USER MANUAL
The information in this document is subject to change without notice and does not represent a commitment on the part of Expressive SAS. “Expressive E”, “Touché”, "Lié" and associated logos are registered trademarks of Expressive SAS. Ableton is a trademark of Ableton AG. Mac, MacOS, OS X, GarageBand, Logic, are registered trademarks of Apple Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners and use of them does not imply any affiliation with or endorsement by them.
1. Introduction 5 1.1. Downloads & Updates 5 1.2. Installation 5 2. Touché 6 2.1. Overview 6 2.1.1. What is Touché ? 6 2.1.2. Slave and Standalone 6 2.1.3. Default Behaviour 6 2.2. Mechanism 7 2.2.1. Concept 7 2.2.2. Shiftings 7 2.2.3. Skin 8 2.2.4. Cylinders 8 2.2.5. Slider 8 2.3. Controls 9 2.3.1. Buttons 9 2.3.2. Encoder 9 2.3.3. LEDs 9 2.4. Connectivity 10 2.4.1. Ports 10 2.4.2. Data 11 3. Lié 12 3.1. Overview 12 3.1.1. What is Lié ? 12 3.1.2.
. Workflow 23 4.1. DAW Setup Expressive E 23 4.1.1. Ableton Live 23 4.1.2. Logic Pro 24 4.1.3. Cubase 25 4.1.4. Presonus Studio One 27 4.1.5. GarageBand 28 4.2. Creating a new plug-in preset 29 4.3. Creating a new hardware preset 32 4.4. Loading a hardware preset in Touché’s internal memory 35 4.5. Adjusting your sensitivity 37 4.5.1. By Parameter 37 4.5.2. For the Top and Bottom Shiftings 37 4.5.3. For the Left and Right Shiftings 37 Touché User Manual v.1.
1. Introduction 1.1. Downloads & Updates Touché comes with Lié, its companion software. When you receive Touché, you need to update its firmware to make it work properly with Lié. You can find the latest version here : https://www.expressivee.com/downloads 1.2. Installation Once Lié is downloaded, you can start the installation : Double click on "Lié.dmg" to open it. Inside the installation folder you will find this screen : • "UVI Workstation.
2. Touché 2.1. Overview 2.1.1. What is Touché ? Touché is an instrument that gives you a unique tactile approach of both software and hardware synthesizers. Shaping and controlling their sound with a simple pressure of your hands, Touché gives you a powerful and natural connection with music. Touché controls your synthesizers with four independent Shiftings : Two vertical and two lateral Shiftings.
2.2. Mechanism 2.2.1. Concept Touché reacts to the pressure and gestures you apply to the wooden part, which is called the Skin. It possesses two pairs of complementary Shiftings : Top and bottom / left and right. Those need to be calibrated before you play, it is automatically done when you plug Touché. Plug your Touché to your computer, and make sure that it is in a stable position (not moving, on a horizontal surface, and without touching the Skin), because it will be calibrated from this position.
2.2.3. Skin The wooden surface at the top of Touché is conceived to give you a great, smooth instrumental touch. This skin is magnetised in order to be removed and locked easily, making an easy access to the Cylinder and the Slider underneath. Be careful when replacing it, it must be put in the right position. The Cylinder must face the two little wooden parts, otherwise the skin won't be properly magnetised. 2.2.4.
2.3. Controls 2.3.1. Buttons In Standalone mode, you can select a preset from Touché’s internal memory by using the left and right buttons. Touché has an internal memory of 6 banks of 4 presets each, for a total of 24 presets. Each bank has its own colour (learn more in the Memory View section). The preset’s number matches the amount of LEDs lit, and the colour of those LEDs indicate which bank you’re in.
2.4. Connectivity 2.4.1. Ports USB Touché is USB powered. You can power it by plugging it to a computer, but also by using a standard USB smartphone charger. 0.5A from your USB port is required to power Touché. In order to connect Touché, we recommend to use the USB cable supplied. You can use any suitable USB cable but we strongly recommend to use short USB cables (less than 2 meters), labeled with an identification code that ends with "24/2C", "24AWGX2C" or "AWG24X2C".
2.4.2. Data Input Touché has two sources of MIDI inputs : All datas received in MIDI IN or USB IN are sent to both MIDI Out ( MIDI Merge ) and USB out, in the exception of USB IN to MIDI OUT for a plug-in preset in Slave mode. Output When Touché is in Slave mode, its USB output always sends the following CCs to control Lié : • • • • Top shifting : CC 17 Bottom shifting : CC 16 Left shifting : CC 18 Right shifting : CC 19 MIDI and CV outputs sends data according to the selected Hardware Preset within Lié.
3. Lié 3.1. Overview 3.1.1. What is Lié ? Lié is a powerful software with a simple design. Lié works hand in hand with Touché in a clear, simple workflow. Lié is a host of plug-ins and is available in both VST and AU flavours, making it compatible with all major DAWs. Lié has advanced features like sensitivity curves, speedmapping, min/max values, CV voltages editing, MIDI CC editing, internal memory managing, preset recalling, tags...
3.2. Interface Lié is divided into four main parts : 1. Menu : Allows you to create and save presets, and access to Settings. 2. Browser : Displays access your library of presets. 3. Slot Center : Allows to link a parameter of your synth to a Shifting of Touché. 4. Scope : Displays the pressure you’re applying on Touché. This area can also display the Sensitivity Curve Editor. 3.2.1. Menu You can access the Menu by clicking on the icon.
3.2.2. Settings You can access the Settings from the Menu. In the Settings window you can see five different sections : • Open the plugin folder in Finder : Displays the plug-in folder. This is the place where you scan your VST Plug-ins in order to use them in Lié. To scan your VST Plug-ins, click on “Options” at the bottom of the “Available Plugins” window, then select “Scan for new or updated VST plug-ins”. Your VST Plug-ins will be scanned with the specified default folder.
3.2.3. Browser 2 1 1. Preset List All the presets from your Preset folder are visible on this preset list. By default, they are sorted by alphabetical order. Clicking on “NAME” on the top of the list will rank them either by increasing or decreasing alphabetical order. Right clicking on any of the presets in the list shows the option to rename it or delete it. 2. Filters & Tags A system of filters and tags is available to easily browse between presets.
3.2.4. Slot Center In this area, you can control all the parameters of your instrument, by assigning Shiftings and designing curves. Slots 1. Parameter Selection : A drop-down list above each slot makes it possible to choose the parameter you want to attribute to this slot. 2. Shifting Selection : To select a Shifting, click on its position on the slot. When selected, the shifting is displayed in colour. You have 4 different Shiftings, and you can have left and right at the same time. 3.
Toolbar 1. Instrument View : Displays the interface of the hosted plug-in. In the case of a Hardware Preset, displays MIDI options like MIDI Channel. 2. Random : Sets random assignations for each Slot. If you wish to keep the current assignations, please save your configuration as a preset before proceeding. 3. Flip Curves : Shows sensitivity curves for all 8 Slots. 4.
3. Instrument View You can also select parameters by opening your plug-in interface. For that you need to click on the Above your plug-in interface, you can see 8 numbers. button. Each number corresponds to a Slot. Click on a number then move one of the parameters from your plug-in (a knob, a slider …). The chosen parameter is now mapped to the corresponding Slot, as indicated by the new colour line surrounding the number.
2. MIDI Instrument View You can access the MIDI Instrument View of the MIDI page by clicking on the button. This panel allows you to select the MIDI Channel output of Touché for the current preset. MIDI data from Touché will only be sent via the selected channel. The MIDI Instrument View also lets you change the program changes and bank numbers sent by this preset when loaded. Sending program changes is useful to match your the hardware preset from Touché with a specific preset from your synthesizer.
3.2.7. Memory View The Memory View allows you to save Hardware Presets in Touché, so you can use Touché with your gear in Standalone mode, without a computer. Click on “MEMORY VIEW” button in the Menu to open it. You can see 24 different slots, sorted in 6 banks. Each bank has its own colour, and the number of dots represent the preset number.
3.2.8. Scope The Scope is a visual display of Touché’s Shiftings. Whenever you press on Touché, the Scope will display the amount of force you’re applying. You can also monitor useful things like the influence of different sensitivity levels. The scope can also be hidden in favour of the Sensitivity Curve Editor.
3.2.9. Sensitivity Curve Editor You can access the Sensitivity Curve Editor by clicking on the little curve icon just below each Slot, and then clicking on the curve displayed.. The Sensitivity Curve Editor lets you change Touché’s sensitivity by changing each Slot’s sensitivity curve. This curve show you how the parameter will vary depending on your movement. The horizontal axis represents the amount of pressure you apply, and the vertical axis the parameter value output.
4. Workflow 4.1. DAW Setup 4.1.1. Ableton Live To use Lié within Ableton Live, you must load Lié on a new MIDI Track. Make sure that your track is armed, and set the MIDI IN of your Track to "All MIDI Input". You can now play with Touché and Lié. If Touché is not communicating with Lié, check that your track is armed, and make sure that the audio engine is on. If not, choose an audio device from Live's audio Preferences. (Live > Preferences > Audio).
4.1.2. Logic Pro To use Lié in Logic Pro, you must load Lié on a new MIDI Track. Make sure your track is armed and the MIDI IN of your Track is on "All MIDI Input". You can now play with Touché and Lié. If you can't find Lié in your plug-ins, make sure Lié is activated (click on Preferences > Audio Unit Manager) Expressive E Touché User Manual v.1.
4.1.3. Cubase To load Lié in Cubase , you must add a new MIDI track or click on the instrument selection from an existing track. Choose the synth part layer and select Lié. Make sure that your track is armed and that the MIDI IN of your Track is on "All MIDI Input". Expressive E Touché User Manual v.1.
If you can't find Lié in the instrument selection, make sure Cubase has the right plug-in path ( Devices > Plug-in Manager > VST Instruments > Settings ). If Touché is not communicating with Lié, check that your track is armed, and make sure that the MIDI IN of Touché is active in Device > Device Setup > MIDI > MIDI Port Setup. Expressive E Touché User Manual v.1.
4.1.4. Presonus Studio One First, add Touché as a new midi device. To do this, go to Preferences>External Devices>Add.Select “New Keyboard”, then select TOUCHE for “Receive From” and “Send To”. Then, load Lié on a new Instrument Track. Make sure your track is armed and the MIDI IN of your Track is on "All MIDI Input". You can now play with Touché and Lié. Expressive E Touché User Manual v.1.
4.1.5. GarageBand To open Lié in GarageBand, click on SmartControl (1), then on Inspector (2) and select Lié in AU Instruments (3) Expressive E Touché User Manual v.1.
4.2. Creating a new plug-in preset 1. Click on “NEW PLUGIN PRESET” in the Menu 2. Select your plug-in Expressive E Touché User Manual v.1.
3. For one or several of the 8 Slots, choose the parameter you wish to control either by selecting it in the dropdown list above the chosen Slot. 4. Or by clicking on the Instrument View in the Toolbar to use our mapping features 5. Assign the chosen parameter to one of the four Shiftings for each Slot you wish to use. Expressive E Touché User Manual v.1.
6. Play with your newly created preset, and adjust the min/max values and curve of each Slot if needed. Once you’re happy with your sound, you can save your new preset by clicking on “SAVE AS PRESET” in the Menu. Once you’re happy with your sound, you can save your new preset by clicking on “SAVE AS PRESET” in the Menu. Expressive E Touché User Manual v.1.
4.3. Creating a new hardware preset You can find the latest versions of hardware presets here : https://www.expressivee.com/downloads . To create a new hardware preset, connect Touché to your synthesizers with a standard MIDI cable and our MIDI to Jack 3”5 break-out cable. Make sure that Touché is also connected to your computer, and speaks to Lié. Also make sure that your synth is on the same MIDI channel as Touché (by default Touché sends data to the MIDI Channel 1).
3. For one or several of the 8 Slots, choose the voltage or the CC you wish to control by selecting it in the dropdown list. If you select a “Template” preset, you will see that in the drop-down list, the CCs are renamed according to the real names of the parameters from the selected instrument. 4. Assign the chosen parameter to one of the four Shiftings for each Slot you wish to use. Expressive E Touché User Manual v.1.
5. Test with your newly created preset, and adjust the min/max values and curve of each Slot if needed. 6. Optionally, you can click on the MIDI Instrument View in the Toolbar to select the MIDI Channel output of Touché for this preset, and change the program change and bank numbers sent by this preset when loaded. Once you are happy with your sound, you can save your new preset by clicking on “SAVE AS PRESET” in the Menu. Expressive E Touché User Manual v.1.
4.4. Loading a hardware preset in Touché’s internal memory In addition to the generic, “Template” hardware presets, Lié comes with pre-mapped hardware presets. These are based on the factory presets from a selection of modern synthesizers, and feature full parameter mapping instead of just CC renaming, making the experience even more plug-and play. When loaded, each of those hardware preset sends a program change to the connected hardware synthesizer, so that its preset matches the preset of Touché.
Select a slot, then double click on the hardware preset you want to add. Repeat this operation with any other hardware preset you wish to save. Once you are happy with your selection, click on « SAVE IN TOUCHE » to save the hardware presets in Touché’s internal memory, and wait a few seconds for the operation to complete. You can now use Touché in Standalone mode.
4.5. Adjusting your sensitivity Lié and Touché offer several ways to adjust the sensitivity of Touché. Note that the sensitivity of Touché can be affected by how it is calibrated. Touché self-calibrates each time you power it with its USB cable (learn more in the Concept section). 4.5.1. By Parameter You can adjust Touché’s sensitivity by changing each Slot’s curve (see Sensitivity Curve Editor).
