The "Alternative" Keyboard Layout 🎶🧬

[@henryglennon3864]

"Stephen Hawking Counts while Grown Man Plays Typewriter" is one of the most haunting compositions I've heard this decade.

[@doctorauxiliary]

bwahahaha!!

[@This1That0]

Lol 😂

[@mattwesthaver6909]

ONETWOTHREEFOURONETWOTHREEFOUR

[@tommorton7211]

Fitter, happier, more musical.

[@chillwalker]

..I would have thrown it out of the window after the second bar!

[@scottk3292]

That soothing metronome is hilarious!

[@dusteye1616]

and wirdley good

[@jamesthelemonademaker]

Officially sent but def a vibe after a min

[@rdoursenaud]

That slightly late "three" would drive me nuts.

[@codesymphony]

@@rdoursenaud the metronome is on dilla time

[@sl3102]

It's not very good at keeping time either...

[@PickUps]

Love the key flying off edit.

[@strangnet]

It's a feature.

[@the_panos]

It made me laugh out loud every time

[@0LoneTech]

"Hey! These things exist, if you've never seen them before. Cool, right?" As a subscriber to Technology Connections, I whole-heartedly approve of this message.

[@sound.workshop]

My favorite isometric keyboard is LinnStrument! It uses the same tuning system as a bass guitar. As a guitar player you might pick it up really quickly! And the expressiveness is wonderful.

[@SHLDMusic]

And cheap Novation Launchpads are also great but without MPE

[@sound.workshop]

@@SHLDMusic valid! I need to get one

[@goulo]

Yes! The guitar-string style isomorphic square grid layout of Linnstrument, Launchpad, and lots of other MIDI controllers is pretty cool. That guitar-string style isomorphic square grid layout seems to be becoming a pretty common "standard" alternative keyboard layout. I played piano off and on a few times in my life, but I never got very good. A few years ago I went down the isomorphic rabbit hole, reading up on Janko and various square grid and hex grid layouts, and the array mbira briefly shown in Benn's video, etc. The isomorphic uniformity of chords and scales is very appealing. Now I'm enjoying playing a Linnstrument and pleased with my amateur progress playing it. Currently having fun working my way through Bela Bartok's Mikrokosmos, for example. :) The isomorphic hexgrid Lumatone looks very intriguing (but is expensive and big). There are some great youtube channels with neat Lumatone exploration of various layouts and various microtonal tunings. Also see the Harpejji for another appealing instrument with a different isomorphic layout, in the form of a stringed instrument. Stevie Wonder plays it.

[@4CloudySky]

Yeah, there's nothing better than the Linn, yet especially if you are used to stringed instruments.

Would love to try one. Ableton Push is a bit limiting in range

[@flug_rost]

The most soothing metronome I‘ve ever heard!

[@Starovdenis]

I first heard it on OP-1, now I see where teenage engineering have grabbed it from 😅

[@mountwestmusic]

That metronome is an instant classic

[@tentativeentertainment3363]

Been rabbit holing with programming videos tonight and just saw this, thought you were gonna be talking about computer keyboards for a second. Always love your videos! Not a musician just stumbled across your channel from your non music related videos ages ago but stayed for the mad vibes

[@brendanmattson]

Someone else mentioned the Linnstrument - as a fellow southpaw I'd be interested in your take on it, but actually I'd love a Benn Jordan deep dive into Roger Linn in general.

[@zakizdaman]

"Goddamnit" This piece of equipment summed up in one word fairly

[@dmeemd7787]

🤣🤣

[@amj.composer]

I have a Lumatone (videos on my channel, not a plug, just if you're curious). It's an isomorphic keyboard that lets me play in literally any Temperament. The isomorphic layout lets me play in tunings like 31 tone equal temperament.

[@danjcla]

Yeah I wish he did this on one of those. They are so pretty and slickly designed. I feel this is way too colored by his choice of super-crappy equipment.

[@rickmay1188]

The barrier to entry on a CT-312 is $200-500, whereas, the Lumatone is $3800 if they happen to be producing them when you check their website... otherwise, if you see one on reverb, they start over 4k. A lot of money for an alternate key layout on a controller that doesn't even make doorbell noises, that you may not like. Don't get me wrong, "If I win the Lottery, I won't tell anyone; but there will be signs..." but lottery win is basically the only way I'm gonna afford one.

[@LizordSword]

the lumatone was exactly what i thought about when i saw this

[@amj.composer]

@@rickmay1188 I don't think you understand how the instrument works and why it's awesome and worth the price, but okay!

[@rickmay1188]

@@amj.composer ok, I understand the lumitone is awesome, but $3800 bux is a car, or 3 months rent, or saving for 2 years with nothing bad happening. It is literally priced out of my ability to own one, or use one, and since the price is so high, I can't risk 3 months of rent on something I may very well hate. I'll probably love it, but the price is an insurmountable barrier to entry for like 99.66% of all people on the planet. You can't change the fundamental way people interface with their music, if no one can afford it. I'm borrowing my friends Exquis by Intuitive instruments, which is a cute 2 octave hex key controller, similar in many regards to the much bigger car-priced Lumatone, but thats the problem... There are minor things about it I don't like, which has been the case for nearly every non-traditional keyboard layout. With that in mind, why would I want to spend 13 times as much for a Lumatone that may share some of the minor issues I don't like about the Exquis? Theoretically, if I don't like it, I can resell it for more than I paid, but I don't want to deal with Reverb people... "Its used. Ill give you 75 bux if you deliver it." Or even worse, if I like it, and now have a car sized hole in my finances I can't plug. You may as well be telling me I should also get a CS80 to use as a desk for this thing, and hook it to a Colossus Double....

[@michaelspencer-arscott]

All your stuff absolutely bangs, and the range of topics is wide and deep. Bravo!

[@nolancote3393]

Insane timing, I just bought one of these last week and have been loving it.

[@fightocondria]

Holy crap -- This just makes sense to me. I had a hard time with music theory and keyboard layouts because I wanted a shape to represent a type of chord. Thanks for making this video. You just created a rabbit hole for me.

[@Persun_McPersonson]

I hope you've been having fun!

[@ericoschmitt]

They are really cool and make a lot of sense. I own a Wholetone Revolution. I haven't been playing it since cello is what makes me money, but I wouldn't want to learn the traditional piano keyboard (never did)

[@tomboblombo]

I'm tickled that you mentioned my keystep mod! If anyone was interested in learning more, I made a video about it on my channel. Awesome vid btw, I'm a fan of alt layouts (clearly), so this is totally my jam.

[@rickmay1188]

You made the Keystep Mod? I'm building a keytaur using a MIDI Plus x6 mini, and plan to do the keystep mod to it, since it uses the same keyblanks.... Thank you for taking the time to make, tweak, and post the designs online.

[@FGCLovesYou]

Glad you mentioned the Lumatone! It’s very expensive for what is essentially a giant MIDI controller (albeit an incredibly pretty one), but at the same time, I do think their customizable colored light layouts is a great and versatile solution for switching between various tuning systems (for exploring microtonality), or for playing a large number of instrumental parts at once live, or while improvising, with minimal finger travel. When I’m able to afford one, I’m definitely excited to learn the system… unlike an alternative keyboard system that is designed to specifically do one set of tunings, the customizable layouts (each with their own key colors, in order to help you find your way around the keyboard in that particular tuning or setup) seem like they’d be a lot more intuitive.

[@alexandreenkerli7244]

As you acknowledge, your personal take is deeply influenced by your prior experiences and expectations. To parodize the take, one could think of natural language learning (especially among languages which aren't dominant). Within music, you can think of a specific instrument which is just too close to one with which you have full proficiency yet different enough that there's a whole learning curve. For me as a sax player, that might be a clarinet, a flute… or a new windcontroller. Took me a lot of time to become skilled enough at one to perform in public. I've played isomorphic grids in public after very little practice. As for affordable isometric playing surfaces, Intuitive Instruments's Exquis is worth a try (especially for musickers who aren't too steeped in pianocentrism). Even grids of square pads (Ableton Push, Novation Launchpad, etc.) are isomorphic enough. For those of us for whom piano-style keyboards never stuck, they can be remarkably easy to learn. If you're too much of a piano-style keyboardist, it might be more difficult than the guitar, again because of expectations and prior experiences. (Despite the fact that the common “chromatic rows in fourths” setup is pretty much equivalent to the strings on a bass or the first four strings on a guitar.) In Exquis's case (as well as Push 3), MPE support opens up all sorts of possibilities. And, yes, all of these can relate really well to diverse tuning systems. Partly because you don't have to stick to specific references coming from “the white keys” of C Major. Soooo… This video of yours may not have a specific point to make (which is totally fine). It could still open up some ears and minds to trying other setups than “music in black and white”.

[@lowflyingdonut]

Can't wait to hear soothing metronome in an upcoming flashbulb album.

[@lowflyingdonut]

Then lug in on tour. Because just playing a sample would be unauthenticated and a deep disappointment to your fans. And that thing looks like it's made for live performances.

[@codesymphony]

or a previous one. re: the flashbulb - someone

[@TroubleChute]

Fantastic video. Never knew this thing existed, and it's crazy

[@djqualia]

For a while I thought this might be an elaborate April fool's joke.

[@xkinsey3831]

Gotta say the completely random stock backgrounds that look like you dumped your shutterstock inventory just to use stuff you'd never otherwise get around to are fire 🔥

[@maldivirdragonwitch]

One of those backgrounds is definitely not random (if you know, you know...)

[@garryghibli5993]

@@maldivirdragonwitchoh god I just saw the casting couch

[@lmenascojr]

Had an accordion layer out in the same pattern back in 1969. Found it much easier to understand music theory using it.

[@ssssssssssss885]

When do you find time for all these completely diverging topics in your videos and go so deep as learning a new instrument to the point that it sounds professionally? I admire your energy! Keep 'em coming, your videos are truly educational!

[@ursulageorgeson7086]

The assorted stock backgrounds and the Speak 'N' Spell metronome really elevated things.

[@F_L_U_X]

8:05 you hit the nail on the head and I enjoyed every bit.

[@asparagoosagus5954]

ive never seen one of these but i love the idea of isometric and janko key layouts, i cant believe ive never heard of this! one thing i really love about playing my stringed instruments like guitar, bass, viola, etc is that for the most part as long as you remember the shapes of a scale or chord you can just move it around, if you know it somewhere you know it everywhere. Piano was my first instrument but ive really always found it annoying how different keys really feel different to play in when all i want is for them to *sound* different. ... i think im actually going to consider getting one of these, i feel like it might help me fall back in love with the instrument. .... probably not this one in particular, but ive got to try this out. loved the video

[@JankoPianko]

I'm making some of the janko adapters for piano shown in this vid

[@rickmay1188]

My recommendation is to skip the Chromatone, and wait for a Wholetone Revolution instead... as Benn mentioned, they're both made by the same company, but while the CT312 is a disapointing casio knockoff with crappy fall apart keys, the Wholetone Revolution is a Korg N5EX with solid keys, not keycaps that fall off in transit, or when you play it. Chromatone generally run about 400 to 600 plus shipping from Japan... usually another $150 to $200... I had to wait 3 years for one to become available at the same time I had money, but I got a Wholetone Revolution for $550 plus $200 in shipping, and it arrived in 3 days. Unfortunately, the Metronome on the Wholetone Revolution is pretty boring. Just whatever Korg put in there.

[@Blokfluitgroep]

If you like multiple instruments, you may like the chromatic button accordion using the same principle: There are mainly two types: one with the b on the first row and one with the c (they are more or less mirrors of each other): en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chromatic_button_accordion

[@SaintBrick]

Glad you're still doing hardware videos. Your video on the Solar 42 was awesome and inspired me to pick up an instrument that had been collecting dust.

[@sl3102]

I love how the tiny you is sticking out of the slot on top of the keyboard.

[@oservoasafe]

loved the new video. please drop next

[@lurkdash]

David Lynch hearing you playing over the soothing metronome: 'I love it. I need it. Do that. No. Don't change anything. It was perfect. :-)'

[@0LoneTech]

Not sure what this referenced, but it brought to mind More Cowbell. Unfortunately youtube's search function doesn't list it anymore, but hundreds of distorted clips from it.

[@ricardoreynaga11]

@@0LoneTechLynch and Angelo Badalamenti working on Laura Palmer’s theme for Twin Peaks

[@lurkdash]

@@0LoneTech only a matter of time before someone deepfakes david lynch saying more cowbell

[@rico-raven]

The learning curve on the Jankó is steeper in the beginning, but once you've spent some time with it, reusing scales and chords in all keys is very convenient and your muscle memory kicks in.

[@popsicleB]

Omg this keyboard layout has been all up in my algorithm recently! Excited to see your experience.

[@cablevamp3163]

Love this guys channel Was a massive flashbulb fan back in 2009 growing up and still a fan

[@ZonymaUnltd.]

I’m really digging the format of your videos! Love the unique themes, keep up the great stuff!

[@alexstixx]

I love isometric keyboards, it's why I use my ableton push so much.

[@coolguy28371]

Awesome video, I've always been fascinated anytime a random janko video pops up in my youtube feed. I know you mentioned lumatone and other alternative layouts, would love to see a video on microtonal and alternate scales

[@DDRaph]

couch background is crazy

[@fleecefoxes6471]

if you know you know

[@maldivirdragonwitch]

​@@fleecefoxes6471, I literally left the same reply on another comment here... 😂

[@Persun_McPersonson]

I'm glad to see someone make a more professional and researched video about Janko-style keyboards! It's a device I've been interested in for several years, now, and it's obscure enough that it gets basically no attention aside from the occasional amateur (and usually poor-resolution) video made as just a curiosity to not look further into. I would like to note that Janko's keyboard was the first of its type to gain any attention, but it was not the first of its kind. An earlier keyboard by Theophile Dreschke is quite similar, and eariler (but more similar to the traditional keyshape) whole-tone keyboards also existed, namely by (each one "invented" earlier in time than the last) Werneburg (I can't find his full name), John Trotter, Conrad Henfling, and, the earliest we know of, I believe, Juan Caramuel y Lobkowitz.

[@comment2891]

His name is Johann Friedrich Christian Werneburg. Also François-Paul Roualle de Boisgelou proposed this kind of keyboard. Rousseau published Roualle's design and wrote a preface for Werneburg's design.

[@Persun_McPersonson]

@@comment2891 Thank you for the additional information! I will need to try to look further if I can.

[@HealyHQ]

Ooh, this reminds me of the Chromatic Button Accordion layout. Neat!

[@Appleloucious]

One Love! Always forward, never ever backward!! ☀️☀️☀️ 💚💛❤️ 🙏🏿🙏🙏🏼

[@envis10n12]

Babe new benn jordan just dropped

[@ElFlippage]

If you haven't already you should check out the Linnstrument. Similar isometric layout but with added MPE capabilities, with 3d control. I'm not a piano player but as a strings player I picked it right up and it rocks. Super easy to learn.

[@shaneri]

Thank you Benn, you are my favourite idm musician, I'm happy to get to your youtube

[@crankydragon]

Interesting and weird stuff and it's not a commercial. Good show!

[@SkyOctopus1]

I've never got on with musical keyboards, there's history built into the layout and design that just doesn't make sense to me. If I'd seen one of these as a nipper maybe I'd have got on with it. But then again maybe if my granny had wings she'd be an aeroplane..

[@arcadicus_ezevius]

It's free real estate for a guitarist who hasnt started learning the traditional piano keys layout yet :D

[@JarodDCamp]

It would be really cool to hear you talk a little about microtonal music though. It's a lovely vast scape of musical opportunity that only so many have explored! Just thought I'd mention!

[@Cap10NRGMusic]

That metronome was super soothing lol. Dear Lord, who thought that that would be a good metronome I don’t understand. But I think the layout is cool I’ve actually thought of purchasing lumen, just way incredibly expensive. When you can pay as much for controller as you can for a Yamaha montageM… That’s a little too much for me. Thanks for the video Ben good to see you man. Hope you have a great day and hope your Easter was good.

[@nyancat8436]

I havn't heard or seen one before. Thank you for all the cool videos and your music. Take care (:

[@mattmorgan2525]

These keyboards are used in some accordions and really allow a lot more acrobatic movement compared to a traditional piano accordion layout.

[@poofygoof]

I know there are stradella MIDI keyboards available, as someone who learned rudiments of how to play a button accordion, seems like this might be related?

[@Blokfluitgroep]

@@poofygoof The chromatic button accordion is definitely related. There are mainly two types: one with the b on the first row and one with the c (they are more or less mirrors of each other): en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chromatic_button_accordion

[@cupofdirtfordinner]

I really dig those water caustic backgrounds! they look super sick!

[@orebelo]

At almost 8:00 you properly pointed out one of the main reasons why Janko may never be a commercially available option. Another is tradition, which can be broken down into many aspects, but the main one is that manufacturers won't invest money or effort into something that music players won't consider buying, and music players won't consider buying because there isn't a single good Jankle keyboard (Lippens maybe) that they can really, really try with an open mind, of course. So it's a chicken and egg trap and we deserve to be stuck with a layout that has a lot of flaws, inconsistencies, and excludes people with small hands. Ultimately, we think this traditional keyboard layout is the best that humans could have develop because not only are we in that trap, but we also suffer from Stockholm syndrome living with passion this lie... and I haven't even mentioned the resistance to adoption by teachers and professional musicians who have spent decades on something obviously at least debatable and they will never give up or admit that, so called confort zone. ;-)

[@Persun_McPersonson]

Yeah, it's a self-perpetuating problem and would probably be a centuries-long uphill battle to actual adoption and acceptance.

[@007bistromath]

I've wanted something like this for a long time, but I also know that it isn't actually what I need. I think the value of an isomorphic layout like this isn't very transformative for performance, but could be for composition. Seeing the harmonic table (an expression of Eulers' Tonnetz) explained for the first time made me feel like I could intuitively understand something about music that would allow me to slowly and ploddingly describe a song to a DAW despite having no actual musical skills. The shapes visually demystify relationships that normally have to be memorized to start playing much of anything. So, what I actually need is *software* that lets me use a chord-builder with a hexagonal layout to drop sound events onto a timeline for each voice. This almost exists, but that I've found, not yet in a useable form.

[@arcadicus_ezevius]

Why dont you think it's gonna be very transformative for performance?

[@Persun_McPersonson]

I don't see why intuitive intervals and a lack of need to precisely land in-between the black keys doesn't have performance value.

[@steveimprovises]

Thanks for the history lesson. I had thought that C-Thru-Music Axis 64 was the first to do Isometric. One thing that drew me to the Continuum Fingerboard is the semi isometric design where the half steps are all the same. So similarly chord shapes can be moved around left to right but without adopting a wacky hex layout.

[@Magic_carpet666]

5:11 sounds actually sick with the voiceover

[@mrwalter1049]

Such a fantastic retro-futurism vibe!

[@Briwalker42]

It gave me real Radiohead - Fitter Happier vibes.

[@needleonthevinyl]

Add a Think Break on it and it might sound at home somewhere on Red Extensions of Me

[@PandaPotPies]

Sounds like a beat for Lucki

[@Anzen132]

Total Limp Bizkit vibe!

[@dystopiannoise6782]

Perfect for creating custom number stations

[@anthonywestbrook2155]

I have a Striso, which is isomorphic, and I am absolutely enamored of it. I went down a massive isomorphic keyboard rabbit hole in the early days of the pandemic, and played quite a few virtual versions, and the DCompose layout of the Striso is by far my favorite. The creator welcomes others to use the layout (with the DCompose name, not Striso), but so far, I don't think anyone else makes one. I would love for a toy version to give my nieces and nephews, but can't spend the $484 on each of them.

[@mildsoup8978]

Heck that's all the reason I need to watch a cool video, thanks for letting us know they exist!

[@ambienthangout]

One of the really big advantages of a traditional keyboard layout is that you have bigger targets for your fingers.

[@jakeecake]

This reminds me of the current Ableton Push and the like when playing in its keyboard mode (the default mode), where chord shapes hold position and you just change the key your in. Has helped me get into music theory from a unique angle.

[@Matthew_Simmons]

Today was the solar eclipse and I drove my car out to the country where there's a hill that over looks all the land and I was listening to a classic flashbulb track 'Burning the black and white' when the sky went dark. It was magical ❤ couldn't have picked a better track!

[@wademcreynolds7428]

I ordered the red Chromatone Wholetone Revolution back when the inventor was giving away his remaining inventory. It's pretty cool but one drawback of the isometric keyboard, aside from the smallness of the keys, is that I really have to be looking at the thing as I play it, since it's so uniform. Also the importance of chord shapes and the awkwardness of voice leading makes it more like a guitar than a keyboard in some ways.

[@rickmay1188]

I defiled my wholetone revolution with Stickers.... I'm not smart enough to find C4 in a sea of hexagons...

[@Blokfluitgroep]

Button accordion players face the same issue. They sometime use different 'stickers' with relief so you learn how to feel the c or the g.

[@kaitlyn__L]

I find isomorphism really interesting, but going in whole tones is... a choice. But then, I play guitar and bass as well as keys so I'd really want it to go in semitones. But funnily enough, the structure baked-into the piano keyboard helped me internalise scale intervals much better than hammering-away at memorisation exercises on guitar or bass. But being able to play the same note in different places, especially with different timbres with the right strings, is a really useful part of strings for me. So I really don't think one is "better" than the other at all, they both symbiotically lift each other up. To wit: It's much easier to "feel" which key I'm in on keys, by how absolute they are and the different hand shapes. That can be very useful when I want to focus on harmonic function first. But it's easier for me to just start in any random key/mode on strings, since it is the same shape regardless, so that can be useful if I want to first jam-out a lead line or unexpected harmonic progression without thinking too hard about my root.

[@Persun_McPersonson]

There *is* a keyboard that goes in semitones, the Dodeka keyboard (though there are earlier examples, just not well-documented, as well as another modern example that uses the traditional color scheme that I neglected to document and I can't find now because it was Japanese). The reason it's in whole tones is in order to make the octave span smaller (this makes it so the span that you would usually use to play a 6th on a standard layout is now an octave, the space of a typical octave is around a 9th or 10th, and the usual space of a 10th is now an 11th or 12th) while still having it the keys progress in a fairly linear manner, unlike more extreme examples of compact layout, like the Harmonic Table, which completely sacrifices linearity for compactness. Whole-tones also allow for there to be more space on the keytop when you press it, as the more linear designs like Dodeka have extremely thin keys, thinner than the black keys on a typical piano. There is definitely an advantage to the irregular Halberstadt layout in that you can tell where you are more easily, but to me it's overshadowed by its drawbacks (plus, if you texture the keys of a Janko-style board, like Paul Vandervoort has, then it's not as much of a problem). Isomorphism is just more sensible overall.

[@avationmusic]

Please do a part two diving into microtonal stuff! I'll give you a cookie

[@Elektronijaenis]

That rotary encoder probably works with two rings of contacts that are slightly offset (or the contact springs also might be offset). The device knows the direction of the rotation from which contact conducts or loses conduction first on each step. If the contacts get oxidized those usually glitch very annoyingly and tend to mostly switch back and forth between two adjacent values and only sometimes go through more. And not always to the direction you wanted. Many times the problem is more because lack of use than wear from too much use. Sometimes they can be revived just bu turrning the control vigorously around a lot.

[@JH-pe3ro]

I have both the CT-312 and the long discontinued C-Thru Axis49. Do I use them a lot? No. I use my computer keys for everything because I'm well into "I want to program to compose". The disadvantage in them is really that they don't predispose you to the simple whole step half step types of movements that would be considered "beginner" material on the white keys of a linear system - I found "Chopsticks" quite difficult on Axis49. On the other hand, they create a very strong intuition for theory around scales and harmony. They are a great way to discover nuances about those things and I encourage anyone to spend some time with them for that reason. And there are a lot of ways to engage with isomorphic designs as visual layouts and easily play patterns that would be virtuosic elsewhere.

[@roadtonever]

I've been playing with launchpad X and tried programming the axis 49 layout and the wicki hayden layout. The latter is not to bad for performance, other one is more for sketching chord ideas which I find is it's strong suit.

[@paulsaulpaul]

After hearing the metronome, I realized the keys popping off is a feature. Something about the sound of them hitting the floor on the right chord while Hawking counts the beat.

[@tomenza]

Been looking for some kind of keyboard that would be better suited for people with smaller hands. Thanks for the leads!

[@JasonMauer]

Isometric is great, but I much prefer the harmonic table layout. (side note: we need to figure out how to get Benn a Lumatone.)

[@rscottom]

There’s also an iPad app that does the isomorphic layout. You don’t get velocity (well sort of) or after touch. It is called ‘Musix Pro’…unfortunately it only sends midi keys…so you need the destination synth to do the microtonal stuff.

[@drwalmgc]

You are such a cool dude, enjoy you videos very much.

[@theelmagoo]

So essentially the creator took the principle of the guitar and applied it to the piano... that's pretty cool! I might want to consider this as coming from the guitar, the piano layout always gives me the fits (why can't I just slide this chord shape around like I do on the fretboard?! ;). Thanks for the video.

[@Mtaalas]

Janky keyboard... ;) I find if fascinating that these things exists, and they're trying to solve real issues, but there are other issues that they introduce. But "chord shapes" in my opinion are a bit weird thing to compare. Even normal piano keyboard is completely symmetrical if you play higher up the keys.. .they're all semitones and their width is the same -> you learn major chord in one key, you know it in all keys. People are just confused about the layout of Piano, just like I was at the beginning, but more I learn, more I realize that there's no need to "learn all the keys"... it's more important to understand the shapes of the scales/modes and then it's just the same as before.... I just wish they'd color the keys in any Jankó style keyboard in black and white so it would be more easy to find your way, wall of white isn't that much fun :D

[@Dragon1276]

This “Nasty Daddy Benn” look is giving it to me…

[@izzy_thump]

"Hey these things exist" is an underrated KZbin video format.

[@stuartdarling1620]

I love the idea of the janko keyboard but like yourself I'm not sure how well it works in practice, certainly without any visually identifiable black and white keys to give a sense of familiarity to new adopters

[@c.augustin]

Reminds me of the bass keyboard of an accordion - and yes, this seems to be a Jankó keyboard, or rather there seems to be a variant of the right-hand keyboard that is. The German and English Wikipedia are not consistent on that, and there seem to be lots of variations. I wondered what those keyboards are about and how they operate …

[@Blokfluitgroep]

There are mainly two types of chromatic button accordions: one with the b on the first row and one with the c (they are more or less mirrors of each other): en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chromatic_button_accordion (not to be confused with the diatonic boxes which are completely different)

[@Persun_McPersonson]

The Janko-style keyboards and chromatic button accordion layouts are similar in that they're isomorphic, but Jankos are arranged in whole tones while the buttons are in minor thirds.

[@mofolk8896]

Thanks for this; I’ve never seen one before. I feel like I might have a fighting chance since my first instrument was the accordion. Would love to see you cover the Theremin.

[@smizmar8]

The editing is so good, also major t-rex vibes haha, more t-rex's with short arms, they need this keyboard.

[@lostsauce0]

You should try out the Exquis and the harmonic table layout! I just got one a couple weeks ago and I love it so much more than a traditional piano layout. It looks easier than this layout too.

[@indigosnow_]

This is fascinating. An aside, if someone can do a review or share thoughts on the lumatone that'd be rad. No one seems to use it 😅

[@dusteye1616]

I just love the metronome, not kidding, i find that to be awesome

[@Gunbudder]

a felt a bit of your soul leave your body when that key flew off the board lol

[@f3rny_66]

I love the aesthetic mix between an accordion and a early 2000s yamaha PSR

[@JankoPianko]

I'm making some of the janko adaptors for piano shown in this video. It's basically still the same layout as on the piano, pitches are next to eachother in one line low to high just that the keys have a different shape with three distinct keytops and are interlaced, which results in a uniform layout

[@LostInTheRush]

Key escape clip had me howling

[@h2o1969]

Yep, cool. Keep experimenting!

[@paolovolante]

Lumatone and in some extent Harpejji are far more interesting to test, in my opinion... Great video as always, thanks,

[@rickmay1188]

I managed to get a perfect condition WholeTone Revolution delivered from Japan, with only minor shipping damage along the way. The blank keys are lame, so I got stickers, and marked out black keys, and A, D, F so I could navigate the keyboard easier. After I finished setting all the stickers up, I discovered the key marked as Middle C in the middle, was actually a C sharp, with the keyboard tuned down a half step... so I had to tear off, reset the tuning, and replace 200 stickers, then relearn everything Id been practicing 1/2 a step down. Since I am not good at standard piano layout, the Janko pattern resonates with me. The Wholetone Revolution is really a Korg N5EX with a Janko/Muto keybed that has keys that don't shed their keycaps. It also has the full 88 key range crammed into the space of the original 61 standard keys, and the channel aftertouch works same as the standard N5EX. I also got a CT-312 off an auction site, and it has non working velocity on about 25 keys in the middle, so I gotta tear it down and check the contact boards. The CT-312 is a 76 key equivalent in a 61 key bed space, so the keys are larger than the wholetone revolution. Finally, I'm working on building a keytar using the keystep 3d print files that were shown in the video. That set actually replaces the whole key, and allows you to change the keycap angles with secondary print files others have added. Compared to the 3D prints you just set on top of, or glue to an existing keyboard, its excellent.

[@Persun_McPersonson]

Do you prefer the feel of playing the Revolution's keys/scale-length or the CT-312's?

[@brandongunnarson7483]

thanks for letting me know these things exist!

[@nostalgia_1439]

As someone who had 5 solid years of piano playing in undergrad and afterwards, I think that this metronome would have made me destroy the keyboard out of anxiety and rage before learning anything complicated

[@keyhoarder]

i believe that apart from the janko keyboard, this is based on some of the older MEDELI arranger keyboards. Buttons, layout, built in sounds and arranger look familiar, but i can't tell the exact model. I think the sounds may be based on Yamaha XG sound module. It's funny that the keybed itself is unique, but everything else is typical consumer 2000s home keyboard.

[@anreoil]

The metronome is amazing! I want a soundtrack with it! Let's call it "Algebra"!

[@naptastic]

I'd rather learn 12 systems on an isometric shaped keyboard than 12 keys on a traditional keyboard. (You really wouldn't need more than maybe 3 though.) Keeping chords the same shape is really useful musically. Jankó isn't a great example, for the reasons you point out. There are systems where major or minor triads can be played with one finger, and almost any tetrad you'd care about can be played with two fingers. IMO, the bass side of an accordion should be the starting point for isometric systems. Two rows of individual notes, then rows of chords, arranged around fourths and fifths, is extremely empowering. Without bellows, though, isometric is not a great choice for very expressive pieces. Velocity just works so much better with individual levers arranged in a (basically) straight line. I have ideas for how you might get around this but they all involve large numbers of expensive sensors. It's also more useful for jazz and "by ear" musicians; being able to transpose easily means nothing if a piece is always going to be in the same key. If music theory isn't part of your playing style (and it doesn't have to be) then a linear keyboard makes more sense.

[@wesselvanrensburg8]

So interesting!! Thank you ❤

[@mooted5513]

Linnstrument gang represent

[@ModularMemories]

six seconds and I began laughing... and had to turn off the computer. Ok, edit: I started using a typewriter when I was in sixth grade, and then word processing, but when I saw you using this I not only felt your pain, but recognized the absurdity of it. God bless you Benn for doing what you do!

[@zeikjt]

6:03 Audio bounced through cassette tape, truly incredible

[@hrlarson]

This was hilarious! The sounds and the layout made me think about Star Wars.

[@ErikPelyukhno]

My brain is on high alert for April 1, this immediately felt like an April Fools video but I really can’t tell 😂

[@dexstrumental]

That’s what I came here to say after sleeping on it.

[@ToyKeeper]

I have a C-Thru Axis-49 midi controller with a harmonic table hex layout... and it's pretty nice. The 3 axes change pitch by 3, 4, and 7 semitones. However, it's not perfect, and sometimes I'd prefer to rotate it 90 degrees and set up the axes for 1, 3, and 4 semitones instead of 3, 4, and 7. But still, it's a super fun and intuitive way to play.

[@roadtonever]

Isnt that Exquis layout?

[@Bthelick]

Well, Jank is certainly an appropriate name.