Dear PolyExpression members,
KMI has released a major update to our QuNexus controller. While we are very excited about the new RED enclosure (with a new smooth ABS-Polycarbonate that does away with our previous soft-touch coating), the new 2.0 firmware, which is backwards compatible with legacy units, is something I am particularly proud of.
QuNexus is a 25 key silicon keyboard controller, the keys each sense continuous pressure and “tilt” (equivalent to slide along the Y-Axis). QuNexus has always had “Channel Rotation”, a MIDI implementation that in 2012 was ahead of its time. Using the right settings, you could make QuNexus behave like an MPE controller. With 2.0 we are now fully MPE compliant, using proper manager/member channel settings that can be instantly recalled with factory preset C.
In addition, we have added a three track arpeggiator/step sequencer, and Track 1 will arpeggiate and sequence MPE tilt/pressure data. It’s worth noting that the sequencer tracks are each monophonic, and while this is a limitation of the original QuNexus hardware design (there is only 64k of shared program/data memory in the 8051 microcontroller), we have found that this creative limitation is an interesting and fun take on MPE, and allows us to provide this update to our existing customers as well as new. And while the MPE sequencer playback is monophonic, you can still play live polyphonically while the three tracks are playing back, and all of the mixed MPE member channels will be allocated correctly.
But of most interest to this community will be the new key algorithm. The original 2012 QuNexus tilt algorithm was built around the key “tilt” controlling pitch bend. To engage tilt, you would have to press down and intentionally “grab” the center of the key before moving it. Since then we have learned a lot about playing MPE instruments, and what makes that playback intuitive and “feel” right, and most of the MPE community has standardized around the Y-axis controlling modulation through CC74. So, we have borrowed heavily from our K-Board Pro 4, and rebuilt the QuNexus algorithm from the ground up. The new “tilt” behaves much like the K-Board Pro 4 Y-axis, and is sensitive and instant. You can slide or tap your finger up and down the keys and they will instantly respond. You can see this playability in action in the video below:
One other improvement that we borrowed from K-Board Pro 4 is an updated factory calibration procedure. This is something only available with the new RED units, because it requires us to run the QuNexus through a custom built machine that applies standardized pressure values to the keys and stores the output values into program memory. The new algorithm then takes this data and calibrates the key sensors so that they respond consistently when compared to one another. This process also vastly improves our quality control, so that every new QuNexus RED is guaranteed to respond well and play evenly across all of the keys. We have also added more ways to customize the playability using our editor, allowing you to independently adjust the velocity, pressure, tilt, and bend pad sensitivities.
And on top of all of this, we have lowered the price to $179USD. With the global microchip shortage, some people have seriously questioned this decision, but for now we are going to see how well this is received.
It is hard for a company, especially one as small as we are, to invest so much into an “old” product. This industry is built around product life cycles that typically range from 18-36 months, with new product refreshes that put previous versions at end-of-life with no more updates. It’s a very disposable and trend driven business model, one which requires a constant churning and burning of ideas, instruments, and people. We hope that you see the value in what we have done with QuNexus, and that we are making a statement about our new approach to our customers and products. Since coming on board with KMI in August of 2020, it has been my goal to take us in this direction, and there is much more to come, including new products and designs. But we cannot do this without your support, whether it’s word of mouth or a product purchase.
Legacy users can now download the new 2.0 firmware from our downloads page, and new QuNexus RED are being shipped to dealers as I type these words. We also have RED replacement enclosures available for purchase through the parts page on our website.
I’m happy to answer any questions that you might have.
Enjoy,
Eric Bateman
CEO
Keith McMillen Instruments
