Mind-blowing MIDI control

Our unique Lekholm DM48X MIDI controller harmonica has a dedicated following among chromatic harmonica players and innovative musicians who want an expressive alternative to MIDI keyboards. The DM48X builds upon the proven DM48, which has nearly 500 users worldwide, while adding multiple new features including wireless connectivity.

DM48X key features

Musical and responsive

Inherits the proven dynamics and playability perfected in the DM48

Built-in tuning editor

Edit custom scales directly on the device, or import/export them using MIDI

Powerful brain

Stores 18 tunings and 18 presets, doubled compared to DM48

Highly configurable

Numerous MIDI/response options including mono/poly modes, multichannel/MPE output and velocity sensing

Bluetooth MIDI

Wireless playing over Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) MIDI

Built-in battery

Powerful battery charges over USB, for five hours of wireless playing

Ribbon controller

Use your finger for pitch bending or modulation (vibrato or any MIDI CC)

Smooth slider action

New mechanically improved slider (side) button, used for transposition or MIDI control

What is the DM48X?

The Lekholm DM48X Digital Chromatic Harmonica is a multichannel MIDI wind controller for harmonica players or anyone who wants an expressive alternative to MIDI keyboards. Twelve independent pressure sensors detects positive and negative pressure (blows and draws) and puts players in control of a world of electronic sounds, silently at night or loud on stage with instant key changes. Highly adjustable with a built-in tuning editor for custom scales. Control and modulate using your breath plus the configurable ribbon controller. Three buttons are configurable as "sliders" for quick transposition or as MIDI control keys for even more modulation possibilites. All settings are easily accessible through an improved menu system on the built-in OLED screen. Pair with your iOS device or connect to a computer, via USB or Bluetooth. The DM48X is a pure MIDI controller without onboard sound synthesis.



Ordering


Carefully select the appropriate order button depending on your location:


DM48X Digital Harmonica - EU customers (non-corporate)
12375 SEK (~1110 EUR) including VAT, plus shipping.

Including Northern Ireland but not UK.
Please state cell phone number when ordering!


DM48X Digital Harmonica - non-EU customers (or EU corporate)
9900 SEK (~980 USD), plus shipping.

Local duties may be added depending on destination.
EU corporate customers: please state VAT number.
Asia: please use Latin characters.
Please state cell phone number when ordering!


DM48X Digital Harmonica - Sweden
12375 SEK including moms, plus shipping.

Please state cell phone number when ordering!


We ship anywhere worldwide by tracked parcel. Instruments are typically dispatched within three working days and shipping takes around one week to most destinations. Do not hesitate to contact us if needed before ordering.

Note that the DM48X is a MIDI controller without onboard sound synthesis, and third-party synthesizer software or hardware is needed for a complete setup. Some setup suggestions are given in the user manual and the FAQ, but we cannot provide support for products beyond the DM48 itself. Potential buyers are advised to first consult these texts.

The instruments are assembled by hand in Gothenburg, Sweden. The casing is produced using high-quality SLS 3D printing, which gives it a slightly rough surface. The mouthpiece is manufactured in aluminum by precision CNC machining, and has a smooth semi-matte anodized surface. Each unit is shipped with a USB cable and a custom protective case.


What musicians say

It's a really amazing instrument.

Brendan Power

UK

The DM48 is an awesome instrument! It is an incredible amount of fun to play.

Steve Hamilton

USA

It’s just too cool, congratulations on an amazing invention.

Jason Keene

USA

Absolutely incredible. Thanks again for making this amazing creation.

Tim Scanlan

Australia

My dream since 20 years is real and the door is open to a universe of sounds! Thank you!!

Laurent Maur

France

I am enjoying the DM48 more than any other instrument I have played in the past 48 years.

Jonathan Spool

USA


Information and resources


Newsletter
Sign up to our mailing list to receive sporadic news about the DM48X:

Blows and draws
The DM48X, as well as its predecessor the DM48, is built around 12 pressure sensors that can sense both positive and negative pressure, enabling both blows and draws.

Bending
Only one parameter is measured: air pressure. Traditional bending is therefore not possible. A pressure-controlled bending feature is available, where bends are triggered by strong blows/draws. Bending threshold and sensitivity are adjustable. Additionally, the DM48X features a ribbon controller, allowing the left index finger to be used for bending as well as modulation (e.g. vibrato).

Feel/response
In contrast to an acoustic harmonica, one cannot use mouth geometry, hands, and classical bending/overblows to modulate the sound. MIDI breath data is however transmitted continuously, such that sound intensity can be modulated throughout the duration of a note. The DM48X responds and transmits MIDI data almost instantaneously, but total latency depends on what software and computer is being used.

Slider
Rather than mechanically redirecting the airflow, the slider is electronic. The DM48X has an improved slider with a longer stroke length, which is generally perceived as being better and closer to the feel of a regular chromatic harmonica compared to the original DM48 slider. Older instruments can be upgraded to the new slider (contact us for more information).

Wireless MIDI
The DM48X supports Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) MIDI, allowing it to be wirelessly connected e.g. to any Apple device (simply connect from within your music app). The built-in battery provides about 5 hours of wireless playing. Note that the data rate of BLE MIDI is intrinsically much lower than USB MIDI. While latency over BLE MIDI is a tad lower than USB, most players find it to be acceptable in typical playing situations as long as the DM48X is within a couple of meters of the host device. Note that multichannel mode on the DM48X (e.g. MPE) can sometimes produce large amounts of MIDI data per time unit, thus surpassing the limits of the wireless link.

Peripherals
The DM48X is a MIDI controller without sound synthesis. Similar to a MIDI controller keyboard, a synthesizer (software or hardware) is needed to generate sounds. The DM48X can be connected directly to a computer via USB, which will also charge the built-in battery. An Apple Lightning to USB Camera Adapter (not supplied) allows wired connection to an iPad/iPhone. Iphones/iPads can power the DM48X, but will not allow the built-in battery to be charged. With newer iPhones without headphone socket, a USB hub plus a USB headphones adapter is additionally needed to connect a pair of headphones (Bluetooth headphones have latency issues). A MIDI USB host adapter is needed to connect the DM48X to a standard 5-pin MIDI connector. A third-party mini pitch controller is available from Brendan Power.

Suitable synths/sounds
Like other electronic wind instruments, the best results will be achieved with sounds that are specially adapted for the purpose. The acclaimed Yamaha VL70-m virtual acoustic modeling synth sounds great and works really well with the DM48X, but note that it is monophonic. Patchman Music has a large selection of quality wind-controller-adapted sound patches for various hardware and software synths. The SWAM virtual wind instruments from Audio Modeling are outstanding in terms of realism and a joy to play with the DM48X. Note that some of them are now available on iOS through the GeoShred app or stand-alone, finally making SWAM portable and also very affordable. Wind instruments in GarageBand are a decent budget option. The Acoustic Electro Waves wind synthesizer plugin for Reason is great together with the DM48X, and works on both Mac and Windows machines. Together with Reason in demo mode (song loading disabled, but otherwise full functionality at no cost) it is a bargain at $13. ThumbJam on iOS is another good budget option that conveniently handles DM48X multichannel data correctly by default, for independent breath pressure control of each hole. MPE synths/patches can also be used with the DM48X.

Harmonica sounds
Decent realistic harmonica sounds can be achieved with physical modeling synths as well as sample-based software instruments. However, the DM48X cannot be expected to replace or convincingly emulate an acoustic harmonica.

Firmware
The firmware can be updated by the user via USB. The latest version for the older DM48 model (v1.56) can be downloaded here and the latest DM48X firmware (v1.19) is available here. NOTE: Do not update your DM48X using DM48 firmware, or vice versa.

Manual
The DM48X manual gives a more complete view of the wide range of features. The manual for the older DM48 is available in English and Chinese.

User forum
Please visit the DM48/DM48X Google Group, where users can post questions and share experiences.

In the media
See our press archive for a selection of articles, interviews and other news features about the DM48/DM48X. Learn more about the DM48 story in an episode of the Harmonica Happy Hour Podcast.