Eigenharp Alpha classified ad
New ad alertImages
Videos
Reviews
mikemiltonA wonderful experience to play
Published on 03/27/12 at 12:29I've had an Alpha since they first became available. While they are able to act as a MIDI controller, they are really a complete instrument by themselves, have several 'internal' sounds and can host virtually any AU or VST.
The Alpha is exquisitely made and is, as a result, expensive. (The Tau is essentially the same and very reasonably priced)
What do I like?
- it is incredibly tactile and expressive, well beyond what MIDI is capable of
- there is total configurability
- one can load multiple AUs/VSTs at the same time and play them simultaneously or sequentially in multiple keygroups
- It has an excellect mic-pre and...…
I've had an Alpha since they first became available. While they are able to act as a MIDI controller, they are really a complete instrument by themselves, have several 'internal' sounds and can host virtually any AU or VST.
The Alpha is exquisitely made and is, as a result, expensive. (The Tau is essentially the same and very reasonably priced)
What do I like?
- it is incredibly tactile and expressive, well beyond what MIDI is capable of
- there is total configurability
- one can load multiple AUs/VSTs at the same time and play them simultaneously or sequentially in multiple keygroups
- It has an excellect mic-pre and headphone amp built in
- all information (including mic and in-ear monitors) flows through a single cable (mine is 80Ft long) giving complete freedom of movement
- The ability to configure the instrument and SW has greatly improved and continues to be refreshed
Knowing what I know now:
- if I were buying one now, my only wish would be to have bought earlier at a better price
Is there a not-to-like
- it has quite a learning curve and the keys are *so* expressive they take practice (like playing a fretless instrument)
- You can play any hard or soft synth right out-of-the-box using factory setups but advanced customization
and making your own setups can be technically challenging (this has improved greatly)
Tech. sheet
- Manufacturer: Eigenlabs
- Model: Eigenharp Alpha
- Category: Other MIDI Controllers
- Added in our database on: 03/26/2012
A professional level instrument which allows the musician to play and improvise using a limitless range of sounds with virtuoso skill. The unique design of the keys makes this the most expressive electronic musical instrument ever made. The Alpha can play and record loops, change scale and key, transpose, alter tempo, program beats, create arrangements, switch and layer multiple sounds, all while the musician is performing live on stage.
Available in a beautiful ebony and silver finish, it has 120 highly sensitive keys, 12 percussion keys, 2 strip controllers and an optional breath pipe. This gives almost endless possibilities for flexible keyboard layouts, fast instrument switching and expressive musical control. The comprehensive software system provides a wealth of musical performance features, including playback of its own native instruments, many common software plugins, soundfonts or midi instruments.
The Alpha requires a Mac or a Windows computer to run.
- Eigenharp Alpha
- Eigenharp Pro case by Hiscox.
- Product Activation card for website support and tutorial materials.
- Eigenharp standard base station.
- Eigenharp standard base station power cable.
- 6m Alpha to Base Station connecting cable.
- 2m Base Station to computer USB 2.0 connecting cable.
- Eigenlabs laptop/Base Station and cables carry bag.
- Eigenlabs 8GB USB stick with latest install software (Macintosh) and getting started tutorials.
Keys
- 133 keys in all.
- 120 keys on the main keyboard.
- 12 percussion keys on the lower part of the instrument.
- Plus one mute key.
Key Properties:
- Sampled at 2000 samples/second, per key.
- 10 bit (1024 values) resolution.
- Sensitive to direct pressure and to lateral pressure in both directions.
2 Strip Controllers:
- One on each side of the instrument, 480mm long.
- Sampled at 2000 samples/second per strip.
- 10 bit (1024 values) resolution.
Headphone output:
- 48 kHz sampling rate, 24-bit DAC Sigma-Delta.
- Software programmable volume.
- Mute, soft ramp and zero cross detection for volume adjustment.
- SNR = 94 dB.
- THD < 0.1% at 1 kHz, 30-Ohm load at -3 dBfs.
- Up to 75 mW output on a 3.5 mm mini jack socket.
Microphone input/preamp:
- Balanced input on an industry standard 4 pin LEMO locking connector.
- 24-bit at 96 kHz A/D converter.
- Low noise programmable gain from 10 dB to 45 dB in 1 dB steps.
- Software switchable 48 V phantom power.
- 10 V Electret polarisation power available.
- Noise: EIN (A-weighted) = -110 dBm with 150 Ohm source 20 Hz to 20 kHz @ 40 dB gain. EIN (Un-wtd) = -115 dBm with same conditions as A-weighted.
- 26 dB software switchable input pad.
Recommended uni-directional (cardioid or supercardioid patterns) microphones:
- Audio Technica AT898C, DPA 4080 and DPA 4022.
Note: Custom wiring for each microphone is required.
Base Station:
- USB 2 interface to host computer.
Floor spike:
- 300 mm retractable floor spike with removable rubber foot.
You can load and play your own Soundfonts, Audio Unit Plugins and Midi instruments with the Eigenharp Alpha. In addition, the Alpha comes with its own native instruments (at present a software model of a Cello, Clarinet and a Synth engine). The Alpha also ships with a collection of loop libraries and several acclaimed instruments from our partners:
- 1500 AIFF format (timestretch and tempo change capable) varied Percussion and Drum loops.
- Sampletekk 'Black Grand Steinway D, sampled at 20+ levels in a 6 Gigabyte set that includes three recordings from dry to highly ambient.
- Sampletekk 'Tubed Rhodes', a multi sampled Rhodes Electric Piano.
- Sampletekk Tubed 'Wurli' electric piano in a Gigabyte multi sample set.
- Camel Audio's Eigenlabs Player version of "Alchemy" - The ultimate sample manipulation synthesizer
Alpha:
- Height 123cm
- Width 8cm (approx)
- Depth 3cm
- Weight 2.64kg
Laptop bag:
- Length 35cm
- Width 48cm
- Depth 20cm
- Weight 1.046kg
Base station:
- Length 16.6cm
- Width 17cm
- Depth 5cm
- Weight 1kg (excluding power supply and cables)
- Weight 1.6kg (including power supply and cables)
Instrument Cable:
- Length 6m
- Weight 380grms
Other categories in MIDI Control Surfaces
Other names: eigenharpalpha, eigenharp alpha