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Rethinking the UI Design of a (Musical) Keyboard

The Seaboard Rise 2 uses soft silicone ridges for tactile control of notes

By Rain Noe - August 29

in UX

The user interface for a piano, or synthesizer, are the keys. Players control the power of the note by the force with which they strike the key.

Digital musical instrument manufacturer Roli dates this design to roughly 1700, and reckons it's due for an upgrade. Here in 2024, they've designed an alternative UI for keyboards.

Their Seaboard Rise 2 eschews hard piano keys for 49 soft, embossed silicone ridges.

The idea is to multiply the player's ability to affect notes by a factor of five, in essence by increasing the keyboard's tactility:

1. Strike to sound a note at different velocities.

2. Press to deepen sounds, such as simulating the effect of breath on a wind instrument.

3. Glide from side to side to bend pitch, creating a vibrato effect.

4. Slide up and down to add brightness, texture, or depth to a sound.

5. Lift off at varying speeds to effect a sound's resonance.

By adding these gestures, they allow keyboard players to "Simulate the vibrato of a violin string and the breath of a saxophone with astonishing realism," the company writes. If you're curious to hear how this works out in practice, in the demo below they simulate an upright bass, a guitar, a cello, a trombone, an alto sax, a viola, a clarinet and an accordion:

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The Seaboard Rise 2 runs $1,400.

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Dee An

2 months ago

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>"Here in 2024, they've designed an alternative UI for keyboards."
Roli have been selling the Seaboard keyboard since 2015.
Here's it is featured on The Verge:
https://www.theverge.com/2015/9/23/9372961/roli-seaboard-rise-grand-hands-on

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Reynold Dodson

2 months ago

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For another approach, see the Osmose:
https://www.expressivee.com/2-osmose#
Their approach is subtler, resulting in an easier (maybe) transition from a traditional keyboard. IMO, the result is more aesthetic, overall a beautiful package. I say "maybe" because I can't really play the piano, so can't comment on how steep the learning would be.

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