Osmose real-world use
Expressive E Osmose: A Playing Experience Like No Other
After years of playing and testing keyboards, synths, and MIDI controllers, I can confidently say: the Expressive E Osmose offers something truly different. This isn’t just another keyboard — it’s an instrument that brings your playing to life in a completely new way.
Thanks to MPE (MIDI Polyphonic Expression), you get full control over each individual note. You can add vibrato with a finger, apply per-note aftertouch, and shape pitch, timbre, and dynamics with subtle gestures. It’s the kind of expressiveness that feels more like an acoustic instrument than a digital one — and that’s incredibly inspiring.
Smart Details That Matter
Beyond the playing experience, the Osmose includes some clever hardware touches that show real attention to detail:
A locking power plug so you don’t accidentally unplug your instrument mid-session.
A headphone button you can physically push in — simple, but super handy during quick monitoring switches.
Room for Improvement
That said, it’s not without its flaws. The current editor software is still quite limited. You’re tied closely to the internal sound engine and presets, and while deep editing is possible through the Haken Editor, it’s far from user-friendly — especially for musicians who just want to dive in and play.
The good news? Expressive E has confirmed that a new, more accessible editor is on the way before the end of the year. That could be a game changer for unlocking the full potential of the Osmose without needing a deep-dive into complex interfaces.
And let’s not forget, Expressive E already showed what they’re capable of with their Noisy plugin — a powerful, intuitive sound engine that proves they know how to make creative tools that feel good to use. With the upcoming update, that same ease could be coming to the Osmose’s editor.
Final Thoughts
The Osmose is an instrument that redefines what playing a keyboard can feel like. MPE doesn’t feel futuristic here — it feels natural. And while the software still has room to grow, Expressive E seems to have the right mindset and a clear path forward.
If you’ve ever felt like your fingers had more to say than your keyboard would let them — the Osmose might just be what you’ve been waiting for.
