Product: C-Thru-Music Axis64
Price Paid: USD 1600
Submitted
07/28/2007
at
12:49am
by
CD
General Features
:
10
Range : 64 notes
Keyboard : 3 instances of each note. 192 keys in one surface.
Weight : 6.25 Kg
Width : 504 mm
Depth : 318 mm
Height : 78 mm
Output : 1 x MIDI Out
Panel:
2x24 character back lit LCD
1 green LED (Sending MIDI/interrupt)
1 red LED (power on/processing)
8 program change keys
4 Cursor keys (Left-Tab(previous),Right-Tab(next),Up+,Down-)
3 Mode/Page keys
1 Programmable "hot" key
Onboard controls:
"Pitch Wheel" (self centring)
"Mod Wheel" (non-self centring)
2 rotary controls
Inputs for:
2 Pedal or footswitch controls
PC Interface:
USB (for firmware upgrades)
Not your standard Keyboard. It's a midi controller that is velocity sensitive, no aftertouch at the moment.
On board display (not a touch screen) gives you bank, program, and group info. Programmable hot key, 8 progam change keys, pitch wheel, mod wheel, & 2 rotory knobs. AC adaptor for power. Metal casing w/plastic keys. Using this controller in addition to a standard keyboard controller. It's designed on what they call the Harmonic Table which is very easy to play coming from a guitar playing background. I've only had it a few days but it makes composing orchestral string parts much easier - a lot more 'happy mistakes' happen on this controller than a standard keyboard.
Additional Controls
:
8
I think I answered all of this in the above question. But for those with ADD -
Programmable hot key, 8 progam change keys, pitch wheel, mod wheel, & 2 rotory knobs.
2 foot controller inputs.
Connectivity
:
8
1 midi out.
1 usb out. I think it's only PC compatiable and only for firmware updates.
Additional features
:
9
the key layout is redundant in that you get 3 instances of each notes = 3 groups and you can reach the lowest octave and the highest octave with the same hand. It's also unusual that you can play a 3 note chord with one finger. The chord can be major or minor depending on the shape. Here's how they explain it on their website:
The keysurface is designed as a simple and intuitive music interface. It puts the "Harmonic Table" note layout at your fingertips. The Harmonic Table arrangement of musical notes has a logic that is compelling. It is surprisingly effective for learning, playing, and understanding music. It makes an awesome tool for composition.
Note relationships
The Harmonic Table is arranged so that starting from any note, each axis (and any direction) gives notes of a specific musical interval.
Starting from any note (the middle of the diagram), the next note up-to-the-left is a minor third above the starting note. The next note directly above is a fifth above the starting note, and the next note up-to-the-right is a major third above the starting note.
In this arrangement, a minor triad (three note chord) has the shape of a left-facing triangle, and a major triad has the shape of a right-facing triangle.
The Harmonic Table pattern can be extended in all directions, and all intervals, chords and scales have the same shape in any key. See some chord shapes.
Benefits
On a piano keyboard there are twelve ways to finger a major scale (depending on your starting note). For example C-major scale, start with your thumb on C: although this won't do for C# which is a black note and requires a finger not a thumb. On the HT keysurface the fingering for C-major is exactly the same for C#-major, and indeed all major scales. The same consistency is true for any scale or chord. This makes a Harmonic Table key surface easy to learn and use.
On the keysurface you can;
Play a scale, chord, or melody the same way in any key,
Find harmony notes easily,
Play any three adjacent notes with one finger for a triad,
Play rich sounding chords easily,
Play low and high notes with both hands and without crossing hands,
Span four or five octaves with one hand,
and learn a great way to envisage and compose.
The Harmonic Table helps you get to grips with music. All twelve notes of our Western scale fit into a logical pattern in a 2-dimensional surface.
As you use it, the layout is quickly assimilated and becomes normal. With a little persistance you'll find that you can create with it much more easily than it might appear at first sight. Even DJ's can use it
Overall Rating
:
10
I think this product is the most ingenius idea to come along in a while. The way I see it, most of the sequencing software out there was designed with a 'keyboard' first mentality. Where this one has the feel of computer first. Like designing an instruemnt to play the computer.
There are different velocity settings, so depending on how you play you can make it more sensitive to your style.
I recommend this product to anyone and everyone. I think they've sold a few just from people stopping by my studio and spending 10 mins with it.
If it were lost or stolen I would definatly get another one.
If I had to wish for any additonal features it would be aftertouch and note repeat (a la MPC style).
