Expressive Piano Synthesizer

Joel K C

Contains adsIn-app purchases

About this app

Expressive Piano Synthesizer is a microtonal MPE piano and analog synthesizer designed for highly expressive performance. Play slides, per-note pitch bends and pressure to shape every note in real time. It is ideal for Arabic music, Indian classical ragas, jazz, film scoring pads and modern electronic synth music.

This virtual instrument uses a familiar piano-style multidimensional surface, so you can perform MPE and microtonal parts without learning a new layout. The continuous keyboard lets you glide smoothly between notes while still feeling like a piano. Connect it to MIDI controllers, DAWs, sequencers or other MPE synths over USB/OTG.

FEATURES

• MPE (MIDI Polyphonic Expression) and standard MIDI support


• Microtonal / non-12-TET playing with per-note pitch rounding


• Piano-style expressive keyboard (X for pitch, Y/pressure for modulation)


• Continuous sliding keyboard for smooth glides and vibrato


• Analog-style synth engine: 2 stereo oscillators + sub-oscillator + noise


• Oscillator sync and tonal shaping inspired by modular-style sound design


• Filter section: ladder low-pass, band-pass, high-pass with envelopes


• Modulation: 2 LFOs with tempo sync, 2 general envelopes


• FX: chorus, delay and customizable lush reverb


• 40+ ready-to-play sounds (pads, leads, basses, keys, winds/strings-like)


• Supports sound design workflows similar to modular / Eurorack setups


• MIDI over USB/OTG to controllers, keyboards, DAWs and sequencers


• Works with popular DAWs over MIDI (for example FL Studio, Ableton Live, Logic Pro, Cubase, Bitwig Studio)


• Connects to MIDI keyboards and controllers over USB/OTG, including many devices from popular brands such as Novation, Akai, Korg, Yamaha and Roland


• Record MPE MIDI into your DAW and edit per-note expression

USE CASES

• Perform expressive solos with slide, pitch bend and pressure on each note


• Play microtonal ragas and maqam-style melodies with high precision


• Layer pads, analog basses and leads for modern electronic production


• Use it as an expressive MPE piano/synth controller for your favorite plugins


• Record and tweak per-note expression inside your DAW for detailed performances

FOR FANS OF EXPRESSIVE PLAYING

If you enjoy expressive sliding-keyboard apps such as GeoShred or MorphWiz, Expressive Piano Synthesizer offers a similar level of control on a familiar piano-style layout, focused on MPE, microtonal scales and analog-style synthesis.

UPCOMING FEATURES

• Built-in recording


• More factory programs and sound banks


• Cloud / preset tools and easier preset management

FEEDBACK

Your feedback helps shape the next features and sounds. If you enjoy playing Expressive Piano Synthesizer, consider sharing it with other musicians and producers.

All product names and trademarks mentioned are the property of their respective owners. They are used only to describe compatibility and musical style. This app is not affiliated with or endorsed by any of these brands.

Ratings and reviews

Bought the pro version. OK, but 2 issues: 1. Sometimes it will start playing a note continously. This might be a feature that I somehow activated, but I can't figure out how to stop it without exiting the app. It doesn't even stop if I unplug the keyboard. 2. If the cable gets knocked or unplugged it creates a new device in the MIDI input menu so I have to reselectand and guess which one is working. Hope both can be fixed. Samsung Note 10+, Korg Microkey V1

This is an extremely useful, well laid out app. I use it mainly as a portable midi controller keyboard for my mini-synths (being able to pitchbend is an improvement over the keyboard of the hardware synth) but you could also play from a sequencer into this. Makes for a fun and versatile OTG songwriting/jam tool, and an easy way to add pitchbend to synth sounds. The price is accessible and great value for what you get!

I have just downloaded the app today. I really like how you're able to apply filters to the sound the synth makes. There are some things that might need some work: For a synthesizer, the learning curve seems to be low, but it's still rather alien to someone like me, who is still learning how to use a synthesizer fully. The app could benefit from a glossary of terms and an explanation of each function. It's unclear how to use microtonal tunings. A tutorial would be extremely helpful.

What’s new

Version 2.0 – major update with backwards compatibility.

• Completely redesigned UI for easier sound design
• Improved MIDI handling and external controller support
• Better performance and smoother playback on more devices
• Numerous bug fixes and overall stability improvements