Behind the scene
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Many don't know how a product is developed, the challenges, frustrations, and joys until the industrial-scale production starts. The photos and the story we present here are part of the records of what was done, initially to keep as documents in our files. But we decided to bring them to the public to tell what happened behind the scenes before the premiere of the AKX10.
The project started in April 2017, and at the crucial stage, the world was affected by the Covid-19 Pandemic. But with effort and commitment, the team managed to overcome all barriers.
2017
April
2017
July
2017
November
The project started codenamed A1100, as this new model would be the successor of the model A1000, the flagship model. A small team started the research, gathering comments from users, professional musicians, and dealers about the new model's improvements. The next step was to define the most suitable operating system and research the main components.
The study of the industrial design began and the first sketch of the panel layout included the large display of the A1000 and also the Arabic scales.
The first design versions were ready in November. But still very reminiscent of the A1000's design.
After undergoing numerous changes and adjustments, Gao Chao, award-winning designer (Red Dot Award, Good Design Award, IF Award ), presented the 11th. version, which came close to what the AKX10 is today.
It was at this stage that Gao Chao came up with the idea of ​​including the breathing sidelights, later patented by Medeli.
2017
December
For a feature-rich instrument like the AKX10, the Graphical User Interface would have to be easy to read and navigate. The first studies in September 2017 were based on the A1000.
But still not satisfied, the team continued the development and in December they concluded the best version, which is the basis of the current graphical interface of the AKX10.
The first Mockup was ready, with the shapes and dimensions of what would be the future AKX10.
The idea was to include a metal strip on the panel, but the texture was not good and the fabrication would be complex, which was discarded.
But the test with the sidelights was approved.
The mockup serves numerous purposes in product development, including revealing details like this: the position of the screws was scratching the table!
2018
June
The mold was ready and the ES - Engineering Sample was built, which allowed for further adjustments and corrections.
2018
September
The sample for Quality Control was ready, starting the phase of testing features and sounds, including comparing the AKX10 side-by-side with the other keyboards in its category. It was at this stage that the name of AKX10 was defined.
The sound system of the AKX10 received particular attention, going through numerous tests in the anechoic chamber (no echo) to define the best parameter for the adjustments of the AKX10's built in audio.
2019
April
The AKX10 was first discreetly and privately unveiled when members of the CMIA (Chinese Musical Instruments Association) and government officials visited Medeli's Shanghai office. In this event, the AKX10 was part of a small gig at the reception of visitors.
2019
July
Medeli invited some dealers to test the AKX10. For reasons of industrial confidentiality, they signed the Non-Disclosure Agreement. They had the opportunity to test the AKX10 individually, and everyone was amazed at the design and sound quality. The engineers noted all the comments and suggestions.
2019
August
The first photoshoots were taken as part of the preparation for the presentation of the new keyboard at Music China in Shanghai. For the Chinese domestic market, the name was defined as A2000.
2019
September
The big day: the start of Pre-Production. Later it was decided to change the internal power supply for the external one, increasing the expansion memory capacity from 256MB to 768MB and changing the Medeli logo.
2019
October
International debut at Music China 2019, Shanghai
We presented the A2000, the version of AKX10 for the Chinese domestic market.
The AKX10 project started in 2017, going through a challenging period due to the difficulties and restrictions imposed by the Covid-19 pandemic. But it did not stop continuing the development. Anyone who needed to come to the office came to work strictly adhering to safety protocols. Others worked from home.
Even before and after the critical period of the Covid-19 pandemic, it was not uncommon for the team to be the last to leave the office after midnight.
We produced more than a million lines of written programming code, countless documents, more than 10,000 works involving sound samples and music, dozens of registered patents for new mechanical and electronic designs.
The AKX10 Project defines the moment of Medeli, and everyone is proud of it.
The biggest award and recognition for Medeli – especially the AKX10 developer team, is that the musician – whether amateur or professional – feels fulfilled and rewarded when using the AKX10 as an instrument to express their art of the music.