# Smart Fabric Keyboards The 'K-Board Pro 4' Uses Smart Technology to Respond Like a Real Instrument By Riley von Niessen | Published 2016-12-06 | Unique Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kboard-pro-4 References: [kickstarter](https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/kmi/k-board-pro-4-smart-fabric-keyboard) & [keithmcmillen](https://www.keithmcmillen.com/) The 'K-Board Pro 4' is a highly sensitive controller that's designed to feel and behave just like a real instrument. Although it might look like a [traditional keyboard](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/keygo-touchscreen-keyboard), the device comes equipped with smart technology that allows it to emit a [wide range of sounds](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/launchkey-mk4) that drastically broadens what its user is able to create. In addition the keys themselves providing more, there's four [touch-sensitive sliders](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/nuphy-node75) above them which can be mapped to anything. The creators of the device at 'Keith McMillen Instruments' have described it by saying, "Thanks to the familiar keyboard layout, you can go seamlessly from a traditional piano to K-Board Pro 4 without changing your natural technique -- but with the added ability to have total control over the character of your sound while you play." ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.1/10 - Popularity: 13% | Activity: 43% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Unique](https://www.trendhunter.com/unique) > [Inventions](https://www.trendhunter.com/inventions) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Smart Fabric Keyboards:** The integration of smart technology within fabric keyboards creates opportunities for mimicking the feel and sound of actual instruments. - **Touch-sensitive Sliders in Musical Instruments:** The inclusion of touch-sensitive sliders on instruments provides creative freedom to musicians during live performances. - **Smart Technology in Traditional Instruments:** Integration of smart technology in traditional music instruments enhances their functionality enabling them to emit a broader range of sounds. ### Who This Affects Most - **Music Production:** Innovative textile sensors and smart technology can be leveraged to create more instruments for music production. - **Live Performance:** Manufacturers can modify smart fabric keyboards with touch-sensitive sliders for enhancing live music performances. - **Education and Training:** Smart fabric keyboards can revolutionize the traditional music education sector, by making it easier to learn and play. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Hexagonal Music Composition Keyboards](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/music-composition-keyboard.md) - [Precision Rubber Keyboards](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/seaboard-rise-2.md) - [Digital Motion-Sensing Pianos](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/roli-piano.md) - [Connected Musical Chord Keyboards](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/chord-machine-akt01.md) - [Text-Converting Keyboards](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/casiotone-cts1000v-keyboard.md) - [Screen-Accented Keyboards](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/touchscreen-mechanical-keyboard.md) - [DJ-Inspired Mechanical Keyboards](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cyberboard-r2-le-smoking.md) - [Ultra-Modern MIDI Instruments](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/midi-device.md) - [Sustainable Hand-Crafted Keyboards](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/working-synth.md)