There currently is a whole line up of new controllers.
They all promise more expression when played compared to traditional keys.

I recently (as said in another post signed up for a kickstarter)
Its a haken Continuumini
And it excells due to its very small size.. and so its not comparable to the others..





There also is its bigger brother the Haken Continuum



Which excells with a build in synth (same as in its mini sibling) but also has CV gate excit for playing modular/synths its also polyphinc touch, compared to the mini thats monophonic..



And then there is the wellknown Roli seaboard rise



This is the second version of the ROli's. And for keyboarders this excells in the placement of the keys. Hoever, compared to the Haken its much harder to get the same results you will be digging your fingertips deep into the organic feeling surface. Playing this to me and many others after a longer time makes your finger tips feel like they are a little burning. This could however be due to being unknown with it.



And then there is the linnstrument



The notes are arranged much more like a Guitar. I havent had a chance to play with one yet. But as a keyboardist, i think its a much bigger learning curve, then an instrument with a more traditional key layout.



Next up is Keith Macmillen K-board pro4



Its a normal key layout. However, the keys don't move and only respond to touch, more like a touchscreen. It will be availalbe soon. Priced reasonable ($400)

or the less conventional eigenharp.



Looks like a combination of keyboard and string instrument with even a breathcontroller build in.



Anyone up for a challenge of learning a new instrument, because thats essentially what they are?



My personal eye was cought by the continuum midi, for its low price, and its smaller size. And seems the easiest to get into. Looks like a perfect tool for monophonic instruments like brass, winds and even solo string instruments. And it doubles as a really sophisticated touch strip.



If you look into this, you will notice more of these innovative instruments sprouting in kick starters and the like.. Well, i suppose we are never to old to learn something new.

This is a very nice tutorial about the Linnstrument
Roger Linn explains how to emulate the different acoustic instruments on it.
And also why virtual instruments are more sophisticated then sampled ones

This is a good watch even if you have no interest at all in the technollogy
Its about making music

I am impressed by the linnstrument..
This video shows so much potential..
Definately an instrument that allows guitar players a dive into synth and vsts

Would love to see someone combine this with a ketron module..

Altough considering the learning curve, not an instrument i would consider..

This topic is becomming more about my own exploration in these alternative controllers



But this video abouth the eigenharp is a must see for everyone in the future of music
This man has a mission and a story to tell about where we musically are heading
To me it almost sounds like back to the future

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a87vpu2W-3o

Met this guy locally, buying gear from a Craigslist ad. Not exactly an alternate controller, but an interesting take on an uncommon instrument. He plays tenor bass, with several capos to change the tuning on the fly. Lot's of ambient effects, lots of looping .... just a fun approach to making sounds that you might not have thought of.

Definately interesting video..
I love people doing out of the box things..

Compared to us arranger players that often try to hard to make something sound as close to the orriginal as possible

I was amazed when I saw it. He's an interesting guy.

I have been playing with this ipad app for a day now
It uses the same fingerings as the linnstrument
Comparable to stringimstruments
The lines are detuned by a major 4th.. or 4 semi tones.

Triades and 3 element chords are easy to play
But as soon as you start playing 4 element chords like 7ths,
It requires 2 hands..

Looks like using the linnstrument with an areanger module could be probematic
Or maybe its me thinking to much like a keyboardist and not like a guitarist..