Oxi Instruments E16, a multi-scene performance MIDI controller: available now

Oxi Instruments E16 is a new, sleek, multi-scene performance MIDI controller with state morphing and parameter recording.

Good news: the OXI Instruments E16 MIDI controller is available now for $499/449€ from retailers.

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Perfect Circuit

Article from December 3, 2025

In recent years, pure encoder MIDI controllers have become less common. Most also had additional faders or came with pads or keyboards. We’ve already seen the Novation LaunchControl Mk3, which is very solid for the asking price. 

The E16, a MIDI controller from Oxi Instruments, the makers of the Oxi One sequencer, was also recently leaked. Just in time before the end of the year, it’s officially here and looks very promising.

Oxi Instruments E16

The E16 is a new, sleek, portable rotary MIDI controller designed for real-time performances. With its 114 x 143 x 36 mm dimensions and just 370 gr, it’s a very compact device that is great for the studio as well as on the go for live performances.

The Oxi Instruments E16 has an aluminum unibody design and features 16 metal endless encoders, each with an LED ring. An OLED screen provides real-time feedback on parameter values and gives you full access to all features.

Yes, it’s a classic MIDI controller. You can map parameters to the encoders and control them. But the E16 is more than just a traditional “more of the same” MIDI controller.

It’s fully customizable and comes with many exciting performance-oriented goodies, making it a very expressive controller.

The heart of the E16 is its 16 flexible scenes. Each features 12 customizable pages with 16 controls, for a total of 192 mappable MIDI CC controls.

You can map on the hardware or use the matching E16 software editor. Plus, each scene also has 16 preset slots, allowing you to save parameter values for instantly jumping back to a specific value.

Mapping Flexibility

According to OXI, dedicated instrument mappings will be available in the editor, or you can create your own if you want different mappings or if they’re not part of the factory content.

Better, each control can map to a different instrument, effect, or performance mode so that you can control multiple pieces of hardware with the same scene.

If you have hardware grooveboxes with multiple tracks, you can also create several pages for one track. This way, you have all the essential parameters under your fingertips without navigating through the menu system. Also neat is that you can rename these pages.

Performance Features

OXI Instruments has also implemented many performance-focused features into the E16 MIDI controller.

One of these is the grouping function, allowing you to link multiple encoders to a master encoder. The behaviour of how this works is also fully customizable per encoder in the hardware.

Then the snapshot function lets you morph effortlessly between two page states, perfect for exploring in-between timbres or creating dynamic transitions in your tracks.

A highlight for me is the knob recording feature, which lets you record and replay knob automations. This transforms the E16 into a powerful modulation generator, as every parameter can be automated. It infuses natural, expressive movement into your sound.

Connectivity & Editor

On the connectivity side, it has dual USB-C ports for power and MIDI data, a 3.5mm TRS MIDI interface with dual MIDI outs and a MIDI in, and Bluetooth MIDI support.

Further, OXI Instruments ships the E16 MIDI controller with an accompaniment app. Once opened, you can create, organize, and prepare your scenes and pages with ease. Plus, you can save backups and share your setups with others.

Alongside MIDI CCs, it also supports NRPN, 14-bit control, and relative/absolute parameter values.

First Impression

This year, we already got the Novation LaunchControl XL mk3, which is a pretty neat encoder-based MIDI controller. The E16, however, takes it to a different level. Yes, it costs twice as much but is more compact and versatile.

The ability to morph parameter states or record knobs is a killer feature. Mapping up to 192 parameters also provides massive flexibility.

If the Oxi Instruments E16 works as advertised, then congratulations. This could be the encoder MIDI controller we’ve been waiting for.

Oxi Instruments E16 is available now for pre-order for 449€ with the option to choose between non-detented or detented encoders in the first batch. It also includes a travel case—the first batch of the E16 ships by the end of December 2025. 

More information here: Oxi Instruments

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