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ROLI, the go-to name in cutting-edge music tech, just dropped something big: the ROLI Airwave. This isn’t just another instrument — it’s a whole new way to create and learn music. With the launch of Airwave, ROLI is bringing some serious innovation to the table, turning any ROLI keyboard into what they’re calling an “intelligent piano.” Think vision and voice capabilities that respond to your every move. Available for pre-order right now, this is a game-changer for both newcomers and pros looking to elevate their musical journey.
“Music has always been seen as tough to learn — and we’re here to change that,” says Roland Lamb, CEO of ROLI. “Our mission is to break down those barriers and make it easier for anyone to connect with music. With Airwave, we’ve done just that by pushing the boundaries of tech and creating something that goes beyond the traditional keys and sounds. We’re leveraging AI and computer vision to create something that truly makes music accessible to all.”
How Airwave Transforms ROLI Instruments
The ROLI Airwave takes music learning and performing to another level by integrating 3D infrared cameras and advanced AI to understand your hand movements in real-time. By adding this tech to any existing ROLI keyboard, like the Piano M or Seaboard M, you’re turning it into an intelligent practice assistant that sees, hears, and reacts to what you’re doing.
Imagine this: you sit down at your ROLI keyboard, and it’s not just waiting for you to play—it’s actively guiding you. Airwave’s vision tech captures every finger movement, giving feedback on posture, hand position, and even rhythm. Combine it with the light-up keys of the Piano M, and you’ve got yourself a full-fledged music learning system that’s tailored to your unique skill set and style.
It’s not just for learning, though. For creators, Airwave opens up a whole new world of expressive possibilities. You can use hand gestures like Air Raise to switch between sounds, Air Tilt to morph a piano into a synth, or Air Slide to control effects in ways that have never been possible before. It’s like conducting an orchestra with just a wave of your hand.
More Than Just Keys
ROLI has always been about more than just keys, and the Airwave is no different. Powered by the new ROLI Music Intelligence (MI) platform, this device is designed to work seamlessly with the latest tech advances in sound, touch, sight, and now, vision and voice. ROLI’s been refining these technologies for over a decade, and with the Airwave, they’ve hit the sweet spot between complexity and simplicity.
The device’s dual camera system means it can see your hands with 3D precision, while the voice recognition software listens and responds to commands. Need help figuring out a chord? Just ask your ROLI keyboard. Want to switch from a piano sound to a full string section? No problem, just raise your hand.
For those who are familiar with ROLI’s legacy, Airwave’s integration into existing hardware like the Piano M (formerly known as LUMI Keys) or the Seaboard M makes it a natural upgrade. Got two of these devices? Stack them up and double your playing surface to really push the boundaries of what you can create.
Meet the New Dimensions
With Airwave, music is no longer confined to pressing keys. The controller introduces five new “dimensions” of musical interaction: Air Raise, Air Glide, Air Tilt, Air Flex, and Air Slide. Each gesture lets you manipulate sounds in ways that weren’t possible before.
For example, with Air Flex, you can adjust the volume of a single note or group of notes by flexing your fingers. Use Air Glide to shift between different chords with a smooth motion. Want to bring the bass in? Just tilt your wrist, and you’re there. This opens up so many creative possibilities that it feels like Airwave is less of an instrument and more like an extension of yourself.
According to Marco Parisi, an internationally acclaimed producer and musician who’s worked with artists like Fred Again and Ed Sheeran, “Airwave is a true game-changer. It brings a new layer of expressiveness and interaction that’s been missing from music technology. You’re not just playing music anymore — you’re shaping it in real-time with every move you make.”
ROLI’s mission is to “free the music,” making it accessible and enjoyable for everyone, whether they’re just starting out or looking to expand their creative horizons. With the launch of Airwave, ROLI is leading the charge into a new era of intelligent instruments that respond to the player in more ways than ever before.
This isn’t just about the Airwave, though. ROLI’s MI platform will continue to evolve, setting the stage for a whole lineup of intelligent instruments that leverage computer vision, AI, and more to transform how music is created, learned, and performed.
Key Features of the ROLI Airwave:
- Intelligent Practice Assistant: Provides real-time feedback on hand position, posture, rhythm, and dynamics.
- ROLI Music Intelligence (MI) Platform: A powerful suite of tools that includes voice recognition and 3D vision capabilities.
- Five New Interaction Dimensions: Use Airwave’s five new hand gestures — Air Raise, Air Glide, Air Tilt, Air Flex, and Air Slide — to interact with sound in completely new ways.
- Compatible with ROLI’s Piano M and Seaboard M: Expand your playing surface by connecting two devices together.
- Voice Command Integration: Ask your ROLI instrument to show you a chord, start a song, or offer suggestions to improve your playing.
FAQs
1. How does the ROLI Airwave work with existing ROLI keyboards?
The ROLI Airwave is designed to enhance the functionality of existing ROLI keyboards like the Piano M and Seaboard M by adding vision and voice capabilities. Simply connect the Airwave, and your keyboard becomes an intelligent instrument that provides real-time feedback and responds to gestures and commands.
2. What are the five new dimensions introduced with Airwave?
Airwave’s five new dimensions — Air Raise, Air Glide, Air Tilt, Air Flex, and Air Slide — allow for interaction with sound in new and expressive ways. You can control volume, switch sounds, and morph effects with simple hand gestures.
3. Is the Airwave only for music learners?
Not at all! While Airwave provides a powerful practice assistant for learners, it’s equally valuable for creators looking to expand their expressive potential and experiment with new forms of sound interaction.
Conclusion
ROLI’s Airwave is setting the stage for a new era in music technology, one where instruments are as responsive and dynamic as the musicians playing them. With features like real-time feedback, intelligent voice commands, and interactive hand gestures, Airwave redefines what’s possible in both learning and creative performance. Musicians of all levels can now connect with their instruments on a deeper level and explore new dimensions of sound, thanks to ROLI’s relentless pursuit of innovation.
Will Vance is a professional music producer who has been involved in the industry for the better part of a decade and has been the managing editor at Magnetic Magazine since mid-2022. In that time period, he has published thousands of articles on music production, industry think pieces and educational articles about the music industry. Over the last decade as a professional music producer, Will Vance has also ran multiple successful and highly respected record labels in the industry, including Where The Heart Is Records as well as having launched a new label with a focus on community through Magnetic Magazine. When not running these labels or producing his own music, Vance is likely writing for other top industry sites like Waves or the Hyperbits Masterclass or working on his upcoming book on mindfulness in music production. On the rare chance he's not thinking about music production, he's probably running a game of Dungeons and Dragons with his friends which he has been the dungeon master for for many years.
