Roli: Equator 2 is here !

[goodplayer]

Anyone else got issues with Bitwig? everytime when I save a project and want to load it again Equator 2 does not load properly, it says: Plugin host dies: Could not read async reply: End of stream: Broken pipe.
Then I have to reload the plug-in again. It's quite annoying.

Bitwig once got hung solid and crashed during preset editing in Equator 2 vst, requiring forced restart. This is surprisingly odd behavior from Bitwig which is generally quite stable & robust I believe due to its effective vst sandboxing technique.

The other smaller issue occurs every time after loading a pre-saved Bitwig song containing Equator 2 vst. This is a short delay before Equator 2 default patch becomes audible. I believe this might be just the normal patch loading time in Equator 2 vst.

[menthol]

Thanks for the reply, Cypher2 and Strobe2 are already registered with fxpansion, can't register them at Roli. Not sure what you mean by the discount upgrade link as I've already made the purchase but can't enter the serial I have at Roli or those of Strobe 2 or Cypher 2 which I already own.
Sorry if I'm missing something....

I'm in exactly the same boat. I sent a note to ROLI but no word back yet.

[Angus_FX]

Thanks for the reply, Cypher2 and Strobe2 are already registered with fxpansion, can't register them at Roli. Not sure what you mean by the discount upgrade link as I've already made the purchase but can't enter the serial I have at Roli or those of Strobe 2 or Cypher 2 which I already own.
Sorry if I'm missing something....

You don't need to, and indeed you can't. Those serials are just to be registered at FXpansion; if you've missed out on the Equator2 upgrade discount link, drop Support a line and quote your serial number in the mail.

[complicity]

Thanks Angus, I've added a note to the original ticket......

[himalaya]

Finally got a chance to go thru all the Standard Presets and Favourite those I like.
I note that one of my favourite types of synth sounds, synth brass are very well represented.
Great job, EH.
I am very happy.

Thank you

(If only developers of that other synth that has the name of a Perfume had hired you to do the same.....)
rsp

You mean there is a Calvin Klein synth?
Or Lacoste?
Dior?

[zvenx]

Lol.
Most welcome.

And your synth basses are as always on point. I have said this before, i love how your patches not only sound great but they underatand the expressive needs of a keyboardist a la modwheel, velocity, after tiuch et al.
rsp

[himalaya]

I am really enjoying learning to create new presets in Equator 2 and wow, its amazingly easier compared to Equator 1.

I have one little issue. I created a new preset using one of the split patches.
My preset is using 3 of the 6 sound sources. Currently all 3 sources and their patches are in poly. I need to set only one of the 3 sources which has my selected sample to mono legato mode and keep the other two sources as is. The global option is obviously not suitable.
I need some help pls. Anyone has any tips on how to do this ?

Unfortunately this can't be done. I wished we had this poly-mono setting per oscillator as that's what I needed for my factory SPLIT patches. Definitely a great feature request that shall be put on the very, very long list of feature requests.

BTW, are you using these split patches on STANDARD or MPE sounds?

[goodplayer]

I am really enjoying learning to create new presets in Equator 2 and wow, its amazingly easier compared to Equator 1.

I have one little issue. I created a new preset using one of the split patches.
My preset is using 3 of the 6 sound sources. Currently all 3 sources and their patches are in poly. I need to set only one of the 3 sources which has my selected sample to mono legato mode and keep the other two sources as is. The global option is obviously not suitable.
I need some help pls. Anyone has any tips on how to do this ?

Unfortunately this can't be done. I wished we had this poly-mono setting per oscillator as that's what I needed for my factory SPLIT patches. Definitely a great feature request that shall be put on the very, very long list of feature requests.

BTW, are you using these split patches on STANDARD or MPE sounds?

Thanks for your reply Himalaya!

Really? poly-mono setting is not per oscillator? That is almost unbelievable. I think that will limit scope towards elaborate preset creation big time at least for split presets and maybe even for non-splits.

I wonder if there is any work-around to it with some smart tricks you might know of from your expertise.

And yes I believe I am using MPE for my new split preset. Thanks for your originals.

Using Seaboard for my new preset I wanted the split patch on right to be of a lead role type supported by strings on the left. And since I usually make extensive use of pitch bends, the right split would need to be mono legato with MPE magic to make this work.

I was hoping this new split preset if it worked, would save me at times from loading multiple vst's in Bitwig for similar patch layering while also being able to enjoy combinations of beautiful sounds that Equator 2 provides.

[himalaya]

Really? poly-mono setting is not per oscillator? That is almost unbelievable. I think that will limit scope towards elaborate preset creation big time at least for split presets and maybe even for non-splits.

Well, the poly-mono voice mode setting is traditionally global, as far as I can see in my collection of synths. I haven't seen a synth with per-oscillator poly-mono setting, although I guess there must be examples. So it's not as unbelievable as you might think. I'd be genuinely interested to see a synth with such an option. So, I guess the design never took this into account as it's not a 'done' thing in general soft synth design. I wonder if Angus could chime in to say if it's difficult to implement or not.

But the reason why I asked you whether you are using MPE or Standard sounds, is that with MPE sounds the lack of the mono voice mode in a poly voice mode patch is not a big problem. The reason is, if you have a split patch of say, a pad (left hand) and a lead (right hand) then you can play the pad polyphonically, and the lead monophonically, this is all due to the way pitch behaves in an MPE patch. This is what I do all the time. I play my leads monophonically in such a patch all along when the pad is polyphonic, and it works great. I get note-to-note legato. I get glissando on the ribbon, all sorts of mono techniques. The only thing that will not work is the typical note-to-note synth portamento. So this is the only casualty here.

Using Seaboard for my new preset I wanted the split patch on right to be of a lead role type supported by strings on the left. And since I usually make extensive use of pitch bends, the right split would need to be mono legato with MPE magic to make this work.

Yup! You can do that. Just as described above. I'm testing it now with my 'Vintage Pad and Lead Split' and my pad is poly and the lead plays mono (with mono-pitch-techniques). Just approach it with the right playing technique. It really works.

[Echoes in the Attic]

Of here is a weird annoying thing. So cliking an oscillator shows a bigger waveform view and additional controls in the middle box. But why can you click on the waveform display only for the wavetable osc to select it and not the sample/granular oscs? For the sample/granular osc, we have to click some little bit of empty space in between controls beside the waveform box in order to select it to show the controls for that in the middle part. Is this a bug? It doesn't make sense.

[menthol]

Thanks for the reply, Cypher2 and Strobe2 are already registered with fxpansion, can't register them at Roli. Not sure what you mean by the discount upgrade link as I've already made the purchase but can't enter the serial I have at Roli or those of Strobe 2 or Cypher 2 which I already own.
Sorry if I'm missing something....

I'm in exactly the same boat. I sent a note to ROLI but no word back yet.

I got an email from Roli today and they straightened this out for me.

[wilx]

Absolutely loving this so far! 3 wishes:

Definitely a great feature request that shall be put on the very, very long list of feature requests.

Euclidean Modulation as per cypher 2

The ‘last touched parameter’ visualisation in cypher is fantastic too - so useful & intuitive

Finally some sort of visualisation in the mod matrix like vital/serum would be great

[goodplayer]

Well, the poly-mono voice mode setting is traditionally global, as far as I can see in my collection of synths. I haven't seen a synth with per-oscillator poly-mono setting, although I guess there must be examples.

Being new to this area, thanks, this is good education for me about per-oscillator poly-mono setting generally not available in synths. I will keep my eyes open from here on.

The only thing that will not work is the typical note-to-note synth portamento. So this is the only casualty here.

I agree about using careful playing technique to cover the right side split keys part with MPE to almost mimic mono legato. In my situation however, note-to-note synth portamento is just as important mainly for ethnic type stuff. I guess its something for future updates wish-list request for Roli.

[p1afff]

Thanks Angus, I've added a note to the original ticket......

Exact same situation for me. It was not fast, had to repost, but this was solved at the end.

[Alchemedia]

Since there's currently no demo I thought I'd consult the trusty KVR hive mind oracle...
GUI & MPE aside, how does Equator 2 compare to Falcon?