Physical Audio – Derailer (AU/Mac only)

In beta at the moment, but worth checking out,

Physical Modelling with MPE support (they call it X mode) , what more could we want? 🙂

A quick play it seems to deliver, the UI is pretty complex (ok, Ive not read the manual), I particularly like the bowing presets… some of the others I find a bit hit n miss on strike, might be I need to fine tune my MPE setup. if they can sort this out, then it could become a favourite.

(hmm, perhaps the final release, can lets us reduce the reverb level a bit ;))

https://physicalaudio.co.uk/PA3.html

https://physicalaudio.co.uk/PA3.html//cdn.embedly.com/widgets/platform.js

Axoloti MPE – using new MI modules

I thought Id share this, as its a lovely video by a contributor on the axoloti forum – although its on a Linnstrument, it obviously works on the Eigenharp too.

its a couple of nice patches that are now in the community library.

the heart of one of the patches is based on the new ‘brds’ object, which is a port of mutable instrument braids.

the great thing is, we also ported other MI objects, including rings, elements and clouds, warps.

after seeing this I dug into braids a bit more, and found just a couple of objects, and you can get some really nice stuff e.g. braids into rings/reverb. (I’ll do some videos too soon)

… and of course its all ‘standalone’ no computer needed … a perfect match for stuff I’m doing on the rPI 🙂

https://youtu.be/XNx5zb3PuAw

https://youtu.be/XNx5zb3PuAw//cdn.embedly.com/widgets/platform.js

a good illustration of Strobe 2’s new MPE features.

its a really good approach, allowing you to adjust response rates on all dimensions for individual patches, useful for all controllers.

its interesting playing the roli patches on the Eigenharp (and Soundplane) as you can really feel the patches need to be adjusted to take into account their unique nature.

this is not surprising, but its just so evident how much difference this really makes… and I can now understand why Roli and Haken are reluctant to release their synths for other MPE controllers… the presets just wont translate that well.

anyway, great free update if you already have strobe 2 🙂

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2YqIsTY_EFw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2YqIsTY_EFw//cdn.embedly.com/widgets/platform.js

Softube modular

Ok, Im a sucker for virtual modulars, but I’ll admit, often they tend to sound a bit digital… but this is different, this really has fantastic sound quality.

not as flexible as Reaktor Blocks, but the quality of the modules is better… not surprising as you pay for them 🙂

I really hope other manufactures can be tempted to jump on board, and given they will (presumably) be paid, it seems like it could happen, its not a ‘competition’ to their hardware business.

anyway, I used it via VpC, and even basic patches sound brilliant.

tips for how to do this, as no official MPE support yet.

– create a rig, with one voice

– take midi note and pitchbend, to cv mixer, put 4x multiple on pitchbend input, which will give you 48 semis rather than 12.

– use mod wheel (CC1) rather than CC74.

– then duplicate this track for N voices, and change input to individual channels 1-N.

perhaps not as neat as having it all in one rack BUT actually I found it made it easer to edit the voices, as you just reload the saved preset, or in ableton just duplicate the tracks again…oh and separate tracks = separate threads for performance 🙂

demo is available, you need an iLok account (free) , but its soft iLok, so you don’t need a dongle on anything. 20 days with no limits, as far as i could tell… but be-warned its addictive 🙂

p.s. if you need more virtual modular, checkout pulsarmodular.com and Pulsar 900 (mac only) , nice sound moog modular.

http://www.softube.com/index.php?id=modular//cdn.embedly.com/widgets/platform.js

Mainstage 3.2.3 / Logic Pro 10.2.1 released – Alchemy expression support

Apparently the new version of MainStage and Logic Pro X have an updated Alchemy with amongst other things expression support. (mono mode as apple call it)

Im downloading to test now… and also to see if they have sneaked in MPE support on others, perhaps the synths that already support note per channel.

Roli Noise

something for the weekend?

it says its MPE compatible, so will have a play later today 🙂

https://www.roli.com/products/noise//cdn.embedly.com/widgets/platform.js

Axoloti – shop open

I know some were interested in buying an Axoloti Core, they are now  for sale (65 euro + vat  & shipping). limited stock, its kind of a ‘pilot’ for webshop, so its not publicly announced yet. 

http://www.axoloti.com/product/axoloti-core/

Reaktor 6 – MPE/T3D OSC blocks 🙂 

Ive been enjoying R6, so thought Id add to the growing number of user blocks out there… and what would l add ?

MPE and T3D support of course… they are now in the user library, both support up to 8 voices.

just an initial version,  I may add more features depending how much I use them.

Its been a real blast playing with these with the Soundplane and Eigenharp.

T3D – http://www.native-instruments.com/en/reaktor-community/reaktor-user-library/entry/show/8901/

MPE – http://www.native-instruments.com/en/reaktor-community/reaktor-user-library/entry/show/8899/

wow… just gone back to get the links, and people have already started downloading them!?

http://www.native-instruments.com/en/reaktor-community/reaktor-user-library/entry/show/8901//cdn.embedly.com/widgets/platform.js

FXExpansion – Strobe 2 with VpC

So Strobe 2 has been released with ‘multi dimensional control’ … no not MPE, VpC, with  PB/ CC 1 or 4 and Channel/Poly Pressure.

Pretty expensive (179 euro!) but seems a pretty comprehensive synth.

But I can NOT recommend it at the moment (been using demo)

a) Pitchbend and Pressure don’t appear to be working in MDC mode

b) Menus don’t work in VEP5 (ok, in LPX)

other slight limitation PB range only to +/-24 semis, and pity not MPE compatible.

and i found this all in 5 minutes, so appears a little buggy.

Ive reported the issues, hopefully they will get them sorted out, nice to have more choice for VpC synths.

anyway free demo (works for 30 mins, no save) so try it yourself

Axoloti – shipping now

Im thrilled to let you know Axoloti is now shipping, and the forum is up and running… can’t wait to see what others can create with it.

and i think its the first hardware synth shipping with MPE support, so its lots of fun with the Eigenharp!

more info : https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/axoloti-a-digital-audio-platform-for-makers#/updates

https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/axoloti-a-digital-audio-platform-for-makers#/updates//cdn.embedly.com/widgets/platform.js