Talking MPE | Comparing 4 Controllers | Roli, Joue, Linnstrument, Haken | Thomann

[@arxaaron]

Shortly after buying into MPE with a used Roli Seaboard I discovered the Linnstrument. I immediately invested in a new Linnstrument 200 and I haven't looked back. For me, the intelligence of the Linnstrument layout and design was obvious from the first Roger Linn youtube demo I saw, and fully affirmed entirely by the Linnstrumentalist compilation videos. The device takes full advantage of modern synth & sample tech by making the features and flexibility MPE (aka Midi 2.0) instantly accessible. I found the Linnstrument was well worth my initial investment, and I expect the future investments in learning to master this unique sonic controller will be nothing but joy.

[@jaxager]

I'm kinda wishing I hadn't watched this video. I didn't know the Joue even existed ten minutes ago and now I need one in my life.

[@RadicalCaveman]

Love at first sight?

[@tendingtropic7778]

discontinued?

[@davidlane1248]

The Linnstrument is definitely intimidating to keyboardists like myself, but it's hard not to appreciate what it brings to the table over other MPE controllers... Isomorphic layout is technically superior to the keyboard layout in functionality, it's full of customization, requires no specific drivers and can still function over DIN midi while offering extended expressive functionality- MPE or not Roger Linn is a genius and I trust his design and post-purchase support way more than most of the other options. Especially Roli

[@harrymcghie7865]

I have both the seaboard and the linnstrument. Linnstrument wins hands down! Its playability, adaptability, customer service, build quality and its design concept are much better in my opinion. It is the most versatile instrument I know of. I do wish there were more the learning resources out there though. There are people who are excellent at the Linnstrument now, seemingly self taught. This is leading to a lot of different styles and methods being used and showcased, that said a top quality teacher putting out videos would be a great help for many.

[@indigosnow_]

An update on this would be epic. Awesome video

[@tendingtropic7778]

agreed

[@ScottMoonSharon]

Another one that should be included is the Sensel Morph. I’ve had the awesome Linnstrument for 3 years. I sold my ContinuumMini recently. The vertical motion is pretty limited and the software is daunting. The big ones are much better but pricey.

[@Mikey84]

Have you tried the full-size Continuum Fingerboard?

[@ScottMoonSharon]

@@Mikey84 I wish I could.

[@SenselInc]

Thanks Scott! Appreciate the shout-out!

[@arturomizraim-tutorialesar8995]

I just saw the Haken prices! 😱: that is more than all my home studio, including guitars, bass, amps and software. 👀

[@KirbyCurbwhy]

@@arturomizraim-tutorialesar8995 Geez lol, I was kinda sold on getting one but nevermind I guess, that's a crazy large asking price for only the mini version! But it is the closest controller to the ones you'd find on the Trautonium or Ondes Martenot, so that's pretty cool. I'd rather save money on gear tho, expensive doesn't always mean better 👌

[@MonadTransformer]

Linnstrument and the full-sized Continuum are the only two practical MPE controllers. And the Continuum is so expensive it's never, ever going mainstream. Unfortunately the Linnstrument is so unorthodox it's not even being demoed here correctly. An ordinary person just looks at this and wonders what the heck this is, and how to approach it. But it makes so much sense when you get a hold of it and actually set it up correctly. Ended up getting myself a Linnstrument the other day...

[@doug604]

Weird seeing a Linnstrument in that vertical orientation. Also really weird the way the pitch reacted at 4:42 - normally that would just be a semitone. Honestly feels like zero effort was put into its segment, to the point that it could possibly turn off people who might be interested if they saw it actually being played.

[@vnys]

Yeah that was weird. I think it’s configured the wrong way, that’s supposed to slide half a tone. I’ve seen one guy here on KZbin who plays it vertically using the Harpejji tuning. The downside is you can’t slide then from one note to the other since you can only slide in the direction of the longest side, but he seems to be very proficient with it.

[@mrburns366]

It's definitely not set up right. I feel like somebody handed her every mpe device on the market without much time to figure them out and she was just bullshitting her way though the video.

[@di-bru]

Keith Mc Millens K-board Pro is missing in the comparison 😉

[@allenlark]

Maybe if you didn't use such a borked sound on the continuum we could hear what you're talking about.

[@mrburns366]

and rotate the Linnstrument the RIGHT WAY. lol

[@sonicocr]

very nice demo... thanks for sharing these video. Im a long time fan of HAKEN instruments and I find your video searching for news about the Continuum.

[@seanhenriques808]

Great video but it's time for an updated view...you have to do the k-board from keith mcmillen. I love mine!

[@tendingtropic7778]

which one?

[@junglsmor]

i love my linnstrument so much i just wish it wasn't called a "linnstrument".

[@ThomannSynthesizers]

junglsmor that’s a shame I kinda like its name //Jason

[@GTChris]

You rather be a surfer dude and say "Let me bring my seaboard"

[@mpasistasyalanci]

It has a Linneage .... From the Linn Drum to the Linnstrument. He had the opportunity to put his name in a linnear way to his creations name and took it. One of the most influential creators of electronic musical instruments by the way, that changed the music for ever, prodigy of groveboxes, programable drum machines, the Mpc etc

[@alecpearsonmusic]

Tune it like a guitar in 5ths... ouch that hurt. Looks like a cool tool though

[@ChrrZ]

fantastic comparision! thank you

[@davidjazay9248]

Very well explained, thank you!

[@nooneinparticular6014]

The only one that seems practical in this video is the linnstrument. I would of gone with the Haken, but it doesnt look like it can connect with hardware. It might cost me rent money and a month without water and light, it seems the one I can rely on and use more often comparing with the Seaboard and the Joue. It just seems you have to be too conscience where you place your fingers in with those two machines.

[@TruthSeekerAi]

you forgot the Sensel Morph

[@peterpeper4837]

Sensel Morph forgot itself...

[@kingslaphappy1533]

Thank you for such a good review.

[@smitty9054]

So roli seems to be the best.. but for midi instruments like guitars (metal genre) would it be more beneficial for me to go with the roli?

[@jamesperley2557]

MPE- I have so many questions, it's endless. But I'll keep it to two. :) I'm not sure if you're familiar with the Ableton Push, I often will use the Push for my left hand and a midi keyboard for my right, my brain is wired to do it that way. I'm curious if the LinnStrument is set up the similarly as the Ableton Push, where the fundamentals are highlighted. There is also a scale function on the Push that allows you to set a key signature and play mitigating the probability of hitting bum notes- turning off the chromatic grid and playing within the selected scale. I have often longed for Ableton to implement MPE in their design, alas. Also I have read on Robert Linn's website that you can use nearly every sampled instrument (to a degree) but MPE VSTs are the most responsive. Is there a 'under the hood' way to program the LinnStrument to customize your own sounds?

[@RadicalCaveman]

Customizing to your own sounds depends on the MPE controls of the synth (if any).

[@bandaviajerosavalparaiso4205]

Que buen video!. He logrado tocar en roli block y rise 49, son fenomenales, pero no confio en ellos para un vivo, notas pegadas o suenan notas que no tocas. El Linnstrument por otro lado en un instrumento musical totalmente, no notas pegadas, moldeable a diferentes daw y su diseño isofórmico garantizan una curva de aprendizaje rápida. Los roli los devolví , lo mio es Linnstrument. Ojalá algún dia tocar los otros.

[@kirill2525]

im a bit dissapointed you spent so little time on the seaboard. i really wanted a full compareson between that and the linnstrument

[@rayderrich]

I wish the Sensel products were still active :(

[@jamesstick8176]

I have been using those interfaces for three years now. Any of them is ready to be used as a stable element in the production or performance situation. The linnstrument is the best in terms of conception and support but it doesn’t have any dedicated audio software. The best solution is to use equator 2 (which provide very limited sounds) or create a patch on max ( which require a big effort). Joué is more convient for production and not really comfortable for performance. Again no dedicated software. Haken mini is not really an MPE instrument, in fact you cannot have two different sounds using two fingers because of the mechanical limitations. The Eagan matrix is very complicated and requires many years for fully use it. And the roli block is just not working. I have three of them and they are not stable. Notes block and midi cc are not precise at all, sometimes you cannot use the slide just because the rubber layer swipe on the plastic structure.

[@kierenmoore3236]

I’d love a Linnstrument or a Roli. Osmose is very interesting, but I don’t like the synth engine (so really don’t want to pay for it - just give me a controller version).

[@ghostkid8324]

No K Board?

[@Lars.12]

I have a roli seaboard rise and love it

[@ThomannSynthesizers]

Total classic! I like the 25 //Jason

[@spellerlittlewing]

Their hard to get repaired I have two not working reached out to Roli a whole year waste of money

[@the_newvoice]

Alice who!? Her name is Rania!)))

[@barabbasrift8874]

Black friday sale for Linnstrument when? lol

[@madanpisharody]

You missed out Geoshred

[@bobmason1361]

Roli 👍

[@Hinge45]

my guy here seeing a 1000$+ price tag for a touchscreen with pressure sens.

[@ACCOUNTANTB]

Roli Mini....its the think

[@spellerlittlewing]

Roli software is great the boards aren’t once they need repaired it’s like pulling teeth serviced folks no good a waste of money

[@MagicTracksProduction]

Обои как в хрущёвке у бабушки.

[@siro5838]

bad review. you should show instruments like swam

[@rainerzufall6512]

This just seems like marketing palaver to me honstestly, i cannot take this seriously.

[@isocarboxazid]

Wow, who would have thought a BUSINESS would be doing MARKETING. What is the world coming to? Next thing you know, grocery stores will be selling FOOD. 🤦🏽‍♂️

[@barankaypakoglu7643]

many pretty toys to distract you from making music

[@tiyacar8331]

True

[@aivsdeveloper]

They are all LAME. There is only one good controller out there. The iPad.

[@whatabouttheearth]

The iPad does nothing like these. They arent just regupar controllers

[@davidlane1248]

Lol you clearly have zero idea what you're talking about. A slick surface with no pressure sensitivity or tactile feel/controls AND always on an obsolescence time limit? Get out of here

[@RadicalCaveman]

These are way more capable than any touchscreen, dude.

[@TruthSeekerAi]

you forgot the Sensel Morph