Keys: A keyboard designed for musicians

Polyend, a Polish music technology company that designs electronic instruments, grooveboxes, trackers and MIDI controllers for music production, is developing Keys, a hybrid mechanical keyboard and MIDI controller designed to combine everyday computing with music-making.

The concept follows Polyend founder Piotr Raczyński’s approach to hardware design: instruments should encourage physical interaction and keep musicians focused on making music rather than having to navigate through layers of software. Manufactured from a single aluminium block, Keys resembles an ordinary keyboard, but the number row and function keys double as piano keys, while nine rotary knobs handle MIDI continuous controllers or basic computer settings, aided by a small onscreen readout. Further features include hot-swappable, backlit mechanical switches, USB and Bluetooth connectivity, a TRS MIDI output, and a rechargeable battery for portable use.

However, the unit is still a prototype, and Polyend is still working on adding pressure sensitivity and aftertouch, so questions about its actual capabilities and whether it will give musicians any added value remain unanswered. Pricing and a release date have not been announced. Polyend showcased Keys publicly for the first time at Gamescom in Cologne last month; interested buyers can register here for future updates.