|
|
| 
|
|
Multidimensional Polyphonic
Expression
The Future of MIDI
Multidimensional Polyphonic
Expression or MPE is a term that applies to a new class of
controllers called PMCs (Polyphonic Multidimensional
Controllers). The arrival of this technology has sparked a
controller revolution, with hardware now capable of sending
multiple dimensions of finger movement control - not only from
left or right, but also up, down, pressure, and beyond.
What are MPE Sounds? MPE stands for Multidimensional
Polyphonic Expression, so MPE sounds are sound
patches that are optimized for performance on MPE
controllers like Roli Seaboard, LinnStrument, Continuum or others.
These sounds have two main differences from sounds optimized
for standard MIDI keyboards:
-
They
respond not only to velocity, but also to three
dimensions of continuous touch:
-
Left/Right movement (X axis): typically
used for continuous pitch control, sent using MIDI
Pitch Bend messages.
-
Forward/backward movement (Y axis):
typically used for continuous control of timbre,
sent using MIDI Control Change 74 messages.
-
Pressure (Z axis): typically used for
continuous loudness control, sent using MIDI Channel
Pressure messages.
-
They permit each simultaneous touch to have independent
three-dimensional control, because each note is sent
over a separate MIDI channel.
The purpose of this page is permit you to upload and share
your MPE sounds with other players of MPE controllers.
Each submitted sound (patch) has the following pieces of
information:
-
The
synthesizer that the sound was created in (and must be
loaded into).
-
The sound name (or, "Friendly" name).
-
The sound file to upload.
-
A brief audio recording of the sound. This permits
people to quickly audition the sound to learn whether
they want to download it.
-
Comments / description of the sound. Any useful details
about the sound. For example, what do X, Y and Z
control? Any suggestions on how to best use this control
in performance?
-
Tags for the type of MPE sound and pitch bend info:
-
Is it:
-
A true MPE sound, or;
-
A One-Channel Expressive sound?
If "One-Channel Expressive sound" is selected,
this is a sound that responds to 3 dimensions of
continuous control, but is made for a
synthesizer that only responds to one MIDI
channel. Such sounds are fine for expressive
solo performance and permit polyphonic pressure
by using MIDI Polyphonic Pressure messages.
However, they do not permit polyphonic pitch
bends or polyphonic Y-axis control because of
MIDI's limitation that Pitch Bend and Control
Change messages must apply to all notes on the
channel.
-
The Pitch Bend range:
MIDI is a
trademark of MIDI Manufacturers Association Incorporated. | | |
