Split keyboard patches can be a powerful live performance tool. For creating full patch per zone splits, we recommend using MainStage, which allows full separate software instruments to be assigned to a particular key range. However, using keytracking it is possible to create split patches in Equator that will allow different sounds to be played on different regions of the Seaboard.
Equator cannot load multiple patches simultaneously, so to achieve a split, we need to assign different sound sources to different regions of the keyboard. Equator has a total of 6 separate sound sources; 2 sample engines, noise, and 3 oscillators, and it is possible to divide these between up to four key zones.
You are not limited to one sound source per zone: You could, for example, choose to have Sample 1 and Oscillator 1 assigned to one zone, and Sample 2 and Oscillator 2+3 assigned to the other. You could also split the keyboard into four zones, each with its own separate sound source.
The steps below detail how to achieve a simple two-way split, but the same principles apply when adding more zones. You may wish to try out the preset ‘init - KEY SPLIT at C3’ which has two zones setup already, and dive straight into designing sounds for each zone.
Please note that this guide is aimed towards those who are already comfortable creating their own sounds and presets in Equator. If you are unfamiliar with assigning modulation in Equator, you may also wish to check out this article before attempting these steps - https://support.roli.com/support/solutions/articles/36000024682-equator-assigning-modulation
The finished patch is available to download at the bottom of this guide. To use it in Equator, simply download the file and move it to the appropriate path. The preset should then show in the Equator browser.
These paths are:
Windows - C:\Users\YOURUSERNAME\Documents\ROLI\Equator\Presets
Mac - Macintosh HD\Users\YOURUSERNAME\Documents\ROLI\Equator\Presets
Creating a Simple Split Patch in Equator
1. Click the three horizontal bars in the top right of Equator to open the menu, and select a new preset.
2. Click on the Modulation List panel, and click Select New Source at the bottom of the page. Select Keytracking 1 from this list, and then choose Sampler Level 1 as the destination.
3. Repeat this process and add Keytracking 2 as the source, and set Sampler Level 2 as the destination.
4. Ensure that both the Sample 1 and Sample 2 engines are turned on with all the other engines turned off, and click on the Modulation Panel. Clicking on the four squares in the top right of the Keytracking section will allow you to see the active key tracking sources, and allow you to adjust each one.
5. Click on the first keytracking zone. In the Modulation List panel, we assigned Keytracking 1 to Sample Level 1. In its current state, the keytracking curve is set such that the amplitude of Sampler 1 will increase as we play higher notes, and decrease as we play lower notes.
For this split, I am separating the keyboard into two zones, with notes C3 and below playing Sampler 1, and D3 and above playing Sampler 2. To do so, we can use the curve to set a range of keys where Sampler 1 is audible, with notes outside this range being silent. You can double-click to add new points to the Keytracking response curve. This process is demonstrated in the GIF below.
6. Next, we need to repeat the process for the higher key range. Select Keytracking 2, and then draw in the key range for Sampler 2. Now notes we play up to C3 will play Sampler 1, and any notes above C3 will play Sampler 2.
7. With the key split set up, all that remains is to tune the sound for each zone. As well as choosing the sample used by each zone, you can use effects, envelopes, and assign other modulation parameters in order to build the perfect patch. Remember that if you want different attack, decay, sustain and release values for each sound, you will need to assign separate ADSR envelopes to each sound source.