Orchestral writing and MPE have a complicated relationship. Sample libraries are built around articulations and keyswitches, while MPE is built around continuous, per-note gestures. On September 29, 2026, Forma Labs Audio released Filament v1.2, an update that tries to bring the two worlds together. As KVR Audio reports, the headline feature is MPE support with per-note pitch bend, pressure and timbre.
What Filament does
Filament is a real-time MIDI orchestration plugin and host. It can host up to 64 instruments within a single DAW track, distributing and revoicing incoming MIDI across orchestral libraries, synths and layered setups. Instead of playing one part per track, you play a chord or a line and let Filament decide which instrument takes which note.
That idea is appealing for anyone who composes at the keyboard. You capture a full-sounding arrangement in one performance, then refine it in your DAW.
MPE support, done per note
The key change in 1.2 is that per-note expression now follows the orchestration. Per-note pitch bend, pressure and timbre are passed to MPE-enabled hosted instruments, and the expression is preserved in MIDI recording and export.
This point deserves attention. In a conventional MPE chain, each note lives on its own MIDI channel. Any tool that redistributes notes between instruments has to keep that link intact, otherwise a bend meant for one note lands on another, or disappears entirely. Preserving expression through the redistribution step is what makes the feature useful rather than a checkbox.
Keep in mind that the hosted instruments themselves must support MPE for the expression to have an audible effect. Many orchestral libraries still respond only to traditional CC data, so test each instrument and consult its documentation.
Other new features in 1.2
The update is broader than MPE alone:
- Auto Divisi distributes chord notes intelligently across parts, similar to how a section would split a chord.
- Host Mode supports recording an orchestration and then editing the results in the DAW.
- Note Off Revoice and arpeggiator chord following improve behavior on held and rhythmic material.
- Routing visibility and keyswitch labeling make large setups easier to read.
- Matrix Mute/Solo controls and CC curve improvements help with balancing and shaping dynamics.
Price and availability
Filament costs £149 as a one-time purchase. It is available for macOS (Apple Silicon and Intel) and Windows, in VST3 and Audio Unit formats plus a standalone version. Visit Forma Labs Audio for the current product details and trial information.
Why it matters for expressive composers
Composers who use MPE controllers often face a choice: play expressively on a single synth, or return to the traditional workflow for orchestral mockups. Tools that preserve per-note data across layered instruments narrow that gap. A few practical scenarios stand out:
- Layering a string patch with a synth pad, with pressure controlling both at once.
- Splitting a chord across sections while keeping individual pitch gestures, such as a slide on one voice.
- Recording the performance and editing later, since expression is retained in the MIDI export.
It is worth remembering that MPE data is bulkier than standard MIDI, and editing it takes care. Check your DAW's support for multi-channel MPE clips before committing to a large project.
What to test first
If you are curious, start small. Load two MPE-capable instruments, route a simple chord through Filament, and watch whether bends and pressure land on the correct notes. Then try Host Mode to record and inspect the result in your DAW. Once you trust the behavior, scale up toward larger orchestrations.
Filament 1.2 is a good sign for expressive music-making: more of the tools between your controller and your sounds are learning to treat each note as an individual. That is exactly what MPE was designed to enable.