Roli Seaboard RISE User manual

Seaboard RISE
Creator Manual
October, 2015
Version 1

2Seaboard RISE Creator Manual
Introduction
Hello creator, and welcome to the Creator Manual for the Seaboard RISE.
We think of the people who buy and use ROLI’s products as creators
rather than customers. Our products are designed to expand the band-
width of creative expression and thereby empower people as the creators
they are. Everyone who buys and uses a Seaboard RISE is investing
in this vision of creativity and therefore is also a co-creator of ROLI.
You may already be playing your Seaboard RISE and discovering
its creative possibilities. This comprehensive Creator Manual explains
all of the details about your Seaboard RISE to ensure that you get
the most out of it.
The Seaboard RISE is a multidimensional MIDI controller whose
touch-sensitive interface and Equator software synthesiser open new
possibilities for musical expression. While a conventional keyboard
offers one dimension of touch to control sound (Strike), the Seaboard
RISE offers five dimensions of touch. These can be mapped to a varie-
ty of sound parameters. Three Touch Faders and an XY Touchpad add
another layer of expressive control, allowing you to tune the touch
responsiveness of the keywaves to match your personal taste in real time.
On the next page we have included a short list of terms specific
to Seaboard instruments. We will refer to these terms throughout
the Creator Manual.
Please note that this is a digital manual updated regularly to reflect
software updates and other improvements. Be sure to check for up-
dates on My ROLI. This Manual is current up to Equator v1.2.0, ROLI
Dashboard v3.1.0, and RISE Firmware v1.0.4.
Support and Feedback
We want you to have the best experience possible with your Seaboard,
and our Support team is here to help you. If you have any questions,
are experiencing any problems, or have any feedback to give us about
our products,please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team.
You can contact us through our Support page at www.roli.com/support
or by writing us directly at [email protected]. We will respond as soon
as possible. The resources on the Support page should also help an-
swer many questions.

Table of Contents
Selected RISE terms 4
1. Getting started 5
1.1 System Requirements 5
1.2 The Seaboard RISE Software Bundle 5
1.3 Register on My ROLI 5
1.4 Installation for Mac and Windows 5
2. Hardware: The Seaboard RISE 25 6
2.2 The Keywave Surface 6
2.4 USB connection 8
2.5 Bluetooth Connection 8
2.6 Mode Selection 9
2.7 Charging the Battery 11
2.8 DC Connection and Charging an External Device 12
2.9 Bootup of the RISE 12
3. Software: ROLI Dashboard and Equator 13
3.1 ROLI Dashboard 13
3.2 Equator for RISE 13
3.3 Software and firmware updates 13
4. Playing the Seaboard RISE 14
4.1 Five Dimensional Touch or 5D Touch 14
5. Working with Other Hardware and Software 16
6. Care and Maintenance 17
7. ROLI Support 18
8. ROLI Glossary 19

4Seaboard RISE Creator Manual
Selected RISE terms
Keywave surface: The entire playing surface including all keywaves and ribbons.
The keywave surface corresponds to a keyboard.
Keywave: A wavelike element of the keywave surface that corresponds
to a single key on a standard keyboard. Each of the Five
Dimensions of Touch can be accessed on a single keywave.
Equator: ROLI’s custom-built, multidimensional software synthesiser
and sound engine. Equator enables refined control of the
expressive capabilities of the keywave surface. Equator and
Seaboard instruments work together to provide a seamlessly
integrated hardware-software experience.
ROLI Dashboard: An application for modifying and customising the internal set-
tings of the RISE.
Expression Mode: A mode of playing the Seaboard RISE in which three Touch
Faders control the dynamics of the Glide, Slide, and Press
dimensions of touch. Expression Mode lets you modify the
touch responsiveness of the Seaboard RISE to suit specific
sounds and your individual playing style.
MIDI Mode: A mode of operation in which the Touch Faders can be
assigned to any MIDI CCs for additional customisation of sound.
The five fundamental elements of physical interaction between
a finger and a surface: Strike, Press, Glide, Slide, and Lift.
Strike: The velocity and force with which a finger makes
contact with a keywave.
Press: The pressure and continuous touch applied to the
keywave after the initial Strike.
Glide: Horizontal movements from side to side on
a keywave and along the ribbons.
Slide: Vertical movements up and down a keywave.
Lift: The release velocity or speed of liftoff from
a keywave.
Touch Fader: A control for adjusting the sensitivity of the keywave surface
to dimensions of touch.
The Five Dimensions
of Touch (5D Touch):

5Seaboard RISE Creator Manual
1. Getting started
1.1 System Requirements
OS X
• Mac OS 10.8+
• Minimum RAM: 4GB
• Recommended RAM: 8GB
• Processor: 2.5GHz i5 or faster
• Bluetooth connectivity: OS 10.10+
Windows
• Windows 7, 8, or 10
• Minimum RAM: 4GB
• Recommended RAM: 8GB
• Recommended Processor: i5 and equivalent or above
1.2 The Seaboard RISE Software Bundle
Before making music on your Seaboard RISE, you need to
download the Seaboard RISE Software Bundle. This software
bundle is available on My ROLI. Register with My ROLI to
download it. Please follow the instructions below. If you have
already installed the Seaboard RISE Software Bundle you can
skip to Section 2.
1.3 Register on My ROLI
Visit my.roli.com and sign up with a username and password
of your choice. When you have signed up and logged in, the
website will ask you to register your product. Use your Prod-
uct Registration Code. The code is printed on the Registration
Card. This card is in the box marked Make Music Now, which
comes in the package with your RISE. (see Figure 1)
Login and Download ROLI Software
Now that you’ve created an account on My ROLI, you can log in
and download the latest RISE Software Bundle. The bundle in-
cludes ROLI Dashboard and Equator for RISE. Click either “Down-
load Software Bundle for Mac” or “Download Software Bundle for
Windows,” depending upon which operating system you use.
1.4 Installation for Mac and Windows
When the download is complete, open the Downloads folder
on your computer and double click the installer file(s). Follow
the on-screen instructions and choose the location or disk
where you want to install the software.
The install will require approximately 2 GB of disk space.
Mac: After double-clicking the installer, you may see a mes-
sage that says the installer is from an “unidentified developer.”
Don’t worry. The software is safe to install. You can bypass this
message by right-clicking the installer from a Finder window
and selecting Open.
xxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxx
Figure 1
Pick up your Registration Card and
find your registration code. Visit this
web page to sign up for My ROLI, your
portal for software downloads and
product support, with a username
and password of your choice. Then
register using your registration code.
my.roli.com/register

6Seaboard RISE Creator Manual
Getting started
Windows: After double-clicking the installer, you may see
a message to say that Windows has protected your PC
by stopping an “unrecognised application” from opening.
Don’t worry. The software is safe to install. You can bypass
this message by clicking “more info” on the message, then
the “run anyway” button.
2. Hardware: The Seaboard RISE 25
2.1 Connections and Specifications
(see Figure 2)
A – 9–12V 2A DC port
B – USB type A
C – USB type B
D – ¼ inch (6.35mm) pedal jack
Connecting the pedal jack
The pedal jack should only be inserted as shown in this image.
Take care when inserting the jack, and do not attempt to force
it past the position depicted at right (see Figure 3).
2.2 The Keywave Surface
The RISE features a continuous, elastic, silicone surface divid-
ed into 25 keywaves. Following the order of notes on a stand-
ard keyboard, the keywaves represent the same pitches and
intervals found on a piano. The touch-sensitivity of the key-
wave surface allows tactile control of parameters such as pitch,
volume, and timbre through simple, intuitive movements. The
keywave surface is sensitive even to gentle pressure, and
strong force is not required to maximise its expressiveness.
While made of durable silicone, the keywave surface should
not be pinched, stretched, or pounded.
A
C
B
D
Figure 2
Ports on the Seaboard RISE
Figure 3
You can use a sustain or expression
pedal by plugging a 1/4 inch connec-
tor into the pedal jack on your
Seaboard RISE. Please note that part
of the 1/4 inch connector will continue
to be visible after a secure connection
has been established.

7Seaboard RISE Creator Manual
Getting started
2.3 The Control Panel
(see Figure 4)
A – Preset Switch:
The two buttons on the Preset Switch are primarily used to
select presets within Equator. They also have two other func-
tions. In MIDI Mode the Preset Switch transmits MIDI pro-
gram change messages to third-party hardware and software
synthesisers. Simultaneously pressing and releasing the two
buttons activates Bluetooth pairing, connecting the RISE to
compatible Bluetooth-enabled devices.
B – Touch Faders:
In Expression Mode, the Touch Faders control the dynamics of
Glide, Slide, and Press. In MIDI mode they transmit assignable
MIDI CCs.
C – XY Touchpad:
In Expression Mode, you can control any sound parameter in
Equator through touch along the X and Y axis of the XY Touch-
pad. In MIDI Mode, the XY Touchpad can transmit MIDI CCs for
control of third-party software and hardware synthesisers.
D – Octave shift:
These two buttons switch octaves to extend the range of the
25-keywave controller.
E – Power/Mode button:
This multipurpose button indicates whether the RISE is on or
off, whether it is in Expression Mode or MIDI Mode, and the
status of the battery charge.
A
C
D
E
B
Figure 4
The Seaboard RISE Control panel

8Seaboard RISE Creator Manual
Getting started
2.4 USB connection
When connected by the USB type B port to a computer, the
RISE acts as a USB MIDI controller. Its battery will charge when
connected to a computer that is plugged in (see Figure 5).
2.5 Bluetooth Connection
The RISE transmits MIDI over Bluetooth to compatible devices.
Jointly pressing and then releasing both Preset Switch buttons
begins the Bluetooth pairing process (see Figure 6). The Power/
Mode button blinks blue to indicate Bluetooth Pairing Mode
(see Figure 7).
When the USB cable is unplugged, the RISE automatically
enters Bluetooth pairing mode. You must complete pairing the
RISE, however, by enabling Bluetooth and selecting the RISE on
the device that you are connecting. This prevents the RISE from
accidentally pairing with another device within signal range.
Press and release both Preset Switch buttons simultaneously
to exit Bluetooth pairing mode. Disconnect Bluetooth through
the device you are connecting to the RISE.
In Mac OS X 10.10
• Press and release both Preset Switch buttons
simultaneously
• Open Audio MIDI Setup from the Utilities folder inside
Applications
• Click Window » Show MIDI Studio
• Double-click the Bluetooth icon
• A new window will open and scan for nearby Blue-
tooth devices
• When the RISE is detected, click connect.
Figure 5
Plug the USB cable into the USB B port
on your Seaboard RISE. Connect the
other end of the cable to your com-
puter. Press the power button to turn
on your Seaboard RISE.
Figure 7
The Power / Mode button blinks blue
to indicate Bluetooth Pairing Mode.
Figure 6
Jointly pressing and then releasing
both Preset Switch buttons begins
the Bluetooth pairing process.Press
both buttons simultaneously again to
exit Bluetooth pairing mode.

9Seaboard RISE Creator Manual
Getting started
2.6 Mode Selection
Press the Mode button once to cycle between the two
modes of Expression Mode and MIDI Mode.
Expression Mode
Indicated by a cyan LED (see Figure 8)
In Expression Mode the three Touch Faders control the
dynamics of the Glide, Slide, and Press dimensions of
touch. Setting the Touch Faders at different levels changes
the sensitivity of the keywave surface to touch and there-
fore alters expression when you play. Expression Mode
is designed to let you modify the expressiveness of the
Seaboard RISE to suit specific sounds and your individual
playing style.
Touch Faders
The left touch fader controls the dynamics of Glide,
or sideways movements of the finger on keywaves or along
ribbons. When the Glide Touch Fader is set to minimum,
sideways movements will not bend pitch. The instrument
is in Piano Mode, and it will respond like a standard key-
board. When the Touch Fader is set to maximum, the
keywave surface is maximally sensitive to sideways move-
ments, and even minute movements will result in pitch
bend (see Figure 9).
Note: The illumination of the Glide Touch Fader corresponds
to the level of the keywaves’ sensitivity to the Glide movement.
The center touch fader controls the dynamics of Slide, or
vertical movements up and down the keywave. When the
Slide Touch Fader is at a lower setting, the spectrum of
sound available for modulation along the Y axis of the key-
wave is narrower. This means that you can reach the maxi-
mum end of the range of modulation with a shorter move-
ment up or down a keywave. When the Slide Touch Fader
is at a higher setting, the spectrum of sound available along
the Y axis is wider. This means that your finger must travel
a greater distance to reach the maximum end of the range
of modulation, and you will be able to access a wider range
of intermediate sounds along the vertical path of travel (see
Figure 10).
Note: The illumination on the Slide Touch Fader corresponds
to the distance that must be travelled between the two
poles of the sound available for modulation.
Figure 8
Your Seaboard RISE is in Expression
mode when the LED is cyan.
Figure 9
The left touch fader controls the dy-
namics of Glide. The illumination
of the Glide Touch Fader corresponds
to the level of the keywaves’ sensitivity
to the Glide movement.
Figure 10
The center touch fader controls the
dynamics of Slide. When the Slide
Touch Fader is at a higher setting, the
spectrum of sound available along the
Y axis is wider.

10Seaboard RISE Creator Manual
Getting started
The right touch fader controls the dynamics of Press,
or the response of the keywave surface to continuous pres-
sure applied after Strike. When the Press Touch Fader is at
a lower setting, the spectrum of sound available to modulate
through pressure is narrower. This means that you can reach
the maximum end of the range of modulation through light-
er pressure on the keywave surface. When the Press Touch
Fader is at a higher setting, the spectrum of sound available
through pressure is wider. This means that you will press more
firmly to reach the maximum end of the range of modulation,
and you will be able to access a wider range of intermediate
sounds as you vary pressure on the keywave surface (see
Figure 11).
Note: The illumination on the Press Touch Fader corresponds
to the depth of pressure that must be exerted to travel be-
tween the two poles of the sound available for modulation.
XY Touchpad
In Expression Mode, you can control any sound parameter
in Equator through touch along the X and Y axis of the XY
Touchpad (see Figure 12). The XY Touchpad provides two as-
signable MIDI control signals. Many external hardware synths
and third-party synth plug-ins can also use these two control
signals as modulation sources. The XY Touchpad defaults
to transmit the following MIDI CCs:
X axis: MIDI CC 113
Y axis: MIDI CC 114
MIDI Mode
Indicated by a white LED (see Figure 13)
MIDI Mode allows the Touch Faders to be assigned to any
MIDI CCs using the Modulation Panel in Equator. This allows
additional customisation of sound parameters.
The Touch Faders are assignable but default to transmit the
following MIDI CCs:
Glide Touch Fader: MIDI CC 107
Slide Touch Fader: MIDI CC 109
Press Touch Fader: MIDI CC 111
Figure 11
The center touch fader controls the
dynamics of Slide. When the Slide
Touch Fader is at a higher setting, the
spectrum of sound available along the
Y axis is wider.
Figure 12
The Seaboard RISE’s XY Touchpad.
Figure 13
MIDI Mode is indicated by
a white LED.