NAMM 2025: ROLI Piano is the flagship 49-key version of its smart polyphonic aftertouch MIDI controller Piano M.
Last October, ROLI introduced the AirWave, which I jokingly call a magical coat hanger. It’s a device that enhances any MIDI keyboard controller by incorporating spatial expression and additional smart features.
The AirWave works perfectly with the ROLI Piano M, a portable, expandable MIDI keyboard with smart illuminated and polyphonic aftertouch keys. At NAMM 2025, ROLI unveils Piano, the flagship version of the M, featuring more keys while maintaining the same smart features.
ROLI Piano
According to ROLI, a larger version of the M was one of the top user requests. They responded, and now it is here.
Like the initial version, ROLI Piano focuses on two markets: music creators with know-how in music tech topics and beginners, such as those who want to learn the piano, for example, kids in the family.
Piano offers a 49-key keyboard with full-sized, full-plunge depth keys. These large keys feature ROLI’s unique, patented BrightKey technology, which lights up to show you which notes to play.
What is often overlooked with the small Piano M is that it is a polyphonic aftertouch keyboard that can respond to four dimensions. This is also the case with the bigger Piano version. It has enhanced per-key pitch bend and polyphonic aftertouch capabilities for a more expressive playing experience.
The new ROLI Piano also incorporates the latest AI functionality, including the all-new Piano AI Assistant. More on this later. It weighs 3.5kg and is 700mm x 200mm x 45mm.
Connectivity
The keyboard offers very few features on the hardware itself. There are no pitch, mod wheels, or controllers, only a few buttons to adjust settings. The I/O is different. Here, it offers some modern features. ROLI Piano is class-compliant and works with MIDI over USB-C and Bluetooth.
On the backside, you can find a USB-C port for connection and charging, a 3.5mm TRS MIDI output, and a pedal input (continuous TRS 3.5mm input). Neat, the controller offers two built-in rechargeable batteries (2 x 3500mAh) that give you up to 6 hours of wireless playing.
The new Piano controller also ships with the ROLI Studio software, which includes hundreds of ready-to-use presets., from classical piano to cutting-edge synths, drums, guitars, strings, wind instruments, and beyond.
ROLI Piano System and Piano AI Assistant
Parallel to announcing the new keyboard, ROLI also releases the Piano System with the Piano AI Assistant at NAMM 2025. It’s the first step in using generative AI to make learning play easier, more intuitive, and more fun than ever before, promise the developers.
The ROLI Piano System comprises the new Piano MIDI controller, the upcoming AirWave tool, and the bundled Piano AI Assistant. The latter will help you get started, teach you music history and theory, and provide useful prompts for learning new things.
A highlight of the new AirWave is the new ROLI Vision technology, which introduces five gestures called the Dimensions of Air: Air Raise, Air Glide, Air Tilt, Air Flex, and Air Slide. These allow you to tweak and modulate parameters with hand gestures or interact with the Piano AI Assistant.
According to ROLI, they will have an exciting roadmap of future updates for 2025.
First Impression
It’s great that there is now a large flagship version of the ROLI Piano M. Polyphonic Aftertouch gets a thumbs up from me. For my needs, however, the controller lacks physical controllers such as some knobs or wheels. A touch strip would also be great.
I’m sure many people like this new version. I’m unsure what to think about the Piano AI Assistant thing. We must see it in action to get a better impression of it.
ROLI Piano is available now for pre-order for an introductory price of $399/399€/£319 instead of $599/€599/£499. It’s also available as a bundle with the upcoming ROLI Airwave for $648/648€/£548 instead of $948/€948.
The Piano AI Assistant will be available for immediate use in the ROLI Learn App over the next few days.
More information here: ROLI
Combine the coat hanger with the new 49 key paper weight!
Not an extremely original name for this new product.