VST3 Note Expressions

Note Expressions is another way to control VSTi synthesizers with per-note sound parameters for more expressive playing. These are an extension to the VST3 standard. Note Expressions are currently only available for certain synthesizers from the manufacturer Steinberg.

A certain number of sound parameters are provided by the plug-in as Note Expressions, which can then be assigned to MIDI controllers in Samplitude via the Note Expression Map, which then also only apply per note.

Differences between MPE and VST3 Note Expressions:

• MPE is a MIDI protocol in which notes played at the same time are assigned to different channels when using polyphonic playing: The synthesizer must be capable of receiving notes from different channels and of processing the MIDI controller commands for these notes separately by channel.
• VST3 Note Expressions are an extension to the VST protocol. Samplitude receives MIDI notes on different channels with corresponding controller values and sends the notes to the sound generator on one channel. Additionally, the expression values assigned to the controllers are transmitted to the sound generator per note via the VST interface.
• Therefore, multi-timbral instruments cannot be controlled with MPE, but they can be controlled with Note Expressions.