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MIDI Keyboard/Computer: Neko64

Posted by michael on from the meow dept.

An anonymous reader gushes "Just got back from NAMM, and saw the coolest thing for music geeks - it's a MIDI keyboard with a dual Opterons and a 15 inch touchscreen. While other vendors crow about 5 inch screens (Now With Color!) these guys have a beautiful UI on a live performance instrument that is also awesome studio gear. 4 interchangable control surfaces, and battery backup to boot! If the power cord gets yanked out in the middle of a performance, there's plenty of time to bitch out the roadie and get it plugged in without missing a beat. These guys truly Get It."

15 of 348 comments (clear)

  1. Did you actually SEE it running? by netsrek · · Score: 4, Interesting

    If i remember correctly, this thing has been demoed at at least the last NAMM, and possibly the one before.

    From what I heard, it was pretty much an empty shell last year and was utter vapourware....

    Did you see it on?

    Did it boot?

    Could you do anything with it?

    --

    i don't read slashdot anymore.
  2. "Open" Labs? by femto · · Score: 2, Interesting
    Can anyone please tell me what is open about 'open labs'? From their web site:
    Because it is based on our OpenSynth(TM) platform, NEKO 64(TM) frees you from all of the frustrating limitations imposed by closed, proprietary systems, while still maintaining the virtues of an all-in-one keyboard instrument.
    and from their developers page:
    The OpenSynth(TM) Developer program is open to any software or hardware controller developer with a compatible product offering. Open Labs offers many opportunities to developers to market their products including software bundling, eCommerce via the Open Labs website, and exposure at tradeshows as well as in marketing materials.
    Apart from the above quotes, I cannot find any of the usual 'open source' characterstics, such as souce code. Also, the product seems to run MS Windows XP as its operating system.

    I'm intrigued to know what is open about this product, apart from the name. Am I missing something? Perhaps 'open' is just a term which is open (sorry!) to wide interpretation?

  3. I dunno... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Interesting

    I didn't see where it said what, if any, audio software it comes with. That's a few hundered dollars right there.

    They don't say what speed the internal HDD is. And if you're going to do any serious multitracking you're going to want a Firewire drive anyway. That's another few hundered dollars. Nor do they say how many audio inputs it has, so you may well need a recording interface as well.

    They don't make an 88-key version, so you'll need a controller if you want a "real" keyboard. Yet another few hundered dollars.

    And only a 350 watt power supply? I would think a dual-opteron system with all those bells and whistles would need a lot more than that...

    Might be good if you're tight on space, but beyond that you might be better off with more "traditional" gear...

  4. 8GB or 16GB? by Stonent1 · · Score: 2, Interesting

    The specs say it can take 8gb but the product info says it can take 16gb of ram.

  5. Re:Windows XP as its os ? by phpsocialclub · · Score: 2, Interesting

    I understand how everyone loves to hate on XP, and I really hate it for daily computing, I use a mac/linux, but I have to defend XP for a musical platform.

    I use an XP machine with Native Instruments Traktor (DJ software) as a professional club DJ 2-4 times a week.

    This machine has nothing on it but Traktor and It has never crashes, starts up quick and just runs with out a hitch.

    I could see how, if this thing actually works it could be pretty cool, as I have seen a lot of acts with a laptop and a midi keyboard.

    sorry to defend microsoft,

  6. Stupid, IMO. by a+whoabot · · Score: 2, Interesting

    It's much better to get a laptop and an MIDI controller. The point of integrating the two is silly, IMO. I could destroy that thing with my setup no problem, and it's MUCH cheaper. I can put whatever program on, and yes, it can run Linux! The only thing it wins in is portability, and even that is questionable. I'd rather carry around my laptop and a nice small light controller than that.

    This is good as like any other powerful keyboard. It's good for lame session players doing lame comping, IMO; and who can't be assed to learn about all the various softsynths that are available and to get them to work.

    As someone mentioned before about studios and universities. I would serverly frown on any music institution that took this over a good computer and a controller.

  7. Re:One minor problem.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Interesting
    Depends on the musician :-) The only people i know of who find fan noise bothersome in the studio are musicians with microphones - drummers and singers. Guitarists and synth guys, on the other hand, play straight into the mixer, so fan or no fan makes no difference. I'm really of the opinion if you want to use a mic you should have a proper isolated booth anyways, so a bit of fan noise is really not a big deal.

    Though maybe i'm just saying that because i don't have a P4 or AMD hoover... I run a Mini-ITX PC in my studio, and really the only reason i switch it on is to update the OS on my synth modules and effects pedals.

  8. From a Geek/Musician... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Interesting

    ...it really drives home how ridiculous we geeks are when it comes to discussions of musical instruments. Here's the one and only criteria by which real musicians will judge this thing by:

    How does it sound?

  9. Re:The one thing missing on all those pages... by cbreaker · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Considering what it is, that's actually not too bad. A lot of the really high end keyboard/audio workstations are upwards of 8-10k and this one has the added advantage of being a PC.

    --
    - It's not the Macs I hate. It's Digg users. -
  10. For $8500 by phorm · · Score: 3, Interesting

    I could buy a good musical keyboard, and a good PC. Actually I could do so for less than this. Other than the "wow" factor is there any real advantage to this (other than perhaps musicians who really find it inconvenient to lug both keyboard and computer around).

    Anyone here know why the high cost? Any particularly extra-special redeeming features that would make you buy it?

  11. No spec on weight by Phiz · · Score: 2, Interesting

    As a someone who has worked as a roadie, I'm curious how much this thing weighs. I couldn't find it listed on their webpage.

    Luckly I don't think many musicans would take such a contraption to a live gig. Too complex -- too much could go wrong.

  12. Re:Gershwin's works are still under copyright by kfg · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Don't have any Gershwin. I've got Luiz Bonfa though, Vince Guarldi, Henry Mancini, Herbie Hancock, Cole Porter, Alan Arkin (yes, that Alan Arkin), Dave Brubeck, Benny Goodman and even some barrelhouse and stride piano stuff that's still under copyright.

    And technically, yes these are all pirate recordings. The only ones on my box.

    Parent poster made a funny, but it was a funny with a cutting edge to it.

    KFG

  13. Noise by MarkoNo5 · · Score: 2, Interesting

    What about the noise of the dual opterons ? You're gonna need a heavy amp if you still want to hear your music ;)

  14. Expensive and badly layed out by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Interesting

    If you are to build a musical instrument keep those in mind:
    1- If I turn it on I need to be able play with it without configuration or setup or opening apps, nothing, turn on->play
    2- I do not care what processor is used, I expect to read audio and musical specs not computer ones when I buy a musical instrument, I need to know about polyphony, tracks count, effects count, sync, bits count and sample rate, number of ports, etc. And to be honest 128voices is rather ridiculous for a dual Opteron setup, I really do believe it is able to produce a lot more or else this is the pure confirmation that it doesn't even compete with the G5.
    3- I care about the design (not the look but the way every controls are layed out), I need to be able to reach the controls in a logical, musical manner, having the rotary bank away from the fader bank isn't natural to anyone used to audio gear for example.
    4- If I am a musician with limited ressources (mostly every musician) I'll be better off with a PowerBook and various controllers in a road case than with this (or a SmallFF-PC for the PC inclined).
    5- If I'm a wealthy musician I'm better off with a PowerBook and various controllers in a road case...
    5- If I somewhat am a geeky rock star (no rock star yet playing any keyboard workstation but one can hope...) I can always use an XserveG5 with various controllers in a road case...

    Bottom line is, great idea, poor design...

  15. Have you seen a Korg Triton? by Sycraft-fu · · Score: 2, Interesting
    They are huge with lots of gadgets. How about a Yamaha 9000 Pro perhaps? Hell, how about even a old analogoue Prophet 5?

    There are TONS of huge, complecated, expensive, synthesizers out there and they do get bought and sold. This one is the same, but features teh ability of have software synthesizers and the like loaded on it. Those have become rather popular, and in fact some companies sell nothing but soft synths.

    There is plenty of market for this sort of thing.