Docu about using U-He synths with MPE in Bitwig

[-FFX-]

Hi,

I remember that somewhere this is written down... But could not find any hint in Hive 2 docs or in Zebra2 docs:

1. Can I use Hive and Zebra2 as MPE synths in Bitwig?

2. If so, how to setup?

3. Which parameter except pitch can I then control per note?

4. Should I use VST3 instead VST2 then?

5. Is there a general U-He MPE manual available?

6. Which synths support what, is there a matrix of MPE features?

Thanks!

[pdxindy]

Hive yes... Zebra no (unless you use multiple instances)

In Bitwig:
1 -Add Hive to a track
2 -Select Hive device in the Bitwig device pane at the bottom. Over in the Inspector, you will see a use MPE button. Activate it.
3 -Select the track that has Hive. Over in the Inspector you will see Channel All to 1, change 1 to same.
4 - Open the Hive gui. In the top right corner is a gear icon, click it, then click the wrench icon which opens preferences.
5 - In Hive Preferences, down near the bottom, you will see Control A default and Control B default. One of them should be set to CC 74 - that will be Timbre in MPE parlance. Close preferences
6 - With the Hive Keyboard visible, you can see PitchBend + and - (PB + and PB -) set them to 48, then right click and lock both of them

Now Hive is set up for MPE in Bitwig and because you locked the PB, you can swap presets and it will stay on 48. You might need to set up some Timbre modulation (Control A or B mod source depending on which you set to CC#74) in a preset to see it in action, but it is functional with the above steps

You can control any modulatable Hive parameter using pressure or timbre (Control A or B as you set) as the mod source. Of course velocity too. There is no release velocity in u-he synths but the others are the important ones.

[-FFX-]

Nice, many thanks! Which U-He plugins allow the same?

[MitchK1989]

I've used MPE in bitwig on hive, bazille, ace, repro-5, and diva.

I think z2 is the only full synth (not including filterscapeVA or the freeware/magware. I haven't checked the freeware/magware though so some of that might work too) from u-he that doesn't do multi channel midi. I guess if you want to get cheeky repro-1 doesn't support MPE either, because it's monophonic

[Ou_Tis]

Hive yes... Zebra no (unless you use multiple instances)

In Bitwig:
1 -Add Hive to a track
2 -Select Hive device in the Bitwig device pane at the bottom. Over in the Inspector, you will see a use MPE button. Activate it.
3 -Select the track that has Hive. Over in the Inspector you will see Channel All to 1, change 1 to same.
4 - Open the Hive gui. In the top right corner is a gear icon, click it, then click the wrench icon which opens preferences.
5 - In Hive Preferences, down near the bottom, you will see Control A default and Control B default. One of them should be set to CC 74 - that will be Timbre in MPE parlance. Close preferences
6 - With the Hive Keyboard visible, you can see PitchBend + and - (PB + and PB -) set them to 48, then right click and lock both of them

Now Hive is set up for MPE in Bitwig and because you locked the PB, you can swap presets and it will stay on 48. You might need to set up some Timbre modulation (Control A or B mod source depending on which you set to CC#74) in a preset to see it in action, but it is functional with the above steps

You can control any modulatable Hive parameter using pressure or timbre (Control A or B as you set) as the mod source. Of course velocity too. There is no release velocity in u-he synths but the others are the important ones.

Thanks, I found this also works in Repro-5---not in the older version I had installed previously, but in the latest version.

Is there a way to map Control A to more than two parameters? The Synth page seems to allow only two?...

But I was able to get Midi Learn to work with MPE timbre (Slide) on the Seaboard. Hold down a note at constant pressure before clicking on the parameter, then slide up. Afterwards check in Midi Table to make sure it's only mapped to CC 74. If not, delete the unwanted mappings.

- Settings -> Midi learn
- hold down key at constant pressure
- click on what you want to Timbre to modulate
- slide up while trying to keep pressure constant
- go to Midi Table (next to Midi Learn)
- check that only controller 74 is mapped to the relevant parameter
- if other unwanted controller also mapped, delete that mapping