Superbooth 2025: Velours Devices Karl is a fully customizable, standalone MIDI controller with encoders mounted on the screen.
Around this time last year, I reported on Karl, a new fully customizable MIDI controller with clickable endless encoders mounted on the display.
Bruno, the developer and founder of Velours Devices, was at Superbooth for the first time this year and showed the final version of the Karl controller.
Velours Devices KARL
Technically, nothing has changed compared to the 2024 prototype. Velours Devices Karl’s special feature is the 32 endless encoders mounted on the display using a patented new technology. They have push-button functionality and are fully configurable using the editor.
The prototype’s 40 customizable MIDI buttons are still there, but they have been replaced with clicky MX switches. They can be used to trigger events, toggle functions, and navigate.
Karl’s display has also been improved and is now brighter compared to the version from SynthFest France 2024. A downer, now you need a power supply brick because it consumes more power.
The controller works with hardware synths/drum machines and Ableton Live. Karl seamlessly integrates with Ableton, allowing direct control over tracks, devices, plugins, the master sections, and more. There is also a new Max for Live device with which you can map parameters in Live without detour.
According to the developer, the controller is only compatible with Ableton Live. Full Support for Bitwig Studio, Cubase, Logic Pro, etc., is not currently in the planning stage but will probably be later. However, the controller understands MIDI and SysEx data so that you can assign parameters from other DAWs to it.
You can easily import and export templates with the mappings to other users. The developers will offer various mapping templates of synths and other devices from the beginning. Further, it also has an integrated arpeggiator and sequencer that can be used in Ableton Live and standalone mode.
Velours Devices KARL will start shipping in August 2025. You can pre-order it now for 2000€. A very pricey MIDI controller, but one that has a unique feature set and look. I’m excited to see how successful the project will be and what new features will be added.
Article from April 26, 2024
SynthFest France 2024: Velours Devices KARL is a new MIDI controller with a fully customizable user interface powered by a full HD display.
MIDI controllers are omnipresent in every studio. If you work with a lot of plugins, more parameters on your MIDI gear are always better. There are classic but also smart ones that significantly simplify plugin control. I think of the MP MIDI, where you have a large display surrounded by knobs, or the Electra One, which is a small size.
At SynthFest France 2024, the new French company Velours Devices announced a new powerful MIDI controller that goes in the same direction.
KARL Prototype
KARL is a new, upcoming, super versatile MIDI controller for hardware and software setups. Velours Devices has developed an exciting hybrid concept for this. It combines the advantages of a physical controller with those of a display.
The control consists of 32 infinite push encoders and 64 push buttons. What is exciting here is that these controllers are not mounted straight on a PCB like in traditional MIDI controllers but on a full HD display. Bruno did not want to reveal how the technology works at the SFF 2024.
The advantage of this technology is that you can design your own MIDI controller with real-time visualization of the parameter names and their corresponding values.
Via a software editor, you can generate your own templates and design them as you want with custom colors, layouts, and more. According to Velours Devices, you can have unlimited templates in the unit with unlimited pages and presets. Switching is straightforward with the push of a button.
For example, you can create templates for various soft synths, mixers, effects… And since the controller works standalone, you can also design templates for hardware synths.
In addition to the ability to map and control parameters, the controller also offers other useful functions. For example, you can map an arpeggiator or other function to the buttons located around the controller. You then have an additional display element showing you the function for each function.
Also, in the development of the KARL MIDI controller are other creative functions like a sequencer.
You can see the controller in action in the linked SynthFest France 2024 video. Important note: it’s a prototype and not a finished product.
First Impression
A very exciting MIDI controller for hardware and software. I really like the combination of screen and controller. The option to always call up templates for my synths is pretty neat. It won’t be a cheap MIDI controller but what it does is very fascinating. Looking forward to hear more about it in the future.
Velours Devices KARL will be available in 2025 for an estimated price of 2000€
More information here: Velours Devices
Yesss, finally someone understood how to do it correctly!
Ja,zis is gut!
Great idea – if it would have endless encoders. With potis, it is completely useless….
it has endless encoders
Karl is pretty hot!
I have been waiting for something like this for SO long.
This could look like a lot but 1500€ to control an entire studio is fantastic!
To my knowledge, the only similar product on the market is the Electra One but it doesn’t really come close – tho looks great too.
also the MP
1500,- is pricey but if everything is done right, build like a tank, premium controls, doesn’t look as ugly as the prototype, I might actually consider buying one. It seem like an amazing controller in theory.
At this price, I’d hope for standalone configuration. I would want to know that my 1500 is not going to become a paperweight when software support ends and I can no longer modify the controller. I think Faderfox does a good job of this albeit their interfaces may be harder to understand.
it works standalone but need the editor for the creation of the templates. If they make it smart then they will host the editor in the hardware and so you could recall it from your browser. So it always works also without connected to the internet.
Yeah, I think your idea of having it hosted in the hardware and editable in browser would be a decent balance of insuring futureproof editing but also maintaining usability of the editor itself.
that’s what L1V3 makes with its MIDI interface.
Simply brilliant and Bruno is a genuinely fantastic engineer!