Expressive E Osmose CE 49/61- Powerful Expression with DAW Integration
4,2 / 5,0 | 
The Osmose revolutionised what an expressive synth could be. Now the Osmose CE sets out to bring that expression to the world of MIDI controller keyboards, with DAW integration and a software plugin-based synth engine.
Not content with reimagining what an expressive keyboard could be, those clever people at Expressive E have taken that technology and come up with the Osmose CE, a MIDI controller that ditches the Haken Audio physical modelling engine but retains that amazing keyboard design.
However, they haven’t abandoned a synth engine completely as the keyboard comes with a new companion software called Ctrl-E. Developed in collaboration with some leading software instrument plugin developers, Ctrl-E is a plugin that offers over 900 expressive presets via a range of sound engines and technologies.
The Expressive E Osmose CE
Key Takeaways
- Complete Osmose hardware
- New Ctrl-E software
- Intuitive DAW integration
- Switchable Modes: MPE-MIDI-DAW Control
- Comes with 900+ expressive presets
The Osmose CE Keyboard
Let’s start with the hardware. As you can see, the first difference is that the CE is a very cool shade of white, marking it out within the product range. It looks very fetching, I must say, although I’m always concerned that white keyboards will get grubby over time.
The keybed, of which much was made when Osmose first debuted, is identical to the original unit, refined over time to be both familiar and utterly unique. Combined with MPE, the Osmose delivered almost unparalleled expression via a traditional, western piano-style interface.
The ability to bend single notes inside a chord, or add vibrato and other modulation effects simply through pressure and velocity in both directions. Osomse CE also benefits from the MPE arpeggiator and press glide functions that us Osmose users have been making the most of.
Ctrl-E and DAW Integration
So what sets Osmose CE apart from its older sibling? Well, two things and nothing! Let me explain. First of all, Osmose CE features extensive DAW integration, with Ableton Live 12+, Cubase 15+, Bitwig 5+ and Logic Pro 12+ supported at launch. Transport controls, track and device navigation, mixer control and control of the Ctrl-E plugin are all supported. Osmose CE will detect supported DAWs automatically
Then there is Ctrl-E. What Ctrl-E most definitely isn’t is some sort of compromise for dropping the hugely powerful, complex and sometimes baffling Haken Audio engine. It is a powerful plugin, designed specifically for use with the Osmose CE and integrate into your DAW/Controller workflow seamlessly.
When Ctrl-E is loaded into your DAW, you can browse presets and control its setting directly in Osmose CE. You can navigate through the various sound engines, filter presets, macros and favourites directly in the keyboard. It is a very rewarding and intuitive experience.
And what about those engines? Well, they’ve been supplied by the likes of GForce Software, AAS, Synapse Audio, Kilohearts, Dawesome and Vital, many of which have histories with Expressive E via their Expressive Suite range. Osomse CE ships with over 900 presets, each featuring 8 mapped macros and all responding naturally to gestures, pressure and pitch and covering sounds from electronic to acoustic.
What About Existing Osmose Owners?
But what did I mean when I said that there is nothing to set Osmose CE apart from the original? Well, us lucky Osmose users are able to benefit from all of Osmose CE’s new features via free updates to the Osmose firmware! So if you were thinking that Expressive E had left you behind, think again!
And, of course, if you have your own collection of MPE instruments that would benefit from being controlled by an Osmose, your experience of these will grow immediately and exponentially. Don’t forget that Osmose hardware works perfectly well with non-MPE hardware and software. You can configure the Osmose hardware settings to behave perfectly well with both systems.
Osmose CE Models
As you’ve probably noticed, there are two models of the Osmose CE whose only difference is the number of keys. Just like the original, there are 49 and 61-key models, and they also share their complement of buttons and knobs, as well as their unique pitch bend and mod sliders. Obviously, around the back is slightly different with no requirement for audio outputs, but there are both traditional and SB MIDI connections available, and two assignable pedal inputs.
In Conclusion
Osmose CE delivers Expressive E’s amazing MPE keyboard technology with an incredible plugin companion and some pretty awesome DAW integration that will win the Osmose family even more fans. Some may look at the omission of the Haken Audio Engine as a loss, but it absolutely isn’t. If you want it, buy the original. You’ll still get all the cool DAW integration and Ctrl-E stuff!
If you’ve been looking for the functionality of the Osmose keybed but have maybe been put off by the price, this is what you have been waiting for. The more I look at the white casing, the more I look over to my Osmose 61 and sort of wish mine looked like that, despite my concerns about it getting dirty.
I remember the huge fuss about the Osmose when it first appeared, and when I see where it is now, an established and popular MPE synth and controller that has been accepted and adopted despite the early reservations and supply issues it suffered from, I am delighted that its appeal continues to grow, something the CE model will further cement.
More Information
The Osmose CE 49 will retail for €999/$999 and the 61-key version for €1,199/$1,199. Both ship with Ctrl-E, 900+ presets and clock in at 10kg/22lbs and 11kg/24.3lbs respectively. Power is supplied via USB-C and all units are manufactured in-house at Expressive E’s facility in Poland.
This might also interest you
One response to “Expressive E Osmose CE 49/61- Powerful Expression with DAW Integration”
ive been working mostly ITB for some time, so this looks more in my wheelhouse. So much potential in capturing nuances.
My hesitation is on the feel (i.e playing style, sensitivity, etc)
& build quality of the unit.