Pricing and availability
Average Price: $702
High-end/Boutique
$200
$501+
Price Tier
Budget
Standard
High-end
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Description
Dive into the future of music creation with the Roli Seaboard GRAND, a masterpiece that redefines the boundaries of expression. Not just any MIDI controller, this instrument merges the tactile intimacy of traditional keyboard play with the limitless possibilities of digital technology. Its Keywave playing surface stands at the forefront of innovation, allowing musicians to shape sounds through touch with unprecedented fluidity and depth. Whether you're bending notes, modulating timbre, or adding layers of expression to your performance, the Seaboard GRAND invites you to explore musical dimensions that were once beyond reach.
Key Features:
- Revolutionary Keywave playing surface for nuanced touch control
- Offers polyphonic pitch bend and aftertouch for dynamic expression
- Includes three effects inputs for expanded sound control and experimentation
- Designed for seamless integration with digital audio workstations
- Provides a unique interface for both live performance and studio composition
Product specs
| Brand | ROLI |
| Model | Seaboard Grand Stage |
| Year | 2010s |
| Categories | Keyboard MIDI Controllers |
| Analog / Digital | Digital |
| Key Size | Full Size |
| MIDI I/O | USB MIDI |
| Number of Keys | 61 Keys |
FAQs
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What makes the Roli Seaboard GRAND unique compared to traditional MIDI keyboards?
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The Roli Seaboard GRAND features a soft, touch-responsive surface that allows for expressive control over pitch, timbre, and volume, offering a more dynamic playing experience than traditional MIDI keyboards.
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Is the Roli Seaboard GRAND compatible with popular DAWs like Ableton Live and Logic Pro?
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Yes, the Roli Seaboard GRAND is compatible with major DAWs, including Ableton Live and Logic Pro, allowing seamless integration into your music production workflow.
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How does the Roli Seaboard GRAND connect to a computer?
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The Roli Seaboard GRAND connects to a computer via USB MIDI, providing a straightforward setup for digital music production.
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Can the Roli Seaboard GRAND be used for live performances?
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Yes, the Roli Seaboard GRAND is designed for both studio use and live performances, offering expressive control and versatility for performers.
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Does the Roli Seaboard GRAND require any special software to operate?
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While the Roli Seaboard GRAND can be used with standard MIDI-compatible software, it is optimized for use with ROLI's Equator software, which is included with the hardware.
Videos
TechCrunch
Roli Seaboard Grand Piano Demo
Reviews
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Roli Seaboard GRAND.
Features and functionality
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The Seaboard Grand includes a built-in sound module, distinguishing it from other Seaboard models which are purely controllers.
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Initially, the pitch sliding on the Grand is limited to one octave, but a firmware update can extend this capability across the entire keyboard.
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The Seaboard Grand can function in standalone mode using its built-in Equator synth engine, although setup issues can prevent this.
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The Seaboard Grand is not a traditional piano with additional features; it requires learning new playing techniques for effective use.
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Software and compatibility
User experience
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The keys of the Seaboard Grand are described as "spongy" and require an adjustment period, which may not suit all playing styles.
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Owners report ongoing frustrations with Roli's support and legacy product management, affecting long-term satisfaction despite the product's potential.
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The sensitivity of the Seaboard Grand's keys can be exhausting for fingers during extended play, requiring an adaptation period.
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Use cases and applications
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The Seaboard Grand's MPE capabilities are useful for controlling Roli's Equator 2 and other MPE-compatible plugins, expanding its functionality beyond its internal sounds.
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Learning the unique gestures of the Seaboard Grand unlocks new possibilities in both hardware and software synth exploration.
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Setup and maintenance
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To update a brand-new Seaboard Grand, accessing the SD cards inside for manual updates might be necessary due to lack of current support.
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Build quality
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The Seaboard Grand's surface is softer and less firm compared to the newer Rise and Blocks models, affecting playability and tactile feedback.
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Critic Reviews
4.5 out of 5
Based on 0 Reviews and 16 Ratings
Artist usage
Add artist
In this video, Hans Zimmer says "The seaboard is really interesting because I think musicians, by nature, are experimental."
"Massive shout to @we.are.roli for the seaboard grand. Can't wait to get into this thing."
Mat Zo lists that he uses the ROLI Seaboard GRAND in this email from February 2017 detailing his studio gear.
From 0:00 on Jordan Rudess fiddles about with his Seaboard (he is also the Head of Music Experience at Roli.
BT says, "This is a quantum leap forward from the pianoforte which was the last big development in the keyboard."
From here.
In the beginning of the video, behind him, you can see the ROLI Seaboard GRAND Studio.
Here is a picture that he posted of the Roli Seaboard which he says he has been "writing and performing with".
0:49 "This one made of silicone. A very strange feeling when you touch it for the first time, feels like the hands are drowning and you are in a dream and something going wrong."
In this July 8th 2015 Future Music article, Emika explains what she uses in her studio and says on page 7 of the interview: “The newest thing I’ve got, which is a phenomenal piece of kit, is the Seaboard from ROLI."
Seaboards remain a fixture in Marius’s home studio in Los Angeles. “I’ve moved into live-work mode,” he says. “My studio is also my home.” It’s an arrangement that helps maximize his work time amid travels that often takes him back back to the UK.
A Seaboard GRAND, Seaboard RISE, and Seaboard Block are all part of a setup that includes dozens of other synths and drum machines. “It’s the GRAND that I keep going back to. It’s what got me excited about the Seaboard before the serendipity of La La Land. I just loved the experience of playing it — the process of adapting keyboard technique to different expressive means.”
Album Usage
The Roli Seaboard GRAND has been featured on the following albums:
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Roli Seaboard GRAND, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
Community setups
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