Patches and discussion for Ensoniq VFX family

Ensoniq owners have long been spoiled with polyphonic aftertouch. But, for anyone who is looking to get another keyboard with polyphonic aftertouch (or something similar), there aren't that many affordable options, other than another used Ensoniq keyboard – and those are getting rarer, and are of course no longer particularly new; but there just might be another option in the making. There's an IndieGoGo campaign for the "NDVR Note" master keyboard, to be available in 25, 49 and 61-key variants, starting at US$235 for the 25-key variant:

http://www.synthtopia.com/content/2013/07/07/ndvr-note-master-keyboard-promises-polyphonic-aftertouch-starting-at-235/

NDVR Note Master Keyboard Promises Polyphonic Aftertouch, Starting At $235

Endevour.de has announced a new MIDI keyboard controller, the NDVR Note Master Keyboard, that promises to deliver polyphonic aftertouch, full-size keys and an aluminum body – all starting at $235.

The NDVR Note is a USB MIDI Master-Keyboard, with what the designers call ‘analog keys’. The NDVR has 25 or 49 analog keys that respond based on how deeply they are pressed.

While the dimensions and playing feel are much like on other keyboards, it includes optical distance sensors that determine how deeply each key is being pressed.

These sensors function continuously, smoothly determining the interval between the upward and downward movements of each key. It’s like Polyphonic Aftertouch, but with a continuous range of expression for each key.

The campaign alas doesn't seem to have gotten very close to its goal: they've raised just under $10000 of their $65000 goal, with only 20 days left. Nevertheless, I'm tempted.

(Note: I have no connection to the campaign – I was just searching for keyboard controllers that support polyphonic aftertouch, and came across this.)

// Christian