KVR Audio

rACatkvr · Post by **rACatkvr** » Thu Oct 21, 2021 10:45 am

I had always thought of MPE as a bit of a kludge to get around not supporting PolyAT.
Looking for a clear statement of the relative merits.

pdxindy · Post by **pdxindy** » Thu Oct 21, 2021 2:09 pm

MPE is like PolyAT plus a lot more...

rACatkvr · Post by **rACatkvr** » Thu Oct 21, 2021 9:41 pm

A lot more what though?

cthonophonic · Post by **cthonophonic** » Thu Oct 21, 2021 9:54 pm

In addition to per-note pressure, you also get polyphonic pitch bend and an extra per-note expression control (usually corresponding to the front-back motion on an MPE controller).

rACatkvr · Post by **rACatkvr** » Fri Oct 22, 2021 1:42 am

So if it’s a piano style keybed then nothing but per note pressure is added/available?

zerocrossing · Post by **zerocrossing** » Fri Oct 22, 2021 2:36 am

rACatkvr wrote: ↑Thu Oct 21, 2021 9:41 pm A lot more what though?

E

zerocrossing · Post by **zerocrossing** » Fri Oct 22, 2021 2:39 am

rACatkvr wrote: ↑Fri Oct 22, 2021 1:42 am So if it’s a piano style keybed then nothing but per note pressure is added/available?

No.

zerocrossing · Post by **zerocrossing** » Fri Oct 22, 2021 2:42 am

https://youtu.be/yaRQt6_3Sos

pdxindy · Post by **pdxindy** » Fri Oct 22, 2021 2:57 am

rACatkvr wrote: ↑Fri Oct 22, 2021 1:42 am So if it’s a piano style keybed then nothing but per note pressure is added/available?

Check out Osmose

cthonophonic · Post by **cthonophonic** » Fri Oct 22, 2021 3:24 am

rACatkvr wrote: ↑Fri Oct 22, 2021 1:42 am So if it’s a piano style keybed then nothing but per note pressure is added/available?

If a hardware synth supports MPE but has a piano style keyboard, yes, you will only get the benefits of pressure per note using that keyboard. However, you would still get the MPE functionality via MIDI with an MPE controller.

rACatkvr · Post by **rACatkvr** » Fri Oct 22, 2021 12:35 pm

Thanks for the clear explanation.

himalaya · Post by **himalaya** » Fri Oct 22, 2021 3:13 pm

rACatkvr wrote: ↑Thu Oct 21, 2021 9:41 pm A lot more what though?

Contiunous-pressure.

Polyphonic pressure as seen in most of the keyboard designs relies on the standard 'aftertouch' mechanism. However, in most MPE controllers/instruments pressure is implemenetd as a continuous mechanism. This is a huge difference. What it means in practice is that with continuous-pressure we can now imitate natural sounds created by bowing or breath. In order to obtain a smooth response, a smooth articulation of volume/timbre, as heard when bowing a string or blowing air into a reed, we need this continuous pressure, simply becouse a bow gesture, or a breath is continuous. We start with a soft, gentle bow, and then apply pressure to get more volume and tone. Same with the breath, start blowing gently into the reed mouthpiece and then increase the force to obtain more volume/tone. This can be mimiced exactly with continous pressure as seen in most MPE instruments.

Here is an example of a sound that uses continuous-pressure to mimic breath:

https://soundcloud.com/electric-himalay ... rsian-reed

And what makes that sound special is that I'm playing a drone in the left hand, and solo in the right - this is the polyphonic pressure aspect, but now, I am free to articulate the volume/tone with continuous pressure without having to do it with the mod-wheel (I couldn't do it any way since I'm using two hands, and to use the mod-wheel here, I'd need another hand, and besides, the mod-wheel would apply to all the notes played). So for me at least, this is huge: polyphonic pressure, and continuous control thereof. That sound could not be exectued/played on a normal midi keyboard with normal poly-aftertouch.

MPE vrs PolyAT