ROLI BLOCKS - The Pros, The Cons, and Why I'm Returning It
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- Опубліковано 19 жов 2024
- My review of Roli's latest innovation, Blocks, after three days of use. I am specifically discussing and playing the Songmaker Kit in this video.
I love Roli and the technology they bring is amazing. Blocks has its problems though, and ultimately, I will be returning it. Find out why and let me know what you think!
You definitely need to more of these. I think unbiased information like this will def be helpful to someone.
K Soul yessir
He's review shows his lack of using the system. You can adjust sensitivity in the Noise software. You also only connect one block when they are magnetically connected. You connect individual blocks only if they are not magnetically connected saving battery life. I do agree their manual and instructions suck though.
Sorry but It shows clearly a connection problem in bluetooth , this kind of stuck note can not happen, imagine this kind of problem when your are live ? it needs to be improved but once you are in bluetooth you face connection problems, it should be wifi.
This is the first and only review so far that I found honest, authentic, and enjoyable to watch. Felt like you're talking to your audience and not just saying what people want to hear, it's genuine and informative. Thank you!
DJ Swissivory glad it was helpful!
I learned the "trick". I haven't found anyone else who had the issues that I've experience (besides yourself). The trick is to "press" the pads instead of tapping. This obviously creates pretty big limitations, but I kept mine for numerous other reasons.
you just wanted confirmation for an opinion you already had; he served it to you; I use the Seaboard block, and I am more than satisfied
DJ Swissivory bull crap !
my item works fine. there is a lag on bluetooth, but its not a probelm to wire it up
I swear to god this is the best review I ever watched in all kinds of aspect. You seem to be a reeeeally nice guy!
Joey Zhang thank you and thanks for watching!
I am terribly grateful for your review and for including in the title that you were going to return it.
Glad I could help!
Wow. This review is literally everything a review SHOULD be but almost never are. PACKED with info. You should review stuff for a living, dude.
Thanks!
Yeah most reviews just regurgitate the marketing information from the manufacturer. This review actually gives you the practical real world experience of using the device. Exactly what you need to hear when deciding whether to buy it.
Wow. Just wow. It doesn't take much to impress you huh? Lol
@@vmi4172 Yeah. And apparently a hundred and fifty-five other people. But somehow, just not you. Go figure.
@@captainterrific Totally wow.
I watched this, went to your page and am completely surprised that you dont have an expansive library of reviews. you killed it man. such a likable attitude
This is a great review. I really enjoyed it, however, I think a lot of these problems were fixed with the new studio edition versions and M versions of the lightpad blocks. The different control blocks have also been changed, and the live block really helped me. But this is a genuine and an informative review.
Thanks!
Thanks from a pure beginner here. Well done
Thank u, glad I could help
Something that might help give your drum tracks the "hip hop swing" with quantization, is to change your time signature to 12/8. You can use tap tempo to set the quarter note speed, and then play the rhythm with the feel you need. The snapping should be the same feel as a swing 4/4. Hope that helps!
16:40 man you're so sweet and humble, the best review I have ever heard, just the honesty is enough, do whatever you want to do with this way and style and you'll reach the sky man, hope for you all the best, anytime you want to visit Egypt just let me know, take care you happy human
Jeremy, really good "unbiased" review. I could feel your frustration. This instrument has so much potential that it has yet to be really understood by most of us. I tried the Roli in LA at the Guitar Center the day that they got it. No one could even make it work for the first hour! Anyway, after about 30 minutes using it, I was both "blown away" by the incredible promise and completely baffled by the learning curve. One thing for sure -- this is NOT like your Daddy's first synth! I agree with you on the flexibility of the Roli with the iPad -- which is why I even looked at your review. You nailed it with the cons.
Thanks for your fantastic review. I hope that Roli and Apple get back to work and make this thing mature to it's promise! Hopefully they won't just try and push it "AS IS" on everybody. Finally, you have a really good "stage presence" -- keep up the good work. BTW -- good looking studio with the giant screen in back of you!
Thanks for watching and commenting! I agree. And thanks for the studio compliment. I've done some new things, I need to post another video!
I own one of these things.
Everything he said is right.
You’re welcome.
Do you know if it works with fl studios or is the DAW limited with this board?
@@Corral1998 pretty sure it doesnt work with fl. works with most of the other big ones though
@@Corral1998 fl studio sucks balls for external midi instruments
@@MuthafuckinPuddings I just use LMMS. A bad workman blames his tools. XD
Excellent video! Very helpful! I appreciate the care you took to be very specific about the pros and cons of each component of the system. Your passion for the product, and your disappointment in it, were clear and respectfully presented. I wish more UA-cam product reviews were up to this standard of integrity and professionalism. Thank you.
Thank you! So glad I could help!
Never seen you before on anything, but I thought your review was fantastic. I really liked the stripped back style & the way you speak to the camera like your just being you & Having a conversation. You seem to have good knowledge and that's why people will be interested in your videos. If this is your first review, you killed it man. Keep it simple and state your opinion and give the reasons for them & you cant go far wrong. Keep doing what your doing mate Big love from the UK
Thanks for the feedback and encouragement!
Wholesome review, my dude. Thank you! I love that you totally don't want to trash the product and gave great feedback to the company while letting us know what you found in your experience in it. I didn't think I was going to watch your whole video but your sincerity just pulled me right in, it was great!
I am one of the Kickstarters for the LUMI keys and that issue where the played notes stick is STILL an issue in 2021. I am using the latest version of the ROLI software. Plus, this issue occurred for me even when the LUMI was directly connected (bluetooth was disabled). Excellent review, btw. :)
please do more reviews like this, your bluntness makes them feel honest and you just saved me time and money so thank you very much.
Glad I could help. I plan on doing more when I get the time!
I agree with the others that commented on your video. This one of the most honest review on this product. No other UA-camr’s said anything bad about the roli system. The stuck notes would have been a nice piece of info. Good job 👏
Your playing was pretty awesome, in the beginning of the video. Thanks for making this!
I made a review of the blocks as well, and had almost exactly the same feelings as you. Loop (and live) blocks are useless, the light block (I got the old one, unfortunately) is like trying to mash your fingers into concrete to thumb a beat, a beat which will MAYBE record all you thumbed in, but probably won't, and the Seaboard Block is a pleasure to use.
I didn't return mine, I just put them on a shelf to forget about them.
Noise is super disappointing, stuttering and recording stuff unreliably. I even made a "6 months later" review of Noise, more of a rant than a review, naming the same damn problems that still exist.
Your presentation of all these issues is way better than mine, and man, I feel you.
Thanks again for making this review.
P.S. Liked and subscribed.
Appreciate the feedback and kind words! Good to know I'm not crazy... Many people saying they're having the same issues. Thanks again!
I appreciate your honesty in this review. You've earned my sub my friend. #respect
Thank you!
Yep I agree .. u earn mine too fam i don’t do that often ...big up n keep it up
Love how u really cared bout it, not just a hater, full respect man🔥
Did my best!
Came here to chime in and agree with those below, GREAT REVIEW DUDE! I was pleasantly surprised at the clarity, sincerity, and honesty about the features. These are things often glossed over by those posting sponsored reviews that sound as though the feature list and video script got mixed up. I subbed, KEEP IT UP DUDER!
Thanks!
AMAZING BRO! Just got my light block and going crazy tryin to configure this thing. Thank you. BTW You got my subscription
Mister Caruthers sir - A gorgeous, informative, entertaining and delicious review right here. You have a way for sure. Keep on and stay fabulous 🌻
I really appreciate your honesty about your hopes and frustrations, which helped me be even more confident in the things you liked.
By FAR the most informative and useful video on this stuff I've found. Thank you!
Glad I could help
@@JeremyCaruthers You did! Any word on whether some of these issues have been remedied in the 14 months since your review? I really want the Seaboard itself, and I'm unsure how much I'd use the other blocks, but the Songmaker Kit comes with all three + a case + the full version of the Equator player (a £69 upgrade on the free version that comes with the standalone Seaboard). It makes me wonder if it's worth just paying the £200 extra for the kit and saving on the case and the upgrade, making the two other blocks more like £100 combined.
Incredibly thorough, informative and helpful. Really appreciate it man. Great review!
Glad I could help!
After hearing this, I am more convinced that this is controller is gonna be amazing for me. It doesn't seem like something for a 'beatmaker'. Stoked to hook the RISE up to Omni, Kontakt, Reaktor, Serum, Diva, and Kaivo.
Only one of those is MPE compatible (and it's a pain to set it up).
Like he said in the video, the sound sources and samples have to be made specifically for 5d midi. Which is why its so limiting.
Best review I’ve seen for this! I ordered the Seaboard block! I’m happy you still like that and I’m glad you were honest about the other blocks. I won’t waste my money buying anything else but the seaboard. Thanks 🙏🏾
Thank you for your honesty. I have the Roli Rise 49 key. It may be worth of it to you invest in it. The keys are longer and bigger than the two octave one you have. So that means you have more nuance control over the notes both sliding up or sideways. When I got my keyboard, they were still being manufactured in London, England, so I don't know what the quality difference may be now that Roli is being manufactured in Mexico. I hope this encourages you to try the Rise 49 key. I write music spanning from Hip Hop, Jazz, Punk to Classical and this Roli has been useful in all these genres. For the writing "beats", I recommend either just using a normal keyboard or a MPC controller.
This was honestly the best review I've ever seen. Refreshingly genuine.
Thank you
I recently got the Roli Songmaker Kit and ran into the same issues. I'm thinking future updates may fix the problems. Thanks for the concise and informative video.
Mitch Selko awesome! Thanks for watching.
Fair and *valuable* product review! I almost bought this kit. Thanks!
Glad to help
Thanks for the honest review. I was bugging about not buying this and almost got it for my birthday. You actually made me happy hearing the cons because people just were not being honest about it. Now I can invest the money in a new iPad without feeling that I’m missing out on the roli. I play music on my iPad all the time so touch is great and it just really does everything.
any update from roli on the issues? Thinking about buying this kit.
great review btw
Thanks. But no. I gave up fully pursuing it because I didnt think it was worth it.
@@JeremyCaruthers you've right now some update? This 5D stuff is a great invention. But if they have still this issues, it doesn't make sense to fuck around with this.
awesome review dude. i get the feeling you're very much not in the same music realm I am, but this review was ENORMOUSLY helpful as I almost bought one of these the other day. Thinking twice now!
Glad I could help. Maybe try to get your hands on one and see how it works for you.
Can honestly see you as a great reviewer for music tech! This was an amazing review and that I hope you keep doing more man!
Thank you!
This thing seems pretty damn cool, it does cool things. But true... it does seem limited too. Thanks for the honest review
I bought a set of Blocks, one of each. I had high hopes as well. I assumed that the offline messages were defective connections, so I found that to be frustrating. I also found that Blocks would slide apart from each other as I played. I decided to keep the Seaboard Block because I never had a problem with it. I also bought the Seaboard Rise 49. If you like the Blocks, get the Rise. It is SO worth it! What an amazing board to play, and you get those four octave glides! In my time with these units, I’ve never had the stuck notes in Logic, and I’ve found latency is next to nothing when I put it in Low Latency mode. Finally, be sure to get the full version of Equator. Ive never played anything so expressive before, and I’ve played A LOT of hardware and soft synths.
Thanks for your review!
Great review. Really useful, I have seen many of the other reviews and was on the fence, this was really helpful and real and I have decided to hold off. Thanks for been really honest 👍👍
Glad to help
Excellent job...you play excellently, and you were honest...most reviewers act like they are afraid to be honest.. salute you on your honesty yet compassion towards rolo as a company 👍🏿
Brian Nice thanks bro!
The genuine and humble personality is a breath of fresh air.. subscribed and really looking forward to future reviews if you decide to do them. The only thing I could see to make them better would be if you did quick visual examples like showing the lightboard adjustment, then making the adjustment on the app to show the difference. That's a lot of editing though, so while it would absolutely put you on another level, it's the true to word character that really matters.
Thank you so much for making this review, Jeremy. Very helpful!
Thanks! Glad I could help.
Great review. I will take into consideration that this video is 3 years old but now i know which problems to look for. Most likely they were fixed. Any how, i planned to get the seaboard block alone first so from this old review even that seems like a good idea. Thanks!!
I was really looking for some reviews like this!! Thanks for making it!!
This was the best review of a product I have seen in a while. Awesome job just telling the facts as you saw it.
Thanks!
@@JeremyCaruthers No problem man. I was very interested in getting the song maker kit and had been holding off due to the cost. Since it's apparent you took the time to really use the product as opposed to rushing a review in the first week or two you gave us way more valuable information about the limitations of the devices. I guess I will have to save up for the Roli Seaboard 49 in order to keep those slides going. After watching this video I looked up your channel hoping to find more good reviews. Hoping you make some more as time allows.
Great job Jeremy with your review. Now 2020-This comment comes a couple years later. I bought the initial Seaboard 49 before all these newer products came out. My Seaboard 49 is physically USB connected to the computer, no Bluetooth back then. First keyboard I got did have a stuck key when I hit it and Roli quickly replaced the keyboard and have had no issues since then.
I like the Seaboard 49 cause it provides standard size keys on the keyboard, has 3 touch sliders to control different effect parameters, 2 buttons for going through patches, and 2 buttons to shift the entire keyboard note ranges up or down. You need to be tied to a computer to get the sounds, this keyboard itself is just a controller.
The Seaboard 49 is fun to play and very expressive with the 5 degrees of sound sensitivity. You do have to be careful with these sound settings turned up at times and have to play very accurate on the keys-otherwise the note played can quickly be shifted degrees out of tune-especially if you have pitch bend cranked up high. What I really like about the Roli keyboard is there are no normal "black keys sticking up" and in the way and can play all the keys and do things that you cant do on a standard keyboard. The 2 long slide bars above and below all the keys are the coolest features to experiment around with. I can hold down multiple notes and slide all their tones up or down along the slide bars.. This keyboard is super for doing any special effects on my tracks in my DAW.
Although the Seaboard 49 is designed around using their software(Equator-Dashboard), I can make several of the 5 degrees of sound to work with non Roli products-such as Kontakt.
I know the Seaboard 49 is expensive, but all in all over the years I have had this keyboard, I really enjoy playing on it. I did not go for getting any of the other Blocks products when they came out.
The BEST (and the only proper) ROLI review on UA-cam! Thanks a lot!!!!!
You're awesome! This was the most useful review of the ROLI Songmaker Kit that I found and I really appreciated your detail. I hope you continue doing this kind of thing as I think you could easily have more than 452 Subscribers! (You have 453 now, me!) Cheers!
I haven't watched the whole video but this guy has a Double Hitler.
Based on your review I just went with the Roli Seaboard Block
I do my best 😂
After this review I might have to cop one of them mustaches, that shits dope!!
I got the Lightpad Block M and Live Block and returned it for many of the same reasons you mentioned. My biggest gripes were that 1) they are advertised to be wireless but...Not if you're on a PC in your DAW! Bluetooth does not work on Windows. It was buried in the support that Windows Bluetooth doesn't work. 2)The Dashboard software was glitchy. Sometimes it would show it was connected. Sometimes it connected, disconnected, and then reconnected. Other times the settings wouldn't save to the device. It got really frustrating trying to get it to work right. 3) The accessory blocks only fully function in the Noise app. There are no presets for your DAW and you would have to custom midi map everything. I really wanted to love the blocks but they're not ready for prime time yet.
Learning with Mark Warren More good points. And I agree with your last statement. Thanks for watching and for the feedback!
Nice review man! I have been a ROLI user for a while and love it - that said I think you pointed out a number of improvements that could be made with the NOISE app! :)
Yak Thanks for watching! It was close. But not quite there for me. Excited to see where it goes tho!
Yak do you import sound or what i want to buy but need help
Thanks, this is a good review, done honestly. Last month bought just the Block and hooked it into Logic 10's synths. I found it's it's own instrument after a lot of fiddling with the controls. I did a really nice piece with it (first time's free) but I can see the limitations you point out. It's fussy to program, and tricky to play but I might get it under the fingers. Yes, get the block by itself and use it as a 5D midi controller. Equator is bundled and there are several videos on the Logic interfaces, probably some on your favorite DAW too. Roli makes it easy to connect with MIDI.
Honestly one of the best reviews ive watched. im so glad to hear that you had no cons with the seaboard itself, i just ordered one and it will be used wired most of the time. (also thinking of buying more, because a 120 key seaboard sounds nuts)
Can't wait for your review of the Osmose ;)
Thank you! So glad I could change my order in time! Going for the Rise 49 instead. I am in Africa and the Songmaker kit would have been a very expensive mistake for me!
jce590@gmail.com glad I could help. Was in Africa for the first time last year (Tanzania and Mozambique). Spoke to a guy who wanted a drone but they were too expensive to import. So I understand!
I’ve had the Seaboard Block for over two years now and never really used it. Yesterday I finally got around to updating all the latest software and it’s now a really powerful tool. I’ve no Bluetooth on my PC but the USB is perfect. Have you tried the latest software?
No, I haven't. Good to hear.
Really awesome review man, it's great to see someone actually try to work with the company to get issues resolved on a product they have hope in- aside from just shitting on the given product like most do in reviews. I don't sub a lot but you sir get a like and sub for your honesty! Have happy holidays my friend, also keep up the great work! Love your setup.
Appreciate it! Glad I could help.
I'm looking to get the 49 key seaboard don't need the drums so thanks for feed back!
I just purchased a Rise 49 a couple of weeks ago and use it with Cubas as a controller. At first I also had trouble with it but once I learned all about how it worked I fell in love. It works 100% with Equator which is a unbelievable instrument in itself. It does have some issues with slide with my hardware synths but Roli has insured me them issues in Dashboard will be resolved soon. The main reason I went with Rise 49 is that it has full size keys and 4 octaves. Give it time and you may fall in love also.
mattsynth I do love the Rise 49! I was speaking about the Roli Songmaker Kit in this video. It has issues that you don't and can't have with the Rise 49.
Jeremy and mattsynth I'm really curious of Rise 25 or 49. How would you compare 1 seabord block w rise 25, and 2 blocks connected w rise 49?
biggest question is, does it worth paying twice more for controls on the side of rise? Are they really useful?
Thanks for the vid btw!
@@bimaxim between the rise 25 and one block, it would probably really be up to preference and application. If you need something mobile and don't need the controls, I guess the block. If it's gonna be mainly stationary, like a studio application, after my experience, I would pay more and get the Rise 25. As for two of them together, I guess the same conditions apply. However, note that you cannot slide across two blocks, which stinks cuz that's half the fun of the Seaboard... So that is one functionality you sacrifice.
Bimaxim It all depends on what you plan to do with this keyboard. If you are just going to do leads or base lines Blocks may be enough for you. I use my Rise 49 as a studio controller for pads and sample instruments in Omnisphere, Kontak and Equator so a full size keyboard is essential. The side controllers are just icing on the cake and I use them all the time to control effects and parameters I do not want on the keys. The 49 is also solid and very heavy so it stays put on a desktop or lap unlike two connected blocks that are lightweight and move around when you press into them.
Agreed 100%. I have tried the roli song-maker kit you have + older version of lightpad + live block. I bought them used and still not willing to sell yet but I'm close to giving them up. Reach out to roli and got the same line-by-line response, but unfortunately after a few firmware updates still seems like there's not going to be a fix soon. The Noise app is terrible, as demonstrated by the 3-star rating in App Store. The stuck note is the most frustrating thing because it kills your vibe, and a hard-wired midi controller would never do that. I also attempted bluetooth blocks + Noise + airpods, the ideal mobile song-maker kit, but the latency was so bad I gave up after 2 minutes. Seriously roli if you're reading this, please get your tech together before releasing another pricy product.
Sorry to hear. But good to know I'm not crazy lol
Excellent review! Just a heads up, the Seaboard does not work well with Reason currently. Still waiting for Propellerheads to add MPE support. It will function as a regular midi controller, though.
Yes! Would love MPE with Reason. I was using it mainly with Logic, but tried it with Reason just for the heck of it. Obviously, you don't get all of the expression but worked as you would a non-MPE controller would.
Sean & Jeremy - I'm a major fan of Reason too (my main DAW), and have been trying to influence Propellerheads to go down the MPE route, but I suspect that there is not enough of us to influence a busy design team - maybe in Reason 11 or 12....
It's hard to keep track of what Roland is releasing these days in terms of software, but when I bought my Seaboard keyboard, they threw in Waveform 8 (ex Tracktion) and that DOES record MPE. I wouldn't say that editing was easy(!) but at least it does record a performance.
PS I'm finding that Cypher2 is pretty awesome as a 5D synth with some extensive instrument and effects programming with the Roli keyboard.
Yeah, the Roli stuff is sorta like Apple without the good fit and finish. Great design and concepts...just not quite there.
The Seaboard blocks are amazing though.
I agree with "great design and concept, just not quite there." I like Roli. These weren't up to par for me tho.
Is so good to see genuine gear reviews, thank man.
One of the most honest reviews 😉
Hopefully it helped!
This is a great review thanks! The slide limitation when using 2 Seaboards connected is a good point,so was mentioning the latency issue using Bluetooth ( and the stuck notes WTF!) Just curious, how did the block perform when sending drum midi to Garage Band drums? Was it just as odd sensitivity wise? Does it have value there? Again, great review and keep them coming!👍👍
You 100% should start doing reviews. This was one of the best I've seen.
I've seen hundreds of reviews over the years and yours is the best. It is honest and true. I really want Roli to work for me. I haven't committed yet but have had my eye on it for a few years. They've made it more affordable in the Roli Block, but I really wish they would make it playable without a Mac or iPad. For me, I would have to buy a laptop or another iPad to play it since my current iPad displays songs and chords. That is pricey. However, I will peek into the Roli world every year for improvements. Thank you Jeremy.
Roli don't even thinking of getting their Equator software working on LINUX, the musician will be FORCED into buying MAC, iPAD, Microsoft Windows 11 OS and PC , and so on
Man, after watching way too many hours of reviews, that intro rhodes playing really calmed me down. Thanks man :)
great video!! i just got a hold of the Roli seaboard mini.. without the block.. and i figured the same regarding all issues you point out!!
the issue of stuck notes lol... thats a big one!! glad you pointed that out..
i going to connect for the first time to my seaboard mini... with all the helpful knowledge you have shared!!
cheeRs!!!!!
Nice pro and con video. When I started watching this, I thought you were going to have something negative to say about the Seaboard Block, but this convinced me even more that perhaps I should get one as I have been wanting a more expressive keyboard controller and have considered Sensel Morph, Keith McMillen K-board, and the ROLI Seaboard Block. And I'd be playing it wired and connected to the PC, so the stuck notes and latency wouldn't be an issue for me.
I'm still not sure I like the feel of it, though. I tried its elder and larger sibling in a music shop one time and couldn't decide if I could ever get used to the squishiness.
In the end I decided to go with a Linnstrument instead of the Seaboard Block, but the Equator synth would still be great to have, so that is still on my list for a future sales day.
Awesome review. The one thing you don't mention in this video though is the Blocks Dashboard software. It allows for easy firmware updates to solve a few of the latency/stuck note issues. Furthermore, the software allows you to easily change device settings like slide/glide/pressure. You can set/lock specific variables like velocity for example, which solves the issue of using the lightpad as a drum machine.
misfitmanic good points. I did use Dashboard, but found the entire experience of Blocks dissatisfactory. Thanks!
It doesn't "solve" the issue. The issue is from how the technology works. You have to "press" the pads as opposed to "tapping" with something like a traditional pad controller.
Just curious if you know if any improvements have been made over the last 2-3yrs with their software? and were you strictly using their Noise app or were you using it as a plugin to Ableton or some other DAW? looking into getting a Seaboard (49) and saw this new kit they have as well , so was curious if that would be a good starting point for me. Or should I just get the seaboard block and skip the light block etc? seen some demos and vids lately and seems like the light block is good for activating tracks etc if you use it strictly to trigger stuff and not as a drum pad etc ..im looking at going with an Akai MPD218 for that anyways. Loved the video and very informative!
Wow, you got something here brother! I was considering on buying at least the small Keyboard.
What your offering is what people on our level need., The practical application of some of the gizmos we like to play with are not up to our stream of consciousness.
I've been doing this since the mid 80s! And in someways, I regret going digital because of latency.
Excellent work. Big fan!
Thanks Jeremy, awesome, authentic, honest first product review ! More like that please. I'd personally like you to stuck with the kit and work through the issues but only because I like your presentation style and want to see more vids :)
Just noticed the date you posted vid. Guess im a bit late lol.
this was real, down to earth & hella informative. than kyou & keep be real
Thanks so much! You just saved me hundreds of dollars from being wasted.
Great video Jeremy, preciate your honesty. I was deciding on getting the Roli or the Maschine MK3. Have you sampled or tried the MK3.. if so.. what are your thoughts?
I do like what I see in the Roli... but I want the best.
I have not, sorry.
The mk3 slays the roli.
You answered all my questions and learned me something new. Thanks :)
Great review! Extremely honest and down to earth. Do you think that these issues can be patched through software updates or it's better to wait for them to update the internal hardware?
JSernProductions Thanks! I don't know if I can say. But all of the hardware (the Seaboard and Lightboard surfaces, their weight and build quality) was great. Many issues could probably be addressed through software. The Loop block was pointless IMO, even if it was working flawlessly. I think it can all be improved upon and I think it will be. Excited to try it out again in the future, especially if they do any sort of updates.
I just tried this out in 2020... I had the same exact experience with my Roli SK ( garage band edition) and brand new iPad. It is frustrating! It was a great relief to find out you had the same problems!!! Thanks so much for that.
I just saw that Roli has not updated Noise for 2 years ( apparently after last 2/21 ipad ios update) Noise screen is now going all black where the controls are... so I can, t even use Noise anymore ( yes I have reinstalled it about 15 times i think now... and garage band too).. And since I had to wait over 6 months to get my SK after Covid, I found out they are having a problem getting parts to make them for distribution, which makes me wonder, Roli must be trying to figure out how to save their business? Updating software, customer support, is probably low on the priority list... So, I imagine they may be trying to recreate the Roli with parts they can access?? i do not have a Mac but besides my Ipad, I have a Dell, Windows 10 with required specs, so I tried that with less success...bc there is no Roli hardware driver anywhere on my PC after install. No matter how many times I reinstall. So, I cannot even launch Roli Connect... sweetwater tech worked on it for 45 minutes to no avail). Now I am thinking about getting a Macbook... but of course the question in the back of my mind is, “ How long will that work until there is another software issue?” No customer support, no Roli working on software updates etc... I know it is crazy to say I still want to try to make it work. Why? I am a complete newbie at all of this, keyboards, electronic music, everything. But for therapeutic reasons, that squishy keyboard feel, the lights, the tactical part coupled with the mpe technology? I can not find any replacement. I wish there was at this point. My iPad apps would say memory problem too .. did u get that? Ive got 100 gbs of storage left? Why would it do that?
Maybe it’s because I just bought a Roli Block used on eBay, that I don’t know what you are referencing when you talk about Equator. It must be a VST, right? You are spot on with all the shortcomings of the Block vs iPad issue regarding Noise. So frustrating! I went between the Block and the iPad screen testing out the wildly different results that occurred when attempting to make the same gestures in both. The difference was like night and day! Did the software developers even TEST the Block with the Noise app? I sure hope that they expand its functionality to operate as a general purpose MIDI controller. I have plans to plug it in and use it as such. I’ll let you know how I fared. Thanks for the unbiased straight talk.
Thank you For your honesty. I will need heavily on reviews like this because I live on the mainland and can’t always get hands-on experience with the product.
I rely heavily on reviews like this so thank you
Excellent review. Well delivered and authentic viewpoint. Thanks! Going to pass on the kit and give the Block a try out.
BubbaSatori glad I could help!
Great review man ! I purchased the song maker kit 2 months ago and I agree with all your points. Still the seaboard and lightpad block are nice MPE controller and Equator do has nice sounds so I might keep them for doing ambiant stuff and add more expression to my tracks. As for stuck notes, I don't know what is your issue with the software but I never had that with the seaboard or lightpad. Keep it up bro !
Tony Mohamed thank you! I am looking forward to trying it again in the future.
Great Review Helped me very much just resigned from songmaker kit and will go for seaboard block only propably.
I think that's probably the way to go. Thanks for watching!
Thank you so much for this. What a wonderfully different (but awesome) way of putting these thoughts together. Also, that musical intro is fire.
Thank u
Whoooo. We're Nektar brothers!!. Awesome vid man. Greetings from Miami. We need more videos like this, unbiased, true hearted and well intetioned. I believe Roli has changed the game for music prod. And with feedback like this they can perfect it. So great job. I got a couple of questions:
1. Do you work production for latin Urban/Pop Artist?
2. Does Equator VST work on any DAW? (Logic)
3. Does the Roli Block Keyboard work well with any DAW? (...Logic)
Thanks in advance for answering!
Carlos Colón Nektar rocks. And Thanks!
1. Sometimes, but not very often.
2. It should work with any DAW that supports VST and MPE. It will work with DAWs that don't support MPE, but it will not record all of the 5D midi info, so playback will be different.
3. The DAW just has to support MPE, otherwise it is basically reduced to a normal keyboard, because it can't record the 5 dimensions on midi data.
Worst review EVER! Period!
Dude! PATIENCE , poop head rap crap!
my type of reviews ! Unbiased .. do more of these
Thanks bro. Doing a lot more stuff on The Miserable Company channel. Gear reviews coming soon there
Thanks so much for the honesty. I enjoy playing midi instruments. Bluetooth has caused my other keyboard to have similar latency issues that make it unusable unplugged.
I’m just as big of a fan of this pioneering company as you. The video definitely brought to mind some things to consider and which application this device works best. This video definitely helped me considering the purchase!
Glad I could help!
Wow, authentic and gentle by the way, thanks Jeremy, Subscribed after watching this video, i'm from India. God bless you.
Thank you
@@JeremyCaruthers did they ever fix the issues ?
First vid, pretty good job! My complaint is: You start the vid off makin the block look fun to play and its soundin good. When you have a complaint show us while your talking about it. I thought most of the things you pointed out were valid, take an extra 30 sec. on each one and show us. iPad easier to use. OK lets see! Not only help out some of your viewers might even help ROLI to step up their game? Anyways good critical review! On to check out what else you got on the tube! Peace!
Great information. I recently bought two ROLI Seaboard Blocks and love them! I was also thinking about getting the light block but heard from another video you have to push hard on it. I don’t like the sound of that. But I use NOISE on my iPads and use the drum pads on that. It works for me so I’m thinking not to get the light pad. My main keyboard is the Yamaha Genos, so the ROLI Seaboard Blocks is like a secondary keyboard for me. I’m thinking about getting a third Seaboard Block.
Rev. Elaine Njerve-Zack sounds like a fun setup! Thanks for the comment!
do 3 seaboard blocks connect well ?
Kevin Kriston yes, they do. Very well. They connect magnetically.
This was 100% more helpful than anything i have seen. Thank you
Bloody awesome, I was on may way to buy...but I think I shall wait till they tweek it a little, your info was so beneficial...was thinking of getting it for our daughter she’s a producer/songwriter here in Australia...I could imagine her getting frustrated with those problems as well however the convenience for travel and setup for live gigs will be fabulous. Let’s hope Roli take on board your cons, valuable info to better their system. Cheers bud welldone, I subscribed straight up thank you 🤘
Good review. Answered some questions I had. Thanks.
Glad I could help!
Right on, thank you for this amazing unbiased review
Thank you for the honest review, really helpful. Keep on doing such reviews!
Very helpful review thanks, I was looking for a pad for drum input but I see your not happy with the inaccuracy with velocity and hitting pads in correct position. looks great I hope Roli sorts out any problems.
Excellent review! Thank you, Jeremy! I have a question, though. Did you end up getting the Seaboard block? Also, did you ever get a chance to try the Songmaker kit again?
Thanks! And no, I didn't do either.
Great video, you’re super underrated man. Keep it up!
Cristian Salazar thanks! Glad you liked it