Superbooth 2026: Expressive E Osmose CE is the controller edition of the innovative expressive MIDI MPE keyboard and Synthesizer.
With the Osmose Synthesizer, the French company Expressive has revolutionized the MIDI keyboard by bringing its mechanism into the future. They expanded the expressiveness across several dimensions with gestures never seen on a traditional music keyboard.
It makes, for example, strumming or natural vibrato possible, like on a violin or guitar. Players can bend a single note inside a chord or explore an expressive arpeggiator. For Superbooth 2026, Expressive E expands this journey with the Osmose CE, the controller edition of its novel keyboard.
Expressive E Osmose CE
This step is logical and was to be expected after the developers placed a strong focus on their Expressive Suite products in recent months. These are preset libraries for software synths, designed specifically for MPE keyboards.
Now the circle is complete with the new Osmose CE. It’s like taking the regular Osmose, removing the engine, and giving the keyboard a new, distinct look. Not black, but in a white finish with a black base, aka the Panda look, instantly identifies it as the controller version.
New look, same playing experience. The Expressive E Osmose CE features the same innovative expressive keybed, supporting all gestures and MPE goodies: tap, press & tap, pitch bend, vibrato, shake, strum, and expressive note-off. Yes, the fun MPE arpeggiator is also onboard.
Like the synth version, the white controller edition (CE) is available in two keybed versions: 49- or 61 keys with per-note control.
The interface is also unchanged, with seven knobs/encoders, nine buttons, pitch and modulation sliders, and a 4.3″ color LCD. And the workflow is plug-and-play.
DAW Integration
Controller means it needs to be connected to something that produces sound. There are two modes: external mode for pairing with hardware synths or other instruments, or DAW control for seamless integration with your DAW.
Neat, the controller automatically detects your DAW. On launch day, it supports Live 12+, Cubase 15+, Bitwig 5+, and Logic Pro 12+.
This mode also comes with classic DAW controls such as transport controls, track and device navigation, mixer controls, and macro access. When connected to a DAW, the Osmose CE recognizes it and displays the corresponding elements.
Since the display isn’t the largest and there aren’t a ton of buttons, some acrobatics with the shift button are required.
The DAW connection also allows you to control all kinds of virtual instruments that support MPE. But that’s not all. The developers have taken the integration even further.
The CTRL-E Ecosystem
CTRL-E is a new companion software developed in collaboration with leading plugin developers: Expressive E, Synapse Audio, AAS, Kilohearts, GForce, Dawesome, and Vital.
Connecting the Expressive E Osmose CE to the CTRL-E software gives the user access to more than 900 expressive presets, all carefully designed to respond naturally to the keybed.
Here, the work they did for the MPE Suites comes to fruition as these sounds are based on them. Each preset offers 8 pre-mapped macros, giving you hands-on control over the sound.
No extra parameter mapping is necessary. You can start playing with the sounds instantly and explore new expressive possibilities. This instant and simple functionality is also emphasized by Expressive in the press:
“Even when the sounds were inspiring, the experience was often held back by complex MPE setups, inconsistent compatibility, and complicated workflows that were too technical to be truly immediate. Osmose CE fixes that”.
Connectivity
No synth engine, meaning no audio outputs on the back. However, there are DIN MIDI IN and DIN MIDI Out/Thru sockets, USB-C for power delivery (5V/3.oA), USB-C for MIDI data, two assignable pedal inputs, and a power ON/OFF switch.
No surprise, a classic set of inputs and outputs. Yes, two USB-C ports because it’s not bus-powered.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qPNmwEUEElo
Expressive E Osmose CE First Impression
Expressive E is taking a logical step here. I was surprised they hadn’t done it sooner. Now that the Osmose is also available as a MIDI controller, other manufacturers will have to come up with something.
The Osmose CE is, without exaggeration, the most innovative “classical” MIDI keyboard controller to date. Other MIDI keyboards look outdated or more of the same in comparison. Arturia, Novation… now it’s your turn.
Expressive E Osmose CE is available now for $999/999€ for the 49 edition and $1199/1199€ for the 61 edition. Osmose CE is made in Poland.
More information here: Expressive E
Available from my partner
Thomann
Excellent news!
Is it already available?
Is it possible to power it with an external power supply for standalone use?
A great start for Superbooth 2026.
Looking forward to what’s next…
Every demo of MPE software or hardware sounds like the new-agey noodling you hear while getting a massage at a hotel spa. I don’t get the appeal. Seems like a solution to a problem (I want to be able to wiggle my finger and make vibrato) that doesn’t exist.
As someone that came to electronic stuff from a background of stringed instruments, MPE is actually what got me into learning how to play keys. The ability to meaningful shape sounds past the point of trigger feels very, very normal and necessary for me. Although I can program synths fairly well, be stuck with the restrictions of envelopes and lfos felt very counterintuitive and limiting compared to using the more precise movements available with the human hand.
I can see MPE being both useless and frustrating for people that either come from a piano background or who primarily program their expression into their patches but for someone like me it’s a godsend.
Did they say whether that display would become accessible to existing osmose owners in future firmware updates?
For Osmose synth owner’ I just checked the Expressive E website, and about the ctrl-E software it states: support for the Osmose Synth is coming soon’
Yes indeed. Saw that as well. This is fantastic news.
They will do very well with this controller.
Not only the support from ctrl-E but daw controls come to the osmose too.
Can this do anything the Osmose itself can’t do? I’d personally prefer it as a synth, but I’m curious if you lose anything interesting that way.
you only loose the synth engine, the rest is the same.