Expressive E has today announced the official release of its Osmose three-dimensional expressive polyphonic Synthesizer and MIDI/MPE controller.
3 years ago, the futuristic Osmose Synthesizer was previewed to the public for the first time. At that time still an early prototype. Shortly afterward, they opened the pre-order slots for it. Kickstarter, Indiegogo… these big projects always take a little longer.
In this case, it took Expressive E three years to complete their innovative expressive instrument. But that’s also because of the pandemic, ship shortages, delivery bottlenecks, etc. But the developers have now done it and completed their project. The first Osmoses conquered the studios.
Expressive E is thrilled to announce the delivery of the first Osmose units to early adopters of the project. The first products had already been delivered in late 2022, and early backersʼ shipments will keep flowing continuously.
Expressive E Osmose
Last year at the Superbooth, I was able to play the Osmose longer. It was a very special, novel experience to play Osmose because it reacts completely differently to sound than a classic synth. That’s because Expressive E has developed an all-new keybed for this instrument.
Unlike a “traditional” keyboard with polyphonic aftertouch (Hydrasynth…), where more classic oriented keys are used, the Expressive E developers have developed a tailor-made keybed from the ground up.
It uses a patented A.K.A mechanism where each key delivers three dimensions of control: polyphonic pressure, aftertouch, and pitch control. A big advantage of the Osmose is that the technology is built into a classic keyboard. So musicians can continue their knowledge but also lead it to 3D expressivity.
In addition to this innovative keyboard, Osmose has a built-in fine-tuned sound engine. It is based on the Haken Audio EagenMatrix that turns the Osmose into a mighty multi-engine expressive Synthesizer.
You can explore multiple synthesis forms, such as VA or physical modeling, which harmonize perfectly with the expressive abilities of the keyboard. Perfect for imitating organic, acoustic sounds.
Key Features
- 49 full-size keys with three-dimensional (3D) control
- standalone 24-voice digital synth, MPE MIDI controller, and MIDI controller
- EaganMatrix powered digital modular engine by Haken Audio with virtual analog, FM, physical modeling, and more.
- 2 continuous pedal inputs, assignable to sustain or synth parameters
- DIN MIDI In, MIDI Out/Thru, USB Type B
- Two 1⁄4″ TS pseudo balanced line outputs, 1⁄4″ TRS headphone output
What Osmose offers is futuristic and innovative. It is a next-generation MPE MIDI controller that extends traditional playing.
Official Osmose Videos
Expressive E celebrates the release of Osmose with a series of new videos featuring big sound demos and artist stories.
Well-known YouTubers have also published videos of it, such as Sonicstate or Cuckoo.
In case you haven’t seen it, here’s my in-depth video from Superbooth 22.
Expressive E have decided to reopen pre-orders on January 5th 2023, for all musicians interested in purchasing Osmose. The pre-order scheme has been reconducted to allow Expressive E to anticipate demand as efficiently as possible and organize their production schedules accordingly.
Despite a tense economic environment driven by inflation, component shortages, and the resurgence of epidemics, the company will still guarantee a $/€1,799 retail price within the limits of allocated stocks.
More information here: Expressive E
Available for pre-order from my partners
Very happy to see this price on new preorders!
Sounds of Great Good Glorious Brief Eternal Moments in The Quest. Thank You.
Peace Love Perspicacity Justice.
The wait for the backers / early adopters in 2019 has been long and at times excruciating. But the Osmose team have delivered a magnificent instrument that will stand as a benchmark for high expressiveness for a long time. Truly revolutionary. The sound designers have done a magnificent job. BRAVO!
Sounds impressive don’t know the future if I’ll get one but what I read caught my attention now all they need to do is build a MIDI module to complement it as an example the integra7 but design there own version and that has MIDI in/out/thru and a second set of DIN connections with both USB A+B combo so as to which you can employ USB memory stick and 2 computers and an android and iPad for future display as well as video ports HDMI/VGA capable with hammer action keys.
Sweet. Just reserved one
One small point of correction – this was not a Kickstarter or Indie-gogo project. Just a pre-order from the company direct using a small deposit that one could have refunded at any time. I mention this as people assume big projects like these need a crowd funding method. Expressive-E did not use crowd funding. To me, this is an even bigger feat and shows just how true to their word they kept as they did not receive millions of dollars and then take 3 years to deliver.
thanks for your input, but I didn’t write that it was a Kickstarter, just that projects like that, including those without these websites, takes always longer. 🙂
Ah! Good point, friend! I read it so fast that I misread what you had typed! Sorry mate!
Interesting product. Be even more interesting to see if it is a viable long-term keyboard option. I would think that classical players wouldn’t be interested in high-tech enhancements, and for synth players it’s too much nuanced control and too much money.
I think this might be a hit. Of course we just have their word for it, as the wear and tear has not started yet, but Expressive E said they have given ample attention to the mechanics, so I’ll give them the benefit of the doubt. I personally do not believe mechanically their will be lots of problems, but there might be calibration issues along the way, that should be solvable somehow via firmware configuration. [The original Minimoog was also notorious for not keeping its calibration (i.e. staying in tune), but that didn’t make it loose its place in synth history.]
Aside from that, this is the first affordable MPE keyboard allowing to be played by normally skilled keyboardists at a price point that is, yes, superior, but without being extreme. A lot of other synths being told they are worth every penny, are more than 2000, 3000 etc EUR.
But for ‘too much nuanced control’ I tend to agree with you. If all sounds will be using all controls like many of the demo’s do, we’ll grow tired of them quickly and they will start to sound alike. It’s not only the playing that is hard then, but also the listening , if you catch my drift.
This being said, after a while we’ll see players using it the right way: not all controls at once, and/or using it to control analog synths with a dash of additional freedom, and that is why I expect the instrument to be a pivotal point in synth history: not how much you can control at once, but the freedom to control what you want and how you want it, while playing.
I certainly will use it as a MIDI controller for VST, analog poly’s, modular, … heck anything is possible. Freedom!
I believe the engineering will be fine, but the market is too nuanced. But you do raise interesting points.