Miselu Ditches Android, Announces $99 iPad Keyboard Case

miselu-c24-ipad-keyboard

Miselu, which last year introduced the Android-based Neiro mobile music computer, has announced that it is ditching Android for iOS and introducing an iPad keyboard/case, the C.24.

The C.24 is a two-octave wireless music keyboard designed for iPad. The C.24 transforms from a protective cover into a piano-style keyboard at the touch of a spring-loaded latch.

The C.24 employs technology that has never been used in the music instrument space before. The semi-weighted feel of the keyboard is created by the use of anti-polarity magnets. Additionally each key incorporates an infrared emitter detector pair, providing real time analog position data to track the performance. This optical key tracking technology delivers velocity and monophonic aftertouch more accurately than traditional switches.

The C.24 also provides additional tactile controls in a capacitive ribbon controller that extends across the width of the keyboard. The bar is divided into two regions, each with 32 embedded LEDs for visual feedback. One region is configured to function as eight assignable buttons while the other is designed for analog expression such as pitch bend.

Here’s a video introduction:

The following video offers additional background:

Features:

  • 24 semi-weighted music keys
  • Velocity sensitivity
  • monophonic aftertouch
  • Wireless connection via Bluetooth Low Energy
  • Capacitive ribbon controller
  • Octave shift via virtual buttons accesses a 9 octave range (32 LEDs indicate selection)
  • Analog pitch bend (32 LEDs reflect performance)
  • Hardware control expansion area (support for future modules)
  • iPad groove accommodates iPad 2, iPad 3 & iPad 4, as well as the iPad mini
  • Functions as a protective case with magnetic latch (compatible with iPad 2, iPad 3 & iPad 4)

The Miselu C.24 is being funded as a Kickstarter project, with ‘Early Supporters’ able to get the keyboard for US $99. The project has reached about half of its goal in two days.

Check out the videos and specs and let us know what you think of the Miselu C.24. And let us know what you think this says about the state of Android music-making!

39 thoughts on “Miselu Ditches Android, Announces $99 iPad Keyboard Case”

    1. Android happened to the Neiro!

      Why did Miselu think anyone would buy an expensive music computer that only ran a limited selection of the already limited android music apps?

      1. My experience, and I’d love to be proven wrong, is that Android owners don’t buy as many apps as iOS users. By “buy” I mean pay money for, not download. I’m not sure why, but every thing I’ve read says this.

        I wouldn’t blame them if this had something to do with it.

        1. The problem is not that Android users don’t buy apps, but that there are no Android apps to buy in the music space. I purchased a few, but that was 2 years ago and it’s been dry since. By the time Fruity Loops put something out I had already given away my android tablet (well, I sold it but the guy never paid me.)

  2. The fact that they’ve ditched android entirely is pretty telling. It’s one thing to be idealistic and another to deliver something that’s actually worth using.

    1. You nailed it. I had a droid a while back. (The Droid X) The response was pretty shaky. Got me to jump on board the apple express.

      I also saw some stat about Android having huge market share, but lower income users. Hence the not buying apps.

  3. Three words concerning Android.
    Latency
    Latency
    Latency

    Oh, yeah….as was mentioned before. Down (Free) loaders vs. Paid for Apps.

  4. Also. Standardized interface plug size (err…well…only TWO so far for Apple) as opposed to DOZENS of interface locations and even sizes for Android devices.

  7. people that put android as a synonym to latency are just as full of shit as the people are saying android is perfectly fine for making music… the matter of the fact is, android has been around in MANY MANY more flavors than ios, and in millions more combinations of hardware configurations, most of them indeed unable to do realtime audio without unacceptable latency… however, several devices have been known to go as low as 12ms when the kernel was hacked to use less sound prebuffers, they are just really bad at giving the developers a choice to change that on the fly 🙂

    it’s not that it’s impossible on android, portabilty is actually the opposite of the problem, the similarity of any IOS hardware/software combination across the board compared to android makes it managable for developers, it is actually the lack of having to port for everything and having to take care of 6 million hardware configurations that makes ios the preferred platform

    1. So out of “millions” of android hardware configurations, “most” of them have unacceptable latency?

      Based on your own statement, that sure sounds like Android = high latency…

    2. It’s not fair to suggest that people that say Android has audio latency problems are ‘full of shit’.

      Saying latency isn’t an issue on Android because you can hack it is like saying iOS is open because you can jailbreak your phone.

    3. If you want to know why people say Android has latency (and boy does it!) then you should read this article — http://sealedabstract.com/rants/why-mobile-web-apps-are-slow/

      Technically, it’s about why JavaScript is not an acceptable platform for developing mobile applications. However, it all boils down to memory management; specifically, garbage collection. The Android platform is designed around letting a garbage collector manage applications’s memory. This article clearly shows why such a design is a _bad idea_ on mobile, and why it causes so many problems (e.g. latency).

    4. so saying that 3ms system latency is less the 150ms latency means someone is full of shit?
      could you explane the logic behind that statement?^^

      1. Gosh, being full of shit is so awesome ’cause it enables me to make music and have fun with : Animoog, Sunrizer, Thor, Nave, Wavemapper (Wolfgang Palm must be so full of crap too?), iMS20, iPolysix, iMini, Manetron, Magellan, Galiléo… to name a few

        Well, every time I slide to unlock my iPad, I feel so bad, saying myself I’m full of sh*t, then I hook my device to the soundboard and to a decent keyboard and I start to like that sh*t in me…

        Maybe it’s not sh*t, maybe it’s just : Music???

    5. There are hundreds of hardware and software configurations for PC too, and a fair few for Mac – notice that latency isn’t an issue on those platforms? Fragmentation is no excuse for having shitty latency.

      Google need to standardise a low latency audio system if they want their OS to make a dent in the professional market. After all, there is definitely enough money in it for Apple to have done it – they’re making a fortune from their share of all the app sales, not to mention the hardware itself

  8. these guys don’t deliver — Neiro — running android korg !!! – then nothing 🙁

    bad design on the keyboard — moving parts– – the enemy of the mobile artist

    QuNexus is better design

    1. The QuNexus is cool, but most people would prefer standard-sized keys.

      It sounds like the C.24 will have close to normal size keys, just not as deep as on a piano. And the action looks like it is a lot closer to what people are used to, also.

    2. Wouldn’t necessarily call moving parts the enemy of any musician, as I’ve found the QuNexus to feel kinda lifeless under my fingers. I’m in no way bashing the design of QuNexus, but there are bound to be artists (like me) who prefer to feel the subtle resistance of a key giving under the weight of a finger. Perhaps it’s my experience with the piano, or perhaps it’s my fear of leaving a comfort zone… or both.

      But I do understand what you mean, all in all.

    3. Yep, moving parts on a keyboard = instant FAIL!!
      Everyone knows keyboard players would rather press on a plastic button…

    4. I think both the Qunexus and C24 are pretty compelling but for different reasons. Qunexus for it’s inherent realtime control and the ability to interface with CV gear (in AND out). C24 as a smart standard type keyboard that you’re actually likely to have on hand when you suddenly decide you need it. I’ve already got a Qunexus on order and will probably support the c24 as well.

  9. a lot of people gonna be dissappointed if they think the only difference in keys between c.24 and a piano is the depth of the key. what about key width?? definitely won’t be standard or anywhere close to it 🙂

    1. Yep, they are mini keys.

      I generally hate mini keys on synths, but for an iPad keyboard I think it would be ok. The alternative would be for it to have fewer notes, which wound be just as limiting.

    2. I think the rationale they give in the design process video as to the key width makes sense, I’d love to try it and see how it feels.

  10. I think I’ll get it when and if it will be released 😉
    Btw; I have pledged some cash towards this kickstarter project, anyone else?

    2. It would be great if the Android fanboys could discuss Apple based on real criticisms rather than just making stuff up.

  14. Just curious…
    Has anyone else done optical key tracking before? I couldn’t find any references to it elsewhere.

    1. I recall a guy who installs an optical key scanner for Minimoog Model Ds, replacing the need for the bus bar system and adding midi. There’s bound to be other examples too:

    2. I recall a guy who installs an optical key scanner for Minimoog Model Ds, replacing the need for the bus bar system and adding midi. There’s bound to be other examples too..

  16. android (and linux) means having an OS that is outdated in a couple of years. you’re hardware may still be the same, but getting the latest apps that have relevant updates means having to deal with new dependencies/relearning changed standards or even clean installing a new os. i still see a lot of people happy with iPad 2.

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