Note: this guide will show you how to load a multi-timbral instrument like Equator into Logic. For using the Seaboard RISE and GRAND with Logic's built-in instruments, check here.


Logic is great at handling MIDI and is extremely easy to setup for sophisticated MIDI controllers like the Seaboard RISE and GRAND.


Short answer

In Logic X create an instrument track and load a multi-timbral plugin like Equator. Record as normal. This will provide full polyphonic expression of each dimension of touch.

Edit the data for the dimensions of touch using Logic's MIDI-Draw on a channel-by-channel basis.


Download the template attached below

Detailed answer

The Seaboard RISE and GRAND use multiple channels of MIDI so that each dimension of touch can be expressed polyphonically.


Logic is very compatible with the Seaboard because Logic accommodates multiple MIDI channels on a single track which can host a multi-timbral plugin like Equator. This means that setting up and recording is just like using a normal MIDI controller and plugin.


Step 1: ROLI Dashboard Settings

Open ROLI Dashboard from your applications/programs folder.

Take a look at the MIDI and Pitch sections and select:

  • MIDI Mode: MPE
  • MPE Zone: Lower
  • No. MIDI Channels: 15
  • Pitch Bend Range: 48


Step 2: Create an Instrument Track

Open your Logic project. Go to:

Track ➝  New Software Instrument Track


Select a multi-timbral plugin like Equator.


Step 3: Equator’s MIDI/MPE Settings

By default, Equator's MIDI/ MPE Settings will already match those that we select for ROLI Dashboard in step one. But since a mismatch of settings in Dashboard and Equator can cause silent notes or incorrect pitching, it's worth double-checking them now.

  1. Open the Equator plugin from your instrument track in Logic Pro X.
  2. Click on menu (☰) in the top right and select MIDI/MPE Settings.
  3. Ensure that Equator’s MIDI Settings match the ones we set in ROLI Dashboard in Step 1 (by default they should already be correct). Now that Equator is listening for MIDI on the same channels that the Seaboard is sending it, there will be no missing notes.

Equator MIDI MPE settings page standard MPE setup

Step 4: Record

Now that you have created your instrument track and loaded a multi-timbral plugin (Equator), just record and playback as normal.


Step 5: Editing

The Seaboard transmits each new note on a unique channel so that channel-wide messages like pitch bend can be applied on a polyphonic basis.

Strike (velocity) and Lift (release velocity) are recorded as single values per note and can be edited at the note in Logic's piano roll. The other dimensions of touch are continuous controllers and are edited in Logic's MIDI-Draw.


Below is an example of how to edit the Glide dimension (recorded as pitch bend), which you will use to perform vibratos on the playing surface.

  1. Record some MIDI to the instrument track. In this example we have a single note which Glides up, down, and then performs a vibrato.
  2. Double-click the region you want to edit to open the Piano Roll.
  3. Click the MIDI-Draw button.
    Logic X MIDI Draw button highlighted
  4. In the MIDI-Draw track which just opened, click on the drop-down menu under Controller.  A list of options will appear, including a section in bold. These are controllers which have been used on this particular track.
    Logic X select controller in MIDI draw
  5. Select Pitch Bend.
  6. Now you will see the Pitch Bend data for that note.
  7. Edit as normal.

Use the same process to edit Press by selecting Aftertouch, or 'Other' for CC74 (Slide) in Step 5.