Strobe2 (version 2.3.0.25 and later) offers full MPE support and includes a set of 5D-optimized patches which are instantly compatible with BLOCKS. Strobe2 Player offers a simplified user interface and is bundled with all new Lightpad and Seaboard Blocks.
In this article, we'll go through the steps to use Strobe2 with the Lightpad Block or Seaboard Block. We'll explore using the Lightpad and Seaboard Blocks as playing surfaces and we'll also look at using the Lightpad Block as a parameter controller.
As a playing surface
First, you'll want to launch ROLI Dashboard and connect your Lightpad or Seaboard Block. By scrolling through the list of apps and selecting an app, you can fully customize how your Block behaves, and you can also modify a Lightpad Block's LED display.
Lightpad Block
If you're using a Lightpad Block, select "Note Grid." Click "Edit", and make sure the following "MIDI Settings" are selected:
We have selected:
- MIDI Mode: MPE
- MPE Zone: Lower
- No. MIDI Channels: 15
- Pitch bend range: 48 semitones
If you'd like you may use the "Pitch," "Play mode," and "5D Touch" options to control the number of pads your Lightpad Block displays, what key and scale it's in, and the responsiveness of the five dimensions of touch.
To use a 5x5 grid of notes, for example, go to "Play mode," and set "Mode" to 5. (You can also scroll through modes via the Lightpad Block's mode button, and you can adjust the dimensions of touch with an attached Touch Block.)
Seaboard Block
If you're using a Seaboard Block, select it in ROLI Dashboard and click "Edit." Make sure the following "MIDI Settings" are selected:
We have selected:
- MIDI Mode: MPE
- MPE Zone: Lower
- No. MIDI Channels: 15
- Pitch bend range: 48 semitones
If you'd like you may use the "Pitch," "Play mode," and "5D Touch" options to transpose or change the Seaboard Block's range and control the responsiveness of the five dimensions of touch. (You can also adjust the dimensions of touch with an attached Touch Block.)
For more information about loading programs and the capabilities of ROLI Dashboard, check out our article, "Using ROLI Dashboard."
Open Strobe2
Once you've done this, simply open up Strobe2 and select your Lightpad Block or Seaboard Block as a MIDI Input in your Audio and MIDI Settings menu (see below). Next, select "ROLI" under the "Artist" drop-down menu – this will open up Strobe2's bank of 5D presets.
Select the 5D preset of your choice – now you’ll be able to play your Lightpad or Seaboard Block with complete 5D expression inside of Strobe2!
Using the Lightpad Block as a parameter controller
We can also use BLOCKS Dashboard to set up a Lightpad Block to control Strobe2’s synth parameters. This is especially handy when using a Seaboard Block as a melodic instrument controller.
RISE Controller
The RISE Controller app in ROLI Dashboard lets you emulate the Seaboard RISE’s Touch Faders and XY Touchpad to easily control Strobe2 Player’s Macros and Strobe2’s Perf 1, Perf 2, Perf 3, X and Y controls.
In ROLI Dashboard load the RISE Controller app onto your Lightpad Block:
You can navigate between the Touch Fader mode and the XY Touchpad mode by using the Lightpad’s Mode button.
The three Touch Faders will control Macros Perf 1–3, and the XY Touchpad will control Macros X and Y. Try it out on a few Strobe2 presets and see how easy it is to modify the sound of each preset!
Fader Block
We can also manually assign Strobe2 controls to our Lightpad Block. In this example, we will be using the Fader Block mode to modulate the Voltage Controlled Filter cutoff with a Lightpad Block.
First, with your Lightpad Block connected and selected within ROLI Dashboard, select the “Fader Block” app:
Fader Block creates 4 groups of 4 faders on your LED display. You can scroll through these groups by pressing the Mode button on the side of your Lightpad Block.
Next, open Strobe2 and select the “CC LRN” button at the bottom of the window. This will turn Strobe2’s controls green, after which you can select your desired parameter. In this case, we will select the knob labeled “Cutoff” inside the V.C.F. (Voltage Controlled Filter) window.
Now, adjust one of the faders on your Lightpad Block. This will cause the selected control (in this case, Voltage Controlled Filter cutoff) to "learn" this fader signal (see below). You can now adjust your V.C.F. using this fader. This same process can be used to create any custom parameter mapping you want.
When you adjust a fader, you will see the selected parameter turn blue. This means it has correctly "learned" the fader's signal.