Originally Posted by TOYZ

Incidentally, in principle any sufficiently multi-timbral (hardware or software) synth can be used with an MPE controller. It's just that you need to do some of the legwork of setting up the various MIDI channels and settings yourself.

For instance, my Fantom X7 and XV-5080 are both 16 parts multi-timbral. I haven't gotten around to trying my Rise 49 with either of them (in fact I haven't even touched my Rise or any other keyboards for weeks now) but it should definitely work just fine.

I even think it should be quite possible to write a bit of software that automatically configures a multi-timbral synth such as those mentioned to interact seamlessly with an MPE controller. When I get more time I'll probably give that a go.

Some of the things such a utility would have to do would be to automatically send program changes to the channels M+1 to M+N (M being the MPE 'master channel', N being the number of channels being used) if you change the patch for the master channel M.

If you make the software aware of the synth it's controlling, it could also replicate any changes you make to the patch on the master channel to the other channels. I know that would be possible with the Fantom X7 and the XV-5080 at least.

You could also do this with something like a Raspberry Pi. Perhaps a company like Kensington could even produce a small MIDI processor that does this. Or perhaps Roli could (should?) commission such a device, or embed such functionality in the firmware.

Not holding my breath for that to happen so as soon as I get the time I will write it myself.

Originally Posted by TOYZ

Incidentally, in principle any sufficiently multi-timbral (hardware or software) synth can be used with an MPE controller. It's just that you need to do some of the legwork of setting up the various MIDI channels and settings yourself.

For instance, my Fantom X7 and XV-5080 are both 16 parts multi-timbral. I haven't gotten around to trying my Rise 49 with either of them (in fact I haven't even touched my Rise or any other keyboards for weeks now) but it should definitely work just fine.

I even think it should be quite possible to write a bit of software that automatically configures a multi-timbral synth such as those mentioned to interact seamlessly with an MPE controller. When I get more time I'll probably give that a go.

Some of the things such a utility would have to do would be to automatically send program changes to the channels M+1 to M+N (M being the MPE 'master channel', N being the number of channels being used) if you change the patch for the master channel M.

If you make the software aware of the synth it's controlling, it could also replicate any changes you make to the patch on the master channel to the other channels. I know that would be possible with the Fantom X7 and the XV-5080 at least.

You could also do this with something like a Raspberry Pi. Perhaps a company like Kensington could even produce a small MIDI processor that does this. Or perhaps Roli could (should?) commission such a device, or embed such functionality in the firmware.

Not holding my breath for that to happen so as soon as I get the time I will write it myself.

Originally Posted by zerocrossing

When I first got my Rise I thought, “I should buy an XV-8050,” but the truth is, Equator is pretty great and for what it can’t do, Falcon is excellent. Eric Persing said that MPE compatibly is slated for Omnisphere too.

Originally Posted by shankzz

Assuming that I go the softsynth route, what would be a good setup so that I don't have to depend on my main computer and monitor for my basement studio setup? Obviously, I need the computer that runs the softsynth to be beefy enough to meet recommended system requirements, but I do have a secondary computer which at least meets the requirements of Equator and Falcon.

Would it be better to get a reasonable sized multitouch touchscreen monitor and keep it slanted in the midst of my hardware setup? Or is the touchscreen more pain than it is worth?

The other options are to just use a traditional keyboard mouse combo or go for a midi control surface (and do all the midi-learns).

For serious production work on a DAW, I will still go to the main computer, but for jamming and noodling, it just feels tiring to have to deal with the main computer monolith

Originally Posted by zerocrossing

When I first got my Rise I thought, “I should buy an XV-8050,” but the truth is, Equator is pretty great and for what it can’t do, Falcon is excellent. Eric Persing said that MPE compatibly is slated for Omnisphere too.

Originally Posted by Lady Gaia

Capable, but with no explicit MPE support. Still, poly aftertouch reception or the same patch assigned to several MIDI channels can get the job done with the Seaboard appropriately configured. I am planning to try the combination out this year either when Roli has another sale or introduces something new (current bundle offers expire in just two days, so I have some hope they’ll have something new queued up one way or another.)

I’ll also check to see if Kurzweil is receptive to adding an explicit MPE mode to the Forte. It never hurts to ask.

Originally Posted by TOYZ

That is good to hear. Can you tell me where he said that?

I asked back in November if they had plans to add MPE support to Omnisphere and all I got back was "We don’t publicly discuss our development plans, though MPE support is something we are looking into.".

There's only a few sounds in Equator that I kinda like so far, and I'm not even thrilled with those.

Originally Posted by jiffybox

Thank you, thread. I am now three hundred bucks poorer than before I read this.



I will report back on the MPE with my Roli Seaboard Block.

Originally Posted by jiffybox

I will report back on the [MicroMonsta] MPE with my Roli Seaboard Block.

Originally Posted by Rimwolf

Let me point out that one of the potential differences between an MPE synth and a multitimbral synth is that generally the former lets you play as you edit a patch, while the latter tends to restrict you to distributing an existing patch across different MIDI channels. The latter scheme is certainly workable, but the former's a lot more convenient.

Originally Posted by Rimwolf

Please do; I've asked about this a couple of times here and gotten crickets. I guess my concern is whether there's enough sonically interesting things to do with press(ure) modulation. (From the specs it seems like there should be.)

Originally Posted by Rimwolf

Let me point out that one of the potential differences between an MPE synth and a multitimbral synth is that generally the former lets you play as you edit a patch, while the latter tends to restrict you to distributing an existing patch across different MIDI channels. The latter scheme is certainly workable, but the former's a lot more convenient.

Originally Posted by TOYZ

Hopefully the software I mentioned I'd like to make, once I get a bit more time, will overcome that, at least for the synths it will support directly which would be the ones I own that would support this: the Fantom X and the XV-5080. I would take care of course to make it easy to extend support to other devices.

From previous work on MIDI software for the Fantom X I know that it's possible to query and modify the current patch, including any (unsaved) edits, for each part individually so it should be possible to replicate the patch being edited in the 'master' part to the other parts.

Worst case this would be a polling scheme but perhaps it's also possible to detect changes to the master patch by listening for CC, SysEx or other MIDI messages, which could trigger replication of the patch to the other parts. Can't remember to what extent the Fantom would allow that.

Originally Posted by Lady Gaia

Capable, but with no explicit MPE support

Originally Posted by YashN

There are MANY, MANY things the Kurzweils are capable of but which are not explicit.

You should know

LS Recommended Sounds

Click on the Hardware Tab.
Click on Kurzweil V.A.S.T. instruments.
Read.
Learn.
Apply.

Originally Posted by jiffybox

Thank you, thread. I am now three hundred bucks poorer than before I read this.



I will report back on the MPE with my Roli Seaboard Block.

Originally Posted by cixelsyd

I say modor nf-1

Originally Posted by Rimwolf

Please do; I've asked about this a couple of times here and gotten crickets. I guess my concern is whether there's enough sonically interesting things to do with press(ure) modulation. (From the specs it seems like there should be.)

Originally Posted by Coorec

If Roli would offer a keyboard with in built soundsource, they would sell more of this.

Originally Posted by TOYZ

The Roli Seaboard grand Stage has the Equator sound engine built-in. It's a bit pricey though.

Originally Posted by shankzz

Kurzweil K2000 in the house, folks! Pretty excited. Picked it up and back home just now. It was clean and well maintained. Time to get lost in the VASTness

Originally Posted by zerocrossing

Is the keybed set up for poly pressure, or just monophonic aftertouch?

Let me know how it goes with the MPE. I’ve always been curious about Kurzweil’s stuff, but I’ve never directly experienced it.