It’s easy to buy into a branding and believe it will make the next step in the perpetual journey forward, just that little bit easier.
From the perspective of the zynthian community it’s probably better to look at any controller, be it an AKai 25 note weighted piano keys, via a CS80 out to the foothills of Rola and beyond, as merely a source of MIDI. Because anything outside of that is going to get complicated very quickly.
As such zynthian, which is simply a JACK controlled MIDI router, can take chunks of MIDI data and throw it at awaiting Jack Audio Engines, generating more or less discordant sound.
The trick is the configuration of a Zynthian snapshot which is context of the zynthian as configured , in that it will contain all the carefully established mappings between controller and Engine.
The zynthian also makes the task of mapping musical gesture, easy. If the controlling element sits within some fairly tightly defined controllers. But there is a control device software interface that allows more complicated device interface to be constructed.
It is unlikely that an ‘MPE’ thingy is going to drop out of the sky, unless of course someone does something about it. In truth we hear several calls to arms on particular subjects. These are welcomed because it confirms that our community is addressing some genuine needs. It’s just that little tiny feature that could, if altered . . . . .
There is also a rhythm to things and as with any musical amalgamation of like minded individuals, it pays to play at a similar tempo.
It’s easy to discuss, but having a device and plugging it into a zynthian is really the best way to get going. That really only involves a Raspberry Pi & a USB audio device.
The true joy comes from the performance of the idea.