MPE has made electronic instruments more expressive than ever, and there are options out there to suit almost everyone.
No matter how good an instrument sounds, whether or not it’ll be a success will often be determined by how engaging it is to play. Makers of electronic instruments are well aware of this, and are always in search of new ways to provide a level of musical expression that rivals what acoustic instruments have to offer. A relatively recent attempt comes in the form of MPE, or MIDI Polyphonic Expression, which essentially takes the concept of polyphonic aftertouch and extends it to multiple gestures and parameters, providing hands‑on, per‑note control over the likes of velocity, pitch‑bend and other modulations.
It was added to the official MIDI Specification back in 2018 — for a deeper dive into the technology itself, it’s well worth taking a look at The ABC Of MPE article from the June 2021 issue of SOS — and a whole host of MPE‑capable instruments have since followed in both software and hardware form. But of course, taking advantage of what they have to offer means pairing them up with a compatible controller, and they can vary from keyboard‑inspired units to unique surfaces that require a completely different approach to playing and can be thought of as new instruments in their own right. So, let’s take a look at some of the options that are currently available.
Ableton Push 3
Ableton Push 3
Although it’s been primarily designed as a controller for their Live DAW software, the latest iteration of Ableton’s Push now boasts MPE integration. Each of the device’s 64 pads are fitted with X/Y sensors that detect movement across the surface of the pad, and the latest versions of Live now include a selection of MPE‑capable software instruments that have been specifically designed to take advantage of the expressive possibilities offered by the new design.
Thanks to MIDI connectivity — via 3.5mm TRS and class‑compliant USB — it’s possible to control external MPE instruments, and the Push 3 can also be configured to receive MPE data from other gear. There’s no shortage of audio I/O either: the device includes a built‑in audio interface with two line‑ or instrument‑level inputs (balanced or unbalanced), a pair of balanced line‑level outputs, a headphone output and eight additional channels of I/O via ADAT.
Finally, a pair of footswitch inputs makes it possible to add some additional controls, and can also be configured to send CV and gate signals to modular rigs. Ableton also offer the Push Standalone, which comes fitted with its own processor, battery and 256GB SSD, allowing it to function without a computer — thanks to an Upgrade Kit option, it’s possible to buy the base version and upgrade it to a Standalone at a later date.
Push £879, Push Standalone £1299. Prices include VAT.
Push $999, Push Standalone $1999
www.soundonsound.com/reviews/ableton-push-3
embodme Erae 2
embodme Erae 2
Designed as a control centre for hardware synths and modular rigs, the embodme Erae 2 combines an MPE‑capable controller with a powerful looper. The unit feature a touch‑sensitive surface that’s loaded with 16,000 force sensors, with the company’s Force Multi‑Touch technology helping the Erae to detect everything from the lightest touch to fast, percussive playing. The playing surface is covered by a soft fabric skin that helps to deliver a pleasing tactile response, as well as providing some diffusion for the underlying LED backlights — the company also offer a thicker silicone pad that allows the instrument to be played with drumsticks.
In addition to its expressive control capabilities, the Erae 2 is kitted out with an eight‑track looper that allows users to capture, play back and modify parts, and an arpeggiator that boasts some interesting modulation capabilities. There’s no shortage of connectivity: there are 12 dual outputs offering a total of 24 configurable analogue outputs that can carry CV or gate signals, drum triggers and bipolar modulation CV signals, as well as one MIDI in, two MIDI outs and both host and device USB ports.
€958.80 including VAT.
€799
Expressive E Osmose
Expressive E Osmose
The vast majority of MPE controllers, even those that adopt a piano‑keyboard layout, tend to use a combination of pads and sensors to capture users’ finger movements, meaning that they can present quite a learning curve for keyboardists. The Expressive E Osmose takes a unique approach in sticking with ‘standard’ keys, but employs a clever keybed design that allows each key to be pushed from side to side as well as downwards. As a result, the controller boasts a much more familiar feel than pad‑based surfaces, while still offering a more expressive playing experience than a standard MIDI keyboard.
As well as functioning as an MPE (and conventional MIDI) controller, the Osmose is also a fully fledged standalone synth, and comes loaded with a 24‑voice EaganMatrix engine that provides a collection of virtual analogue, physical modelling and FM synthesis. Expressive E also offer a selection of software synths and virtual instruments, the majority of which support MPE. MIDI connectivity is provided on 5‑pin DIN sockets and via USB, while quarter‑inch TRS sockets offer line‑level audio outputs and support for two external continuous pedals.
£1549 including VAT.
$1799
www.soundonsound.com/reviews/expressive-e-osmose
www.expressivee.com?ref=soundonsound
Haken Continuum / ContinuuMini
Haken Continuum / ContinuuMini
The latest iteration of Haken’s Continuum instrument and controller is available in two sizes: the Slim46 and Slim70, which cover a range of 46 and 70 semitones respectively. Designed to be as expressive and rewarding to play as an acoustic instrument, both versions pair a user‑programmable EaganMatrix sound engine with a fingerboard‑style playing surface designed and hand‑built by company founder Dr Lippold Haken. The instrument promises an incredibly expressive playing experience, and is capable of generating real‑time continuous control in three dimensions for every finger that’s placed on the playing surface.
As for I/O, the instruments offer both an analogue line‑level output and a digital S/PDIF input and output, along with MIDI in and out, a headphone output and a pair of pedal inputs; the company also offer a CV converter that allows the Continuum to take control of modular rigs. Thanks to bi‑directional MPE support, the Continuum can be used to control other instruments, or be played from an external controller.
There’s also the ContinuuMini, a packed‑down version of the Continuum that aims to offer a similar playing experience in a more portable and affordable format. It features the same sound engine as its larger siblings, but with a smaller playing surface that offers its own distinct feel. Haken say that its pitch accuracy, pressure sensitivity and fast response mean that it’s still a responsive, sensitive instrument, but the playing surface is only capable of detecting one finger at a time.
From £1099 including VAT.
From $999
Intuitive Instruments Exquis
Intuitive Instruments Exquis
Intuitive Instruments’ offering comes in the form of the Exquis, which won the Commercial Hardware category in the 2023 MIDI Innovation Awards. The majority of the controller’s surface is occupied by a grid of hexagonal keys, which uses backlighting to display any musical scale or custom note mapping — by default, thirds are placed next to each other, and chords are arranged in ergonomic shapes that remain consistent regardless of the notes they contain, in an effort to make the instrument easy to play and learn.
The keys themselves offer enough resistance to allow for fast, percussive playing, but have enough play for users to modulate long notes by changing the amount of pressure applied to each key. The MPE support of course means that modulation can be applied on a per‑note basis — velocity, aftertouch and pitch‑bend data is generated by every key — and there’s also a ‘classic’ mode that offers standard polyphonic aftertouch.
Further hands‑on control is provided by a set of four rotary encoders and a six‑zone touch slider. The Exquis features MIDI connectivity along with mod, pitch and gate CV outputs, making it compatible with a wide range of instruments as well as modular rigs. It can also be used with a dedicated software application that’s packed with over 400 presets for free MPE‑capable plug‑ins and instruments, and there’s a Remote Script provided that turns it into a control surface for Ableton Live.
€299 including VAT.
$299
Muse Kinetics
Muse Kinetics QuNexus Galaxy
Muse Kinetics (formerly Keith McMillen Instruments) have a trio of MPE‑capable controllers in their current line‑up. The first is the QuNexus Galaxy, a keyboard‑style unit which features 25 touch‑sensitive keys that are capable of detecting velocity, pressure and tilting motions, allowing the controller to generate in‑depth per‑note control data. There are three onboard sequencer/arpeggiator tracks, each of which can be programmed with up to 32 steps and 10 arpeggiator patterns, and can be independently assigned to the controller’s USB, MIDI and CV outputs.
The company also offer the K‑Board, a lower‑cost alternative that offers a similar experience to the QuNexus Galaxy, but with no onboard sequencer/arpeggiator and USB‑only connectivity. If you’d rather hit things than press them, there’s the BopPad Galaxy, a drum pad that features four independently programmable zones that can output MIDI notes, velocity, pitch‑bend, pressure and location CCs. The controller is equipped with USB connectivity as standard, with 5‑pin DIN I/O available via the optional K‑701 MIDI Expander.
From £162 including VAT.
From $119
Roger Linn Design LinnStrument
Roger Linn Design LinnStrument
The Roger Linn Design LinnStrument features a grid‑style playing surface which the company say rivals the expressive capabilities of fine acoustic instruments. Rather than following the same convention as a piano keyboard, the LinnStrument’s notes are arranged in a similar way to stringed instruments, with each row of keys containing a series of consecutive semitones, making it simple and intuitive to create natural‑sounding pitch‑bends by transitioning between keys. Notes are tuned in fourths by default, meaning that fingerings remain the same for all scales, while some visual assistance is provided by RGB backlighting.
Each key features five types of touch‑sensing: strike and release velocity, pressure, and X/Y movement, offering a wealth of expressive control over MPE‑capable instruments, with MIDI connectivity supported via USB and 5‑pin DIN sockets; there’s also an input for a single or dual footswitch, which can be used to provide hands‑free control over a range of different functions. Further versatility is provided by a built‑in two‑track sequencer that boasts per‑note velocity, duration, bend and Y‑axis values, along with a powerful arpeggiator. Two versions of the controller are available: the LinnStrument 128, which features 16 rows of eight‑key columns, and the larger LinnStrument, which extends the row count to 25.
LinnStrument 128 £1125, LinnStrument £1399. Prices include VAT.
LinnStrument 128 $1099, LinnStrument $1499
www.rogerlinndesign.com/linnstrument
ROLI Seaboard 2
ROLI Seaboard 2
The latest version of the acclaimed ROLI Seaboard retains the keyboard‑inspired playing surface of its predecessor, but boasts an updated design that includes fret‑style ridges designed to help users locate the centre of each ‘key’. Along with pressure sensitivity, the controller is capable of generating MIDI data based on each finger’s vertical and horizonal movement, making it possible to trigger the likes of per‑note vibrato effects and seamless pitch‑bends. There’s also an assignable X/Y pad, along with a trio of touch‑sensitive sliders that allow users to customise the controller’s response. MIDI is supported via USB‑C, quarter‑inch TRS and wirelessly via Bluetooth, while an additional quarter‑inch TRS socket makes it possible to hook up a continuous footpedal.
The Seaboard 2 features a built‑in battery that offers up to eight hours of operation with a three‑hour charge time. There’s also the Seaboard M, a scaled‑down 24‑key version of the controller that offers a similar playing experience but with a smaller footprint and a 10‑hour battery life (with a 4‑5‑hour charge time). It also comes fitted with a pair of the company’s magnetic DNA connectors, which allow users to link together multiple units, or combine them with the company’s traditional piano‑style instruments to form a hybrid controller.
Seaboard M £299, Seaboard 2 £1099. Prices include VAT.
Seaboard M $349.99, Seaboard 2 $1399.
www.soundonsound.com/reviews/roli-seaboard-rise-2
roli.com/us/product/seaboard-2
Zivix Jamstik
Zivix Jamstik StudioIt’s not only players of key‑ and pad‑based instruments that can reap the benefits of MPE. Zivix’s Jamstik range comprises four models of MIDI guitar — the Studio, Classic, Standard and Deluxe — that not only offer MPE compatibility, but which also feature onboard processors that allow them to be used as standalone controllers without the need for a computer.
All four models function as ‘standard’ steel‑string electric guitars and, with a choice of 22‑ and 24‑fret models with different pickup configurations, should provide guitarists with a welcome, familiar feel. Each variant comes fitted with a hexaphonic MIDI pickup that feeds the onboard processor, and its magnetic operation means that it’s compatible with all standard metal strings as well as happily functioning with a capo in place.
In MPE mode, each of the Jamstik’s strings control a different MIDI channel, allowing for detailed per‑note control over the likes of velocity, pitch‑bends and more. As for connectivity, all Jamstik guitars feature a standard instrument‑level output on a quarter‑inch TS socket, along with 3.5mm TRS and USB‑C MIDI outputs, and support for wireless MIDI over Bluetooth.
From £799 including VAT.
From $699
www.soundonsound.com/reviews/zivix-jamstik-studio
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