Mar 31, 2022 | Tim Shoebridge
PPG - Polyphonic Pressure Generator from Tim Shoebridge of Soundmangling.com is one of his latest modules for Voltage Modular. Voltage Modular is generally regarded as a software modular platform, but Tim has been creating some fantastic modules that extend it to other synthesizers and gear.
VM runs standalone or in a DAW, and with the PPG module and a regular keyboard controller, you have all you need to transmit polyphonic aftertouch messages to Poly AT compatible synthesizers, hardware or software. In monophonic channel aftertouch, applying pressure to any key within a chord will apply modulation to all notes currently held. With polyphonic aftertouch, modulation can be applied on a per-note basis, allowing for more expressive performances.
Tim's video above provides a detailed introduction to and demonstrations of PPG. His other recent modules for the Voltage Modular platform can be previewed on his YouTube channel.
PPG - Polyphonic Pressure Generator is now available in the Cherry Audio store.
In this brief demo, the Roland JUPITER-X has a keybed that provides basic monophonic channel pressure aftertouch. But the synth engine itself actually supports receipt of polyphonic aftertouch messages and plays them accordingly. Usually, this would require an external controller like a CME XKey or the Hydrasynth to exploit the Poly AT of the JUPITER-X (or Xm). PPG can be used to create the same expressive experience with any standard controller, and any synth that receives Poly AT (like Sequential's Prophet 6 and OB-6). This demo shows the difference between channel pressure on the JUPITER-X, and then polyphonic aftertouch with PPG and a simple Launchkey Mini. In this session, PPG is configured with a velocity threshold so that any notes played at or above a certain velocity get the modulation envelope applied to them. The other notes are unaffected.
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Please note: PPG - Polyphonic Pressure Generator is not included in the Voltage Modular Nucleus package. It can be purchased from within Voltage Modular or the Cherry Audio Store.