Unknown Devices has introduced the Topo T16, a compact MIDI controller that offers three “play modes”, each of which you can customize.
The modes include:
- In Keyboard Mode, Topo makes full use of its pressure sensing ability to convert your finger movements to Velocity and per-note Pressure Midi Messages.
- In Joystick Mode, the keys control a virtual cursor on an XY plane, sending CC messages.
- Fader Mode transforms the device into a 4-channel control surface, with each column of keys acting as individual faders.
4 independent banks allow you to store and recall your favorite setups.
Features:
- Expressive and compact Midi controller with pressure-sensitive keys
- 16 magnetic-sensing keys with velocity and aftertouch
Touch-strip for controlling mode-related - Keyboard, Joystick, and Fader play modes
- 4 Memory Banks, each with it’s own settings
- Highly Customizable, from the layout to the response curve
- WebMidi-based configurator for deep customization
- USB-C for power and midi in/out
- MIDI TRS output, both A and B modes supported
- Experimental OSC support
- 3d printed, high quality case, STLs available for free
Pricing and Availability:
The Topo T16 is available now for 159,00€ excl. vat.
Thought it was kind of gimmicky at first but they’ve put a lot of thought into the design. Trading off spatial resolution for tactile sensitivity definitely makes it feel like more of an instrument interface. The price is pretty good too.
Looks fun and versatile, but that example music is awful. Still, I might pick this up to use with my Dirtywave M8 and Op-1
I ordered the Topo T16 controller back in April based on this article. I eventually received it on July 11, 2024. I could never get it to work as described. I contacted the company owner, so he updated the firmware on his web editor in an attempt to make it work. As of today, it still does not work. Very disappointed with this purchase. I paid almost $200 USD with foreign transaction fee. I hope the developer will make this right somehow.