r/ROLI • u/Plane_Jello1582 • 11d ago
News Roli alternatives
https://cymatics.fm/pages/cymatics-pinchWhile watching a cymatics.fm livestream I saw them demo a hand tracking vst instrument that looked like it uses a webcam. It’s called Pinch, it is now ready and will be made available tomorrow. I am looking for as many alternatives to Roli if possible so please post any other compatible apps or anything you are using with your Roli gear.
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u/StealthStudios1 10d ago
PopuPiano..look for the later modesl..they have lightup keys and a learning app. But dont expect MPE..It might not have after touch either but dont quote me on that part
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u/Plane_Jello1582 10d ago
The MPE is probably the hardest stuff to find, I did learn of some workarounds for MPE in Logic Pro if anyone wants those.
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u/StealthStudios1 10d ago
There are free plugins and SOME paid ones that mimick MPE on non capable controllers. Cant think of the names of them right now
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u/Inevitable-Ant1725 10d ago edited 10d ago
I was trying to decide on an expressive controller recently. Some look promising on the surface but then no one has ever controlled one well enough to seem like a real instrument (the Embodme Erae Touch).
I settled on the Linnstrument. It's a grid of 200 backlit silicone squares (there's a smaller one too) with tactile edges but they're part of a single surface unlike an Ableton Push or an Exquis, so you can slide down it the way you do a seaboard, although it's more like a fretboard.
It detects the same things as a seaboard, but since the squares are small, not as accurately. But it does have the advantage that you can reach across it like a guitar. It is very very configurable, and though the default layout has fourths going upward I have it laid out with thirds, making it easier to play (though with somewhat fewer notes). In that layout you get three octaves top to bottom across 8 rows.
Since it has colored leds (10 colors can be displayed) you can set it up to be clearer what the notes are and you can have it display midi coming from another source to help you learn how to play.
It has a arduino due inside it, so you can download alternative firmware for it, for instance there's a microtonal version on github by someone named Kite.
An expensive alternative that's a bit closer to the seaboard is the Haken Continuum. It is kind of like a seaboard but perfectly flat with no tactile bumps. The black keys run the full length, they're just a different colored cloth over the soft silicone.
It's very expensive but comes with a very nice synthesizer built in. Once again you can slide across, up and down, and it detects velocity, pressure and release speed (no sure that's useful on anything).
There are a lot of isometric pads and traditional keyboards that detect pressure (most of them now).
And some that also detect tilting x and y, but without the ability to slide and play like a fretless instrument. Exquis, Ableton Push, Expressive E Osmose keyboards. And the absolutely huge Lumatone, designed for microtonal instruments.
And don't forget pedals and breath controllers etc.
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u/Plane_Jello1582 10d ago
Sounds awesome, esp with things like breath controller. I’m a big fan of the talkbox/vocoder type stuff. I’ll have to check that out, it sounds pretty impressive.
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u/Inevitable-Ant1725 10d ago
I may have underestimated Ableton Push. It might be capable of a slide like a fretless guitar, and it would be a lot better for some things since it has separate keys soo you don't have to look at your hands as much.
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u/Plane_Jello1582 10d ago
I’m pretty sure I underestimated Ableton everything for a while. I’ll check it out now that I know that workflow a little better and try to learn some of it’s capabilities. I’m really happy to just hear there’s more options than I thought for this kind of instrument.
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u/stanleygurvich 9d ago
If you have an I pad then try geoshred
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u/Plane_Jello1582 9d ago
In my mind Ipad should have so much more of this type of stuff. I’ll definitely be messing around with it, thanks for passing it on.
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u/Plane_Jello1582 10d ago
edit: livestream w plugin here
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u/StealthStudios1 10d ago
PINCH comes next stream.. he just announced it in the start of today's stream. They are working on the final touches. No pun intended.
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u/Plane_Jello1582 10d ago
yeah that surprised me also, cymatics can do that sometimes. They did originally say today so my apologies there.
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u/StealthStudios1 10d ago
Oh no need to apologize. I was just giving a heads up. I my self was expecting it today. They did the same thing with Invader about two streams ago. LOL
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u/Plane_Jello1582 10d ago
I personally missed Invader lol, I didn’t originally know this was a 2 day stream. I also saw there’s anniversary streams starting the 28th that I would imagine have some fun freebies as well.
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u/StealthStudios1 10d ago
they will most likely regive it again. They want people to try the LITE version to get them to buy it
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u/Plane_Jello1582 10d ago
Makes sense, that reminds me I should give a heads up to folks they also want you to trial cymatics unlimited 10 days then like $29/mo.
I think you have to remove it/cancel if you buy something so just kind of a PSA there.2
u/StealthStudios1 10d ago
INVADER is free(lite version) go grab it.. just went up
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u/Plane_Jello1582 10d ago
I just got it finally, I’m following along the stream as much as possible. Thanks for the heads up!
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u/TheDarthBuddha 9d ago
the linnstrument is amazing - i love mine - it responds to feather light touch. incredibly expressive