ROLI launches Cypher2 today, expanding its premium software offering as it continues to create a connected hardware-software ecosystem for music makers of all backgrounds and skill levels. Years in the making, Cypher2 is the latest and most advanced software synthesizer from Angus Hewlett and the team at FXpansion, which ROLI acquired in 2016.
FXpansion’s world-class sound designers and software engineers have built on the best features of Strobe2 and Cypher from DCAM Synth Squad, while also creating the world’s largest library of MIDI Polyphonic Expression (MPE) compatible sounds.
Cypher2 is an analogue-modelled synthesizer built for advanced sound design projects and expressive performances. An intuitive, easy-to-navigate interface invites Cypher2 creators to manipulate sound in almost infinite directions with 1,300 included presets, a TransMod modulation system, dynamic oscillators and filters, a state-of-the-art step sequencer and 30 effect modules.
Cypher2 is fully compatible with both standard MIDI controllers and MPE-enabled devices, which include ROLI’s award-winning Seaboard and BLOCKS instruments.
“This project has been a true labour of love for the FXpansion team and ROLI’s veteran sound designers”, says Angus Hewlett, founder of FXpansion and now VP Engineering at ROLI. “The expressive power of 5D MPE and the sonic fidelity of circuit modeled synthesizer components is a uniquely powerful combination: an advanced software synthesizer which responds to your playing like no other”.
Cypher2 is the latest addition to ROLI’s expanding software suite. It joins premium desktop sound engines Strobe2 and Equator, the first software synth built for MPE. NOISE, ROLI’s groundbreaking free iOS app, makes MPE-enabled music creation accessible to a much larger audience. Together these applications form the largest collection of MPE-enabled software available. Officially adopted as part of the universal MIDI protocol in January 2018, the MIDI Polyphonic Expression (MPE) framework allows electronic musicians to express themselves in ways previously only possible with acoustic instruments.
Cypher2 is now available for $199 (£159, €179) on fxpansion.com. Existing owners of DCAM Synth Squad, Strobe2, a ROLI Seaboard or BLOCKS can purchase Cypher2 at a discounted price of $79 on fxpansion.com until 7th September 2018, or for $99 thereafter.