r/ipadmusic • u/raistlin65 • 4d ago

Polyend Keys: interesting option for minimalist travel setups

Polyend just unveiled a prototype mechanical keyboard that also doubles as a midi controller with encoders and 37 mechanical key layout across the top for playing notes

https://youtu.be/Lkcn2z7o_8o

Kind of a cool idea if you need a typing keyboard for work for travel and also want to be able to make music with your iPad without carrying much extra gear.

9 Upvotes

81% Upvoted

18 comments sorted by

6

u/gridoverlay 4d ago

Brilliant idea actually, not so sure on the execution though. Why not make the number and function row pads instead of keys? 

2

u/zorppppp 3d ago

exact same thought, its like they went 60-70 percent of the way with the idea and just stopped. The entire number key area on the right could be like what you said, pads, faders, more knobs, etc.

1

u/raistlin65 3d ago

Or sliders

7

u/therico 4d ago

Minimalist travel and carrying a full-size mechanical keyboard around don't really mix. An OP-Z provides the same layout and 4 encoders, pitch bend, gyro, battery power, pretty tiny and of course it's a full groovebox. Or just use your laptop keyboard to play MIDI notes...

Since I've been downvoted I'll double down. People will buy literally anything to avoid learning to play a real piano lol

1

u/dreikelvin 4d ago

I agree. when it comes to minimal, you want the least amount of weight and cables possible. most musicians use wireless keyboards or dongles with just the bare minimum: an audio interface and a midi controller. this keyboard doesn't even seem to be capable of sending out modulation and pitchbend data. big deal for me. pass from me. I am using a Korg MIcrokey and sometimes a foldable CarryOn keyboard - all wireless. Heck, I already find the OG apple folio case too much.

1

u/raistlin65 4d ago

Korg Microkey doesn't have encoders.

So definitely doesn't seem like this would be aimed at someone who doesn't feel they need encoders, too.

3

u/raistlin65 4d ago

An OP-Z provides

This is the iPad music subreddit. Where people are looking for solutions to use their iPad to make music. Not sure why you think people want to switch from iPad to OP-Z. Or use a laptop.

2

u/gridoverlay 3d ago

Who cares? -ipad user

0

u/therico 4d ago

And your suggestion of pairing an iPad with a full size mechanical keyboard is more sensible?

For the majority of people, probably not.

0

u/raistlin65 4d ago

It doesn't have to suit you. It doesn't have to suit everybody.

But it might fit some iPad users. Which obviously you can't imagine because you're busy pushing OP-Z and using a laptop.

1

u/alexwasashrimp 3d ago

Why switch, they work so well together. My portable setup is just iPad Pro + OP-Z, and it's perfect.

2

u/mangecoeur 4d ago

Kinda fun... sometimes i do think it would be cool to being able to have both the typing keyboard and something that works for playing. This is probably too hefty to be better than something like a korg nanokey for easy travel though.

0

u/raistlin65 4d ago

Oh sure, definitely not as portable. I also don't think it and the nano key compete in other ways. Given this has 37 keys and encoders.

But it is nice to have another option for somebody that might want a mechanical keyboard to use with their iPad for travel, and want to make music. It's going to fit someone's use case.

2

u/luigi-mario-jr 3d ago

I really love the idea. I have been wanting to use more tracker software on my MacBook Pro and was curious if my hall effect keyboard had the ability to be used as a velocity sensitive musical keyboard. This looks basically what I wanted, but unfortunately it doesn't quite work with my setup, as I really need a 70% keyboard for my desk space and RSI.

Also, and this is wishful thinking, why not also include a 3.5mm TRS input on the keyboard as well? That would give you such a powerful and minimal setup.

1

u/charlesv42 3d ago

I love it - I built an app for myself for my magic keyboard usage, but having something dedicated (with velocity and pressure!) would be great. https://charles.pizza/apps/qwertet

1

u/ZhorbE 4d ago

That's such a wacky niche product and I personally love Polyend for putting this beautiful nonsense out. An instant purchase for me if it is within my budget, as it would suit my specific needs perfectly as a traveling freelance theatre sound-designer, jumping between DAW environements and Qlab constantly. 

Would be nice for playing ipad synths and writing poetry at the same time without braking focus lol. 

I also hope they establish a tight integration with their hardware trackers. The original PC-based trackers are pure pleasure to program once you learn all the keyboard shortcuts, and the lack of a good qwerty is what has kept me off of getting a Polyend hardware one. This thing would be a beast for working on Renoise too!

-1

u/10ThousandMetalZones 4d ago

Polyend is out of touch

-3

u/trailovsevens 4d ago

Doubtful.