ROLI Seaboard Block M: The mini squishy MPE controller is back
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ROLI Seaboard Block M · Source: ROLI
ROLI Seaboard Block M · Source: ROLI
ROLI Seaboard Block M · Source: ROLI
ROLI Seaboard Block M · Source: ROLI
ROLI Seaboard Block M · Source: ROLI
ROLI Seaboard Block M · Source: ROLI
ROLI has reinvented the Seaboard Block MPE controller by giving it MIDI. The enigmatically named Block M is updated and refined and is quite possibly the squishiest controller on the market.
Seaboard Block M
The compact and cost-effective Seaboard Block disappeared along with the other MPE controllers when ROLI went through a financial re-think in 2021. In 2022, the Seaboard Rise returned by popular demand with a version 2. And now ROLI is bringing back the Block.
This time, it’s called the Seaboard Block M, and ROLI says it’s the pinnacle of expressive creation, unparalleled, revolutionary and is democratizing access to groundbreaking music creation tools. Gosh, that sounds exciting!
ROLI Seaboard Block M with MIDI port · Source: ROLI
So, other than the remarkable 5D expressive technology built into the very fabric of the Seaboard controller, what does the new Block M bring to the table? It now has a MIDI output, which is rather useful and could be considered a natural feature for a MIDI controller. The velocity curve has been improved, giving a more natural feel. It’s been made slightly more robust for more confident gigging. There are more settings in the customisation to tweak the MPE control exactly to your liking. And you can change presets directly from the keyboard.
Enhanced expression?
Otherwise, it’s a similar experience of a nicely sized, desperately expressive controller in which you can lose yourself while immersed in MPE-capable virtual and hardware instruments. The MIDI output is a real winner. I have several MPE-capable hardware synths that I don’t often use with my original Seaboard Block because I have to route via a computer.
As with the original, it has the slightly annoying 24 keys. It’s annoying because it’s missing a top C key, which drives me a little crazy. However, it’s missing for a reasonable reason. You can add another Block M, or original Block, to extend the keyboard to 48 keys. This wouldn’t be possible if it had a top C key because you’d get a clash of two C keys when putting them together. It’s a great idea, and it’s probably only me that gets frustrated with that missing key.
ROLI Seaboard Block M · Source: ROLI
It comes with the ROLI Studio software suite, which provides 400 sounds that make full use of the Block Ms technology. If you preorder you’ll also get a $50 voucher for buying more sounds from the ROLI store.
Preorders are open now, and ROLI expects to deliver the Block M in March 2024.
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4 responses to “ROLI Seaboard Block M: The mini squishy MPE controller is back”
Not just you that gets frustrated with the missing top C! That’s the main reason I sold my original Seaboard.
I get it, but it was a dealbreaker for me then, so probably will be with the new one, too.
That would not make sense at all. The whole idea of the seaboard as a block is to put them together. Then you would have two Cs next to each other.
It’s a clever idea, with an unresolvable flaw – one has to choose if you can live without top c’s or not.
Already sold out