HEXBOARD 1.2 / ISOMORPHIC MIDI CONTROLLER

Turn harmony
into geometry.

Play chords as shapes. Move them across the board. Explore familiar music and wonderfully unfamiliar tunings.

Also: an entirely unreasonable amount of rainbow!

 Choose your HexBoard Hear it in action ↓
HexBoard 1.2 MIDI Controller
1/5
  • HexBoard 1.2 MIDI Controller
  • HexBoard 1.2 MIDI Controller
  • HexBoard 1.2 MIDI Controller
  • HexBoard 1.2 MIDI Controller
  • HexBoard 1.2 MIDI Controller
HexBoard 1.2 MIDI Controller

HexBoard 1.2 MIDI Controller
$299.00

4 reviews

A 133-key isomorphic MIDI controller with customizable layouts, tunings, and per-key RGB lighting.

Mechanical keys · No velocity sensitivity or aftertouch.

Compare assembly options ↓
Assembly

Partially Assembled

Included: An assembled HexBoard without keyswitches, plus a fitted zipper case.

You supply: 140 SMD-LED-compatible MX-style switches. TTC Frozen V2 or OUTEMU Silent White are recommended.

Assembly: Press in your switches. No soldering or special tools required.

Hand-built to order. Allow approximately 2 weeks to build and ship. Fitted zipper case included.

A DIFFERENT WAY TO PLAY

Learn a shape.
Find it everywhere.

On an isomorphic keyboard, the same musical intervals keep the same shape within your chosen layout. Learn a chord or scale, then move that fingering across the board.

Start with familiar 12-tone music or wander into microtonal territory. The per-key RGB lights can place an ENTIRE RAINBOW of color under your fingertips. Useful for seeing musical patterns. Also useful for making your other keyboards jealous.

My friend Sam made this wonderfully nerdy explanation of how musical intervals, the space between notes, and literal hexagonal geometry fit together.

Watch the original by @sambowmanmusic on Instagram — and feel free to lovingly question his pronunciation of Claude Debussy. (I don't know how to pronounce it either) Also, not sure why he uses Wicki-Hayden sideways, but that's the beauty of it. Find what works for you!

CONNECT & EXPLORE

Three ways to play.

USB-C MIDI

Your computer. Your instruments.

Connect over USB-C and use HexBoard as a MIDI controller with your DAW or software instruments.

TRS MIDI TYPE-A

Go straight to hardware.

The 3.5 mm TRS MIDI Type-A output connects directly to compatible hardware synthesizers and MIDI gear.

BUILT-IN SYNTH

Plug in headphones. Play.

The built-in polyphonic wavetable synth and headphone output let you play without a computer. For when you want to make music, but opening your DAW feels like a whole thing.

Exploring microtonal polyphony? Your receiving synth needs compatible multi-channel pitch-bend or MPE behavior.

HEAR IT IN ACTION

Shapes become sound.

FOR THE MUSICALLY CURIOUS

Your next musical rabbit hole?

YOU MIGHT GET ALONG VERY WELL

Pattern lovers. Synth explorers. Tinkerers.

For musicians who want to see harmony as shapes, explore tunings beyond 12 notes, or build a playing layout around the way they think.

You can start with familiar chords. A microtonal manifesto is entirely optional.

A QUICK REALITY CHECK

A new layout takes practice.

Expect to learn new fingerings. These are mechanical keyboard switches: no piano-style velocity sensitivity and no aftertouch.

If expressive key pressure or familiar piano technique is essential to your playing, weigh that tradeoff before ordering.

Wondering how it fits your setup? Ask me before you buy, or meet other players on Discord.

CHOOSE YOUR BUILD

Ready to play.
Or ready to make.

The same electronics. Three levels of assembly. A fitted zipper case is included with every current option.

BEST IF YOU JUST WANT TO PLAY

Fully Assembled

For the “I just came here to make music” crowd. Arrives assembled with TTC Frozen V2 mechanical switches for a nicer feel and brighter lights.

  • No switch installation
  • No soldering

BRING YOUR FAVORITE SWITCHES

Partially Assembled

The electronics and physical assembly are handled. You install your own compatible MX-style switches.

  • No soldering or special tools
  • Requires 140 MX-style switches
  • TTC Frozen V2 or OUTEMU Silent White recommended

FOR MAKERS

Print-It-Yourself Kit

A barebones kit for people who want to print and assemble more of the instrument themselves.

  • Printable files on MakerWorld
  • Requires soldering and a 2.5 mm hex key
  • Requires a 255 × 243 mm build area
  • Requires 140 SMD-LED-compatible MX-style switches

THE DETAILS

Good questions.
Straight answers.

Do I need to know music theory or microtonal music?

You can start with ordinary 12-tone music. The appeal is the repeating geometry: within a layout, the same musical intervals use the same shapes.

It is still a new instrument to learn. Give yourself time to get comfortable with the grid; familiar piano fingerings will not transfer directly.
Does HexBoard have velocity sensitivity or aftertouch?

No. HexBoard 1.2 uses digital mechanical switches. MIDI velocity can be adjusted on the instrument, but it is not measured from each key strike. The keys do not measure continuous pressure.
Will it work with my DAW or hardware synth?

HexBoard sends MIDI over USB-C and has a 3.5 mm TRS MIDI Type-A output for compatible hardware. Check the MIDI input and cable or adapter requirements of your receiving device.

For polyphonic microtonal playing, the receiving synth must handle per-note pitch bend, such as MPE, and use a matching pitch-bend range. MPE tuning support does not make the mechanical keys pressure-sensitive.

Read the microtonal setup guide or ask about your specific setup.
Can I play without a computer?

Yes. The built-in polyphonic wavetable synth and 3.5 mm headphone output let you play without a DAW. Supply power over USB-C and plug in headphones. Your laptop may enjoy the time off.
Which version should I choose, and what else do I need?

Fully Assembled: choose this to skip the build. Premium switches are already installed.

Partially Assembled: supply and press in 140 compatible MX-style switches. No soldering or special tools required.

Print-It-Yourself Kit: supply your printed parts and 140 SMD-LED-compatible MX-style switches. You need a soldering iron, a 2.5 mm hex key, and a well-tuned printer with at least a 255 × 243 mm build area. Download the printable files on MakerWorld.

The kit price is not the complete cost of a finished instrument: budget for the parts and equipment you supply. A fitted zipper case is included with each current option.
What is HexBoard Sync?

HexBoard Sync is the companion web app for tunings, layouts, colors, synth presets, and wavetable workflows.

Connecting to the instrument requires compatible firmware and a browser with Web MIDI SysEx support, such as Chrome or Edge. The app is optional for ordinary playing; the onboard display and encoder let you choose settings on the instrument.

For downloads and installation instructions, visit Updates & getting started.
When will it ship, and who can help me?

HexBoards are hand-built to order. Allow approximately two weeks for your board to be built and shipped; delivery time comes after dispatch.

For destination-specific shipping questions, returns, or help choosing the right version, contact me before ordering. You can also join the player community on Discord.
How big is this thing?
  • 243 × 255 × 30 mm; approximately 975 g (about 2.2 lb)
  • 133 playable keys + 7 function keys
  • 20 mm center-to-center key spacing
  • Replaceable MX-style switches
  • OLED display and rotary encoder

In more precise and technical terms, it's approximately six large cheeseburgers in weight. That said, please use the fitted case, not a takeout bag.
How do I update or customize the firmware?

For normal updates, use the Updates & getting started page. Pick a download and follow the instructions—no coding required.

Want to change how it works? The firmware source code is open for technical tomfoolery.

Go on. Make something weird.
Or something beautiful. Or both.

Choose your HexBoard