ROLI Support

Strobe2 is a multi-timbral polyphonic software instrument developed by FXpansion with MPE compatibility. Strobe2 has been optimized to work with multi-dimensional controllers such as the Seaboard GRAND and RISE. It provides polyphonic expression of MIDI messages that would normally be channel-wide, such as pitch bend (Glide) or CCs (used for Slide). This guide will show you how to use the Seaboard RISE and GRAND with Strobe2.

Seaboard-ready 5D Patches

Strobe2 (version 2.3.0.25 and later) includes a set of 5D-optimised patches, which are instantly compatible with the Seaboard GRAND or RISE when they are configured to their default MPE settings. Each preset responds to all dimensions of touch, and also to the RISE's XY Touchpad and Touch Faders.

Navigate to the Library heading in the Browser panel. Then, select MPE Factory. The full list of 5D patches will appear in the list below.

Use TransMod Sources to assign Dimensions of Touch to a synth parameter

TransMod Sources PlStrikeCurve, PlPressCurve, PlGlideCurve, PlSlideCurve, and PlLiftCurve, provide the ability to assign the 5 dimensions of touch to control a parameter Strobe2.

1. Select one of PlStrikeCurve, PlPressCurve, PlGlideCurve, PlSlideCurve, and PlLiftCurve as a modulation source at the top of Strobe2
2. Click and drag in the area of a synth parameter to set a modulation amount

Setting other Strobe2 patches to respond to 5D touch

Strobe2 is able to receive and respond to all of the Seaboard’s dimensions of touch through the use of Strobe2’s TransMods. TransMod is Strobe2’s modulation system, which allows you to assign nearly any parameter of the Strobe2 Synth to the 5 dimensions of touch.

Strobe2 uses different terminology when referring to modulation, so you can use this conversion guide to find the exact parameter you are looking to assign.

Before you begin

Set your Seaboard to default MPE settings. Open ROLI Dashboard and check the following:

• MIDI Mode: MPE
• MIDI Zone: Lower
• No. MIDI Channels: 15
• Pitch bend range: 48

Strike

Strike is transmitted as Velocity.

In Strobe2, using the PlStrikeCurve allows for Strike to be used as a modulation source.

1. Select the PlStrikeCurve modulation source
2. Assign PlStrikeCurve to the desired parameters.
   In this example, we are assigning it to the AMP in the Voltage Controlled Amplifier (VCA) section

Press

Press is transmitted as aftertouch. 

In Strobe2 PlPressCurve allows for Press to be used as a modulation source

1. Select the PlPressCurve modulation source
2. Then assign PlPressCurve to the desired parameters.    
   In this example, we are using Press to modulate the V.C.F. (Voltage Controlled Filter) Cutoff.

Glide

Glide is transmitted as pitch bend and uses an octave range which you can specify in ROLI Dashboard. In this example, we are using a 48-semitone range.

In Strobe2 PlGlideCurve allows for Glide to be used as a modulation source.

1. Select thePlGlideCurve modulation source.
2. Assign PlGlideCurve to the Main Oscillator PITCH dial by selecting 48 semitones.
3. Glide will now be performed polyphonically to the range you have selected!

Slide

Slide is transmitted as MIDI CC74.

In Strobe2 PlSlideCurve allows for Slide to be used as a modulation source.

1. Select the PlSlideCurve modulation source
2. Assign PlSlideCurve to the desired parameters.
   1. In this example, we are using Slide to modulate the Main Oscillator’s PitchSync.

Lift

Lift is transmitted as release velocity.

In Strobe PlLiftCurve allows for Lift to be used as a modulation source.

1. Select the PlLiftCurve modulation source.
2. Next, assign PlLiftCurve to Release in the AMP Envelope to ensure that Release is modulated.
3. Assign PlLiftCurve to the desired parameter.
   1. In this example, we are using Lift to modulate V.C.F. Cutoff.

Locking TransMods

Once you have assigned the 5 dimensions of touch to your desired parameters, you can lock the TransMod so the modulation routing remains the same while changing presets. This is great for keeping some standard Seaboard-ready modulation settings while trying out different patches.

• After assigning the TransMod to the desired parameter Right-Click on the parameter and select Lock.
• Next, click on in the top-left corner, and select Mod source assignments.

Mapping the RISE's Touch Faders and XY Touchpad

In addition to using the Seaboard's dimensions of touch, we can also map the RISE's Touch Faders and XY Touchpad to control specific parameters in Strobe2.

Using the Touch Faders

First, select the “CC LRN” button at the bottom of Strobe2's window. This will turn your 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) panel.

Now, with your RISE's Touch Faders in MIDI mode, move the Touch Fader that you would like to assign to this parameter. This will cause the selected Strobe2 control – in this case, Voltage Controlled Filter cutoff – to “learn” this Touch Fader's MIDI CC. You can now adjust your V.C.F. using this Touch Fader. This same process can be used to create any custom parameter mapping you want.

When you adjust your Touch Fader, you will see the selected Strobe2 parameter turn blue. This means it has correctly “learned” the Touch Fader’s MIDI CC.

Using the XY Touchpad

To make Strobe2 learn the XY Touchpad, we'll have to adjust this process slightly, since when you press the XY Touchpad either the X or the Y dimension's value might be sent, and this could confuse Strobe2.

1. First, use ROLI Dashboard to set the XY Touchpad's X and Y axes to the default MIDI CC for the X axis.
2. Next, following the process described above, use Strobe2's "CC LRN" button to map the XY Touchpad's X dimension to the Strobe2 parameter of your choice.
3. Now, use ROLI Dashboard to set the XY Touchpad's X and Y axes to the default MIDI CC for the Y axis.
4. Again following the process described above, use Strobe2's "CC LRN" button to map the XY Touchpad's Y dimension to the Strobe2 parameter of your choice.
5. Finally, in ROLI Dashboard set the XY Touchpad's X and Y axes' MIDI CCs back to their original default values of 113 and 114.