Developer Isla Instruments has introduced a Kickstarter project to fund the production of the KordBot MIDI controller.
KordBot is described as a ‘music production assistant that combines a chord generator, arpeggiator and step sequencer In one unit.’ It has 32 built-in chord types including inversions for each, with another eight user-banks for storing custom chord types.
Features:
Chord Generation
- KordBot contains 32 built-in chord shapes along with inversions.
- Users can also input their own chord shapes.
- Song Builder Mode where KordBot will automatically pre-select all harmonically related chords in a given key and present them to the user for quick access.
- A ChordSpread rotary control expands the amount of notes used in the chord
- Humanisation functions to vary note velocity and starts of notes.
- Chord Strum mode – Use Ribbon controller to strum notes of a chord.
Arpeggio
- Access to the same functions as chord mode.
- Standard arpeggio patterns up/down/updown and many different patterns including the ability to enter user patterns.
- Variable note length
- Swing functions
- Sync to an external MIDI clock
- Strum / Repeat / Latch modes
Step Sequencer (currently under development)
- 32 steps
- Up to 4 sequencer channels
- Each step can play a single note, rest, chord or MIDI cc value
Midi Mode
- Use as a normal MIDI controller, 32 chord modifier buttons become note on/off buttons (can be used for launching clips in ableton etc)
- All controls, including the pressure and location sensitive ribbon controller, can be assigned to MIDI CC.
- Memory pads can be used as drum pads.
User Interface
- Two Octave illuminated keyboard (chord fingerings are presented to user)
- 32 ‘Chord Modifiers’ illuminated (8 reconfigurable for user defined chord types)
- Four rotary controllers with push buttons for settings change
- Six Chord Memory pads
- Illuminated 128 x 64 OLED Display
- 4″ force and location sensing ribbon controller, assignable to MIDI cc or used for the ‘strum’ feature.
Connectivity
- Standard MIDI 5 pin DIN IN/OUT
- USB host MIDI interface / power
- SYNC in/out for classic hardware
- Sustain pedal input
- Bluetooth MIDI
- DC input jack (for MIDI only use)
- Rechargeable Lithium Polymer battery (if stretch funding goal reached)
The KordBot is available to project backers for US $249. See the project site for details.
This thing looks awesome! I can’t wait until (if) it finally releases, it gets reviews, gets fixed, and gets an updated release!
This does indeed look awesome! This looks like a real handy tool for composing new and interesting ideas!
Learning to play music is too tough. :\
:/ kind of. I have many synths and such and really haven’t had any training except what I pick up from tutorials and others advice. I work a lot and have to deal with my son a lot so simply learning in a traditional sense isn’t going fit into my schedule. Something like this would help me out a lot to learn.
I’ve been playing for 20 years and I still have a hard time transposing chords or dealing with chord structures because it’s very hard for me to id chords by ear. Not everyone comes at things from the same musical tradition or starting out with the same set of tools and instruments.
I see your point. But I guess you could say the same thing for arpeggiators, and even sequencers. This thing is kind of nice for someone who maybe plays guitar and wants to quickly lay down some chord progressions either in a DAW or on a hardware synth.
Awesome work! This is something i really need.
Also USB powered…holy crap. This could replace my bulky Korg Taktile 25 in my battery-powered live-setup! Will save money and order one most likely.
#makebeatsnotwar
No velocity. Also, unless I’m totally misjudging the size of the thing, there should be a kickstarter option to have it come with a magnifying glass installed on that screen!
Believe it or not, the screen is actually very clear and bright. it’s an OLED not the same as LCD.
It certainly looks bright enough, but some of the text in that video looks microscopic. What’s the height (mm) of the smallest letter the screen is meant to show?
about 3mm. My eyesight isnt 20/20 and I have no trouble reading it.
but also..
You can turn on a ‘zoom mode’ which, when you move a pot, the screen enlarges the readout for that control.
From a comment on his Kickstarter: “We’re going from a 128×64 mono screen to a 128×160 color screen. which is just under an inch larger too!”
Velocity/pressure sensitivity WOULD be crazy-awesome.
Nice, but for me the Fiddlewax app does the job just fine and its free. I don’t need another physical gadget.
I can already imagine wanting it to have a tiny bit of different latency for each key when playing a chord with just one button.
Already thought of that! there is a variable note start and end function which can be assigned to a rotary.
this ‘humanizes’ the feel of the chord being played!
great! only one thing i don’t like: 32 steps only.
when will there be sequencers with up to 32 bars?
Can it change midi channel with a knob/button or shift+x? velocity/pressure sensitivity would make it a must buy item.
This looks awesome. Great help to music learners. Guys I am tracking this on http://www.liovinci.com/i/kordbot to get any further details
I ordered just over a month ago, paid. Webiste says 4-6 weeks. I get it you’re a small company. Its week 4 I have heard ZERO from them at all, I messaged via webform ..nothing opened ticket, 5 days … crickets… Pinged them on a Friday via FB. They see it and do not respond (it’s Monday eve) Guys FYI I can tell that you see my message. I decide to escalate and post on their site kindly asking for info….. NOTHING.. a couple days later I am getting upset you have my money and NO COMMUNICATION, I post again a bit more , lets say aggressively asking “when will my order be shipped” they immediately get back via PM saying ;
“We will never ship it to you since you posted on our FB page” – and they erase the posts…
WOW WOW WOW, this is a very very unprofessional operation. Does not matter how big or small, You piss off one person it will mean hundreds in lost sales. Its Business 101. Learn customer service, if you have growing pains, deal with them, don’t bite more than you can chew. Regardless grow up and treat your paid customers with respect. Don’t act like children. You may think you are something hot for a second but you won’t have lasting power treating people this way. My advise to anyone reading this is to think twice before giving money to this company at this point. They do not deserve it nor can they really handle it. Just my experience.