New MPE synths...

[patternmusic]

There are a few issues with the Hydrasynth's MPE implementation, yet to be fixed:

viewtopic.php?f=263&t=538346&hilit=hydrasynth&start=75

I think the MPE mono mode bugs demonstrated in the video on that thread are fixed in the current Hydrasynth firmware. I failed to reproduce those bugs on my Hydrasynth Desktop (1.5.5 firmware) with my LinnStrument 128.

[SteveElbows]

The Dreadbox Nymphes supports MPE as of firmware 2.0 which came out recently.

The updated manual doesnt say much about the MPE support but I had a sniff around the internet and it sounds like MPE Z pressure is supported via using the same mod source as is used for poly aftertouch. There is no mention of MPE Y in the manual either, but it sounds like it works if you set MPE Y to send mod wheel CC1 instead of CC74. The maximum pitch bend range that can be set is only 12 according to the manual, and I dont know if this is overridden in MPE mode, I will try to find out.

[Roger_Linn]

In past, I've gotten some reports of a new synth supporting MPE, then learned that the makers implemented it poorly. So I've decided to not add synths to the Recommended Sounds page until someone has tested it with LinnStrument and can verify that the implementation is useable.

[jsterne]

I actually corresponded with Dreadbox about this, because their modulation implementation on the Typhon is so good. Because of the hardware architecture, there are a bunch of parameters like wave shape that can't be opened up to MPE, so basically, you can use MPE to modulate what's available to the mod wheel and aftertouch. I don't have the Nymphes so can't try it out but that does mean some potential limitations.

[Roger_Linn]

Thanks, jsterne. That’s a common “MPE lite” partial implementation: adapt mod wheel and poly pitch to the MPE spec without testing or even adding “MPE” to the product page. Some LinnStrument owners have objected to my adding a synth to the list without testing. So I don’t think it’s a bad idea to wait until someone tests it.

[jsterne]

Wise choice.

[SteveElbows]

I agree, which is why I mentioned the various caveats in this case, especially since the manual only makes passing reference to MPE. I'm not yet sure whether I will get the Nymphes but if I do then I will be sure to report back on how it works in practice.

Meanwhile the excellent OB-E soft synth is now in version 2 and is now available for Windows not just mac, has some new features and is endorsed by Tom Oberheim

[Roger_Linn]

Regarding the OB-E, have you used the MPE capabilities with LinnStrument and find it to be well implemented?

[SteveElbows]

Regarding the OB-E, have you used the MPE capabilities with LinnStrument and find it to be well implemented?

I need to try it again because its been a while since I last did that, and I should not completely trust my memory. But if I do recall correctly I may have had a sense with the first version that MPE Y was only crudely implemented, so it may not quite live up to the standards you eloquently described the other day on this thread.

I'm going to try the new version with the Linnstrument at some point in the next 48 hours and will be sure to report back.

I hope nobody minds me continuing to mention options here that may not be considered quite well implemented enough to qualify for listing on your website.

[SteveElbows]

Sorry for the delay. Its the same as v1 really, the pitch bend and pressure aspects of MPE work fine in OB-E, but the pitch bend range is defined on a per preset basis. The MPE Y CC74 aspect is far from ideal, you have to map it to the knob on each SEM module and then it does work properly on a per-voice basis in the normal MPE way, but these cc assignments are not saved per-patch, they are a global config. They made a MPE video about this when version 1 first came out, but it was completely Roli-centric, they assumed thats the controller viewers would be using so it showed Roli dashboard settings to use. Its also like how we would typically setup a 'midi channel per part/voice' synth in that in their video, they limit the MPE controller settings to use 8 midi channels, one for each of this synths voices.

My conclusion is that due to how wonderful it sounds, I am very happy to play this synth using the Linnstrument, but the MPE Y clunkiness means I cannot quite think of it as I do plenty of other modern fully fledged MPE synths.

[Roger_Linn]

Thanks, Steve. I have it listed on my Recommended Sounds page, but I've added your helpful text to the page so that people will be fully informed.

[WarpFactorJ74]

Hey all - I've been emailing with the BLEASS developers about an MPE limitation in their Alpha and Omega synths on MacOS. The iOS versions have an absolute/relative toggle for Y access expression where the MacOS versions do not, and the default behavior on the Mac is absolute which is not ideal for use with the Linnstrument IMO. They are planning an update to Omega soon that will hopefully include that feature, no word on an Alpha update but I'm assuming they'll get to it.

[SteveElbows]

Hi,

The Sequential Prophet-6 and OB-6 do not respond correctly to pressure/Z in MPE mode: the Aftertouch is not applied per voice but globally and since there are 6 streams of (Channel) Aftertouch coming in, it starts glitching between all incoming Aftertouch values.

In standard mode, polyphonic aftertouch works just fine.

Sequential confirmed this as a bug and added it to their internal bug list for the Prophet 6/OB-6.

With the latest OS (1.7.5) you can use aftertouch in MPE mode without glitching. It is implemented as “polyphonic aftertouch”, not as aftertouch per channel. Aftertouch per channel still is glitchy, so you have to adjust your Linnstrument settings.

With firmware 1.7.4 on the OB-6 desktop I dont seem to have any problems with the MPE standard channel aftertouch working as expected! I dont have to put the Linnstrument into poly pressure mode to get the expected results.

[Tj Shredder]

Cherry Audio did it again, their Dreamsynth supports MPE…

[hariossa]

Cherry Audio did it again, their Dreamsynth supports MPE…

Is it good? I was thinking about buying it but I have like hundreds of synths already...