A new monophonic synth plugin arrived in October 2026. Audioblast V10F is inspired by the Kawai/Teisco 100F from 1977, and Synth Anatomy covered it on October 11. It is described as an inspiration rather than a direct emulation.
The announcement does not mention MPE. That makes it a good chance to talk about something expressive players often ask: how should you approach a mono synth when your controller is built for polyphonic expression?
The basics of V10F
The plugin runs on macOS and Windows in VST3, AU and AAX formats. On Mac it supports both Apple Silicon and Intel. Audioblast lists an introductory price of 77 euros, rising to 129 euros later.
You can find details and downloads on the official V10F page.
Mono and MPE: how they relate
MPE sends each note on its own MIDI channel, so every note can carry its own pitch bend, pressure and slide data. A monophonic synth only plays one note at a time. That raises two practical questions.
First, does the plugin read per-note data at all? If a plugin does not support MPE, it usually listens to a single channel, or merges everything it receives. Always check the plugin documentation and test it with your controller.
Second, how is mono behavior best used? Many expressive players like mono synths for bass lines, leads and solo voices, because there is no chord to muddy. For these sounds, you do not need full per-note independence. A single stream of pitch bend and pressure is often enough.
Tips for playing mono plugins from an MPE controller
- Use a single-channel mode if your controller offers one. Many MPE controllers can switch to a standard MIDI mode so that one channel carries everything.
- Check your bend range. Mismatched ranges cause out-of-tune slides. Our guide to the MPE pitch bend range mismatch walks through the fix.
- Play legato. Mono synths often glide or retrigger depending on how you overlap notes. Experiment with overlapping notes to hear the difference.
- Map pressure to something audible. Even if the plugin only responds to channel pressure, routing it to filter cutoff or vibrato adds life to a simple patch.
- Use your DAW as a translator. Some hosts can route MPE data to non-MPE instruments by merging channels, which works well for single-voice sounds.
A reminder about classic designs
Instruments like the 100F came from an era of simple controls and strong character. Part of their appeal is that a small number of parameters can do a lot when you play them with feeling. That idea fits expressive music well. You do not need a huge feature list to make a performance sound alive.
If you try V10F with an expressive controller, take notes on what responds and what does not. That kind of real-world testing helps the whole community understand how plugins behave, and it is a good habit before buying any new instrument.