Review: Sensel Morph

It’s the size of an iPad, it’s an incredibly responsive Bluetooth MIDI controller, and it’s got MIDI Polyphonic Expression (MPE) multi-touch technology. These are just three of many reasons that the Sensel Morph is well worth a look.

The Sensel Morph is very well built, and looks fantastically sleek. Imagine a cross between an iPad and a giant Apple Trackpad, except this surface is super-smart. It features approximately 20,000 sensors which allow it to detect an incredible range of pressure (from 1g to 5kg) – and it is remarkably accurate, which is evident when you bring up the Visualiser in the Sensel App.

Sensel Morph is priced very attractively at £185 and is probably the easiest way of getting into using MPE technology. It’s an incredibly simple and intuitive device, super portable, and works with beautifully designed magnetic overlays which become your work surfaces: from a simple Piano (which I am using for this review) to Music Production, Drum Pad, and Buchla Thunder – and this is just for audio, there are loads more Sensel overlays designed for developers, video editors, designers, and artists. So it’s very much a multi-application device.

But today I am using the Piano overlay, which feels quite piano-like to me right away despite the fact it’s almost pocket sized; probably due to the slightly raised black keys which gives you the feel of a keyboard. There are also a series of macros which allow for sustain, changing of octave, full chord mode, and so on. And if you want to change your overlay, you don’t even need to switch the unit off – just pull one off and slap on another. The Sensel App sends ‘maps’ of said overlays to the unit in seconds once you’re connected via USB and you’re good to go. It couldn’t be simpler, in fact.

The Morph works on Bluetooth too, which is a dream in a small space – especially in my studio, as I have four keyboards in here, and you couldn’t swing a cat! The Morph sits on my lap or desk without taking up any real space, and once you get used to the sensitivity, you realise it’s an incredibly playable and creative tool. The battery life is also fantastic – it didn’t get close to losing power despite the many operation hours.

MPE is pretty new to me as a producer and musician. I am aware of it, but before the Sensel Morph arrived at my studio, I was yet to experiment with it in a creative fashion. Such was the excitement of using MPE, I’d bought Auras by Slate + Ash – the first Kontakt library designed to work with MPE. And boy, was I in for a treat.

So what is MPE? For those who aren’t aware, it essentially allows you to take the articulation of an acoustic instrument with an infinite palette of electronic sounds, enabling you to morph them (hence the name) into something totally unique. There are a few keyboards and controllers on the market designed for MPE workflow, and a number of hardware synths can receive MPE signal – though the VST software instruments that are MPE compatible are perhaps the most exciting to work with.

So sticking with the Piano overlay, after importing the Piano map (with MPE) within the App, in an instance it sends out controller and pitch information to the Morph, and you’re ready to play. There is pitch bend on each key, after pressure, and a vertical dimension to work with which gets the oscillators working as you move up and down the keys. As I experiment with some of the sounds within Auras, I realise I’m literally taking control of the parameters with my fingers, and it unleashes a world of possibility creatively. Sliding into a different note or chord is weird – but cool!

Within Auras – and any VI that is MPE-enabled, I would imagine – I am able to play with the filtering and parameters, the delays and reverbs, among other things – and as I do, the more pressure I apply and as I vary the distance that I glide my finger up and down the piano keys gives me different overtones, effects, noises, all sorts of weird and wonderful after effects on a sound that, if not played with MPE, now seems, dare I say it, quite ordinary. In a nutshell, it’s addictive! I also instinctively reached for my sustain pedal, which is plugged into my Novation master keyboard – and was happy to see that it worked with the Morph, which was a nice touch.

After playing – and indeed creating – for about an hour using Morph, to call it an MPE or MIDI controller feels like a bit of an insult, because it’s much more than that. It’s a pint-sized powerhouse, and it’s a genuine platform to enable creatives to, well, create! And it’s so easy to use.

I think considering the price point – the most affordable device within the MPE realm as far as I can tell – and its plug and play workflow, it feels like an all-in-one solution. Although a deeper dive into the App will show you how to create your own overlays (without the need to input any code) and unveil a ton more options, this unit is also a superb choice for beginners; it comes with Bitwig Studio 8 Track - so there is a DAW included – as well as Arturia Analog Lab Lite.

As I play more with Morph using the Piano overlay, I become better at using it – I didn’t initially notice the grooves within this overlay which ‘separates’ the white keys, and acts as a guide for your hands, and I was able to add strings patches, some actual piano playing, and a number of different effects using the excellent Auras palette without a single hiccup.

And the cherry on top for me – veering away from the world of MPE for a second – is using it for drum programming. As a Toontrack Superior Drummer 3 user, I couldn’t ask for a better control surface. The Morph’s sensitivity is a dream for beatmakers, and I am now about to Google the best drum VIs with MPE compatibility – because that with the Morph is an absolute no-brainer.

And for advanced users, it’s worth bearing in mind that the Morph outputs polyphonic after touch – which most hardware synths can receive – so even if you don’t have MPE-capable hardware or software, the Morph can certainly add something flavoursome to your favourite synths without any additional setup required.

Sensel Morph is a fantastic unit which can be used on the go pretty much anywhere, or in the studio – I think it’s hands-down the best option for an affordable road into the world of MPE, and a great controller in its own right.