ROLI BLOCKS - The Pros, The Cons, and Why I'm Returning It

My review of Roli's latest innovation, Blocks, after three days of use. I am specifically discussing and playing the Songmaker Kit in this video.
I love Roli and the technology they bring is amazing. Blocks has its problems though, and ultimately, I will be returning it. Find out why and let me know what you think!

[@KSoul]

You definitely need to more of these. I think unbiased information like this will def be helpful to someone.

[@JeremyCaruthers]

K Soul yessir

[@danieljung2810]

He's review shows his lack of using the system. You can adjust sensitivity in the Noise software. You also only connect one block when they are magnetically connected. You connect individual blocks only if they are not magnetically connected saving battery life. I do agree their manual and instructions suck though.

[@EricBalcon]

Sorry but It shows clearly a connection problem in bluetooth , this kind of stuck note can not happen, imagine this kind of problem when your are live ? it needs to be improved but once you are in bluetooth you face connection problems, it should be wifi.

[@swissivory]

This is the first and only review so far that I found honest, authentic, and enjoyable to watch. Felt like you're talking to your audience and not just saying what people want to hear, it's genuine and informative. Thank you!

[@JeremyCaruthers]

DJ Swissivory glad it was helpful!

[@zak8953]

I learned the "trick". I haven't found anyone else who had the issues that I've experience (besides yourself). The trick is to "press" the pads instead of tapping. This obviously creates pretty big limitations, but I kept mine for numerous other reasons.

[@danielracovitan9779]

you just wanted confirmation for an opinion you already had; he served it to you; I use the Seaboard block, and I am more than satisfied

[@parzydlakgajusia1605]

DJ Swissivory bull crap !

[@andrewkondrat]

my item works fine. there is a lag on bluetooth, but its not a probelm to wire it up

[@joeyzhang1403]

I swear to god this is the best review I ever watched in all kinds of aspect. You seem to be a reeeeally nice guy!

[@JeremyCaruthers]

Joey Zhang thank you and thanks for watching!

[@johnbeal8395]

I am terribly grateful for your review and for including in the title that you were going to return it.

[@JeremyCaruthers]

Glad I could help!

[@charlesford8692]

I watched this, went to your page and am completely surprised that you dont have an expansive library of reviews. you killed it man. such a likable attitude

[@bruceholms]

Jeremy, really good "unbiased" review. I could feel your frustration. This instrument has so much potential that it has yet to be really understood by most of us. I tried the Roli in LA at the Guitar Center the day that they got it. No one could even make it work for the first hour! Anyway, after about 30 minutes using it, I was both "blown away" by the incredible promise and completely baffled by the learning curve. One thing for sure -- this is NOT like your Daddy's first synth! I agree with you on the flexibility of the Roli with the iPad -- which is why I even looked at your review. You nailed it with the cons. Thanks for your fantastic review. I hope that Roli and Apple get back to work and make this thing mature to it's promise! Hopefully they won't just try and push it "AS IS" on everybody. Finally, you have a really good "stage presence" -- keep up the good work. BTW -- good looking studio with the giant screen in back of you!

[@JeremyCaruthers]

Thanks for watching and commenting! I agree. And thanks for the studio compliment. I've done some new things, I need to post another video!

[@captainterrific]

Wow. This review is literally everything a review SHOULD be but almost never are. PACKED with info. You should review stuff for a living, dude.

[@JeremyCaruthers]

Thanks!

[@megamaser]

Yeah most reviews just regurgitate the marketing information from the manufacturer. This review actually gives you the practical real world experience of using the device. Exactly what you need to hear when deciding whether to buy it.

[@vmi4172]

Wow. Just wow. It doesn't take much to impress you huh? Lol

[@captainterrific]

@@vmi4172 Yeah. And apparently a hundred and fifty-five other people. But somehow, just not you. Go figure.

[@vmi4172]

@@captainterrific Totally wow.

[@danielh2936]

This is a great review. I really enjoyed it, however, I think a lot of these problems were fixed with the new studio edition versions and M versions of the lightpad blocks. The different control blocks have also been changed, and the live block really helped me. But this is a genuine and an informative review.

[@JeremyCaruthers]

Thanks!

[@Esotyrik]

Something that might help give your drum tracks the "hip hop swing" with quantization, is to change your time signature to 12/8. You can use tap tempo to set the quarter note speed, and then play the rhythm with the feel you need. The snapping should be the same feel as a swing 4/4. Hope that helps!

[@robbynwusic]

Wholesome review, my dude. Thank you! I love that you totally don't want to trash the product and gave great feedback to the company while letting us know what you found in your experience in it. I didn't think I was going to watch your whole video but your sincerity just pulled me right in, it was great!

[@affafelkhawass2520]

16:40 man you're so sweet and humble, the best review I have ever heard, just the honesty is enough, do whatever you want to do with this way and style and you'll reach the sky man, hope for you all the best, anytime you want to visit Egypt just let me know, take care you happy human

[@cyberpuddy668]

Excellent video! Very helpful! I appreciate the care you took to be very specific about the pros and cons of each component of the system. Your passion for the product, and your disappointment in it, were clear and respectfully presented. I wish more KZbin product reviews were up to this standard of integrity and professionalism. Thank you.

[@JeremyCaruthers]

Thank you! So glad I could help!

[@Makallaka]

I am one of the Kickstarters for the LUMI keys and that issue where the played notes stick is STILL an issue in 2021. I am using the latest version of the ROLI software. Plus, this issue occurred for me even when the LUMI was directly connected (bluetooth was disabled). Excellent review, btw. :)

[@AlychneAbscissa]

Thanks, this is a good review, done honestly. Last month bought just the Block and hooked it into Logic 10's synths. I found it's it's own instrument after a lot of fiddling with the controls. I did a really nice piece with it (first time's free) but I can see the limitations you point out. It's fussy to program, and tricky to play but I might get it under the fingers. Yes, get the block by itself and use it as a 5D midi controller. Equator is bundled and there are several videos on the Logic interfaces, probably some on your favorite DAW too. Roli makes it easy to connect with MIDI.

[@mredd2nd]

Thanks from a pure beginner here. Well done

[@JeremyCaruthers]

Thank u, glad I could help

[@richardjackson5670]

Best review I’ve seen for this! I ordered the Seaboard block! I’m happy you still like that and I’m glad you were honest about the other blocks. I won’t waste my money buying anything else but the seaboard. Thanks 🙏🏾

[@Tidepodss]

please do more reviews like this, your bluntness makes them feel honest and you just saved me time and money so thank you very much.

[@JeremyCaruthers]

Glad I could help. I plan on doing more when I get the time!

[@yuccatree4298]

Mister Caruthers sir - A gorgeous, informative, entertaining and delicious review right here. You have a way for sure. Keep on and stay fabulous 🌻

[@JacquelineJax]

Thanks for the honest review. I was bugging about not buying this and almost got it for my birthday. You actually made me happy hearing the cons because people just were not being honest about it. Now I can invest the money in a new iPad without feeling that I’m missing out on the roli. I play music on my iPad all the time so touch is great and it just really does everything.

[@AKSisOnline]

The BEST (and the only proper) ROLI review on KZbin! Thanks a lot!!!!!

[@jakehendriksen2841]

I really appreciate your honesty about your hopes and frustrations, which helped me be even more confident in the things you liked.

[@fumps]

Never seen you before on anything, but I thought your review was fantastic. I really liked the stripped back style & the way you speak to the camera like your just being you & Having a conversation. You seem to have good knowledge and that's why people will be interested in your videos. If this is your first review, you killed it man. Keep it simple and state your opinion and give the reasons for them & you cant go far wrong. Keep doing what your doing mate Big love from the UK

[@JeremyCaruthers]

Thanks for the feedback and encouragement!

[@KingArthur72076]

I agree with the others that commented on your video. This one of the most honest review on this product. No other KZbinr’s said anything bad about the roli system. The stuck notes would have been a nice piece of info. Good job 👏

[@twinnsoniq]

I appreciate your honesty in this review. You've earned my sub my friend. #respect

[@JeremyCaruthers]

Thank you!

[@siccavicca]

Yep I agree .. u earn mine too fam i don’t do that often ...big up n keep it up

[@8daudiolyrics576]

I was really looking for some reviews like this!! Thanks for making it!!

[@FloatingOnAZephyr]

By FAR the most informative and useful video on this stuff I've found. Thank you!

[@JeremyCaruthers]

Glad I could help

[@FloatingOnAZephyr]

@@JeremyCaruthers You did! Any word on whether some of these issues have been remedied in the 14 months since your review? I really want the Seaboard itself, and I'm unsure how much I'd use the other blocks, but the Songmaker Kit comes with all three + a case + the full version of the Equator player (a £69 upgrade on the free version that comes with the standalone Seaboard). It makes me wonder if it's worth just paying the £200 extra for the kit and saving on the case and the upgrade, making the two other blocks more like £100 combined.

[@dlopez61]

AMAZING BRO! Just got my light block and going crazy tryin to configure this thing. Thank you. BTW You got my subscription

[@imnotjacob.]

This was honestly the best review I've ever seen. Refreshingly genuine.

[@JeremyCaruthers]

Thank you

[@createsomethingclever9249]

Came here to chime in and agree with those below, GREAT REVIEW DUDE! I was pleasantly surprised at the clarity, sincerity, and honesty about the features. These are things often glossed over by those posting sponsored reviews that sound as though the feature list and video script got mixed up. I subbed, KEEP IT UP DUDER!

[@JeremyCaruthers]

Thanks!

[@pdppdp3854]

great video!! i just got a hold of the Roli seaboard mini.. without the block.. and i figured the same regarding all issues you point out!! the issue of stuck notes lol... thats a big one!! glad you pointed that out.. i going to connect for the first time to my seaboard mini... with all the helpful knowledge you have shared!! cheeRs!!!!!

[@TyQuinn]

Incredibly thorough, informative and helpful. Really appreciate it man. Great review!

[@JeremyCaruthers]

Glad I could help!

[@Welcome2GirafficPark]

The genuine and humble personality is a breath of fresh air.. subscribed and really looking forward to future reviews if you decide to do them. The only thing I could see to make them better would be if you did quick visual examples like showing the lightboard adjustment, then making the adjustment on the app to show the difference. That's a lot of editing though, so while it would absolutely put you on another level, it's the true to word character that really matters.

[@diegobarriga8330]

Great review. I will take into consideration that this video is 3 years old but now i know which problems to look for. Most likely they were fixed. Any how, i planned to get the seaboard block alone first so from this old review even that seems like a good idea. Thanks!!

[@DeadliestEvil]

What I’m getting from this is get the seaboard and don’t use the app lol. Don’t really know why you’d use the app over a daw anyway unless you don’t have one. Good vid man.

[@harpburn]

Wow, you got something here brother! I was considering on buying at least the small Keyboard. What your offering is what people on our level need., The practical application of some of the gizmos we like to play with are not up to our stream of consciousness. I've been doing this since the mid 80s! And in someways, I regret going digital because of latency. Excellent work. Big fan!

[@JusticeConstantine]

Thank you for your honesty. I have the Roli Rise 49 key. It may be worth of it to you invest in it. The keys are longer and bigger than the two octave one you have. So that means you have more nuance control over the notes both sliding up or sideways. When I got my keyboard, they were still being manufactured in London, England, so I don't know what the quality difference may be now that Roli is being manufactured in Mexico. I hope this encourages you to try the Rise 49 key. I write music spanning from Hip Hop, Jazz, Punk to Classical and this Roli has been useful in all these genres. For the writing "beats", I recommend either just using a normal keyboard or a MPC controller.

[@MaterialMike]

Is so good to see genuine gear reviews, thank man.

[@dathyr1]

Great job Jeremy with your review. Now 2020-This comment comes a couple years later. I bought the initial Seaboard 49 before all these newer products came out. My Seaboard 49 is physically USB connected to the computer, no Bluetooth back then. First keyboard I got did have a stuck key when I hit it and Roli quickly replaced the keyboard and have had no issues since then. I like the Seaboard 49 cause it provides standard size keys on the keyboard, has 3 touch sliders to control different effect parameters, 2 buttons for going through patches, and 2 buttons to shift the entire keyboard note ranges up or down. You need to be tied to a computer to get the sounds, this keyboard itself is just a controller. The Seaboard 49 is fun to play and very expressive with the 5 degrees of sound sensitivity. You do have to be careful with these sound settings turned up at times and have to play very accurate on the keys-otherwise the note played can quickly be shifted degrees out of tune-especially if you have pitch bend cranked up high. What I really like about the Roli keyboard is there are no normal "black keys sticking up" and in the way and can play all the keys and do things that you cant do on a standard keyboard. The 2 long slide bars above and below all the keys are the coolest features to experiment around with. I can hold down multiple notes and slide all their tones up or down along the slide bars.. This keyboard is super for doing any special effects on my tracks in my DAW. Although the Seaboard 49 is designed around using their software(Equator-Dashboard), I can make several of the 5 degrees of sound to work with non Roli products-such as Kontakt. I know the Seaboard 49 is expensive, but all in all over the years I have had this keyboard, I really enjoy playing on it. I did not go for getting any of the other Blocks products when they came out.

[@thekinkyhabit]

Love how u really cared bout it, not just a hater, full respect man🔥

[@JeremyCaruthers]

Did my best!

[@aidenlemons3071]

This was 100% more helpful than anything i have seen. Thank you

[@nebulonv6015]

awesome review dude. i get the feeling you're very much not in the same music realm I am, but this review was ENORMOUSLY helpful as I almost bought one of these the other day. Thinking twice now!

[@JeremyCaruthers]

Glad I could help. Maybe try to get your hands on one and see how it works for you.

[@stevezilla5230]

This was the best review of a product I have seen in a while. Awesome job just telling the facts as you saw it.

[@JeremyCaruthers]

Thanks!

[@stevezilla5230]

@@JeremyCaruthers No problem man. I was very interested in getting the song maker kit and had been holding off due to the cost. Since it's apparent you took the time to really use the product as opposed to rushing a review in the first week or two you gave us way more valuable information about the limitations of the devices. I guess I will have to save up for the Roli Seaboard 49 in order to keep those slides going. After watching this video I looked up your channel hoping to find more good reviews. Hoping you make some more as time allows.

[@JesseSeaver]

You're awesome! This was the most useful review of the ROLI Songmaker Kit that I found and I really appreciated your detail. I hope you continue doing this kind of thing as I think you could easily have more than 452 Subscribers! (You have 453 now, me!) Cheers!

[@OhShootKid]

Man, after watching way too many hours of reviews, that intro rhodes playing really calmed me down. Thanks man :)

[@brmm48]

I just tried this out in 2020... I had the same exact experience with my Roli SK ( garage band edition) and brand new iPad. It is frustrating! It was a great relief to find out you had the same problems!!! Thanks so much for that. I just saw that Roli has not updated Noise for 2 years ( apparently after last 2/21 ipad ios update) Noise screen is now going all black where the controls are... so I can, t even use Noise anymore ( yes I have reinstalled it about 15 times i think now... and garage band too).. And since I had to wait over 6 months to get my SK after Covid, I found out they are having a problem getting parts to make them for distribution, which makes me wonder, Roli must be trying to figure out how to save their business? Updating software, customer support, is probably low on the priority list... So, I imagine they may be trying to recreate the Roli with parts they can access?? i do not have a Mac but besides my Ipad, I have a Dell, Windows 10 with required specs, so I tried that with less success...bc there is no Roli hardware driver anywhere on my PC after install. No matter how many times I reinstall. So, I cannot even launch Roli Connect... sweetwater tech worked on it for 45 minutes to no avail). Now I am thinking about getting a Macbook... but of course the question in the back of my mind is, “ How long will that work until there is another software issue?” No customer support, no Roli working on software updates etc... I know it is crazy to say I still want to try to make it work. Why? I am a complete newbie at all of this, keyboards, electronic music, everything. But for therapeutic reasons, that squishy keyboard feel, the lights, the tactical part coupled with the mpe technology? I can not find any replacement. I wish there was at this point. My iPad apps would say memory problem too .. did u get that? Ive got 100 gbs of storage left? Why would it do that?

[@CookinBeatloaf]

Hearing the disappointment was sad but also helped me know I'm not the only to experience gear like this sometimes...so many reviews and previews and looks are just super curated situations with a computer that prob has never been online or had anything else connected to it

[@mitchselko7889]

I recently got the Roli Songmaker Kit and ran into the same issues. I'm thinking future updates may fix the problems. Thanks for the concise and informative video.

[@JeremyCaruthers]

Mitch Selko awesome! Thanks for watching.

[@szla.]

Thx bro for such a honest and genuine opinion. I saw lots of reviews and yours is the only one that doesn’t feel like an advertisement to me. I was wondering if the block was worth it but I think that for the moment I’ll just try the seabord.

[@mariusvanwitzenburg]

You answered all my questions and learned me something new. Thanks :)

[@Tazmanian_Ninja]

Thank you so much for making this review, Jeremy. Very helpful!

[@JeremyCaruthers]

Thanks! Glad I could help.

[@abhishekprabhu1]

Wow, authentic and gentle by the way, thanks Jeremy, Subscribed after watching this video, i'm from India. God bless you.

[@JeremyCaruthers]

Thank you

[@epicwork5970]

@@JeremyCaruthers did they ever fix the issues ?

[@LowCor09]

Bloody awesome, I was on may way to buy...but I think I shall wait till they tweek it a little, your info was so beneficial...was thinking of getting it for our daughter she’s a producer/songwriter here in Australia...I could imagine her getting frustrated with those problems as well however the convenience for travel and setup for live gigs will be fabulous. Let’s hope Roli take on board your cons, valuable info to better their system. Cheers bud welldone, I subscribed straight up thank you 🤘

[@october001]

Fair and *valuable* product review! I almost bought this kit. Thanks!

[@JeremyCaruthers]

Glad to help

[@MickGrigg]

Thanks Jeremy, awesome, authentic, honest first product review ! More like that please. I'd personally like you to stuck with the kit and work through the issues but only because I like your presentation style and want to see more vids :)

[@MickGrigg]

Just noticed the date you posted vid. Guess im a bit late lol.

[@bri_oni]

Honestly one of the best reviews ive watched. im so glad to hear that you had no cons with the seaboard itself, i just ordered one and it will be used wired most of the time. (also thinking of buying more, because a 120 key seaboard sounds nuts) Can't wait for your review of the Osmose ;)

[@basscliff55]

Thank you For your honesty. I will need heavily on reviews like this because I live on the mainland and can’t always get hands-on experience with the product.

[@basscliff55]

I rely heavily on reviews like this so thank you

[@janvannkandla3183]

Thank you! So glad I could change my order in time! Going for the Rise 49 instead. I am in Africa and the Songmaker kit would have been a very expensive mistake for me!

[@JeremyCaruthers]

[e-mail] glad I could help. Was in Africa for the first time last year (Tanzania and Mozambique). Spoke to a guy who wanted a drone but they were too expensive to import. So I understand!

[@BevisFriend2010]

Great review. Thanks very much. I just got a Seaboard block for £135. Should be great fun. Really looking forward to using Alchemy & Air Vacuum Pro with it.

[@Yakmusicuk]

Nice review man! I have been a ROLI user for a while and love it - that said I think you pointed out a number of improvements that could be made with the NOISE app! :)

[@JeremyCaruthers]

Yak Thanks for watching! It was close. But not quite there for me. Excited to see where it goes tho!

[@chasemurray8993]

Yak do you import sound or what i want to buy but need help

[@johnrun712]

Thanks for the detail as I am thinking of getting the keyboard only used wired, so very useful video.

[@weizheng9893]

Thank you for the honest review, really helpful. Keep on doing such reviews!

[@pawnjp7946]

I own one of these things. Everything he said is right. You’re welcome.

[@Corral1998]

Do you know if it works with fl studios or is the DAW limited with this board?

[@what-uu3zn]

@@Corral1998 pretty sure it doesnt work with fl. works with most of the other big ones though

[@MuthafuckinPuddings]

@@Corral1998 fl studio sucks balls for external midi instruments

[@nickarmitt4722]

@@MuthafuckinPuddings I just use LMMS. A bad workman blames his tools. XD

[@grzegorzlasowski6327]

Great Review Helped me very much just resigned from songmaker kit and will go for seaboard block only propably.

[@JeremyCaruthers]

I think that's probably the way to go. Thanks for watching!

[@anaqim]

Thanks for the advice! saved me the hassle :)

[@quizkitten9641]

Thank you so much for this. What a wonderfully different (but awesome) way of putting these thoughts together. Also, that musical intro is fire.

[@JeremyCaruthers]

Thank u

[@leepritchard]

Great review. Really useful, I have seen many of the other reviews and was on the fence, this was really helpful and real and I have decided to hold off. Thanks for been really honest 👍👍

[@JeremyCaruthers]

Glad to help

[@alpersungur6979]

Right on, thank you for this amazing unbiased review

[@MichaelZola]

Thanks so much for the honesty. I enjoy playing midi instruments. Bluetooth has caused my other keyboard to have similar latency issues that make it unusable unplugged. I’m just as big of a fan of this pioneering company as you. The video definitely brought to mind some things to consider and which application this device works best. This video definitely helped me considering the purchase!

[@JeremyCaruthers]

Glad I could help!

[@franciscoproner]

Thanks for the review!! I would never imagine.

[@thedeanofgreens]

You 100% should start doing reviews. This was one of the best I've seen.

[@thechoiceisyaws]

so informative! thank you. can't give you any pointers because I think you did a great job. looking for a comprehensive in depth review I think you hit all the important things, reiterated appropriately, and edited out any excess. awesome review

[@BubbaSatori]

Excellent review. Well delivered and authentic viewpoint. Thanks! Going to pass on the kit and give the Block a try out.

[@JeremyCaruthers]

BubbaSatori glad I could help!

[@newsong80]

I've seen hundreds of reviews over the years and yours is the best. It is honest and true. I really want Roli to work for me. I haven't committed yet but have had my eye on it for a few years. They've made it more affordable in the Roli Block, but I really wish they would make it playable without a Mac or iPad. For me, I would have to buy a laptop or another iPad to play it since my current iPad displays songs and chords. That is pricey. However, I will peek into the Roli world every year for improvements. Thank you Jeremy.

[@iontrandafir5762]

Roli don't even thinking of getting their Equator software working on LINUX, the musician will be FORCED into buying MAC, iPAD, Microsoft Windows 11 OS and PC , and so on

[@briannicepianoworship8944]

Excellent job...you play excellently, and you were honest...most reviewers act like they are afraid to be honest.. salute you on your honesty yet compassion towards rolo as a company 👍🏿

[@JeremyCaruthers]

Brian Nice thanks bro!

[@specialkace]

This was on the money. Best unbiased review on this product.

[@charliemiller3755]

Can honestly see you as a great reviewer for music tech! This was an amazing review and that I hope you keep doing more man!

[@JeremyCaruthers]

Thank you!

[@LithausYT]

Breathtaking review, thank you very much. You are an absolute legend saved me a lot of time and money.

[@JeremyCaruthers]

Glad to help

[@LearningwithMarkWarren]

I got the Lightpad Block M and Live Block and returned it for many of the same reasons you mentioned. My biggest gripes were that 1) they are advertised to be wireless but...Not if you're on a PC in your DAW! Bluetooth does not work on Windows. It was buried in the support that Windows Bluetooth doesn't work. 2)The Dashboard software was glitchy. Sometimes it would show it was connected. Sometimes it connected, disconnected, and then reconnected. Other times the settings wouldn't save to the device. It got really frustrating trying to get it to work right. 3) The accessory blocks only fully function in the Noise app. There are no presets for your DAW and you would have to custom midi map everything. I really wanted to love the blocks but they're not ready for prime time yet.

[@JeremyCaruthers]

Learning with Mark Warren More good points. And I agree with your last statement. Thanks for watching and for the feedback!

[@findenlight]

this was real, down to earth & hella informative. than kyou & keep be real

[@mattsynth]

I just purchased a Rise 49 a couple of weeks ago and use it with Cubas as a controller. At first I also had trouble with it but once I learned all about how it worked I fell in love. It works 100% with Equator which is a unbelievable instrument in itself. It does have some issues with slide with my hardware synths but Roli has insured me them issues in Dashboard will be resolved soon. The main reason I went with Rise 49 is that it has full size keys and 4 octaves. Give it time and you may fall in love also.

[@JeremyCaruthers]

mattsynth I do love the Rise 49! I was speaking about the Roli Songmaker Kit in this video. It has issues that you don't and can't have with the Rise 49.

[@bimaxim]

Jeremy and mattsynth I'm really curious of Rise 25 or 49. How would you compare 1 seabord block w rise 25, and 2 blocks connected w rise 49? biggest question is, does it worth paying twice more for controls on the side of rise? Are they really useful? Thanks for the vid btw!

[@JeremyCaruthers]

@@bimaxim between the rise 25 and one block, it would probably really be up to preference and application. If you need something mobile and don't need the controls, I guess the block. If it's gonna be mainly stationary, like a studio application, after my experience, I would pay more and get the Rise 25. As for two of them together, I guess the same conditions apply. However, note that you cannot slide across two blocks, which stinks cuz that's half the fun of the Seaboard... So that is one functionality you sacrifice.

[@mattsynth]

Bimaxim It all depends on what you plan to do with this keyboard. If you are just going to do leads or base lines Blocks may be enough for you. I use my Rise 49 as a studio controller for pads and sample instruments in Omnisphere, Kontak and Equator so a full size keyboard is essential. The side controllers are just icing on the cake and I use them all the time to control effects and parameters I do not want on the keys. The 49 is also solid and very heavy so it stays put on a desktop or lap unlike two connected blocks that are lightweight and move around when you press into them.

[@peterdowsett4737]

I bought a set of Blocks, one of each. I had high hopes as well. I assumed that the offline messages were defective connections, so I found that to be frustrating. I also found that Blocks would slide apart from each other as I played. I decided to keep the Seaboard Block because I never had a problem with it. I also bought the Seaboard Rise 49. If you like the Blocks, get the Rise. It is SO worth it! What an amazing board to play, and you get those four octave glides! In my time with these units, I’ve never had the stuck notes in Logic, and I’ve found latency is next to nothing when I put it in Low Latency mode. Finally, be sure to get the full version of Equator. Ive never played anything so expressive before, and I’ve played A LOT of hardware and soft synths. Thanks for your review!

[@TheDessez]

Good review. Answered some questions I had. Thanks.

[@JeremyCaruthers]

Glad I could help!

[@mikabreto]

Maybe it’s because I just bought a Roli Block used on eBay, that I don’t know what you are referencing when you talk about Equator. It must be a VST, right? You are spot on with all the shortcomings of the Block vs iPad issue regarding Noise. So frustrating! I went between the Block and the iPad screen testing out the wildly different results that occurred when attempting to make the same gestures in both. The difference was like night and day! Did the software developers even TEST the Block with the Noise app? I sure hope that they expand its functionality to operate as a general purpose MIDI controller. I have plans to plug it in and use it as such. I’ll let you know how I fared. Thanks for the unbiased straight talk.

[@BassAnywhere]

Great review man ! I purchased the song maker kit 2 months ago and I agree with all your points. Still the seaboard and lightpad block are nice MPE controller and Equator do has nice sounds so I might keep them for doing ambiant stuff and add more expression to my tracks. As for stuck notes, I don't know what is your issue with the software but I never had that with the seaboard or lightpad. Keep it up bro !

[@JeremyCaruthers]

Tony Mohamed thank you! I am looking forward to trying it again in the future.

[@CaidicusProductions]

Your playing was pretty awesome, in the beginning of the video. Thanks for making this! I made a review of the blocks as well, and had almost exactly the same feelings as you. Loop (and live) blocks are useless, the light block (I got the old one, unfortunately) is like trying to mash your fingers into concrete to thumb a beat, a beat which will MAYBE record all you thumbed in, but probably won't, and the Seaboard Block is a pleasure to use. I didn't return mine, I just put them on a shelf to forget about them. Noise is super disappointing, stuttering and recording stuff unreliably. I even made a "6 months later" review of Noise, more of a rant than a review, naming the same damn problems that still exist. Your presentation of all these issues is way better than mine, and man, I feel you. Thanks again for making this review.

[@CaidicusProductions]

P.S. Liked and subscribed.

[@JeremyCaruthers]

Appreciate the feedback and kind words! Good to know I'm not crazy... Many people saying they're having the same issues. Thanks again!

[@robman80808]

Fabulous review, thanks. I think knowing the limitations you’ve pointed out first will help me with my purchase decision. I still like the idea of the lightpad as a control surface, so,if I lower my expectations I should be happy if I can get one for a good price.

[@SweetScaleTV]

I'm looking to get the 49 key seaboard don't need the drums so thanks for feed back!

[@josiahsavino]

BRO THE INTRO IS AMAZIng. Can you do a tutorial showing how u played the guitar and rhoads keyboard? like what did you use? Daw, Logic, other, What instrument....ect even the chords and notes. I would love to learn what you did. AMAZING

[@robertj1303]

Thank you very much. I have downloaded Noise and Seaboard 5D apps and you do not really need any hardware beyond an iPad and mine is 6 years old. I connected it to logic pro as an external instrument and can record etc. I have an Arturia keylab essential 88 which I can drive the sounds with also.

[@gsten2116]

Great honest review. You seem like a decent guy willing to help their dev team. I did the se with an early GPS based red light detection system. I helped them find bugs And they gave me free subscription. Seemed fair as i have a tech background myself. Please let us know how it goes.

[@AndyTanguay]

Yeah, the Roli stuff is sorta like Apple without the good fit and finish. Great design and concepts...just not quite there. The Seaboard blocks are amazing though.

[@JeremyCaruthers]

I agree with "great design and concept, just not quite there." I like Roli. These weren't up to par for me tho.

[@Yapouchkine1]

Hi Jeremy, Thanx for the review. I saw another review by a French guy who said using it with virtual instruments outside of their Equator and Noise, that there is much less control. You can't really slide, which is what the Rolli is supposed to do par excellence !!! BUMMER Thanx again.

[@rubbelkdiekatz]

any update from roli on the issues? Thinking about buying this kit. great review btw

[@JeremyCaruthers]

Thanks. But no. I gave up fully pursuing it because I didnt think it was worth it.

[@farbschlachterei]

@@JeremyCaruthers you've right now some update? This 5D stuff is a great invention. But if they have still this issues, it doesn't make sense to fuck around with this.

[@gr8tbigtreehugger]

Thanks for your candor!

[@susgwin7987]

Thank you-I love your style❣️

[@JeremyCaruthers]

Thanks!

[@benjiusofficial]

After hearing this, I am more convinced that this is controller is gonna be amazing for me. It doesn't seem like something for a 'beatmaker'. Stoked to hook the RISE up to Omni, Kontakt, Reaktor, Serum, Diva, and Kaivo.

[@scarletdawnmusic]

Only one of those is MPE compatible (and it's a pain to set it up).

[@FanaticDrummer]

Like he said in the video, the sound sources and samples have to be made specifically for 5d midi. Which is why its so limiting.

[@buzztea420]

THX for this honest review. First helpfull i've seen.,

[@kainejoyes2981]

Really great review, exactly what I needed thank you 🙏

[@JeremyCaruthers]

Kaine Joyes glad I could help!

[@MaxxD17]

Really great feedback thank you so much

[@Camroc37]

I just looked at your channel and saw the views, I think you would be a really good channel for more music gear/playing. I get sometimes it's just not what you want to do, but definitely keep it in mind if you wanted to get more serious and make some $ on youtube. You're honest and to the point, and good at talking.

[@JeremyCaruthers]

Thanks for that bro! And you're exactly right, it's just not something I'm really passionate about. But I agree! Maybe I should suck it up and just do it 🤷‍♂️ really appreciate the comment

[@Camroc37]

@@JeremyCaruthers if it says anything about me, I gave up uploading years ago. I enjoy it and will eventually start again, but I was online friends with several channels that blew up. Have you heard of thebackyardscientist? I got a shoutout from him a long time ago but just wasn’t in the place in life to continue making videos. My point is, I seem to be good at knowing that a channel will succeed and this video very obviously shows your potential. Take this advice: write down video ideas if something pops into your head. I make music as well, and you can really get some good things out of a simple notebook. Be it for video ideas or song ideas. That way if you ever feel like uploading more you’ll have a whole reserve of ideas loaded up for future use. This video wasn’t anything crazy, yet I enjoyed every minute. That is a feat in itself. Just wanted you to know that you could very well be a top channel if you put your heart to it, just maybe better camera setup and working on formats for editing and showing what you’re filming.