DAW Guide
MIDISketch in Bitwig Studio
Bitwig has the best native MPE support of any DAW. MIDISketch's CLAP build takes full advantage of this, sending per-note pitch bends directly to Bitwig instruments without any workarounds.
Use the CLAP Build
Bitwig users should use the CLAP version of MIDISketch, not VST3. The CLAP format provides better parameter handling and, critically, supports MPE note output to other instruments on the same track or via Bitwig's note routing. VST3 can host synths inside, but for routing MPE to Bitwig instruments, CLAP is required.
Why CLAP over VST3?
CLAP's note expression system natively supports MPE-style per-note data. When MIDISketch runs as CLAP in Bitwig, it can send per-note pitch bends, pressure, and slide as note expressions that Bitwig routes directly to downstream instruments. The VST3 version works for hosting synths inside MIDISketch, but can't output MPE note data to Bitwig's instrument chain.
Getting Started
Download & Install
Download the installer for your platform. The CLAP plugin is included in both the Windows and macOS installers. On Linux, download the CLAP .tar.gz directly.
- Win:
C:\Program Files\Common Files\CLAP\ - macOS:
/Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/CLAP/ - Linux:
~/.clap/
Load in Bitwig
In Bitwig's browser, navigate to the plugin list. MIDISketch will appear under CLAP instruments. Drag it onto an Instrument Track.
If it doesn't appear, go to Settings → Plug-ins and verify that your CLAP folder is scanned. Bitwig auto-detects CLAP plugins on startup.
Hosting Synths
The simplest workflow, load a synth directly inside MIDISketch and hear everything as you draw. Works with both the CLAP and VST3 versions.
- Click the Synth button in MIDISketch's toolbar to open the plugin browser.
- Load any VST3 or CLAP synth, Vital, Phase Plant, Pigments, Surge XT, or anything installed on your system.
- Inside the hosted synth, enable MPE mode and set pitch bend range to
48semitones.Most synths default to a pitch bend range of 2. Bends will sound barely audible until you change this to 48. Alternatively, match MIDISketch's pitch bend range to your synth in File → MIDI Settings. - Place notes, draw pitch curves, and press play. Everything plays through the hosted synth in real time.
CLAP MPE Output
This is where Bitwig shines. Using the CLAP build, MIDISketch can output per-note pitch bends and expressions directly to other instruments in Bitwig's device chain, including Bitwig's own instruments like Polymer, Phase-4, and the Grid.
Routing Steps
- Load MIDISketch (CLAP) on an Instrument Track in Bitwig.
- In the device chain, add your target instrument after MIDISketch, it receives the note output directly.
- Alternatively, route MIDISketch's note output to a separate track using Bitwig's Note Receiver on the destination track.
- Draw your notes and pitch curves in MIDISketch. The per-note MPE data flows through as CLAP note expressions.
- If using a Bitwig instrument (Polymer, Phase-4, Grid), MPE is supported natively, no extra config needed.
- For third-party synths, enable MPE and set pitch bend range to
48in the receiving synth.
Bitwig Native Instruments
Bitwig's own instruments have full MPE support out of the box, no configuration needed. Just place them after MIDISketch in the device chain.
- Polymer
- Phase-4
- The Grid
- Polysynth
- FM-4
- Organ
- Sampler
- Drum Machine
All Bitwig instruments support MPE natively, no bend range configuration needed.
Quick Tips
- Use the CLAP build for MPE output to Bitwig instruments, this is the recommended workflow.
- VST3 works for hosting synths inside MIDISketch, but can't send MPE to Bitwig's chain.
- Bitwig instruments support MPE natively, no pitch bend range config needed.
- For third-party synths, set pitch bend range to
48in both MIDISketch and the synth. - Linux users: download the CLAP .tar.gz and place it in
~/.clap/. - Use the Standalone app to sketch ideas without opening Bitwig.
Guides for Other DAWs
VST3 + AU + CLAP · macOS, Windows & Linux · $45 Lifetime License