(400kb jpg photo montage attached - heavily compressed)
This a review of a resolume interface that I "designed" based on the product/technology of EKI:
http://www.electronickeyboards.com
This company makes custom keyboards for industrial/fastfood/custom installations.
I use the term "designed" VERY loosely as I only designed the layout and nothing else.
This more or less a review on their technology and the feasibility of implementation in vj applications.
As of this writing, I have had the unit for about a month and used it for about 40-60 hours of playing"/working"
the unit size is:
12 inches wide X 11.75 inches deep. it has a console slant of 2.25 inches tall in the back and 1.75 inches tall in the front
the interface size is:
9.75 inches wide X 7.50 inches deep and is recessed from the console about 1/3 of an inch.
the price for my unit worked out like this: (in United States Dollars)
- $375 for the base unit , programming, and interface print.
(no color limit)
- $50 for the touchpad
- $20 for the ps2 - usb adapter
- $16.25 for 2-day shipping
_________________________________
total: $461.25
(They offer smaller keyboard configurations for more affordable prices so keep that in mind.)
This interface was designed to work WITH a midi controller and a normal keyboard. not to replace them.
My main concerns were:
- organizing the most important function I wanted access to
with my left hand, and controlling my midi controllers with
my right hand.
- making my vj rig look more professional
- having a piece of equipment that would stay even if/when I
upgrade my midi controllers over the next few years.
A modular approach to resolume hardware.
This layout accommodates my vj style the best... Other VJ's will want other layouts to accommodate their style. This is the primary PRO of this companies product: It can be designed EXACTLY how you want to with just a graphics design program.
If in a couple years, I want to change my layout. I can send my controller in with a new design layout and keystroke combination and they will re-print and program my keyboard for $100. (less for their smaller keyboards configurations)
So I am not stuck with my current design.
Pros:
-size (not to big or to small)
-no moving parts to break
-ability to remove case and recess-mount in a custom resolume rig.
-no color limit
-professional looking unit. more organized layout and less
"hoakey-vj-gear" setup
-no limitation to the layout style you want (aside from designing
around the grid protocol)
design it to your needs... (You do not have to be limited to a control
surface that suits my
needs or somebody else's needs/style.
-up to 180 key command buttons available, group "buttons" together
to make bigger "buttons"
-touchpad is an option so you don't HAVE to have one (touchpad is
SLIGHTLY raised so your
finger tip can sense when you are on it and not.
-ps2 cord out of the unit, with a usb adapter option. (so if you have
to many usb cables you
can go ps2 on the keyboard and the touchpad)
-more durable to cleaning, beverage spills,
-recessed layout offers good hand rest and no(or less) accidental
button touching
Cons:
-no tactile feedback. (like touching a piece of plastic)
the unit is set to "beep" when a key is touched. a "con" at first, but
in an actual show
it is a pro, i think. I believe that option can be turned off in the order
process.
-can not "drum trigger" clips (back and forth between clips like you
can on a real keyboard)
-90% accurate. Occasionally i would have to select a button twice. It
is rare once you get
use to the layout, but it would happen every once in a while.
-Learning curve. Because it is all flat, it took a bit more time to get
use to the layout.
I now am comfortable with it but not proficient.
-about 2 taps per second sometimes more but generally about that,
so no speed-button pressing.
-one key at a time. not a big deal to me but maybe for
someone else.
-a bit of a deal to me, you can't "hold" a key down, you have
to tap the key for each keystroke.
So my OPACITY and SPEED keys are not that useful.
Bottom line....
Very Happy with the purchase. I was a little uncertain in the first 5 or 6 hours of playing with it, but like all gear, you just have to get used to it.
I plan on posting a link to CorelDraw, .eps and .ai templates of my design and the plain grid for resolume users to download if anyone is interested.
