via Vector
We have MPE
More is more
When it comes to synthesizers, there is never enough expression. Long anticipated and carefully prepared firmware update 2.8 brings us into the family of MPE capable instruments.
The new features are also available to non-MPE controllers, and the parameters can be routed to mono or poly aftertouch, pitch bend, modwheel, key velocity and others. So, how does this work with Vector? Let’s press Enable MPE and find out.
What it does
Vector relies on immediate visual representation of what’s going on. Slowly or rapidly evolving, changing timbres are synthesized by mixing and blending together four sound corners by moving a mix point per voice along parametric trajectories or envelope-driven segments.
The new firmware 2.8 exposes the trajectory and synthesis parameters:
Horizontal and vertical position of the mix point
Suborbit speed and size
Amplitude and pitch
Filter cutoff and resonance
Amount of phase modulation etc. during synthesis
Vibrato and tremolo speeds and depths
Each note travels a different trajectory by controlling their horizontal and vertical position offsets.
Every suborbiter can have a separate radius and speed. Works with all trajectory types.
How is it configured?
The Routing Table
The whole routing configuration is arranged into a neat table — controllers to the left, destination parameters to the right. Each route can have an individually tuned translation function to deal with situations where 1:1 mapping is not enough to achieve nuanced expression. A small live preview thumbnail is provided for each destination.
A single source can transmit to multiple parameters scaled in different ways with different operators.
Each routing configuration is saved along with a patch, and a couple of tools are provided to ease routing organization between patches.
With new features come new responsibilities. Even though the new routing table is very intuitive, there are a few things to note in Vector’s handy manual. Grab the 2.8 update in online or pdf format.
