MPE (Midi Polyphonic Expression) took big step forward to become feature music software and hardware should implement. Until last two week there have mostly been synths with good MPE implementation or good synths with MPE implementation which let you use use synth with MPE controller. First ones you could have bought from Roli’s site. Those are still ones with best MPE implementation but as synths they are not among the best ones. I don’t have every synth with MPE implementation. Serum could be good synth with good MPE implementation after it got MPE support earlier this year. I can’t comment on its MPE support since I don’t have it. Now I know two good synths with good MPE implementation.
MPE is midi extension. On technical level MPE means each note gets its own midi channel. This means each note has its own aftertouch, pitch wheel and mod wheel. Velocity has been per note already. Fifth dimension of expression is Lift which tells how finger was lifted from the key. Synths on Roli’s site have implemented it but I don’t remember seeing it anywhere else since it has quite limited usefulness as modulation source. Other four are more important. Roli has kept list of software and hardware with MPE support. List has not been updated in couple months but I assume it will soon have two synths which got MPE support during last two weeks.
We can probably thank Serum that Icarus 2 and Pigments 2 have MPE support. After these three have MPE support everyone else have to seriously consider adding MPE support to their products. Pigments 2 was Arturia’s first synth with MPE support. I wouldn’t be too surprised it V Collection synths get it 2020. After that MPE controller owners don’t have to think about buying software synths without MPE support.
Roli just launched Studio Editions of their Block range. Seaboard Block is expensive compared to cheapest midi controllers. But it is not that expensive if you want to have really expressive controller. With Seaboard Block you can expand your keyboard later and add Lightpad Block to give more control. I will leave you with video demonstrating some of the MPE capable controllers. There are more than the four shown on video.