The MPE QuNexus sequencer with modular synths

 The New firmware greatly expands of the capabilities of this keyboard

I bought my black controller nearly 10 years ago and Keith is still updating them.

The new red version has the keys labeled differently,

It's now a powerful 25-key MPE keyboard controller and three track Arpeggiator/Step Sequencer.

 Each track can control different instruments, arpeggiate, and play step patterns up to 32 steps in length.

What's MPE?

MIDI Polyphonic Expression. or Multidimensional Polyphonic Expression.

 

It was largely popularised by ROLI , the LinnStrument and the Haken Continuum

It's allows more acoustic like controls from your instruments

allowing more modulation of individual notes.

This is done by sending/receiving additional control messages along with each note. An MPE controller will transmit multiple ‘dimensions’ of expression alongside each note’s pitch 

It's not actually new as it uses tech that has existed when MIDI was first created in the 1980s.

 

 The MIDI protocol uses 16 channels.

A standard MIDI keyboard usually uses just one of these. 

A MPE controller can use all 16 on a per note basis. Each note can have its own MIDI channel

and have the equivalent of a pitch,modulation wheel & aftertouch..

The QuNexus keyboard has two dimensions (Tilt and Pressure) that can be configured to send these messages, and the MPE factory preset (Preset C) defaults to Tilt as CC74, and Pressure as Chanel Aftertouch

 

 For more info 

https://www.midi.org/midi-articles/midi-polyphonic-expression-mpe

 

 

 Back to connecting to a synth.

These are some basic notes to get you started.

The power is supplied via the right USB connector (marked MIDI expander).

 

There are 2 CV output ports on the left side of the QuNexus and 1 CV input port on the right side.

I found one of these cables works fine.

photo*

Outputs

The two outputs are
3,5mm (1/8”) stereo plugs that you need to split to dual 3.5mm (1/8”) mono plugs

Output 1 is a Gate1/CV1

Output 2 is for CV 2 & CV3

 
The default routings for factory preset A (Basic 2.0) are:
• Gate - Track 1 - Note Ons and Offs. Note Ons are expressed as 5 volts.
• CV1 - Track 1 - Note Pitch
• CV2 - Track 2 - Note ons and Offs. Note Ons are expressed as 5 volts.
• CV3 - Track 2 - Note Pitch

Inputs

The input jack on the right is a stereo jack. 

It receives data from the 2 CV inputs and converts them to MIDI messages:
• CV1 - CC#112
• CV2 - CC#113

 

Sequencer

To turn on a track’s step sequencer, 

1. hold shift and press “Sequence”.

 

2.  While still holding shift, press
     “Rec” and then let go of shift.

     You are now in Step Input record mode. Each note that you play on the
      keyboard will be entered sequentially into the step pattern

 

 2a .Add/delete rests, ties

      To enter a Rest, hold Shift and press/release the “9/Rest” key.

      To enter a Tie, hold shift and press/release the “10/Tie” key

   

 3. To play the sequence

     hold Shift and press/release the “Play” key

 

 4. To stop the sequencer:

    Hold shift & press stop.

 

5. To clear the notes stored in a sequence
    hold Shift and press “Stop/Clear” for 3+ seconds.

 Overdub sequence

While a track is playing, you can overdub or  record notes into its sequence pattern.

Hold Shift and press “Rec” while the sequencer is playing.

 

You can erase notes during overdub recording by holding shift and pressing or holding “9/Rest”.

 This is a really cool way to change your sequence of the fly