[A6] bugs and features

[Chris Pickett]

analoguediehard at att.net wrote:

>>Can you describe the current problems and what you think should be 
>>happening?
>>    
>>
>
>The A6 does not receive polyphonic aftertouch over MIDI from an external
>controller.  This has been one of the most popular requests for new A6 features.
> PolyAT is gorgeous for strings and choirs.  Imagine using it to sweep analog
>filters in real time.
>
>  
>
>>Why can't the A6 keyboard do PolyAT?  I guess I do remember 
>>somebody saying something about it being patented.
>>    
>>
>
>Ensoniq (hence Creative Labs, having acquired their IP) owns a patent on a cheap
>way to implement polyAT, and AFAIK I don't know if they won't license it or if
>their license fees are prohibitive.  My guess is that the patent is pretty
>broad, as it has been a LONG time since anyone has made a MIDI keyboard with
>polyAT.  My Kurzweil MIDIBoard has it, but none of the Kurzweil since then have
>polyAT.
>  
>
Feel like digging up the patent?  I tried to find it (Ensoniq has only 
36 patents) but I didn't see anything.  I'm just curious about this -- 
it could be expired already ...

http://www.uspto.gov/expwd/expform.htm

Chris