"BLOCKS is a good option for mobile scratch pad production, but control over software is where it gets interesting. As usual, ROLI is ahead of the curve on this one and BLOCKS could be the start of an incredible journey; best of all, to a large extent, the company is putting you at the wheel."
ROLI BLOCKS is a modular music making system. Start with one Block. Connect more Blocks together. Customise the instrument that’s right for you, and with BLOCKS Dashboard software, control music software programs outside of the ROLI NOISE app. BLOCKS Dashboard makes BLOCKS a versatile controller for Ableton Live, Logic Pro X, and other plug-ins and programs. ROLI BLOCKS and BLOCKS Dashboard are reviewed in the new issue of MusicTech magazine, receiving an 8 out of 10 rating and the magazine’s ‘Innovation’ award.
"This is the big draw of BLOCKS: it makes music making easy. You can launch pre-written loops across the four tracks, but quickly overwrite them with your own and then chain them together to make complete songs."
"Adding beats is super easy; just press a button and loops will play in time, but then you can record your gestures to bring in all sorts of sonic movement. In fact, you can do this on any of the four instrument tracks but with the beats, it is particularly rewarding”.
"Really, for Music Tech readers, the most exciting aspect of BLOCKS is its ability to control your music software. To have the multitouch expression while playing your instruments in your chosen DAW can add a level of control you won't get with any other MIDI controllers (RISE aside, of course): and they do look very cool."
The full review can be found in the July issue of MusicTech magazine on sale now. ROLI BLOCKS are available now starting at £69.95 RRP inc VAT. For more information please click here.
ROLI is exclusively distributed in the UK and ROI by Sound Technology Ltd. For more information please call 01462 480000 or visit www.soundtech.co.uk/music-retail/roli
