NAMM 2012: ControlTouch: MIDI controller keyboard with touchscreen monitor

Hook up your computer and you're away

Ben Rogerson, Thu 12 Jan 2012, 10:14 am GMT

The ControlTouch 61: click the photo for more images.

NAMM 2012: We'll have to admit that the concept of a MIDI controller keyboard with built-in touchscreen monitor - one that actually displays your DAW - is one we hadn't considered before. However, Music Computing has not only had the idea, but it's also gone right ahead and brought such a product to market.

The ControlTouch is available with 25 or 61 keys and also sports eight drum pads, eight knobs and nine faders. It's Mac and PC compatible and comes with a virtual instrument that offers some 3,000 sounds.

Click here for a gallery of ControlTouch images

This all sounds great in theory, though we'll be interested to discover just how practical it is to tweak DAW and soft synth controls on a 10-inch touchscreen display. In fact, regardless of display size, we're still to be convinced that computer musicians want to reach out and touch a monitor that sits vertically rather than tweak a controller (touchscreen or otherwise) on the desktop.

That said, the issue is clouded further here by the fact that the ControlTouch does have physical controllers, too.

ControlTouch is certainly a product we'd like to try; it can be ordered now from the Music Computing website. Prices are $599 for the 25-note model and $699 for the 61-note iteration.

Here's the official release...

Music Computing ControlTouch press release

The world keep changing and that's no different for music production and performance. Traditional instruments are giving way to computer-based alternatives and the key is to bridge the two worlds without stifling creativity or getting lost in the technology.

Music Computing introduces ControlTOUCH…your laptop's new best friend.

World's First Integrated Controller: ControlTOUCH keyboard controllers are designed for the modern day musician who requires traditional keyboard controller features along with a video display and touch screen controls. ControlTOUCH allows you to concentrate on your music creation or performance and less on the technology behind them. ControlTOUCH instantly transforms your laptop or desktop into a full-blown keyboard production station.

ControlTOUCH 61: The 61-key version provides the following controls and features: 8 velocity sensitive trigger pads, 2X Assignable Pedal Interfaces, 8X Assignable Faders (61-key only), Pitch Bend Wheel and Modulation wheel, 6 Buttons for MTC, Master Volume Fader (61-key only), 8 double Function button with shift, providing 15 functions like (PROGRAM, CHANNEL, CURVE, OCTAVE, TRANSPOSE, BANK M, BANK L, DUAL, SPLIT, MUTE, AFTER TOUCH, CONTROL ASSIGN, etc), 10X numeric pad with +/- buttons, Built-in Memory, which can store/load 6 groups of user's parameters, MIDI/OUT, and MIDI/IN.

MusicRadar