How do you play PolySWAM? Do I still need an expressive controller?

PolySWAM changes the way you play SWAM instruments. It is easy to approach, and it keeps the organic, live performance that is unique to Audio Modeling technology.

How to play PolySWAM

Unlike the monophonic SWAM instruments, PolySWAM is played directly as a polyphonic instrument. Load a preset, put your hands on your MIDI keyboard, and play chords, harmonies or independent lines.

The Poly Engine allocates each note to an instrument of the ensemble in real time, and it follows the legato lines for you. There are no keyswitches and no articulation menus: the articulation comes from your touch on the keys.

• Staccato and accents: play with a quick, decisive touch. A higher velocity gives a stronger attack.
• Legato: play with a softer touch and overlap the notes. PolySWAM recognizes the melody and plays a smooth legato transition.
• Portamento: play legato with a low velocity on the destination note. The lower the velocity, the slower the portamento.

See also: How is legato executed in PolySWAM?

Do I still need an expressive controller?

Yes, absolutely. A continuous control source on Expression, such as an expression pedal, a mod wheel or a breath controller, is mandatory.

PolySWAM is entirely powered by physical modeling synthesis, not by audio samples. The velocity of the keys shapes the attack of each note, but that is only the beginning of the sound. As a real player needs a continuous flow of breath or bow pressure, the virtual instruments need a continuous stream of Expression data to sustain, shape and phrase every note. Without a main Expression controller, the instruments cannot sound as they are meant to.

One controller is enough to start

PolySWAM is designed for standard keyboard setups.

• The Conductor: you do not need one controller for each voice. A single controller on Expression drives the dynamics, the air column or the bowing of the whole ensembleat the same time.
  • By default, Expression listens to CC 11 (expression pedal).
  • To use the Mod Wheel (CC 1) instead, assign it to Expression: in the tutorial page ASSIGN YOUR EXPRESSION click LEARN and move the wheel, or use the MIDI Controller Mapping at any time. Note that CC 1 is assigned by default to Macro 1: assign Macro 1 to a different controller, or link it to Expression (see below).
• Link the Macros: each Macro has a Link button. A linked Macro follows Expression, so your single pedal or wheel also drives the linked Macros. This is the easiest way to get a rich, expressive sound with only one controller.
• Dynamic Behavior: choose how velocity and Expression work together. Click the velocity curve or the MODEbutton in the Conductor:
  • SWAM CLASSIC: velocity controls the attack, then Expression takes full control of the sustain.
  • HYBRID (default): velocity controls the attack; during the sustain, Expression modulates the sound and keeps part of the velocity.
  • VELOCITY: velocity controls the attack, and Expression continuously rescales it within the dynamic range that you set.
• In every mode, Expression remains the main control of the sound.
• Human Touch: while you lead the dynamics, the engine adds natural micro-variations among the virtual players. Use the HUMAN TOUCH knobs Pitch (intonation spread) and Time (attack-time spread) to go from a razor-sharp ensemble to a big, beautifully imperfect section.

A second pedal: Polyphony Lock

If you have a second pedal, use it for Polyphony Lock. By default, Polyphony Lock listens to the Sostenuto pedal (CC 66). It is separate from the Sustain pedal (CC 64). You also find the Polyphony Lock switch in the POLY ENGINE group of the Conductor.

When Polyphony Lock is on:

• The polyphony is frozen at the number of voices that are playing at that moment. For example: you play a 3-note chord and press the pedal. The ensemble stays at 3 voices, even if you then press 4 or 5 keys.
• Every note that you play is played only by the instruments that were sounding when you turned the lock on. No other instrument of the ensemble starts.

How these instruments play the new notes depends on your touch:

• Legato (overlapping notes): each new note is taken over by one of the instruments that are sounding, which leaves its previous note and moves to the new one with a legato transition (with a portamento if you play the new note with a low velocity). This gives you predictable polyphonic legato and seamless polyphonic glissandos: play a chord, press the pedal, and move legato to the next chord.
• Staccato: the notes are detached, as usual. The notes can be assigned to the locked instruments in a different way than before, but they are always played by the same group of instruments.

The maximum portamento time used while the lock is on is set by Portam. Max Time PolyLock (MORE → ADVANCED).

Unleash the full potential: more controllers

One Expression controller is the minimum. If your gear and your playing style allow it, more controllers give you much more expressive power:

• Unlink and map the Macros: PolySWAM has eight Macros. Their functions depend on the preset, for example vibrato depth and rate, bow pressure, tremolo, mutes or growl. The name of each Macro is shown under its knob. Assign them to faders, knobs, a second expression pedal or channel aftertouch. A very effective setup: Expression on the mod wheel and vibrato depth on aftertouch.
• Action buttons: the eight Action buttons switch preset-specific techniques on and off. Assign them to pads or buttons on your controller (default CC 81–88).
• Human Touch on hardware: Pitch and Time can be assigned to knobs (default CC 21 and 22), to change the character of the ensemble in real time.

All the assignments are in the MIDI Controller Mapping (ASSIGN and TABLE views).

Summary

Yes, you need at least one continuous controller on Expression to make the physical models breathe and sound as they should. Link the Macros to get more expression from that single controller. Add a second pedal for Polyphony Lock to keep your phrases on a fixed group of instruments, for predictable polyphonic legato and glissandos. Then map the Macros, Action buttons and Human Touch to the extra knobs, faders and aftertouch of your keyboard, and PolySWAM becomes a powerful tool for live performance and expressive sketching.