MPE
MPE gives every note its own channel so bend, pressure and timbre follow the note.
Related
Channel messages are shared by the whole channel. Bend one note of a chord and the others follow; brighten one note and the entire part brightens.
The problem
A string quartet, a bent guitar note and a synth solo all need expression per note. Sixteen channels disappear quickly when each part takes one.
Protocol or message
MPE uses one channel per note. A zone has a master channel for global settings and member channels for individual notes. The default bend range is 48 semitones, CC74 carries timbre and channel pressure carries force. RPN 6 declares the zone. Lower and upper zones can sit at opposite ends without interfering.
Settings and practice
Enable MPE on both the controller and the sound source, or the bend ranges will disagree. Draw per-note expression on the matching channel. Watch the member count, because sixteen channels vanish fast. Check the channel map after recording so two notes never share a channel.
What to listen for
One note in a chord can slide or vibrate while the others hold. Timbre follows pressure, as if each note had its own breath.
Common misunderstandings
MPE is not a new protocol but MIDI 1.0 messages. It is not another name for poly aftertouch. Without MPE mode, channel pressure still affects the whole channel.
Listen in the library
All tracks from midicn-lib — inline badge is the license tier (C1 commercial / C2 non-commercial / C3 study only).
Sources
- MPE 规范对 Zone、主通道与成员通道的约定，依 MMA 公开规范核查，未抄文本
- 每音弯音与 RPN 6 的配置方式，依公开实现文档核查，未抄文本
Used for fact-checking only; all prose is original.