1 Hour Ambient Improvisation with the Expressive E Osmose + Microcosm + H90 + DittoX4

[@augustusboothe730]

When my time comes I would like to surf the universe and listening to this music. My heart melts

[@J.Hermansson]

Cinematic, eastern, medieval, lots of different vibes. Such a great piece.

[@peterperigrino1403]

Wow at 51min your playing some really cool sound. I have a set of cheap headphones full muff on just going about my business while others in this house go about arguing Yelling arguing. Thank you again sir. It's nice to cancel out unwanted noise.. 💚👽💚

[@zekehayward7643]

Best part of my day, is new music from State Azure!!

[@Hessencemusic]

wow... 1 hour of gorgeous evolutions. ... simplicity

[@LordoftheBadgers]

5:15 something very ethereal here - almost surreal. That's enough words with "real" on the end for now.

[@vvcv__00]

I don't know how music can be, or exactly what you mean by saying "almost surreal". That's almost like saying this piece (or any music) is 'almost synonymous with the near-unconscious mind (a 'sub-conscious' mind is nonexistent -it either is conscious or it is not) or a dream state'. For music, I think it's pretty difficult to claim it as being like a 'dream' or like the 'surreal'. Simply because it is an art form that is 'happening', 'moving', and being 'experienced' right now, right now within the very conscious and fully awake mind. For me, that's one reason music, especially live music, is such a pure and powerful moment between the creator and the appreciator. That 'creative' moment will never happen again. However, to say it's surreal, hmm? I'd argue that music is almost too pure, and brutally honest to be surreal or in a potentially false, dream world. Trickery, and lies, are realms that the visual arts, and literature, are excellent at exploring and rendering. Anyway, I know what you mean, i'm just using my art school 'highbrow,' graduate seminar rhetoric, to play as the music snob. I worked hard in school to learn all that junk, then graduated and worked really hard to try to unlearn it and get back to understanding why I started making art in the first place.

[@LordoftheBadgers]

@@vvcv__00 nerd 😊 Joking!! Yeah just my interpretation - I'm ex art school too!

[@thesequencer4971]

Watched your Video on a flight from FRA🇩🇪 to YVR 🇨🇦 . Tried to sleep but this was awesome and fascinating...love the H90....never heard the E Osmose before....cheers from Whistler 🇨🇦

[@Dieter-4]

I absolutely love everything about your videos. From the music (oh man the music) from the ambience from the carefully placed light sources. When i move into my new apartment, i want to replicate the feelings i feel when i watch your videos in my music room.

[@stateazure]

Thanks so much! Nice to get some appreciation of the lighting too sometimes :) I think it's worth the effort to try and make the videos look nice

[@RemixSample]

This is perfect! I'm glad you shared this demo of the Osmose with us! I was curious how it would sound in this context.

[@stateazure]

Thanks! Hoping to do some more at some point, but I'm busy moving things around.

[@InvertedPopesMusic]

Hey SA, I have two regrets of late. 1. I sold my original Minimoog 4 years ago and 2. I did not go for the Osmose when it popped up as a kickstarter project. Lovely to finally see and hear it very expressive, really nice.

[@stateazure]

I think at the time Osmose popped up on a kickstarter, I was looking at MPE options but didn't really like anything, so I jumped on the Osmose really fast and glad I did, but it won't be my main controller in the studio.

[@danielaldersonsmith1647]

@@stateazure how come?

[@gurpyarsingh574]

I too have been trying to get the Osmose but can't get it in India. Please kindly let us know that where it lacks in practically as you mentioned it won't be your main instrument. It's expensive here even if somehow I get it. So it's gonna be a great help if you let us know about it a bit. Your stuff is always top notch & I always keep coming back to listen to you. Thank you🙏

[@stateazure]

@@gurpyarsingh574 Thanks! It won't my main controller, no. I'm happy with my S-88 in my main studio, and I never planned to replace it with the Osmose, unless there was an 88 key version, but that would probably be out of my budget. So, mostly it's down to the limited keys but also right now I'm not having much luck using the Omsose with the DAW to control MPE synths or MPE enabled Kontakt libraries, and that's a problem. It's a fine instrument on its own and a welcome addition to my synth collection, but as a controller I much prefer my S-88.

[@gurpyarsingh574]

@@stateazure Yeah S-88 is great & an all rounder. Really Love Your Vibes & have been a follower from a long time. Right now I'm spending my Holidays on a Beautiful Hill Station with my family. The scenic beauty here in the mountains & your Music is a Perfect Combination i swear. Keep Spreading Love the Way You Do. Wish you a very Happy New Year & Loads of Love & Strength Bro. 🥰🌸🙏

[@vicsmusicalgarden]

This is a nice sound space. I’m enjoying it. The Osmose makes beautiful sounds.

[@damienschneider]

Soooo good! Some really great sections! Best Osmose video so far! :)

[@jon_gee]

Stunning. I love it! Beautiful playing.

[@ryotamaekawa]

Beautiful sound scape and nice keyboard. I enjoing all time thanks.

[@isanvicente1974]

best way to star working after vacations... i was depressed now listening to this i am much better...

[@ynty-sol]

👌Many thanks for your wonderful little living room concert.👍

[@kentborges5114]

GREAT MIX...THANKS, and have a great year and continue mastering your craft !

[@heathrezabek]

Love the standalone setup! Looking forward to giving this a deep listen.

[@anderslarsen1321]

Thanks for the awesome music…

[@stateazure]

Thanks so much!

[@bridge2sound]

You're the man.. Thank you for remembering.. I hope Danke hears this.. @ 21:40 love... It's really opening up @ 32:00 magic in those high octaves. Sounds lovely SA cheers!!

[@1963pyros]

Great you've got the Osmose, exciting instrument!

[@jugs0101]

Wow, exactly what I needed to wind down this week. Thanks....🙏

[@flangelouder]

Just ordered the Osmose. have to wait to the summer for delivery. Please do a few more videos including it x

[@marcusagain]

my two dream devices!!! Osmosee and Microcosm

[@Thorsten369]

At 44:50 it reminds me of Vangelis the theme of Blade Runner. Keep up the good work!

[@ronaldvonk-nl]

It's the most expressive synth I played with in ages. Such a joy. I can hear you already are making good use of it. Only thing I can't seem to get working properly is recording (MPE) midi and playing it back the same (in Bitwig). Sometimes it works a bit, but never exactly as I played it. For now I just stick with audio instead.

[@stateazure]

I've not had much luck with Bitwig so far, I've emailed support to ask them about it. It perhaps needs a dedicated Osmose script for Bitwig or something, I don't really know...The only way I could get it work reasonably well is by setting up the controller as 'Seaboard Rise'. Doing that, I was able to at least use Poly AT with the Polymer synth.

[@ronaldvonk-nl]

@@stateazure Ah thanks. I had set it up as a normal keyboard and was able to record MPE stuff when the hardware instrument was in MPE mode, but it did not sound exactly the same. The individual notes and pich shifts were played back, but it was like half of the information was missing. Not workable at the moment. I will try the Seaboard controller. I guess time will tell. At least its possible to record it as audio and that's already lot's of fun. I now realize how much more liveliness this expressivness adds. Especially when sending the audio trough complex FX.

[@stateazure]

@@ronaldvonk-nl Yeah try selecting Seaboard, then for input and output choose 'Osmose' and you should see an improvement with MPE.

[@PantaFlux]

I noticed a similar thing in Ableton Live. When playing the recorded MIDI via the Osmose it’s way louder and the key bending is completely missing although the key pressure data seems to be correct (as far as I can tell from only a few first test runs).

[@theaudioeng]

Great stuff SA!!! Loving the Osmose demo’s on YT for recent, production ready unit. Placed my down payment already, now it’s fully realised … whether they honour the target May-23 shipping date is to be seen though tbh!!!! ……. 😎👍🎹🎵🍻🇬🇧

[@stateazure]

Good luck!

[@donstang4802]

So happy I found your music! Listening now definitely another great addition Thanks! Have a great New Year! 🎉

[@stateazure]

Thanks!

[@waldemarhubert2300]

Great tune to fade into the new year. Thanks State Azure! 😎👍

[@bobjubeck]

Wonderful improvisation. Greatly enjoyed.

[@JurassicTrance]

Incredible sounds. Your channel is inspiring!

[@TomislavRupic]

love this! sounds great with H90 and Microcosm

[@peterperigrino1403]

Happy New Year to everyone around the world. From Burlington city New Jersey 💚👽💚👽

[@taurielv]

Happy New Year from Finland!

[@whisperingsolace]

That keyboard is really dope.

[@efyrialoto6354]

the way you move your hands, you can tell that you are enjoying yourself. happy new Year AZURE !

[@stateazure]

It's very fun, a whole new way of interacting with the keys. Happy New Year

[@hassanchavez6423]

Awesome

[@backtofitzgerald00]

Good stuff! Should get mine very soon too:)

[@orchidsvoid]

So good! And Osmose is the thing I need asap now 😂

[@amangogna68]

Great music !

[@MarcWeertsMusic]

Wonderful, really enjoyed that!

[@SoundsMick]

Excited to get an osmose thanks for making this!

[@glennlebus4063]

Just incredible....How are things hooked up

[@peterperigrino1403]

Wow thank you so much this was very much needed Happy New Year sir

[@emit9462]

Happy New year and thank you 😽🌍

[@SynthAddict]

very nice, now I'm calling it the Expressive SA (State Azure) Osmose 🙂 mine comes next month

[@tobyarmstrong5450]

Lovely, calming

[@mattw.6726]

Sounds fantastic and really chill. Just what I needed! Also, your cat walking over to say "hi" during the performance was awesome. Out of curiosity, were you using the Microcosm on this? I could see it next to you and could swear I heard its signature slicing/sampling, but I didn't see it mentioned in the title.

[@stateazure]

Oops, yes you're right, I added it into the chain last moment before I recorded. I'll mention it in the title.

[@mattw.6726]

@@stateazure Good info. Thanks! Have a great evening!

[@ambientart8247]

Świetna, nastrojowa muzyka....uwielbiam Twój kanał....

[@Sephirothshinra]

wow such hard work for this sort of songs , i though you would make a 10 minute song and then make 2 hours of it with the machine ,or what ever stuff you are using ,in reality i could see you have just sitting there and make 1 hour of Music all along . this is Impressive .

[@bridge2sound]

Those slap strings around 51:00. What in the world is happening there? I love it!

[@indiefilmcomposer]

11:37 that is the style of music that really peaks my interest to try this, performance droning , hard to find good demos as most sound stiff , with endless wiggling, have you decided to keep it? Can you change dynamics settings like depth of pitch bend and vibrato as well as replace a sound at the top level of menu quickly while working out ideas?

[@stateazure]

There's quite a lot you can change in the onboard menus regarding sensitivity and depth of pitch etc. I probably won't keep it.

[@williamlarsson3620]

Nice! Sounds lovely. Just got my Osmose a week ago. What’s the name of the first preset?

[@mk1st]

It's almost cheating with the Microcosm. Sounds great, thanks!

[@sleepyelk5955]

fantastic session, do you mind mentioning the presets (?) you used with the osmose here? and can you give some tipps for accords which are "compatible" to such kind of sound?

[@stateazure]

Thanks! I don't know the presets used, I didn't keep the Osmose for very long.

[@sleepyelk5955]

@ ok, I see, thanks for your fast response, I always enjoy to listen to your music 🙂 was it because lack of integration of mpe in bitwig or did it not fit very well in your workflow, or something else? just be curious, because it sounds fantastic the way you played it 🙂👍

[@stateazure]

@@sleepyelk5955 Thank you! The controller itself is amazing, especially for someone who prefers a real keyboard for MPE playing. But I somewhat lacked space for it as a permanent addition to my setup anyway, so unless it was completely game changing for me and I wanted to be using MPE all the time, then it would have just been put to the side somewhere unused for the majority of the time. On top of that, the internal engine is next to impossible to program for mere mortals, so you're essentially stuck with the preset sounds (which can be tweaked easily at least) or controlling other software/hardware. But again, if I had the space, I'm sure I would have kept it around, it's wonderful to play. I think something like the Polybrute 12 with a similar MPE/poly-pressure sensitive keyboard suits me better, since you have that plus a very capable internal synth that is easy to program and suits my style.

[@sleepyelk5955]

@@stateazure makes totally sense and thanks so much for taking the time to answer here :) yes, the EaganMatrix looks quiiite difficult to manage :)

[@stuartmalin661]

Fabulous sounds. (what more can I say that hasn't already been said?)

[@shtuffmusic2130]

Where can I learn to make sounds similar to what you use because this is just magical

[@stateazure]

These sounds all come from Osmose built in presets

[@shtuffmusic2130]

@stateazure hm what plugins/techniques are used for all the background feedback on what you play around like 31:15 ?

[@stateazure]

@@shtuffmusic2130 No plugins are used, only the Omose and FX pedals. What you hear is one sound that can sound different based on how you play, harder press on the keys bring out the bells/mallet sounds, softer for pad/harmonica like sound. The Microcosm provides some extra delayed higher notes, and the H90 provides reverb

[@NoSky84]

what kind of stand do you use here for the eventide h90? searching for a stand behind my osmose for the h90 and a digitone 2 :)

[@stateazure]

They are laptop stands that can tilt and swivel, they're all over Amazon usually. Perfect size for pedal FX and Elektrons!

[@21Lettere]

Where's your old setup with all those cables and lights? I think it was awesome.

[@stateazure]

It's on another desk, it's not as big as it used to be, you can see it in some recent videos.

[@ArguZ72]

100 onus points for cat on synth in space :)

[@joostvanbunnik7646]

What was the first preset you used (kinda nylon guitar sound)?

[@dirkkeersmaekers4343]

I hope to hear soon external sounds.

[@stateazure]

That's a bit difficult right now, there isn't even proper controller support to get it running in Bitwig studio without convincing Bitwig you're using a 'Seaboard Rise'. I've only been able to get some basic control working.

[@JeyDeeSweden]

What about State Azure on vinyl LP? The large artwork on the LP could be awesome, and, well, i do not need to mention the awesomeness of the analogue music inprinted on the vinyl LPs🙂

[@TheFutureThoughtTapestries]

I appreciate it’s early days with Osmose but what are your thoughts on the direct, hands on levels of expression and articulation possible with the Osmose compared to sound design on something like the Iridium via a mod matrix, LFO’s etc. Do you prefer one over the other, when the final sonic results/perceptions as a listener might seem the same when used in conjunction with fx, pedals etc. I’m personally trying to figure out if something like the Osmose will enable me (as a non keyboard) to forge new skills and paths and to shift the focus from “production” to simply creating/being in the moment. Which is really appealing after nearly 30 years of working the same way. At the same time that may not be conducive to me actually finishing music. Maybe I need to keep them as separate things. My usual setup for making actual tracks and an Osmose for sonic meditation/exploration. Apologies for waffling on 😊

[@stateazure]

Completely different beasts. The Iridium as a synthesiser with it's many synthesis options and modulation etc is in a league of its own really, it's a sound designers dream, even the keyboard version while more expressive than a standard synth due to poly AT doesn't really compare to Osmose as an expressive controller. The Osmose feels like a real instrument, with its own sound, the expressiveness of the Osmose can't be compared to a standard synth because there's a lot more than just Poly AT going on here. A good match would be Osmose controlling the Iridium, for the best of both worlds. I'll try it at some point.

[@TheFutureThoughtTapestries]

@@stateazure and that’s the struggle I’m inevitably going to have choosing one over the other. Literally mind over matter. Sound designers dream versus physical expression/extension. Thanks for your thoughts and feedback.

[@stateazure]

​@@TheFutureThoughtTapestries Bare in mind, the Osmose synthesiser/Eagan Matrix is absurdly complicated and. at least for me right now, completely inaccessible to program even the most basic of patches, so you're pretty much stuck with the internal library. The Iridium on the other hand is very intuitive and fun to program I think, and has infinite potential for sound design. It shouldn't really be a difficult choice, it depends on what's more important for you, though I would recommend the Iridium keyboard for its Poly AT. Iridium can still be a very expressive instrument too, add an expression pedal to make it even more so.

[@TheFutureThoughtTapestries]

@@stateazure Thanks again. Good advice and insights.

[@HeavyDutyModularSynths]

what keyboard is this ?

[@ruudix]

tOP :) 🤯

[@vokrugAudio]

[@johncaccioppo1142]

Suhweet, first Osmose performance I've seen! Is the 1/4 tone limitation at all an issue for you?

[@stateazure]

What 1/4 tone limitation? I don't understand

[@johncaccioppo1142]

@@stateazure I was told that the key bends are limited to 1/4 tone.

[@stateazure]

@@johncaccioppo1142 Oh I see what you mean. I'm not sure about the limitation there, I thought it was a semitone, but I might be wrong...Whatever it's set to, I really like it the bends sound very natural and the vibrato is very controllable and expressive. If the range was much higher, it would take a lot longer to get used to and probably sound less natural and require a LOT more control, which even with the limitation I'm still finding quite difficult when pushing many keys down (5+) at a time. Some sounds are programmed for semitone slides, pressure slides I think they call it, so the next semitone up or down has a perfect slide with the speed controlled by the pressure between the two keys I believe, it feels really nice to play..I'm not sure I used it at all during this video, but it's clear sometimes on my 5 hour Osmose stream. Also, I'd be surprised if it's not possible to adjust the bend range..it's not something I've looked into though, because the default is really nice and I said, you could use the pressure slide thingy if you wanted to (though I'm unsure how you turn that on for certain patches).

[@johncaccioppo1142]

@@stateazure I got the impression it was a logical choice for a limit as well, and if you didn't notice it I'm especially convinced now that I WANT ONE! lol Thanks for the demo and q&a... beautiful music, as always!

[@stateazure]

@@johncaccioppo1142 it's always going to be a downside on the Osmose compared to say the Continuum I guess, not being able to do crazy slides and such...But I personally much prefer the feel of a real keyboard, and can see the limitation as an advantage.

[@thenamelessastronaut]

the coolest part is: if you don't watch the video, you might think that here are some "real" old and nordic instruments are playing.

[@AOC_dawlesspuzzle]

wau

[@Noiretranquility]

Are they finally delivering?

[@stateazure]

Yes!

[@Timespacefractal]

SA, you keep the Osmose?

[@stateazure]

Yeah

[@Timespacefractal]

@@stateazure Just wondering (like Tim Shoebridge does) how long the hardware (keybed) lasts. I reckon it's thoroughly tested. It would be nice if you can share, after substantial use, months, years perhaps, some reflections on this.

[@stateazure]

​@@Timespacefractal Who knows. It's going to depend a lot on individual use. I don't tend to use mine nearly as much as my S-88, so I expect my unit will last a very long time.

[@joostvanbunnik7646]

You are already addicted to Osmose 😅

[@planetdug]

it's weird how I was listening to a State Azure Album at night on Amazon Prime music and then State Azure music starts popping up on my You Tube feed....?

[@stateazure]

That stuff happens to me a lot :) I think you'd be surprised just how much data is being collected about your online habits, then used to feed you appropriate content!

[@joostvanbunnik7646]

Be aware of your saved user patches when you install the Haken audio software. As it may overwrite the user patches.

[@stateazure]

This happened to me on day 1!

[@joostvanbunnik7646]

@@stateazure day 2 for me. What a complex software. Will probably not touch it for a while. And saving all user patches to pc/mac is something i need to figure out.

[@stateazure]

@@joostvanbunnik7646 I wish the editor was easier to use, it may as well be written by an alien. There are Eagen Matrix tutorials on YT that I've seen, so I may study them at some point, but I don't really have time to devote to it right now.

[@joostvanbunnik7646]

@@stateazure or someone with a Harvard degree

[@LordoftheBadgers]

Answer me this dude. where in my studio am I gonna put my bloody osmose? 😂 I was thinking to cancel. You are not helping! 😂😂😂😂

[@stateazure]

Sorry :) Actually, I have the same problem, my Osmose doesn't really have anywhere to go! I've reached my limit with keyboard stands!

[@LordoftheBadgers]

@@stateazure MAXIMUM SYNTH😂 Actually I keep telling myself that my haken Continuumini is "enough eaganmatrix" but I know it's not!!

[@LordoftheBadgers]

@@stateazure I know you sold it and I didn't buy one in the end

[@stateazure]

@@LordoftheBadgers it's too bad the synth engine is almost impossible to program, but the keys/keybed are still the best I've used. I'm more interested in the Arturia Polybrute 12 which takes a similar keybed/expressivity and puts it on a proper synth. Unfortunately I can't afford to buy one :) You might want to check it out

[@LordoftheBadgers]

@@stateazure no I can't buy one either :) also... Huge!

[@78thandSynth]

Really wished I wouldn’t have clicked. Seeing “H90” is very click triggering

[@John-e4p1x]

Man its so sad this guy had to sell all his modular gear in the divorce... sad... now he just had this little keyboard toy and the bad eventide thing.

[@Elephantitusofthenuts]

Holy hiss Batman Good stuff but the hiss was killing me

[@Piotr_P]