ellitone tap-ki - percussive note midi controller

The ellitone tap-ki is a ‘percussive note’ midi-controller that features 12 highly-sensitive “tap touch” wooden bars. Formally known as the KeyControl 2, the ellitone tap-ki has found its true name and brings back all of the same functionality in a solid oak hardwood body. 

tap-ki features 16 selectable musical scales from around the world. Inspired by hand-pan drums, these 16 musical scales each offer a different mood for your playing and exploration. As seen in the demo video, tap-ki can be played like a piano using single finger taps, or like a drum using both hands to trigger groups of multiple notes at once. The excellent velocity-tracking system allows tap-ki to be played like a digital hand drum that responds to the smallest change in play pressure.

-16 selectable musical scales

1 - chromatic

2 - major 1

3 - major 2

4 - minor zen

5 - phrygian

6 - nature

7 - akebono

8 - enigma

9 - pentatonic

10 - hutsul

11 - lydian

12 - tonus

13 - la sirena

14 - kurd

15 - integral

16 - full range 0-127 midi output (for modulation)

- musical scale selection AND midi channel selection are controlled using 2 sets of dedicated bit switches located on the back of the device. These switches operate using 4-bit logic (16 possible combinations) *refer to the logic chart for more info. 

 tap-ki offers both USB-C midi output and TRS midi output simultaneously. The TRS midi output can be adapted to a classic 5-pin DIN midi cable using an inexpensive TRS to DIN midi cable adapter (TRS type A)

- highly requested ‘sustain mode’ switch allows you to select between two very useful sustain button behaviors. In sustain mode 1, the sustain button toggles between ‘full sustain’ and ‘no sustain’. This mode allows you to play short staccato notes and then quickly toggle to full sustain where notes are infinitely held.

In sustain mode 2, notes are always held in sustain and pressing the sustain button clears (ends) all current notes. Using these two modes along with the note gate length control allows for a wide range of play styles and techniques. 

- highly requested ‘note gate length’ trimmer added to control the length of a triggered midi note. This feature greatly increases the possibilities while playing. at its lowest default setting, midi notes end as soon as a Touch Bar is no longer being physically triggered. By turning the trimmer, midi note lengths can be increased to last several seconds before ending on their own. This introduces very interesting new musical possibilities while playing legato and experimenting with arpeggiators. 

- 12 leds on the inside of the device can be seen through the slits of the wooden Touch Bars. These lights give the user feedback when making functionality changes (octave, transpose, sustain). Press the transpose button and watch the lights indicate the current transposition. when transpose is at 0 you will see two center lights flashing. You can transpose a maximum of +6 semitones up and -5 semitones down from center (0). To transpose, press and release the transpose button and then tap one of the 12 Touch Bars. You will see the lights indicate the new transposition position. 

- the tap-ki wooden Touch Bars are extremely sensitive. They are designed to detect the smallest changes in human play pressure. These bars respond to “tap touch” - quick single strikes or taps from human fingers. think of the wooden Touch Bars like marimba bars and your fingers are the mallets. Unlike most conventional keyboards where notes can be held indefinitely by pressing and holding down a key, the ellitone tap-ki will only trigger a note on the first quick tap of the finger. This method of play is unique and may take a little time to get used to, this is why the device is called a “percussive note” midi controller. 

Shipping:

-Please expect to wait 1 week after ordering to receive your shipping notification. 

Domestic Shipping (USA) is Free. 

International Shipping ($35) 

*Thank you all for the business and amazing support over the last 10 years. I build these devices as a one man operation out of Kansas City, Missouri.