April 2026 Book Update!

Dear WaveShapers!

MPE has been a pretty big topic in my book for a while - what it is technically, and a buyer's guide - but now that MPE controllers have become ever more available, perhaps it's time for a chapter on how to actually design sounds for it - or at the very least adapt existing presets in your synths to MPE.

You see, while your synth, plugin or DAW may have added MPE compatibility through a firmware/software update along the way, that doesn't mean all its presets automatically respond well to MPE.

Why? As I mention in the preface to the new chapter, while MPE pitch bends are supported natively in synths, so the X axis is covered, most preset designers ignore the other two dimensions MPE controllers send: pressure (aftertouch becomes an afterthought…) and, well, CC74 (which is MPE slide) – who pays any attention to that?! Most synth patches just wait for the go-ahead from a “note on” event and instead focus on the instant gratification of LFOs and envelopes modulating stuff. Not that there’s anything wrong with that when using a sequencer or regular keyboard, but the whole point of expressive controllers is that your fingers are the envelopes/LFOs!

So, this new chapter is dedicated to the very new way of thinking needed to properly make the most of MPE.

Besides that, I've also added a "troubleshooting" section to the web apps chapter, based on learnings from your use of my (now 4 available!) WaveShaper web apps.

The new chapter is on page 485, or just search for the string APR2026 for it and the other updates here and there.

That's it for now, and as usual, but never taken for granted, thanks for being here!

All my best,

Ziv (loopop)

PS If all goes well there's one more video coming before Superbooth - if there's anything you'd like me to check out while I'm there please let me know!