup even more interesting. We love the original full-size Seaboard Rise keyboards, but they’re pricey. The smaller Seaboard Block retains a huge chunk of the feature set and functionality, but at a fraction of the cost. Watch out for our review soon.
Check out the promo video below.
Promo Video
• The Roli Seaboard Block is now available for US$299. Check the Roli website for more details.
What do you think of this keyboard controller? Game changing or gimmicky? Would you want it in your home studio set-up? Share your thoughts below.
Joey Santos
