Joining the likes of the Pico and the Alpha is the new Eigenlabs Eigenharp Tau (1,899 GBP or approx. $3,030).

This new electric-guitar-sized instrument has 72 main keyboard keys, 12 percussion keys, a strip controller, breath pipe, and almost all of the same capabilities of the Eigenharp Alpha.

With the Eigenharp Tau, you can load and play your own Soundfonts, Audio Units plugins, and MIDI instruments, and rock out like a technologically, musically advanced creature from Star Wars.

Key features at a glance:

• 84 playing keys in all, including 72 main keyboard keys, 12 percussion keys, and 8 mode keys
• Sampled at 2000 samples / second, per key
• 10-bit (1024 values) resolution
• Sensitive to direct pressure and to lateral pressure in both directions
• Breath pipe is bidirectional, sensitive to blown and drawn breath
• 2 removable, interchangeable mouthpiece for hygiene
• 1 Strip Controller
• Headphone output
• USB 2 interface to host computer
• Webbing strap and soft case included
• Optional floor spike
• Eigenharp Tau Base Station
• Eigenharp Tau Base Station power cable and 6 m Tau to Base Station connecting cable
• 3 m Base Station to computer USB 2.0 connecting cable
• Eigenlabs 8 GB USB stick with latest install software (Mac) and getting-started tutorials

The Tau also ships with a collection of loop libraries and several other instruments, including 1,500 AIFF format varied percussion and drum loops; Sampletekk Black Grand Steinway D; Sampletekk Tubed Rhodes; the Sampletekk Tubed Wurli electric piano in a multisample set; and the Camel Audio Eigenlabs Player version of Alchemy.

The Eigenharp Tau will be available in black or silver on May 10, 2010.