The Continuum is a keyboard instrument developed by Haken Audio from Champaign, Illinois.

Technically a MIDI controller, the Continuum provides a single even surface for the musician to play on, creating a sound similar to a lap steel guitar. This way the musician is able to play notes that aren't on the chromatic scale, apply vibratos or pitch bends to a note. While pitch bend and vibrato are standard features on most midi keyboards, sliding between half steps in the manner permitted by the Continuum, is not.

The Continuum also provides two additional parameters for the sound: It is also able to transmit the finger pressure on the board as a MIDI value, as well as the finger's vertical position on the key. These parameters can be used to enrich the sound even more, for example to modulate between two sound banks.

Perhaps the most famous use of the Continuum in contemporary music is found in the intro to the title track from Dream Theater's 2005 album Octavarium. The Continuum is played by keyboardist Jordan Rudess.

Artists using the Continuum

• Jordan Rudess (Dream Theater)
• John-Luke Addison

External links

• Haken Audio

Electric and electronic keyboard instruments

Continuum (strumento)