I've used a Seaboard Block for a couple of years. I like it, but using it live is a pain. On mobile (via ROLI's NOISE app) you'll only get sound as long as your ios device has an active screen. There is no easy or effortless way to switch between sound presets. So imagine being in front of an audience and saying, "hold on a second guys" while you reactivate your phone or ipad, and scroll to the next preset. Ditto for Desktop. There, you are working through Roli's Equator synth, which you pay extra for. With Equator, you have no way to mark your favorite presets, or compile them into set lists, and no way for you to switch between these without going into the synth software and scrolling and --- you get it... It's a PAIN. Additionally, Roli has a program called DASHBOARD, which you have to use in order to setup your block or keyboard, and which you have to go back to every time you want to change the way your device behaves... this just adds another layer of complexity to your whole setup, and will frustrate your attempts to use these devices seamlessly in your live rig. Recently I bought the BEATMAKER KIT; this consists of a LIGHTPAD M and a LOOP BLOCK. Nice. Not so fast! My iPhone wouldn't even connect to the new blocks via bluetooth. I tried 20 times. No use. I had to reboot my phone, and finally, after more frustrating attempts the blocks connected. However, the Loop Block, did very funny and unexpected things. Basically, it did not work well at all. I would be playing along, and as soon as my phone's screen went black, the sound STOPPED. This is seriously bad news. Not useful to me at all - so I will be returning that - in just a few minutes, in fact! I LOVE THIS IDEA! But I think Roli has imagined a very limited use case that does not work well if you are a serious aspiring musician who wants to use these devices live. I won't say that for the Seaboard Rise - which I haven't tested - but the Blocks will definitely frustrate you. Roli has a long way to go to make these instrument/controllers more versatile and easy to use - AND RELIABLE. Roli shows you slick videos of musicans plopping down and spitting out amazing music - don't believe the hype - you can make great sounds with this stuff, but it's not as easy as chewing bubblegum! Oh, and perhaps the most important thing of all... The MPE (MULTI POLYPHONIC EXPRESSION) Midi Standard, is NOT AVAILABLE ON EVERY DAW OR SYNTH... So be aware... There are only a few compatible programs that will allow you to make full use of Roli gear in your workflow.
Hi Doug! The blocks we reviewed are simply the blocks that ROLI sent us to review. If they had sent us the Songmaker kit, then we would have reviews the Loop Block too.
No, sadly. It's a midi controller, not a standalone instrument. But it comes with free software, even though the NOISE app doesn't function well on Android.
You can however download the "beta" app and install it on your Android and it will work. It's just not oficilally supported because Android phones have bad audio latency usually. It worked fine with my Sony X Compact - the audio latency was good but the bluetooth latency sucked.
I've used a Seaboard Block for a couple of years. I like it, but using it live is a pain. On mobile (via ROLI's NOISE app) you'll only get sound as long as your ios device has an active screen. There is no easy or effortless way to switch between sound presets. So imagine being in front of an audience and saying, "hold on a second guys" while you reactivate your phone or ipad, and scroll to the next preset. Ditto for Desktop. There, you are working through Roli's Equator synth, which you pay extra for. With Equator, you have no way to mark your favorite presets, or compile them into set lists, and no way for you to switch between these without going into the synth software and scrolling and --- you get it... It's a PAIN.
Additionally, Roli has a program called DASHBOARD, which you have to use in order to setup your block or keyboard, and which you have to go back to every time you want to change the way your device behaves... this just adds another layer of complexity to your whole setup, and will frustrate your attempts to use these devices seamlessly in your live rig.
Recently I bought the BEATMAKER KIT; this consists of a LIGHTPAD M and a LOOP BLOCK. Nice. Not so fast! My iPhone wouldn't even connect to the new blocks via bluetooth. I tried 20 times. No use. I had to reboot my phone, and finally, after more frustrating attempts the blocks connected. However, the Loop Block, did very funny and unexpected things. Basically, it did not work well at all. I would be playing along, and as soon as my phone's screen went black, the sound STOPPED. This is seriously bad news. Not useful to me at all - so I will be returning that - in just a few minutes, in fact!
I LOVE THIS IDEA! But I think Roli has imagined a very limited use case that does not work well if you are a serious aspiring musician who wants to use these devices live. I won't say that for the Seaboard Rise - which I haven't tested - but the Blocks will definitely frustrate you. Roli has a long way to go to make these instrument/controllers more versatile and easy to use - AND RELIABLE. Roli shows you slick videos of musicans plopping down and spitting out amazing music - don't believe the hype - you can make great sounds with this stuff, but it's not as easy as chewing bubblegum!
Oh, and perhaps the most important thing of all... The MPE (MULTI POLYPHONIC EXPRESSION) Midi Standard, is NOT AVAILABLE ON EVERY DAW OR SYNTH... So be aware... There are only a few compatible programs that will allow you to make full use of Roli gear in your workflow.
the loop and touch blocks have the worst batteries. I always have to charge those before I start any session. That is a major bummer IMO
yo bro you have the charisma and camera personality of a brick, dude
Do you mean, a Block?
lol
@@montazownianr1 zgadzam się, iż lol
If you want to make everyone believe you’re human, you have to blink more
can i use the keyboard or the launchpad with fl studio or logic??
why did you use the touch block instead of the loop block which is what Roli includes in their songmaker kit.
Hi Doug! The blocks we reviewed are simply the blocks that ROLI sent us to review. If they had sent us the Songmaker kit, then we would have reviews the Loop Block too.
U didn't even fucking use the thing.
Do you have to buy simple sounds?
Does it can be used with windows?
Any chance that they will expand the use with other more sophisticated devices like the Akai MPC live?
Can you play it without the computer or the phone app?
No, sadly. It's a midi controller, not a standalone instrument. But it comes with free software, even though the NOISE app doesn't function well on Android.
look at the lens!!! not over the camera. and more product and less face to face. it's called editing.
how many drum tracks can you have , only 1 ?
Only using the Noise app. The desktop program supports more.
Noise is not available for Android
Christian De Looper?
You don't blink 🤪
The app is not available for Android btw!
Its only available for the Google Pixel.
You can however download the "beta" app and install it on your Android and it will work. It's just not oficilally supported because Android phones have bad audio latency usually. It worked fine with my Sony X Compact - the audio latency was good but the bluetooth latency sucked.
I have some inside info, roli got contracted to iOS for 24 month, android support is ready and waiting for the contract to expire.
i think because Android does not support BLE??? Or rather midi over BLE perhaps.
I wouldn't buy it though