Today we are getting a new ROLI Beatmaker kit. The company is one of new leaders in 5D touch hardware and these beat maker kits it releases are some of the best options for those looking to jump in. The latest model brings together some of its expressive hardware instruments along with an impressive bundle of companion software to get you going.
The New ROLI Beatmaker Kit
The new ROLI Beatmaker Kit is centered around the Lightpad Block and Loop Block controllers. The Lightpad is essentially a multi-touch pad controller that is specifically tailored for the wealth of included software. Much like the Seaboard, it offers up a unique and alternate way of creating music with your hands known as 5D Touch. This allows you to “strike, glide, slide, press and lift” your way through expressive variations on a sound. You can think of the Loop Block like a physical transport control for creating loops in real-time right at your fingertips.
The package includes over 300 sounds for both desktop and mobile setups. You get 10 sound packs inside the ROLI NOISE iOS app, a copy of Ableton Live Lite, and light versions of 3 fantastic software instruments: Equator Player, Strobe2 Player and Cypher2 Player. I have used all three of these in both the “Player” and full versions. They’re great.
We recently reviewed the full version of Cypher2 for Logic Pros and haven’t been able to put the thing down since. It’s pricey but these light versions that are included in the new ROLI Beatmaker kit are a great way to try them out.
Up to $180 Worth of Lessons Included
ROLI is also throwing in 6 months of Melodics online beat making lessons. That’s usually up to $29.99 per month, so there’s some nice value added to the bundle here:
Finger drumming is fun with Melodics, the desktop app for learning beat-making technique. Begin with the basics or challenge yourself to play complex patterns. Melodics now features a plug-and-play integration with the Lightpad Block and Loop Block. Explore hundreds of lessons with a six month subscription that comes with your kit.
The new ROLI Beatmaker kit is available now for $299.99.
ROLI is among our favorite new music production hardware makers out there. The Seaboard has drastically changed the way I and many others compose and create music. We had a chance to go hands-on with the most affordable model, the Seaboard Block, and absolutely loved it.
FTC: 9to5Toys is reader supported, we may earn income on affiliate links
Subscribe to the 9to5Toys YouTube Channel for all of the latest videos, reviews, and more!
