MPE Implementation Notes

Important information for Expressive E Osmose users: for the best possible experience, load the Osmose preset in the MIDI Settings panel. If the main controller you will use with Multiphonics is an Osmose, click on the Save as Default button to automatically load these settings every time you create a new Multiphonics plug-in instance. If you want to know why you need to do this, read the Osmose preset description in the MPE Configuration section below.

What is MPE? ⚓︎

MIDI Polyphonic Expression (MPE) is an extension of the MIDI standard that allows individual notes to be controlled independently, enabling expressive gestures like per-note pitch bends, vibrato, and timbre variations.

The MPE specification modifies the way certain MIDI messages work to enable per-note expression. Instead of applying pitch bend, channel pressure (also called monophonic aftertouch), and control change #74 (CC#74) globally, MPE assigns each note to its own MIDI channel, allowing these controls to affect individual notes independently. A so-called Master Channel (usually channel 1) handles all other Control changes that apply to all notes.

MPE Implementation in Multiphonics ⚓︎

While most factory and sound pack patches are designed to be playable with a standard MIDI controller, they also work out-of-the-box with MPE controllers. They all support MPE glide, many make use of MPE channel pressure, and some additionally support CC#74 for the full MPE experience.

In Multiphonics, MIDI is converted into CV signals for use in the patch by the Keyboard module. This is where MPE is handled. When Multiphonics is in MPE mode (enabled by default), MPE glide is automatically taken into account in the Keyboard Pitch signal, and the per-note MPE controls are assigned to Mod 2 and Mod 3. For maximum compatibility with Multiphonics CV-1 and CV-2 patches, Mod 1 is assigned to the modulation wheel.

Of course, you can easily reconfigure the Keyboard Mod 1, 2 and 3 assignments to better suit your MPE controller.

MPE Configuration ⚓︎

MPE controllers vary in features, so if the default configuration for Mod 1, 2 and 3 are not to your liking, head over to the MIDI Settings panel (accessed from the View—Settings menu or the gear icon in the toolbar). Here, in the Presets section at the bottom, you might find a preset for your MPE controller:

Basic MPE Basic MPE setup: Mod 1, 2 and 3 are assigned to the modulation wheel, channel pressure and CC#74. This setup is the default when you first run Multiphonics CV‑3.
Seaboard Optimized for the Roli Seaboard series, but may work with other similar Roli controllers. It is similar to Basic MPE, but the Seaboard lacks a modulation wheel so Mod 1 is assigned to CC#107 (leftmost slider).
Osmose Optimized for the Expressive E Osmose. Similar to Basic MPE, but the Mod 2 and Mod 3 assignments are inverted. The reason for this is that the Osmose uses channel pressure as an initial touch control that can take any MIDI value between 0 and 127 when a note is played, while CC#74 is used for the additional pressure, always starting at 0. This contrasts with most other MPE controllers where the channel pressure message is used for pressure control (as its name implies) with an initial value of 0, and CC#74 is mapped to either finger position, allowing any initial value, or a tilt control centered around MIDI value 64. Therefore, to ensure a good experience with the user library, Osmose owners should load this MIDI settings preset.

If your MPE controller is different, you can manually configure the Modulation Source settings. For maximum compatibility with factory and sound pack patches, we strongly suggest assigning a non-MPE control to Mod 1, and assigning channel pressure—which most MPE controllers should support—to Mod 2.

Once you are satisfied with your MPE setup, use the Save button to save it as a new preset. If this is the main setup you will use with Multiphonics, click on Save as Default so that you don’t need to reload it every time you create a new Multiphonics plug-in instance.

Using MPE in a DAW ⚓︎

Not all DAWs support MPE, with implementation varying across different DAWs since it’s still a relatively new specification. Therefore, you will have to refer to your DAW’s documentation or to user forums for more information on how to use MPE plug-ins.

Special MPE Patches ⚓︎

A patch may refer to an MPE controller in its name, like Bansuri Vibes (Osmose). It will typically require the Keyboard Mod outputs to be used in a way that best suits the specified controller. However, it may still be possible to play and enjoy it with a different controller. You will also find a standard version of the patch that can be played with any MIDI or MPE controller, though its expressiveness may be somewhat more limited.