Multidimensional Expression
The Keith McMillen Instruments K-Board Pro 4 is a 4-octave MIDI keyboard controller with multidimensional touch sensitivity in each key. Beyond the simple velocity sensitivity most MIDI controllers offer, the K-Board Pro 4 recognizes three additional gestures: you can wiggle your finger horizontally to generate vibrato, slide vertically to open up a filter, or apply pressure for polyphonic aftertouch. The data from each gesture is completely assignable and sent individually per note. In addition, there are four assignable horizontal touch sliders above the keys. At Sweetwater, we consider the Keith McMillen K-Board Pro 4 a stroke of genius that will revolutionize the way you make music.
Related Videos: K-Board Pro 4 Smart Sensor Keyboard
MPE: a new MIDI standard
The key (pun intended) to the K-Board Pro 4's hyper-expressiveness is MPE (MIDI polyphonic expression). In regular MIDI, channel-wide messages (for example, pitch bend) are applied to every note being played on a single MIDI channel. With MPE, each note is assigned its own MIDI channel so those messages can be applied individually to each note. MPE gives electronic instruments a level of expressiveness previously attainable only with acoustic instruments. MPE is the new MIDI standard that will drive future generations of expressive controllers. Keith McMillen Instruments designed the K-Board Pro 4 to be the ultimate MPE controller, letting you get in on the ground floor of this exciting technology.
"I’m excited that Keith McMillen Instruments are bringing out the K-Board, further expanding the next generation of expressive keyboard instruments! It’s a joy to play and their expertise in the field of sensor technology and delivering great musical products makes this instrument a guaranteed winner!" - Jordan Rudess
Real-time expressiveness without removing your fingers from the keys
Because it transmits attack and release velocity and continuous pressure, as well as horizontal and vertical position data, the K-Board Pro 4 gives you instant expressiveness without having to take your fingers off the keys, freeing your left hand from traditional pitch-bend and modulation wheel duties. This makes it ideal for adding real-time expression to 2-handed jazz chords or for scoring strings and horns, where you would normally have to go back after-the-fact and add MIDI data for things like volume swells and vibrato.
Expressive SmartFabric sensor technology
The K-Board Pro 4 features 48 resilient silicone keys and no moving parts for superior durability. Under each key is Keith McMillen Instruments' patented Smart Sensor Fabric technology. SmartFabric Sensors underneath each key let you tweak any synthesis parameter in real time simply by moving your fingers while you are playing. The K-Board Pro 4 is USB powered and class compliant to ensure compatibility with MacOS, Windows, iOS, and Android, as well as all MIDI-enabled hardware. A true 21st century keyboard controller, Keith McMillen Instruments' K-Board Pro 4 is primed to take your music into the future. Are you ready?
Keith McMillen Instruments K-Board Pro 4 Features:
- Provides a level of expressiveness previously attainable only with acoustic instruments
- Expressive Smart Sensor Keyboard Fabric technology
- Support for MPE (MIDI polyphonic expression) protocol
- SmartFabric sensors underneath each key
- Transmits attack and release velocity and continuous pressure, as well as horizontal and vertical position data
- 48 resilient silicone keys and no moving parts for superior durability
- USB powered; class compliant
- MacOS/Windows, iOS/Android compatibility
