COI KB 2200

This qualifies as one of the oddest remote keyboards in all of contemporary music. Unveiled in 1979, the COI (California Opto-Electronic Industries) KB 2200 looked like an alarmingly large accordion with two keyboards – one on each side. Their slogan? “On the ground or in the air, you can now be anywhere with the COI KB 2200!” Covering the player’s chest with 3-octave manual keyboards on each side, this remote offerred keyboard players the opportunity of playing lead lines on one side and chords on the other. Pre-dating MIDI by four years, this instrument was just a little too ahead of its time!