« A professional level instrument which allows the musician to play and improvise using a limitless range of sounds with virtuoso skill. The unique design of the keys makes this the most expressive electronic musical instrument ever made. The Alpha can play and record loops, change scale and key, transpose, alter tempo, program beats, create arrangements, switch and layer multiple sounds, all while the musician is performing live on stage. »
This is the description that is given by the manufacturer on his website. Quite attractive, isn’t it ? So, I went to see the demonstration that took place yesterday, friday 7 May 2010 at Neo MAO store in Montpellier.
I must say that this instrument is very well made. The designer is a solitary billionaire named John Henry Lambert, a sort of Bruce Wayne fond of music. So this is a Batharp that we have here, with loads of surprises : there are optical sensors under each key, which make them highly sensitive. They obviously react to velocity, direct pressure but also lateral pressure in both directions. A breath pipe of 10 bit resolution (1024 values) which is sensitive to blown and drawn breath allows you to modulate the sound, very impressive when you try it ! 480mm long strip controllers are put up on both sides of the instrument. A Monome-like step by step sequencer is integrated. You can load and play your own Soundfonts, Audio Unit Plugins et midi instruments. Up to today, about a hundred of models have been sold, quite logical considering its price. And above all, you can customize the machine according to your taste, an oak neck ? Ivory keys ? Your name engraved on metal ? What a program !
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