RPE-2 Review
HY RPE-2 is an advanced 8 part midi sequencer. It has two main modes, a linear step sequencer, with a more traditional layout, and a euclidian mode that displays the eight tracks in concentric circles. RPE-2 is an incredibly dense plugin, each page is cluttered with controls and features, there’s a lot going on here. If I miss anything, it’s simply because I haven’t explored this one all the way inside and out yet, I’m much more comfortable with sound design and don’t really use a whole lot of midi tools. This type of plugin is great for procedural and generative music, while I can do a lot in Bitwig’s midi devices and Grid, RPE-2 offers some neat and unique workflows.
I’m most familiar with the Euclidean page which uses a triggering system that evenly fills out a given set of steps with a set value of pulses, rather than manually inserting each trigger. Each ring is assigned to a note value for the steps to trigger. You can set any number of step lengths up to 32 for all sorts of polymetric sequencing. You can rotate the rings as well if the distribution doesn’t quite land where you want it. As well you can set a trigger probability per lane. Adding all this together can produce very interesting melodic patterns, but things get a bit more interesting when you start assigning modulation. The euclidean mode contains four LFOs that can be set to a variety of shapes including random SH. These LFOs can be assigned to any of the sequencer controls, allowing you to move between different pulses, rotate individual rings, or even modulate the target note values. If you target note value, you might want to activate the scale mode, to lock in the output midi to any user defined scale.
The linear mode is a bit more straight forward, but it also has a few tricks up its sleeve. Each track is broken up into 8 segments, each segment can be set from one to eight steps evenly spaced within the quarter note segment. This makes the linear mode perfect for sequencing through various tuplet patterns, something that can be quite tedious and tricky, if even possible, in other sequencers. The main grid is where you assign triggers, but the window at the top allows you to assign velocity, gate length, pitch, probability, and even rolls per each step. To the right is a macro sequencer, which lets you sequence out which pattern of 1/4 note segments you want to play through, even allowing you to randomize which chunks get played. Additionally, within a chunk you can randomize playback order. This allows you to have two scales of randomization, perhaps you want certain note groups to play in a series, but want them randomized within these groups, or you want specific micro melodies, but you don’t care which order they are played in.
There’s quite a few other features to RPE-2, snapshots, the ability to set randomization ranges, you can assign lanes to different midi channels. It’s almost overly complicated in some regards, I’d like to see this one stripped down to its core most unique parts with an emphasis on usability. There’s upwards of 500 pieces of information on screen at all times, but luckily, it’s not difficult to use either. RPE-2 provides two fairly unique systems of midi sequencing and does this in a way that would be impractical in nearly any piano roll. If you’re ever doing any generative melody creation, this is the perfect tool for dialing in ideas that can balance between random and stable, and even transform over time for some nice heterogeneity. I’ve been exploring various tuplets recently, and have found that switching the grid between divisions is pretty annoying. Being able to establish a division pattern, then assign notes/triggers accordingly might make this process a lot more straight forward.
If you plan on purchasing RPE-2 from Plugin Boutique, please consider supporting me by using my affiliate link RPE-2: https://www.pluginboutique.com/product/2-Effects/24-Sequencer/7928-HY-RPE2?a_aid=61c378ab215d5