Doomists, Glooomists, and Absolutists say that AI is coming from everything, and the best way to safeguard yourself and the things you love doing is to retain as much human contact with it as possible. This is never more true than with AI’s encroachment on music production and countless artists using AI to create music on par with the lowest hangings of fruit; other companies and artists are doing everything they can to exert as much control as possible over the art they’re expressing.
Enter the ROLI Seaboard RISE 2, a tool that promises to bring that tactility back into your hands, bridging the gap between man and machine in the most authentic way possible. As MPE (MIDI Polyphonic Expression) makes waves in the music industry, the ROLI Seaboard RISE 2 emerges as a flagbearer of this cutting-edge technology. We dove deep into its offerings, the highs, the lows, the big promises, and the surprising deliveries, and here’s what we found.
The ROLI Seaboard RISE 2 isn’t just a keyboard; it’s an entire experience waiting to be tapped into, and while its promise of unlocking new dimensions of expression and sound may seem grand, can it truly deliver? Whether you’re a seasoned music producer, an aspiring artist, or a music enthusiast looking to explore new horizons, join us as we unravel the magic behind this intriguing instrument.
What Is The ROLI Seaboard RISE 2?
The Seaboard RISE 2 is a cutting-edge keyboard that offers limitless possibilities in sound exploration and music production. Redefining the traditional piano keyboard, it provides a soft, silicone surface that enables users to shape the sound with five intuitive movements: Strike, Press, Glide, Slide, and Lift. With the newly designed Keywave2 surface that includes more comprehensive keys and tactile ridges, this 49-key instrument allows musicians to express themselves organically, simulating the vibrato of string instruments or the breath of wind instruments with ease and realism.
In addition to the unique playing surface, Seaboard RISE 2 offers extensive software and sound packages, including the acclaimed Equator2 synth, ROLI Studio, 1400+ presets, and Ableton Live Lite. Equator2 is touted as the world’s leading MPE synth, with dynamic sound design tools and a vast collection of over 1400 acoustic, electronic, and hybrid presets. Whether creating contemporary pop or cinematic soundscapes, this versatile instrument caters to a broad range of musical styles and includes compatibility with leading DAWs and synths.
Designed to be more intuitive and powerful, Seaboard RISE 2 integrates real-time control of sound, natural gesture composition, and adaptability to different workflows and setups. Musicians can customize responsiveness, record modulation directly into their tracks, and easily tweak expressivity with the included ROLI Dashboard software. With options for connectivity via sustain pedal, MIDI Port, or USB-C, this dynamic keyboard offers a versatile solution that slots seamlessly into home studios, professional setups, or live stage performances, marking a new pinnacle in musical expression.
What We Liked Most About The ROLI Seaboard RISE 2
It Does All It Promises (…and more)
MPE is undoubtedly a buzzword in the producer community these days, yet there only seems to be a handful of products that even have the technology to do it, let alone do it well. So when ROLI made some pretty big claims about the second iteration of their iconic and groundbreaking ROLI keyboard, it’s evident if you are as skeptical as we were reading some of the initial press releases and product information on the keyboard.
That being said, not only does the ROLI 2 pull off everything it claims to do, we would say that it even underpromises and over-delivers. But let’s primarily focus on the MPE aspect of this keyboard because it’s the Seaboard’s biggest draw.
Today is the worst AI will ever be at making music, and as time progresses, it will only get more nuanced, detailed, and emotionally compelling. Those two qualities in AI-generated music scare us the most regarding robots taking our jobs as music producers. One of the best ways to safeguard your art, craft, and professional is to do things computers never could -and that’s precisely what I see the obscene levels of expression that this keyboard brings to the table, essentially opening up fifth dimensions of sound and movement that any AI would struggle to replicate (once you get the hang of the keyboard that is, but we’ll get to that in a second).
For those unfamiliar with MPE, it’s hard to describe until you’ve played around with it. Still, the best way we can try is to say that it truly is the most tactically-rewarding experience, if only because it feels like it removes all of the technical barriers between what’s going on in your head and what’s going into your DAW.
It Comes With A Ton Of Ready-Made Sounds
We don’t mean to understate that MPE is a new ball game, and while it feels familiar enough to regular playing, it’s like speaking a familiar language in a dialect you’ve never heard before. This is a long way of saying that just because something can play MPE doesn’t mean you’ll instantly be able to bust it open and start making these wildly expressive sounds in seconds.
It takes time to make the patches, map the parameters, and understand how the patch or preset performs underneath your fingers when played.
That is, if you weren’t supplied with a wealth of fully mapped presets and sounds from ROLI’s Equator 2 synth. This synth and presets allow you to fire up the ROLI Seaboard 2, do the initial setup steps, and start messing around with everything the keyboard AND MPE offer. The preset browser also makes it easy to find which presets focus on MPE by labeling them with a convenient little blue mark that makes navigation and sound diving super easy.
Its Design
Much of the Seaboard RISE 2’s most prominent features lie in its design, and its quite evident that the ROLI team thought of almost all the details and features that its users would want when playing on a device like this.
Its low profile takes up very little space (from a height perspective) on a studio desk and makes it pretty easy to transport between gigs and studio sessions.
To further help with its portability, the keyboard also can connect to most Macs via Bluetooth, meaning you’ll have one less cable to manage. It can carry the keyboard around the studio to work in different corners of teh room (if your studio is big enough) instead of being confined to the single play space where the bulky and weight conventional MIDI keyboard is.
The silicon material that makes up the keys also has an excellent feel, leaning into the soft and pliable quality of the MPE controller and the ease with which it can manipulate and change five different depths and parameters of sound.
It’s a Set Piece
This one needs a bit less description than the rest of the standout features of the keyboard. Still, the Seaboard has a certain X-factor in its aesthetic, making it a cool set piece for live performers and gigging musicians who want to elevate their setup and catch attention for more than just their music.
It looks unique, so whether that sparks a conversation with a new fan after the show or gives you a new way to perform and enact your stage presence, it’s a great addition to any live performance.
What We Weren’t Crazy About
Don’t Be Fooled; It’s NOT A Piano…
This was the biggest surprise we found when busting out this keyboard and, in hindsight, should have been obvious. But just because this device is laid out like a keyboard and is an easy transition for keyboard players to make, it’s its entirely own instrument, and it will take even a seasoned key player a bit of time to get used to the texture of the keys, the power of MPE, and layout of the keyboard’s best features.
This learning curve is far from drawn out, though, and after a week or two, anyone who knows their way around the keyboard will be completely functional on the ROLI Seaboard RISE 2. Adding on to this fact, we could see a world where newer producers are at more of an advantage on a device like this at the start, as their muscle memory isn’t constantly telling them something is “off” with the keys when they are jamming or songwriting.
It’s A “Collector” Item
Okay, we will admit that this small title is a bit deceiving, but I wanted to frame it lightheartedly when I say that the texture and materials of the keyboard are magnetic for dust and dander. Add on the fact that the dark matte finish is very revealing for such micro materials, and you’ll find yourself constantly brushing off the surface of this device with a make brush or whatever other little tool you have in the studio for such purposes.
With a makeup brush like I mentioned above, it cleans off incredibly easily and the hair and dust don’t cling on to the keys, but they do seem abnormally attracted to them and require frequent brushing! Not a game changer, but something I found myself chuckling at.
Who Is The ROLI Seaboard RISE 2 For?
Specific Producers
MPE and all it brings to the table aren’t for everyone, and just because the ROLI RISE 2 is packed with countless bells and whistles doesn’t mean they are worth it for your workflow and sound. But in the hands of the right producer doing the right thing with it, the ROLI RISE 2 could be the most defining tool in their arsenal. Just off the top of my head, here are a few of the types of producers we have either witnessed get the most out of the keyboard or could easily see doing so:
- Producers making film scores could have their modulation and expression right at their fingertips instead of using an entire hand to control them with a separate device.
- Meldoic house producers who need hyper-expressive ways to keep a repetitive and meldoic dance riff or beat lively and engaging over 16/32/64 bars
- Nu-Age Boom Bap producers want to add new levels of movement and modulation to classic sounds and sonic pallets in their beats and productions.
- Bass-Music producers are looking to modulate countless parameters at once with their fingers. At the same time, they resample what they create without modulating and automating individual parameters by hand in their DAWs.
- And many more, we’re sure…
Liver Performers
This is part and parcel with the Set Piece quality mentioned above. We’ve heard of many different stories about how live performers use the Seaboard RISE 2 keyboard as their go-to keys for their live performances solely on the fact that it’s such a conversation piece and stands out from the crowd when so many other live acts, street performers, and more are using classic Nord stage pianos and other legacy keyboards.
This video does tell it all!
Passionate Hobbyists
Most of the dialogue that circulates the music production community is done by those under the assumption that they will somebody go pro as a music producer, and as such, they’re always looking for products to up their output and give them whatever sort of competitive advantage they can use to get ahead in the music industry.
But there is also a massive market of even more passionate hobbyists who want to make music and have fun, experimenting with sounds and enjoying the playful acts of making music they never plan on sharing with the world.
There could be no better tool for this expression than ROLI’s Seaboard RISE 2 for simple experimentation and throwing paint at a wall to see what sticks. It’s as fun to use as it is powerful to implement, and that’s not something to be taken lightly.
Final Thoughts
Ultimately, the ROLI Seaboard RISE 2 is a testament to how innovation can redefine our interaction with music. From its breakthrough in MPE to its thoughtful design and tactile delight, it has proven to be a device that transcends mere novelty. As any revolutionary product might have, it’s not without its quirks, but those quirks almost add to its charm.
Whether for the professionals pushing the boundaries of musical expression or the passionate hobbyists exploring uncharted territories of sound, the ROLI Seaboard RISE 2 has carved a niche for itself. It’s more than a collector’s item or a cool gadget; it’s a glimpse into the future of music-making, where creativity and technology dance in perfect harmony. If you’re ready to take that leap into the next dimension, perhaps the ROLI Seaboard RISE 2 is your ticket.
Will Vance is a professional music producer who has been involved in the industry for the better part of a decade and has been the managing editor at Magnetic Magazine since mid-2022. In that time period, he has published thousands of articles on music production, industry think pieces and educational articles about the music industry. Over the last decade as a professional music producer, Will Vance has also ran multiple successful and highly respected record labels in the industry, including Where The Heart Is Records as well as having launched a new label with a focus on community through Magnetic Magazine. When not running these labels or producing his own music, Vance is likely writing for other top industry sites like Waves or the Hyperbits Masterclass or working on his upcoming book on mindfulness in music production. On the rare chance he's not thinking about music production, he's probably running a game of Dungeons and Dragons with his friends which he has been the dungeon master for for many years.
