The Modor NF-1 and NF-1m are 8-voice polyphonic digital hardware synthesizers, and because they are MPE-compatible they work great with MPE instruments like the Seaboard RISE and GRAND. This guide will show you how to use the Seaboard RISE and GRAND with the Modor NF-1 and NF-1m.


Step 1: ROLI Dashboard Settings

With your Seaboard on and connected to your computer, open ROLI Dashboard from your applications/programs folder.

Take a look at the MIDI and Pitch sections in the bottom right and select:

  • MIDI Mode: MPE
  • No. of MIDI Channels: 15
  • MPE Zone: Lower Zone
  • Pitch Bend Range: 48


Screen Shot 2017-04-14 at 3.39.18 PM


Step 2: Connect the Seaboard

Depending on whether you're using an NF-1 or NF-1m, there are a few ways to connect the Seaboard.


Connect using USB (NF-1m only)

The NF-1m includes USB-over-MIDI via its USB-B port. As the Seaboard outputs MIDI via its USB-B port, you may connect the Seaboard to a computer and transmit MIDI to the NF-1 via a USB MIDI interface. This way you can quickly adjust the Seaboard's MIDI settings to suit the needs of the Modor NF-1m.


Some DAWs can be used to send MIDI directly out via a MIDI interface. There are also some helpful applications which do the same, like MIDI Patchbay.


The NF-1 does not have a USB port, so you will need to use a USB MIDI host or a computer with a MIDI interface to connect your Seaboard.


MIDI Interface

Diagram – Seaboard to hardware instrument via MIDI interface and computer

The NF-1 requires connecting with a 5-pin MIDI DIN cable. One option is to connect the Seaboard to a computer and transmit MIDI to the NF-1 via a MIDI interface. This way you can quickly adjust the Seaboard's MIDI settings to suit the needs of the Modor NF-1.


Some DAWs can be used to send MIDI directly out via a MIDI interface. There are also some helpful applications which do the same, like MIDI Patchbay.


USB MIDI Host (without a computer)

Diagram – Seaboard to hardware instrument via MIDI USB host

To avoid needing a computer when you perform, you can use a USB MIDI host device, which converts MIDI-over-USB to traditional 5-pin MIDI DIN connectors. The Kenton MIDI USB Host, for example, can be connected directly to the Seaboard's USB type B port and will transmit this data to its 5-pin MIDI outputs.


The settings you choose in ROLI Dashboard (like channel range) are saved in the Seaboard when it is disconnected from the computer. This means that you can use ROLI Dashboard to set up the Seaboard for use with the NF-1, and then you can connect the Seaboard to the NF-1, and these settings will still be active.


Step 3: Making the NF-1 Respond to the Dimensions of Touch


Now that you've connected the Seaboard to the NF-1, you'll want to set up the NF-1 to respond to the Seaboard's Dimensions of Touch.


With the NF-1 turned on, press the Menu button several times to scroll to the "SYSTEM SETTINGS" menu. Select "Roli Mode" to enable 8-channel MPE.


Next, press the Menu button several times to scroll to the "PARAMETER" menu. Use the Select knob or the Src/Yes button to select "PitchBend," and then use the Value knob to set PitchBend to +48 (matching the default 48-semitone Pitch Bend Range of ROLI Dashboard). This will allow Glide to control the pitch bend amount accurately.


Now you'll want to connect the NF-1's modulation lines – or "wires" – from the Seaboard's dimensions of touch to the NF-1's parameters. The process is slightly different for the NF-1 and the NF-1m, so we'll discuss each in turn.


Assigning Modulation with the NF-1

Assigning Strike (velocity)

  1. Press Src/Yes to access WIRE 1 SOURCE, the modulation source for wire 1. Use the Select knob to select "VELO" for velocity.
  2. Press the Dest/No button to access WIRE 1 DEST, the modulation destination for wire 1 . Use the Select knob to select the parameter you would like Strike to modulate. For example, select "Level" to modulate the amplitude level.
  3. Finally, use the Value knob to select the modulation amount (from -64 to +63).

Assigning Press (aftertouch)

  1. Press Src/Yes to access WIRE 2 SOURCE. Use the Select knob to select "AFTR" for aftertouch.
  2. Press the Dest/No button to access WIRE 2 DEST. Use the Select knob to select the parameter you would like Press to modulate. For example, select "FiltFrq" to modulate the filter cutoff frequency.
  3. Finally, use the Value knob to select the modulation amount (from -64 to +63).

Assigning Slide (CC74)

  1. Press Src/Yes to access WIRE 3 SOURCE. Use the Select knob to select "SLID" for Slide.
  2. Press the Dest/No button  to access WIRE 3 DEST. Use the Select knob to select the parameter you would like Slide to modulate. For example, select "Reso" to modulate the filter resonance.
  3. Finally, use the Value knob to select the modulation amount (from -64 to +63).

If you'd like to assign Glide to an additional parameter, simply use this same process with another wire, setting the source to "BEND" for pitch bend (Glide).


Note: the NF-1 does not currently support Release Velocity (Lift).


Assigning Modulation with the NF-1m

Assigning Strike (velocity)

  1. Press the Mod button to scroll through the various wires and access wire 1. Use Control 1 to select the modulation source for wire 1; in this case, select "VELO" for velocity.
  2. Use Control 3 to select the modulation destination for wire 1. In this case, select "Level" to have Strike modulate the amplitude level.
  3. Finally, use Control 2 (or Select) to select the modulation amount (from -64 to +63).

Assigning Press (aftertouch)

  1. Press the Mod button to scroll through the various wires and access wire 2. Use Control 1 to select the modulation source "AFTR" for aftertouch.
  2. Use Control 3 to select the modulation destination for wire 2: select "FiltFrq" to modulate the filter cutoff frequency.
  3. Finally, use Control 2 (or Select) to select the modulation amount (from -64 to +63).

Assigning Slide (CC74)

  1. Press the Mod button to scroll through the various wires and access wire 3. Use Control 1 to select the modulation source "SLID" for Slide.
  2. Use Control 3 to select the modulation destination for wire 3: select "Reso" to modulate the filter resonance.
  3. Finally, use Control 2 (or Select) to select the modulation amount (from -64 to +63).

If you'd like to assign Glide to an additional parameter, simply use this same process with another wire, setting the source to "BEND" for pitch bend (Glide).


Note: the NF-1m does not currently support Release Velocity (Lift).