Although the Roli Seaboard block, part of the roli block modular system, takes a little getting used to it does offer keyboard players something a little more expressive than static keys. Sure, on many midi controllers you get velocity and aftertouch but you don't get the kind of control you get with this baby Seaboard. The Seaboard Block is basically a baby version of the Seaboard Rise but it allows you to add extra blocks to make a keyboard almost as long as you like, this one is 24 keys so join it with another one and you get 48 keys and so on. It's a great idea and works pretty well, much better that the other Roli Block offerings such as the Light Block, Live Block and Loop Block which I have found to be utterly useless and unreliable at best.
This is not a review as such, just a demonstration of what it can do in my inexperienced hands. It's not full sized keys so that in itself can take a while to get used to but I think it's worth the effort even if its just for recording solo instruments like violins, basses and so on that benefit from a bit more expression, the Seaboard Block allows that expression. Not only does it work well with Roli's Equator synth software (only a player is included but you can upgrade to the full version for around £49) but it also works extremely well with Apple Logic Pro's Alchemy Synth.
A great portable midi controller that connects via bluetooth or USB so it can act as a controller for Garageband on your IOS device and last about 20hrs per charge. Think I would like another on please to give me 48 keys....
