Lumatone

Lumatone
An electronic keyboard featuring 280 illuminated hexagonal keys arranged in a honeycomb lattice pattern.
The Lumatone isomorphic MIDI keyboard controller[1]
Electronic instrument
Classification Electronic musical instrument (MIDI controller)
Hornbostel–Sachs classification53
(Electrophonic musical instrument (with MIDI output))
Inventor(s)Siemen Terpstra (concept)
Dylan Horvath (industrial design)[1][2][3]
Developed2019, developed from the Terpstra Generalized Keyboard concept (1996)[1]
TimbreDependent on connected synthesizer or software instrument
VolumeVariable (via audio outputs of connected sound module)
AttackVariable (depends on velocity, polyphonic aftertouch, and synthesizer patch)
DecayVariable (depends on synthesizer patch and sustain pedal)
Playing range

Fully customizable across 280 keys (supports multi-octave and microtonal micro-interval ranges)

Fully variable
Related instruments
Musicians
  • Kaelin Ellis[4]
  • Bryan Deister[4]
  • João Medeiros[4]
Builders
  • Lumatone Inc.
  • Dylan Horvath
More articles or information

Lumatone is an isomorphic keyboard and MIDI controller built around a honeycomb lattice of 280 illuminated, velocity-sensitive hexagonal keys. Designed primarily for microtonal, xenharmonic, and alternative tuning exploration, the instrument allows musicians to map any musical pitch, MIDI channel, and RGB color code to individual keys. Because its layout is isomorphic, any given musical interval, chord shape, or scale fingering remains identical regardless of the root key or transposition.[1][5][6][7]

History

Siemen Terpstra's published text archives show the "Spectrum Keyboard" design was written up in 1988 under names like the Spectrum Keyboard and Global Keyboards, eventually building a physical model in New York in 1991 and cementing the 1996 design.[1]

Dylan Horvath collaborated with Terpstra and other microtonal enthusiasts (Garnet Willis, Bo Constantinsen, Joel Mandelbaum, Johnny Reinhard) to fund and assemble the initial physical prototypes (with swappable, colored key-caps) via an Indiegogo campaign.[8]

The instrument was completely overhauled for manufacturing readiness in 2019—replacing static keycaps with 280 programmable LED keys and polyphonic aftertouch—and changed its name from the "Terpstra Generalized Keyboard" to "Lumatone." It made its industry debut at NAMM in January 2020.[2][3]

Design and Specifications

Keyboard Geometry and Mechanics

The Lumatone features a honeycomb matrix consisting of 280 velocity-sensitive, hexagonal keys. The physical layout utilizes an isomorphic architecture based on a generalized keyboard configuration, where the keys are physically staggered and rise progressively on a sloped plane as they ascend vertically to optimize ergonomic reach.[9]

Each individual key assembly uses mechanical torsion springs with counterbalanced keycaps. Instead of traditional physical electrical contacts, the keybed employs non-contact Hall-effect sensors to capture velocity data and control parameters, eliminating mechanical wear and improving tracking accuracy.[9] Key width measures 21 mm (0.83 in) with a diameter of 24 mm (0.94 in), maintaining a center-to-center key spacing of 24.15 mm (0.95 in).

Hardware and Control Interface

The instrument is built within an anodized aluminum enclosure equipped with a removable 15° rigid kickstand. For real-time performance modulation, the chassis features all-metal, weighted pitch-bend and modulation wheels mounted to the left of the key matrix. The top panel includes 10 dedicated hardware preset mapping buttons featuring discrete LED status indicators for rapid profile recall.[9]

Expression parameters are handled natively across three distinct operating layers:

  • Velocity Sensitivity: Supports fully customizable response curves per key patch.
  • Polyphonic Aftertouch: Allows continuous pressure modulation for up to 15 keys simultaneously.
  • Continuous Controller (CC) Mode: Allows any individual key to be toggled into a virtual fader, transforming vertical physical key travel into standard MIDI CC parameter control (e.g., filter cutoff, expression volume, or breath simulation).

Connectivity and Power

The interface backpanel contains discrete input and output routing options for legacy and modern studio environments:

  • MIDI Data: 5-pin DIN connector architecture (MIDI In, Out, and Thru) alongside a USB Type-B port for MIDI-over-USB data transfer.
  • Analog Control: Two 1/4-inch (6.35 mm) jacks designated for external sustain and continuous expression pedals.
  • System Maintenance: Dedicated RJ-45 and USB Type-A ports reserved exclusively for hardware diagnostics and system firmware flashes.
  • Power Supply: Operates on an external DC power draw requiring 5A at 12V (60 W maximal load).

Physical Dimensions

The physical footprint and weight specifications of the hardware unit are detailed below:

Lumatone Physical Profiles
Configuration Weight Dimensions (W × D × H)
Without Kickstand 10.8 kg (23.8 lb) 92 cm × 35.5 cm × 4.6 cm
(36.2 in × 13.98 in × 1.81 in (919.5 mm × 355.1 mm × 46.0 mm))
With Kickstand (15° Angle) 11.4 kg (25.1 lb) 92 cm × 35.5 cm × 12.5 cm
(36.2 in × 13.98 in × 4.92 in (919.5 mm × 355.1 mm × 125.0 mm))

Theory

Isomorphic Architecture

The underlying design principal of the Lumatone is isomorphism. In a traditional piano keyboard layout, interval spacings alter geometrically across different root notes, requiring musicians to master unique fingerings for identical chord qualities across all twelve keys. Because the Lumatone's honeycomb grid is structurally invariant, any musical interval, chord formula, or scale structure maintains an identical geometric shape and finger placement, regardless of transposition or root note assignment.[7][6]

Factory Play Modes

The instrument decouples the physical hardware surface from standard Western twelve-tone equal temperament (12-TET). The Lumatone features native factory presets that redefine the pitch axes across the hexagonal grid:

  • Classic Mode (Bosanquet–Wilson): Based on the 19th-century theories of Robert Bosanquet and later extensions by Erv Wilson. Notes map linearly across a central horizontal axis to mirror standard acoustic piano intervals, while adjacent diagonal shifts allow quick visual and mechanical access to alternative temperaments and microtonal intervals.[7][6]
  • Melodic Mode: A configuration optimizing vertical and diagonal melodic spacing. Perfect fifths ascend strictly along the vertical axis, while one diagonal axis advances via whole steps and the opposing diagonal advances via perfect fourths. This shifts octave markers both horizontally and vertically, clustering large extended chords closely together. Under this mode, major triads consistently construct to the immediate right of a given root note, whereas minor triads mirror to the immediate left.
  • Harmonic Mode (Harmonic Table): An implementation of the Harmonic Table note-layout. Note pitches ascend by perfect fifths along the vertical axis. One diagonal axis advances by a major third (four semitones), while the alternating diagonal axis advances by a minor third (three semitones). This layout optimizes harmonic proximity, allowing standard major and minor triads in root positions to be fingered simultaneously with a single hand placement or finger.
  • Wicki-Hayden Layout: An alternative preset arrangement mapping note structures primarily along vertical paths. The layout produces highly repeating note clusters across the board, utilizing different diagonal angles specifically for whole tones, fifths, minor thirds, fourths, and octaves across the hexagon matrix.

Application in Microtonalism and Xenharmonics

Beyond conventional 12-TET mappings, the Lumatone is structurally optimized to support microtonal music (or xenharmonic music), accommodating tuning systems that partition the octave into more or fewer than twelve intervals.

Because the software layer allows individual pitch assignments, users map alternative scale intervals—such as 19-EDO, 22-EDO, 31-EDO, 53-EDO, or complex Just Intonation mathematical lattices—without altering physical hand ergonomics. To aid navigation through complex microtonal landscapes, users program distinct RGB color notations (such as Kite Giedraitis color notation) onto the keys to group pitches visually according to their specific harmonic functions, tonality zones, or scale modes.[6][5]

Users

  • Kaelin Ellis (producer and beatmaker)[4]
  • João Medeiros[4]
  • Bryan Deister[4]

See also

Alternative Keyboard Interfaces

Tuning, Temperament, and Theory

Tools and Pioneers

Frequently used equal temperament scales

References

  1. ^ a b c d e "Keyboard | Siemen Terpstra". 2014-12-01. Retrieved 2026-05-16.
  2. ^ a b "Details + Specifications". Lumatone Isomorphic Keyboard. Retrieved 2026-05-16.
  3. ^ a b "Lumatone by Dylan Horvath, Cortex Design Inc. | International Design Awards™ Winners". www.idesignawards.com. Retrieved 2026-05-16.
  4. ^ a b c d e f "Lumatone". equipboard.com. Retrieved 2026-05-16.
  5. ^ a b "Keyboard Setup — The Lumatone — 31edo". 31edo.com. Retrieved May 17, 2026.
  6. ^ a b c d "Lumatone Profile". Xenharmonic Wiki. Retrieved May 17, 2026.
  7. ^ a b c "Lumatone Profile". Xenharmonic Wiki. Retrieved May 17, 2026.
  8. ^ "Our Story". Lumatone Isomorphic Keyboard. Retrieved 2026-05-16.
  9. ^ a b c "Details + Specifications". Lumatone.io. Retrieved May 17, 2026.

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