The Ellitone KeyControl is a unique, handmade MIDI/CV Keyboard Controller that features 12 velocity-sensitive wooden Touch Bars and a built-in ‘ambient poly sequencer’ mode.
The KeyControl is made from Black Walnut hardwood and comes in two versions, with or without AAA portable battery power. The version without AAA battery power is 25% slimmer. Both versions can be powered via USB-C.
The KeyControl is designed to be widely compatible with many different types of existing gear including:
- Computers and Phones running DAWs (USB MIDI);
- Vintage and modern keyboards/synthesizers/drum machines that support classic 5-Pin MIDI;
- Modern synths that support TRS MIDI; and
- Vintage/modern analog synthesizers that require Control Voltages.
Features:
- USB MIDI output via USB-C
- 3.5mm TRS “Style-A” MIDI output that can be easily adapted to classic 5-pin MIDI output using an inexpensive “TRS style-A to 5-pin midi” cable adapter.
- MIDI output messages include CHANNEL, NOTE ON/OFF, VELOCITY
- Control Voltage (CV) features:
- 3 outputs on the right side of the device (3.5mm) provide voltage outputs for NOTE/PITCH, TRIGGER, VELOCITY
- monophonic NOTE/PITCH output voltages are standard 1 Volt Per Octave and have a range of 4 octaves (0-4V)
- Trigger voltage output provides a 25 millisecond pulse at +5 volts whenever a new note is triggered
- Sustained GATE signals can be achieved by holding down the SUSTAIN Button
- Velocity voltage output has a range of 0-4 Volts
Pricing and Availability:
The Ellitone KeyControl MIDI/CV Keyboard Controller and Sequencer is available now, priced starting at $154.99 USD.
Hmm. No visual representation of note value. Helpful.
uh… what?
How does one know what notes of a particular scale they are playing if all keys look the same? Sure, you’ll be in tune every time with a set scale but no way to visualise it. Visualising chords on a traditional keyboard is easy. Here, not so.
muscle memory. or little colored stickers if you need to look at the keyboard?
No you don’t, if you know what which notes you’re playing. If not, you’re playing random crap-shoot.
Have you ever heard of a tuner? You can get them as phone apps. This is not the big deal you’re making it out to be. But I’m glad you got some frustration out in the Synthtopia comment section, hopefully it will help you be nicer to the next service worker who has to deal with your attitude in real life.
“Don’t limit your creativity with what you can’t see” – Mark Twain
Randomness is great and can certainty produce cool results. Not knowing why you made a cool result makes the process more difficult and harder to try to repeat (in some form). That can slow down the process of composition.
now that’s a nice looking instrument.
It is, indeed, but form should follow function. This offers nothing of value other than looking stylish.
Did you not watch the video? It’s got a ton of interesting modes and options that your average M-AUDIO midi controller just doesn’t have. Yes, it’s not a substitute for a nice weighted keyboard, but it’s not pretending to be either.
Yeah, I did, sport. I get where you’re coming from. I’m just suggesting that something might be lost when you don’t know why certain hand positions sound better than others because you’re using, essentially, a piano with all white keys.
Perhaps don’t call people “sport.” Makes you sound like a passive aggressive soccer dad.
Ha, this is fun 🙂
I’m not a fan of football.
Geez, we’re being a bit sensitive aren’t we?
What’s wrong with considered dissent? I just can’t see any value in this wooden box.
I encourage everyone to spend their hard-earned cash as they see fit and truly wish them much enjoyment with their purchase. Each to their own.