Velours Devices is a one person company that creates MIDI controllers for musicians, based in Paris, France.

The inspiration for KARL came after a show in October 2022. I frequently used the Electra One controller but struggled to link what was displayed on the screen with the encoder I was using. This led me to think how great it would be to have encoders positioned directly over the display! Despite searching extensively, I couldn't find a controller like this. The closest options were the Electra One (my favorite at the time), the MP Midi Controller, and other devices like the StreamDeck.

By the end of 2022, I had developed my first working prototype, and I was incredibly excited! I used it for the first time at a show in March 2023, and then during a short tour in April and May, making improvements bit by bit. The feeling was fantastic, and I knew I was onto something special.

Over the past year and a half, I've been refining the design, software, and hardware to make it more robust and reliable. Getting the little details right took a lot of time, like finding the perfect anti-reflective yet transparent glass and redesigning the entire thing after upgrading to a brighter display.

But here we are in August 2024, and KARL is ready. I still use it in every show, and I can't see myself using anything else now.

NORA - my heavy weighted 37 keys MIDI Keyboard - followed the same path. I wanted a keyboard that felt like a real piano, but that was also portable and easy to use. I couldn't find anything that matched my needs, so I decided to build it myself.

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to me !