New MPE synths...

[BobDog]

It probably doesn't count but I recently got a Roland MC-707 to get hold of the Zen Core engine to use as a sound module really.

You can have 8 channels and replicate the patch across the channels, supports X/Y/Z but is a slight pain to setup! Pitchbend works very well, no lagging or anything.

Used this way you can have 128 "MPE Patches" instantly available (saved as scenes) in a loaded project and change between them with program changes sent to the global channel (I have not tested this bit yet).

One problem is the dreaded same not played twice though for mono patches, not as bad as some as it doesn't loose the original note it just doesn't seem to retrigger the envelopes.

[John the Savage]

Funny you should mention this...

I was thinking about picking up an MC-101 for the very same reason; and it's USB powered, so I could (theoretically) power it from one of the host ports on my MPC Live onstage. Purportedly, the 101 has the exact same audio engine as the 707, but I'm yet unclear as to what limitations the 101 poses by comparison. To that end, if anyone knows, I'd love to hear about it.

I'm currently using the MPC's onboard synths in a similar fashion, but I'm interested in the rompler aspect of the Roland engine as well. Keygroups on the MPC are pretty crude for that sort of application.

Cheers!

[mrspiral]

Funny you should mention this...

I was thinking about picking up an MC-101 for the very same reason; and it's USB powered, so I could (theoretically) power it from one of the host ports on my MPC Live.

I'm currently using the MPC's onboard synths in a similar fashion, but I'm interested in the rompler aspect of the Roland engine as well.

Cheers!

This raises an interesting question. Are there any hardware ROMplers that are currently good for MPE use? With the Modal SKULPT in hand, I’m pleased to have something affordable that works at all, but the sample-based stuff has always been something I like to work with, and I admit that I use the apps on iOS that use samples more than most of the modeling options.

[BobDog]

Funny you should mention this...

I was thinking about picking up an MC-101 for the very same reason; and it's USB powered, so I could (theoretically) power it from one of the host ports on my MPC Live.

I'm currently using the MPC's onboard synths in a similar fashion, but I'm interested in the rompler aspect of the Roland engine as well.

Cheers!

This raises an interesting question. Are there any hardware ROMplers that are currently good for MPE use? With the Modal SKULPT in hand, I’m pleased to have something affordable that works at all, but the sample-based stuff has always been something I like to work with, and I admit that I use the apps on iOS that use samples more than most of the modeling options.

Well the 101 has only 4 tracks channels so for MPE use 4 instead of 8 notes, it also has half the cpu/dsp power of the 707, and you cannot fully edit patches.

Concerning the rompler side it is the same old PCM stuff that Roland has been selling for years.

The best hardware rompler that I know about is the Kronos, disk streaming, proper key mapped samples supports MPE via multiple channels.

Then again the Kronos is the best synth ever made

[John the Savage]

Thanks for the info Andy... Appreciated, as always.

Are there any hardware ROMplers that are currently good for MPE use?

Well, this thing has been on my radar for a while:

https://www.pipes.rocks/

It took a long time to come to fruition, and the sales spraff during its early development was somewhat convoluted and made some lofty claims, so I lost interest; but it seems to have arrived. Mm... Or maybe not just yet?

That said, I don't know anyone who has one, and have never seen one in the flesh myself. I also remain unclear about certain aspects of the platform; but then, perhaps I just haven't made enough of an effort to get to grips with their particular brand of verbiage.

At a glance, it's a glorified rompler, with some light synthesis capabilities and a few other bells and whistles. Mind you, based on my (albeit limited) interaction with the developers early on, I think they would take exception to that otherwise pedestrian description.

Anyway, according to the literature, it is "fully MPE compatible"; though, to what end, I can't quite determine.

The form factor is about right — complete with a USB host port — so, if anyone owns (or has used) one of these, and would like to chime in, I'm all ears.

Cheers!

[mrspiral]

Are there any hardware ROMplers that are currently good for MPE use?

Well, this thing has been on my radar for a while:

https://www.pipes.rocks/

The form factor is about right — complete with a USB host port — so, if anyone owns (or has used) one of these, and would like to chime in, I'm all ears.

Cheers!

Interesting. Definitely pushes most of my particular buttons, especially with the 3x hub on board. Interesting that it doesn't have a B port for computer connection, implying that they really do expect it to work as its own little computer rather than as a dumb interface. Either a good thing or an iffy thing, dependent on your needs. I've signed up for the mailing list and will follow it with interest.

BTW, John, thanks for my new word of the day: "Spraff." If only I knew what it meant.

[John the Savage]

BTW, John, thanks for my new word of the day: "Spraff." If only I knew what it meant.

It's a uniquely Scottish synonym for "patter" with a smidgen of sarcasm...

Very useful.

Cheers!

[Tj Shredder]

Vast Dynamics jumped on the MPE wagon with their Vaporizer for an affordable price:
https://www.vast-dynamics.com

[Roger_Linn]

I've added it to the Recommended Sounds page.

[LarsDaniel]

Thanks for the info Andy... Appreciated, as always.

Are there any hardware ROMplers that are currently good for MPE use?

Well, this thing has been on my radar for a while:

https://www.pipes.rocks/

It is not available, but you can surely buy the t-shirts. So 2020.

[Jimmy34742]

I suppose the Xerxes should be added to the Black Corp entry since that one supports MPE as well, although I dont have a Xerxes myself so cannot confirm first-hand.

Also I have learnt that the UDO Super 6 (already listed on your site), despite being the first hardware synth I know of that has MPE printed on the panel (as a label for one of the buttons), doesnt have MPE implemented in its current firmware version. They currently have September listed for implementation in their known issues document, and I will be happy to post here again in future to let you know when it has actually been implemented and made available. http://udo-audio.com/downloads/super-6-known-issues.pdf

I can confirm the Xerxes's MPE works fine.

Along with my Xerxes, I also have a Super 6--layers great with the Xerxes, by the way--and I can confirm that its MPE is not yet implemented. It's only estimated to be implemented in the 4th quarter of 2020 according to their documentation of what's in development.

[Roger_Linn]

I've added Xerxes to the Recommended Sounds page.

[Roger_Linn]

I'm sorry, all. I forgot to add Newflangled Audio's "Generate" to the MPE list on my Recommended Sounds page. I've just done so.

[hariossa]

Hi Roger,

You may want to point out that the U-He instruments are not fully MPE compatible, they are just "multi channel MIDI-enabled" and "MIDI channel 1 as master" is not implemented, that means you can do the whole per-note pitch bending but if you have a sustain pedal it will not react to it.
More here: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=550961

Cheers

Hari

[Roger_Linn]

Thanks, harissa. I've just added a note about that on the Recommended Sounds page, including a suggestion that for sending such common messages, the user should set LinnStrument to send common messages over all channels redundantly. This is done in Per-Split Settings by pressing the selected Main Channel button to turn it off.