ROLI Piano: Illuminating Expression with Four Dimensions of Touch

ROLI Piano is introduced as a significant evolution in the company’s mission to expand musical expression through digital technology. Building on the foundation of the Piano M, this new instrument is positioned not just as a MIDI controller, but as a creative partner designed to enhance every stage of the musical journey. The video’s host, Marcus, emphasizes how the ROLI Piano is intended to inspire both seasoned producers and those just starting out, promising a blend of tactile playability and digital flexibility.

From the outset, ROLI’s focus is clear: empower musicians to go beyond the limitations of traditional keyboards. The walkthrough sets the stage for a device that merges hardware innovation with software-driven features, aiming to make expressive performance and composition more accessible and enjoyable. This is very much in line with ROLI’s established ethos of freeing the music within everyone by reimagining how players interact with keyboard instruments.

At the heart of the ROLI Piano’s expressive power are its four dimensions of touch: per-key pitch bend, polyphonic aftertouch, strike (velocity), and lift (release velocity). These dimensions allow for an unprecedented degree of nuance, letting players shape pitch, timbre, and dynamics on a per-note basis. The walkthrough provides clear demonstrations of how each dimension responds to the performer’s gestures, moving well beyond what conventional MIDI keyboards can offer.

Per-key pitch bend enables independent pitch control for each note, opening up techniques more commonly associated with string or wind instruments. Polyphonic aftertouch lets users modulate timbre and effects for individual notes, while strike and lift capture the subtleties of attack and release. Together, these capabilities make the ROLI Piano a formidable tool for expressive performance, particularly when paired with MPE-compatible sound engines.

The ROLI Piano comes bundled with ROLI Studio Player and ROLI Studio Drums, offering over 400 MPE-ready sounds spanning genres from acoustic piano to cutting-edge bass lines. The integration between hardware and software is seamless, with the illuminated keys providing real-time feedback and guidance as users explore different sounds and performance techniques. Marcus demonstrates how the bundled software leverages the piano’s expressive capabilities to their fullest.

ROLI Studio’s smart composition tools, such as light-assisted key illumination, smart chords, and an arpeggiator, are highlighted as key workflow enhancers. Beginners benefit from visual guidance on which notes fit a chosen key, while advanced users can build complex chord progressions and arpeggiated patterns with minimal effort. The ability to customize key colors, adjust velocity and pressure sensitivity, and use features like strum and auto-inversion further expands the creative toolkit, making the ROLI Piano a versatile centerpiece for both composition and live performance.

ROLI Piano’s compatibility with Airwave brings an additional layer of expressive control, introducing six new ‘air’ dimensions that interact with the instrument’s illuminated keys. The video showcases how gestures like Air Glide, Air Raise, Air Flex, Air Tilt, Air Slide, and Air Grasp are visually represented through unique lighting animations, providing immediate feedback on the performer’s movements.

When combined with the four touch dimensions of the ROLI Piano, Airwave’s capabilities enable a fluid and highly expressive playing experience that pushes the boundaries of what a keyboard controller can do. The walkthrough makes it clear that this integration is designed not just for show, but to inspire new approaches to performance and sound design. For those seeking to explore the full potential of digital expression, the ROLI Piano and Airwave pairing offers a compelling, visually engaging workflow.