Isla Instruments is running a Kickstarter campagn for KordBot, which they describe as a MIDI controller that gives you 1000's of chords at the touch of a button, a powerful arpeggiator and step sequencer in one. This is how they describe it:

KordBot is a music production assistant that combines a chord generator, arpeggiator and step sequencer In one unit.

KordBot enables users to quickly and easily play 1000s of chords on any polyphonic MIDI capable device. It has 32 built-in chord types including inversions for each, with another eight user-banks for storing custom chord types.

For creating fast ideas, 'Song Builder' mode lets KordBot automatically pre-select the seven harmonically related chords of a scale known as a 'diatonic progression'. These are standard chord sequences available from fourty-nine scales and scale modes, such as Major, Minor, Penatonic and Blues scales, Lydian, Phrygian, Aeolian and Locrian modes and more. Exotic scales are available as well, such as Pelog, Hungarian Folk, Balinese and Oriental.

Up to four scale types and key signatures can be selected, accessed from the four chord modifier rows on the left side of the unit. The resulting diatonic chord progressions of each row then form a sort of 'musical palette' for inspiring song ideas with the push of a few buttons.

Other KordBot features are the unique chord 'strum' feature, where users can slide across the built-in ribbon controller to strum the notes of the chord.

Speaking of which, the ribbon controller is also both pressure and location sensitive, allowing 2 axis control of sound parameters during user-configurable MIDI Continuous Controller commands (MIDI CC). This means 2 separate real-time MIDI CC parameters can be manipulated at once, such as pitch bend and vibrato levels.

The advanced Arpeggiation unit includes 'humanisation' and 'swing' functions to vary note velocities and/or note/chord start times and lengths. The arpeggiator has all the usual up/down patterns as well as the ability to store user-created patterns. It may also be synchronised to an external MIDI clock if desired.

Kordbot is not only just a tool for the studio... It's a truly powerful learning device -- KordBot's illuminated keyboard displays each note of the chords played. This is a great way for users to quickly learn how to play the chords themselves and for quick reference lookup of chord fingerings.

KordBot easily connects to your hardware and software via MIDI, USB or wirelessly via Bluetooth and will work with iOS and Android devices too.

Pricing and Availability:
See Kickstarter page.

More information:

• www.islainstruments.com

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