mpe in OBX8 2.0.0.1 how does it work?

[drmidix]

Anyone using mpe with an external Roli Keyboard on the OBX8? Have 2.0.0.1 installed and the roli keys attached. MIDI works  but don´t find any hints anywhere to make mpe working. Is it a question of further tweaking, of special- to program - sounds, of any hidden function to activate...whatever. Anybody out here who got it working and has some helpful ideas?

[g3o2]

Yes, setting up expressivity is not exactly plug and play because of a few conditions that need to be met beyond merely flipping the MPE switch on both devices.

On your Roli hardware, you need to map the cc’s supported by X8 to Roli’s physical expression dimensions. On the X8, you will need to fine-tune the sound to respond to those cc’s, eg by making it respond to after-touch or by closing the filter a little to let it be opened up later, etc.

You may also need to align the max pitch bend range to the smallest range that either device can achieve, so that MPE X responds properly - I can’t remember whether X8 has a limit here or whether it simply adheres to the 24 or 48 semitones standards.

[SolonMohr]

Some software or devices like Bome MIDI Translator or Kentron MIDI Converter can help convert MPE data into standard MIDI format that OB-X8 can handle.

[g3o2]

OB-X8 does handle MPE since its most recent firmware, so there is no need to convert anything. Setting up MPE on the X8 is basically setting the Globals MIDI channel to MPE and then tweaking page 2 parameters for expressivity beyond pitch (X) dimension (which btw is set by default to 48 semitones pitch bend range). The addendum describes in detail how you can control filter cutoff, osc 2 pitch, LFO and volume for MPE-Y and Z. As already said, you may have to adapt parameters on the MPE controller, too - eg limiting the number of channels, etc.

[jellocadge]

OB-X8 does handle MPE since its most recent firmware, so there is no need to convert anything. Setting up MPE on the X8 is basically setting the Globals MIDI channel to MPE and then tweaking page 2 parameters for expressivity beyond pitch (X) dimension (which btw is set by default to 48 semitones pitch bend range). The addendum describes in detail how you can control filter cutoff, osc 2 pitch, LFO and volume for MPE-Y and Z. As already said, you may have to adapt parameters on the MPE controller, too - eg limiting the number of channels, etc.

Thanks for the breakdown to understand the MPE Setup on the X8. It works well when you understand the basics. The osc 2 pitch, LFO and volume for MPE-Y and Z really give it character.

[primate41]

I ran into similar confusion when I first tried to get my Seaboard working with the OB-X8 (running 2.0.0.1 too). Like g3o2 said, just enabling MPE on both ends isn’t enough. On the OB-X8, I assigned aftertouch and CC74 to modulate filter cutoff and resonance — that gave some nice expressive control.

subway surfers

[sonashi]

I ran into similar confusion when I first tried to get my Seaboard working with the OB-X8 (running 2.0.0.1 too). Like g3o2 said, just enabling MPE on both ends isn’t enough. On the OB-X8, I assigned aftertouch and CC74 to modulate filter cutoff and resonance — that gave some nice expressive control.

subway surfers

Could you share your ROLI Dashboard settings, please? For some reason, the Filter Slide isn’t working on my end, everything else functions fine, including OSC2 to #74, so it’s a real head-scratcher why the filter doesn’t respond.