An outsider entry into the synthesiser market with some bold ideas about the weight of the equipment you’re currently lugging up the venue back stairs. Up to this point you’ve had to accept small keys and limited controls to get your keys into your carry on luggage. A complete rethink of technology offers this fresh take – inflate the keys at the venue to get a board with full sized keys in a full range of octaves. All the controls you expect from a master controller are here. And when the gig is over it’s a breeze to pack down the keys for the next stage of your hectic tour.
You’ll encounter problems that go with the first iteration of an idea. For a start the key action is not weighted. Actually the keys have no throw at all, being rather puffy. It’s not clear whether the synth is polyphonic – in fact no sound made at all. The controls are not labelled, so it’s a bit difficult to gauge whether the cut off filter is set right on your complete lack of audio.
But considering the main use of keys in contemporary live performance is to move your hands vaguely near to the keys in time with the backing track – this unit stands near to perfect. You could be lugging an expensive and very heavy keyboard on and off stage for no particular benefit. Why not switch to the Party Maker? Especially if you’re mostly working as a DJ. The price is right and the vaguely DX7 green is convincing. You could pour drinks on it, throw it around – it will never break down or over heat.
I’m really looking forward to the Party Maker DJ controller. That will revolutionise clubbing culture.
