In this video we're going to take a look at how you can further shape and control MPE expression
using the MPE control device. MPE control is a MIDI device that can be placed in front of any instrument device
or VST plugin that supports MPE. This particular device allows you to adjust
how an instrument responds to MPE expression.
In my first track, I have an MPE control device and a Sampler device. All MPE parameters have been mapped.
And in particular the Loop length is being controlled by aftertouch.
When I play the keys of my MPE controller, I have a visual representation of the MPE input data
in the MPE control device.
To the left of the display there is a dial to control the curve shape of the MPE control you wish to change
By adjusting the curve an emphasis is created on a specific range which transforms the input values.
You can also set minimum and maximum ranges of the curve which limit the amount of input data
that will affect your device.
To do this you could simply add the numerical value to the bottom left-hand corner of the MPE control device
or you can click and drag the curve as necessary. And you can even invert the curve if you like.
Underneath the display of the curve and input data there's an icon that allows you to add a 3rd breakpoint to the curve.
With this 3rd breakpoint you can easily create S-shaped curves or more complex curves.
The curve segments can either be linked or un-linked depending on what curve you would like to create.
By clicking on the chooser in the top-left hand corner of the MPE control device,
you have access to the other two curves: Slide and Pitch.
All 3 curves can be adjusted independently of one another. With the Slide and Pitch curves
you're also able to change the ranges or set a 3rd breakpoint.
Another great way of using the MPE control device is using it with devices that don't already have MPE capability.
Let's take a look at how you can set this up. In track 2 I have an Instrument Rack
that contains an MPE control device and an Operator instrument.
As I play the Instrument Rack using my MPE controller, I can see in the MPE control device
that I'm receiving MPE data but it's not affecting any of the parameters of the Operator.
In this particular preset I've set the aftertouch and modulation wheel to affect parameters of the Operator.
By clicking on the bottom right-hand corner of the MPE control device I'm able to reveal another section
by activating the 3 check boxes in the bottom right-hand corner of the MPE control device.
Aftertouch, the mod wheel, and pitch-bend can be controlled by the MPE input parameters:
Pressure, Slide and Note Pitch-bend respectively.
As a final demonstration of MPE control, let's look at how you can use this device working with Push.
Push now has the ability to utilize polyphonic aftertouch.
This means that when you play pads on Push each of the notes you play
has its own response to aftertouch, meaning that you can play notes and chords with even more expression.
To utilize aftertouch on Push, go to the set-up menu and under 'Pressure' make sure that 'Poly' is selected.
Similar to when working with an MPE controller you can use the MPE control device
to adjust the pressure curve so that your pads become more responsive and expressive to the notes you're playing.
When recording notes with Push, with the Pressure mode set to 'Poly',
pressure variations can be edited in the Pressure Lane of the Note Expression View.