ROLI takes us to next generation MPE expression with Equator 2
ROLI Equator 2 · Source: ROLI
ROLI Equator 2 · Source: ROLI
ROLI Equator 2 · Source: ROLI
Equator 2 is a planet-sized update to ROLI’s original MPE software synthesizer designed for MPE controllers and expressive playing.
Equator 2
ROLI is not holding back on their enthusiasm for this software synthesizer update. They believe that 10 years after inventing the Seaboard and 5 years since the release of Equator they’ve nailed the whole MPE thing – this is the one that knocks it out of the park.
Roland Lamb, CEO of ROLI, said:
It can go head to head, feature by feature and preset by preset, with the best sound engines and plugins in the world. But it also has unparalleled capabilities for shaping sounds multidimensionally through expressive touch. The release of Equator2 is an important milestone for expressive electronic music.”
Equator 2 has a broader array of synthesis engines combining wavetable, sampling, granular, FM and more that can be channelled into 6 source slots as the complex starting point of your sound design. It has 42 new multi-sampled instruments with over 180 articulations and variations covering instruments as diverse as world acoustic to vintage synthesizers. You can also import your own samples. You can see FXpansion’s influence in the development of the modulation system that borrows from Cypher2 and Strobe2 to keep things nicely animated. And at the end there’s a large effects section for sweetening and processing.
ROLI Equator 2 · Source: ROLI
It comes with 500 presets designed for MPE controllers but also 800 designed for regular controllers. Not every sound needs to have 5-dimensional expression going on in all sorts of directions for every finger. And that’s actually great to see because Equator 2 can be a superb sound source whether you have a squishy MPE controller or prefer the solid familiarity of a regular keyboard. The power of the Equator format is that it wants to be modulated, it wants to have controls mapped to it and encourages you to explore your mod wheel, aftertouch, velocity and so on in ways you perhaps haven’t done so before.
Equator 2 is available now for a limited time for $199 and for an upgrade price from Equator, ROLI Studio, Cypher2 and Stobe2 for $99. Normal price will be $249 and $149 respectively.
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One response to “ROLI takes us to next generation MPE expression with Equator 2”
Equator 2 is extremely expensive for the features it delivers. Currently, Roli seems to be run down after the Lumi problems, desparately trying to get cash with its overpriced software. No Seabord/SB Blocks/Lumi is available anywhere anymore.