Expressive-E Osmose : Initial Impressions #1

[@TimShoebridge]

Quick update: My crashing problem was indeed a loose power connection. Problem solved. So happy! Thank you so much to those of you in the comments who suggested I check. That's teamwork!! ❤

[@dankeplace]

great to see you got it solved, it's sometimes the simplest of things that elude us, that cause all that hair tearing.

[@jimharris6389]

I repaired a PC once. Every time I stripped it down, it worked. As soon as I'd reassemble it, it flaked out. Repeated this about ten times before I realised the metal case was warped. Every time I tightened the screws it yanked the graphics card out of its ISA slot (haha, yes that long ago)

[@thomasinlondon2849]

Was a great video, and a real shame that this small anomaly creeped in. Thanks for publishing.

[@Fallingoverbackwards]

Thank you for making this video !!

[@JohnLRice]

Thanks for your video Tim, I'm looking forward to getting mine in a month or so! (I'm in the US) I'm glad the crashing was just a loose power connection, was it just the DC barrel plug or something else? I had a possibly similar issue with my Mellotron Micro and I made it better by replacing the DC barrel plug with a different one that fit tighter.

[@Suryabeep]

I was lucky enough to take Prof. Haken's electronic music synthesis class in May 2022 at U of I. We used the Continuums in class. I'm not a keyboard player but once I started learning to play piano, I found that the Continuum's level of expression was just so natural that I missed having it on a regular synth/piano. He was very excited about the Osmose making the EaganMatrix more accessible to people. It is a SERIOUSLY powerful synthesis tool!

[@PandaPotPies]

that is insane

[@ConwayBob]

Thank you, Tim, for not waiting to show us this gorgeous new synth/keyboard. I'm looking forward to your next several videos on this!

[@acefstripe]

Wonderful demo. Makes me want to start playing a traditional keyboard again as I wait for my Osmose. 🎉

[@Waldemar_la_Tendresse]

You are and will probably stay my numero uno on KZbin for unbiased, honest and useful reviews of synth and music stuff. Thanks.

[@pascalschwaller7573]

Thank you very much for that great video! I liked how detailed you showed us the movement of your finger on the keys and the change of the sound it provoked. That was very helpful! Also good to know about the clacking key noise and longlivety of the keys, which I was wondering about too. I‘m looking forward to your next video.

[@paulcottingham241]

This seems something genuinely new and wonderful. Its a rare thing to see something that truly breaks new ground.

[@middaymeds]

Damn this sounds absolutely unreal. Really tempted to sell a bunch of analog gear just to get this, it's really unlike anything else I've heard.

[@stateazure]

Great video, really enjoying my Osmose so far, it's a pity the Eagan Matrix software is so difficult to program. About your crashing issue, I noticed it crashed when you were moving a bunch of keys (therefore the entire unit), could it be that you haven't connected the power cable correctly? It's a weird connector that requires turning until it clicks in place and locks. When I first got mine, I didn't realise this and had the connector only hanging in and it turned off sometimes.

[@dankeplace]

Now I get what you've been saying about the Osmose, I think the asking $ may be too steep for some of the idiosyncrasies it has atm. Asking $ here is almost 3 times that of og KS offering. I would rather get the 3rd Wave which is shortlisted.

[@stateazure]

@@dankeplace Well the power connector isn't an issue at all, I just imagine Tim, like myself didn't RTFM thoroughly and didn't expect the connector to be like that, as it's not so obvious. But yes, regardless, it's quite expensive

[@coachsteve.]

I have a barrel cable on my RME interface that caused me similar troubles for a bit until I realized it had to be twisted and locked in.

[@dankeplace]

@@stateazure I should have been more clear, this isn't about the power issue, more so the software and all those red flags Tim was referring to. I think it could be a bit of a bugbear if wanting to install your own soundbanks. It seems to be frustrating me as I had my heart set on this, but when I see something so glaringly obvious, that the OS connectivity is just a mess, I'll take a pass and wait. 4K AUD is way too much when other products exist in the same price bracket that don't have these issues. Now I am looking at either a Tempest or 3rd Wave.

[@stateazure]

@@dankeplace The Eagan Matrix/editor is very disappointing for me, I can't deny that. One of the reasons I was highly excited for the Osmose was being able to create my own sounds, I'm still planning to attempt that, but I can say 100% that is NOT going to be a fun experience to work wit such an unfriendly and unintuitive system. I had no connectivity issues myself though. The 3rd Wave isn't a comparable product though, neither is the Tempest.

[@johnfowlertrailrunning]

Thanks for this Tim, it feels refreshing to see a ‘first thoughts’ video!

[@boomhousemusic9045]

Awesome keyboard! Great sound! Thanks for sharing! Have a happy day

[@paulbergin4239]

Very good. A very pleasant listen. Great demo.

[@LuisTorres-qz5kr]

Thanks for the demo Tim, much appreciated! Seems like an amazing product.

[@asynchronicity]

Thanks, Tim -- I'm more convinced than ever that this is perfect for me. Lovely playing and well demonstrated.

[@ProfessorSynth]

Look forward to you getting to grips with this. Best demo I have seen yet.

[@davidriddle6798]

Thanks for the honest reviews Tim

[@Wagoo]

For keybed longevity I think the only thing we have to go on is the Touché.. they've been out about 5 years and I haven't really heard of problems with them. I think it might be worth reflashing the firmware on yours if that's possible.. I've had mine turned on since late December and I don't remember it crashing at all so far. I updated to the newest firmware as of a couple weeks back, when I first powered it on. Maybe try a different USB port or such? Have you got the DC barrel connector for power locked into the socket (it rotates and there is a loose connection that could cause reboots if you don't have it locked in properly..) Yeah side to side key modulation can be edited.. can have it pitch bending octaves up and down with a single key if you want. Surprised you're not already used to the software editor if you have a Continuum? I've not played with it yet, but I've seen talks on the engine from a Continuum conference with Edmund Eagan - looks very deep! So far I'm just in heaven exploring the presets still, though

[@77rgoss]

Thanks for the video, Tim. I just reserved mine, but I must say that I have been concerned about longevity issues as well. I guess only time will tell. Looking forward to playing with the sounds and expressivity though.

[@neilloughran4437]

Best video yet for showing the key sensitivity and gestures. Still looking at my tracking reference in Fedex... :D

[@peterpeper4837]

Nice honest review, it raises many questions. Do we really want to learn a new way of playing the keyboard or is it better to have a controller like Touche from the same company that substitutes the wheel controllers? We see the problems here with the keys hitting each other and that is a deliberate design compromise between added expression and keeping the familiar layout of the keybed. And that brings us to the price, the quality and the long term reliability. Designed by a tiny company and mass produced cheaply in China it seems far too expensive, especially if you don't care much about the synth engine. From the video here the keys look very fragile and flimsy and when problems arise how easy will it be to get parts? If I was willing to learn a new way to play the keyboard I think I would prefer something that is even more distant than a normal keybed to really separate the two. I tried Roli but did not like squeezing sponges. Perhaps the Keith McMillen K-Board Pro 4 is the best because it is not like the Roli but it also has no moving parts to brake like the Osmose and has perhaps even more capabilities cause it responds also to where you touch the key, but that also depends on the software. Still 4 octaves is far too limited for me so i will have to wait for the technology to mature and evolve.

[@CinematicLaboratory]

The EaganMatrix is definitely the most innovative engine since the Moog, Buchla and DX7. Hard to believe it's all synthesized but it is. I think the matrix has one talking vocal sample somewhere.

[@AaronLevitz]

The distance is not actually halved during pressure glide. It's just that you're holding it at that position by applying equal pressure to each note. If you slowly lift either, it will glide fully to the other.

[@ReductioAdAbsurdum]

Yeah, I thought it was funny that he never really tried partial key presses. He's thinking in piano or MIDI, where all the matters is the initial keystroke the maybe afertouch. On this think, the entire key travel means something, and continue to mean something as long as the note is hell. You can swell notes up and down long before you reach aftertouch, on a per-key basis, which is just amazing.

[@AaronLevitz]

It is. But also, it's a natural mistake, and worth examining why. This interaction is a bit counter-intuitive. By the time a performer's fully depressed a key, they expect to hear *that note*. It should feel more natural on the Haken Continuum, where it was developed. (I think it's the independently moving keys that create a mental disconnect.) Anyway... Innovation has a learning curve. New techniques require practice. This is par for the course.

[@ReductioAdAbsurdum]

​@@AaronLevitz It's no less "natural". Here, "natural" or "intuitive" is being used as a proxy for "my conditioning via piano". On a piano, you have to press the key all the way down to get a sound because you're literally pushing a hammer toward a string, and MIDI carried this behavior forward. To an infant, someone who doesn't already have that conditioning, the idea that touching the key at any level makes a sound, and it continues making a sound while held, and that the sound gets louder as you push harder and softer as you let up, would be perfectly natural. I had just finished watching Cuckoo's video on this board (kzbin.info/www/bejne/q4nFZZ2bd9Wkr8U), and he was obsessed with a very light touch and exploring the range the the key to see what it did. He plays with proportional key glide a lot. Watching _this_ video I was waiting for Tim to discover that the key glide was proportional, but... he like... _couldn't_ discover it, because he just kept striking the key all the way down, every time, like a pianist. Even while explicitly playing with proportional glide, exploring how it works, the best he came up with was trilling. Not a judgement of him at all, I just thought it was funny how conditioning can create such a powerful blind spot.

[@howardscarr9518]

@@ReductioAdAbsurdum Choosing the "pluck" category first made the Pressure feature secondary. For a "first impression" video maybe he should have left it set to "All".

[@AaronLevitz]

@ReductioAdAbsurdum, I obviously disagree, or I wouldn't have stated something to the contrary. The interaction involves manipulating an imaginary line between the ends of your fingertips. Interrupting that line makes it harder to conceptualize. Not impossible, but definitely less natural. Likewise, the continuum doesn't have a clear "bottom of the keybed" to rest your fingers at. Your position in Z is more abstract there. This also helps. Sure, sticking to shallow depths will help maintain the illusion. But now you're sacrificing your second layer of aftertouch, so *that's* not the most intuitive choice, either. I mean, this instrument, more than any of its MPE predecessors, was carefully engineered to embrace and build on the conditioning that a classically trained pianist brings to the table. We can't write that off. The team had to have anticipated such a powerful blind spot, tried every alternative, and deemed this to be the best compromise. And that's interesting. I'm not saying they're wrong. But I am saying, as an interaction designer, that it's worth a deeper study.

[@IanWaugh]

Great demo and info Tim 👍 Welcome to the beta tester program 😊

[@amb13nt59]

Excellent overview. I think I'm going to wait on it awhile. It's amazing sounding, though.

[@MikkelGrumBovin]

Beautiful sounds - what a GAMECHANGER this could be ..... its a dollop of Green, but my Good God what an instrument !

[@BennosProject]

Totally understand that you deactivated the comments on your last video. just want to tell you; it was very impressing. Thanks for your words and music!

[@Noiretranquility]

Have you tried using it as a MPE controller for other synths?

[@CaidicusProductions]

Tim... I am |-this-| close to buying one of these, it looks like it's so much to fun to play and has so many non-synth sounding patches built in. Hmm... Thanks for another fantastic presentation.

[@tekknojunkie]

that bit from 4:35 to 5:20 was fantastic! 👍

[@CognitiveEvolution]

Looking forward to your Osmose preset packs; I bought some for the Iridium.

[@philipford6183]

I'm interested in this primarily as a great keyboard for playing ethnic instruments. I have seen one promo in which Indian flutes and strings are played - and some excellent percussion sounds). Astounding. That certainly got my attention.

[@Tvaroh]

Would be interested hearing pads on it. Nice video, Sir!

[@studentsmusic]

As a pro i must say this is the most in depth and best reflecting test of the osmose so far. All questions answered and all possible problems mentioned. I did not really like about 80% of its digital sounds, found a lot of demos i could fake with a quantum or NI synth, poly aftertouch and two pedals. Most concern about the mechanics after a year. Great innovative move, there will be more products in the pipeline finally (waited for years for affordable mpe keys) but so far i will have to test it and probably wait again! Anyway, Tim is becoming an absolute reference and thanks for doing this.

[@James-ip1tc]

I own the continuum fingerboard by Haken. The expressiveness of this instrument makes it one of my favorites.The Osmose expressive E is a keyboard version of Haken fingerboard. My finger board has never crashed, but getting it to communicate with editing software is a real pain! Unplugging and replugging it is a common occurrence just to get it to communicate because it needs to calibrate if the Continuum is moved. Due to the fact that it was developed over the years by a few software developers at Hakern (labor of love), it does not meet the standards of the modern USB specifications. I hope they will be able to rewrite the software to make it far more responsive and address any connection issues with this new keyboard and thus it would work with the fingerboard as well. fingers crossed.

[@dankeplace]

This is a wonderful instrument, hell expensive here but maybe worth the $ for the expressiveness. I'll wait till they land and play one myself, thanks for the upload.

[@TheCALMInstitute]

Honestly given the nature of the instrument, it’s very reasonably priced. The Korg Triton cost more when it came out, without even adjusting for inflation! Compare this to the Linnstrument, which is also very expressive, but only a controller. Or the Haken Continuum.

[@dankeplace]

@@TheCALMInstitute It's 4K AUD here, almost 3 times asking of KS USD

[@TheCALMInstitute]

@@dankeplace holy cow I had no idea. It’s $1799 USD, about $2500 AUD, which feels expensive but fair given the capabilities.

[@dankeplace]

@@TheCALMInstitute The company that imports them is price gouging, the same reason Moog and Sequential prices have sky rocketed.

[@watchaddicts1213]

I have the same LOVE for my SENSEL MORPH. It's in my financial league and hits ALL MPE points. That said, very happy for YOU, that you've acquired the Osmose! What a lovely instrument. Poly Aftertouch is cool, but MPE hangs the MOON, in my book! My Morph does GLIDE with a simple touch-and-glide motion of a fingertip...no pressure required. Very elegant 3D-Keys glide solution for Osmose. I wondered HOW Expressive-E might engineer that function. Roli simply omitted Glide on their cheaper GLOW KEY unit. You gotta have GLIDE, man!

[@symbiat0]

It’s a shame Sensel Morph are no longer a going concern. The prices on those have really spiked in the used market. For that kind of money, the Ebodme Touch Erae should get a look at. I put down a reserve for the Osmose, I think it’s a new kind of instrument worthy of checking out 😅

[@watchaddicts1213]

@@symbiat0 Osmose is a real deal and a Winner, no doubt. I was lucky and acquired 3 overlays with my Morph, I hope to find the west coast overlay and I’ll be complete. The main thing is; MPE is THE DEAL!

[@JamesBermingham]

10:40 What a sound. Amazing 🎹🤩🪄

[@epicgenerationmusic]

Thank you for this great demonstration ! An incredible tool indeed. From behind my screen though it is hard to understand what this keyboard has to bring to people using sample library of acoustic instruments. If done correctly, they always respond to velocity or foot pedal to implement the legato or portamento (glide) effect. Same for the release. But I guess that the real magick comes when you have it under your fingertips ! And I don't even want to hear about the price of such a jewel... Looking forward for your next tests !

[@Pepijn_a.k.a._Akikaze]

I enjoyed this video particularly because I have got the Osmose too. I wish it had arrived one year earlier. It would have made the production of my latest album easier. I am not concerned about the longevity of the keyboard. Some early Yamaha organs and synthesizers with lateral touch have survived up till today. In order to deserve to be called a synthesizer it should have all editing options inside the box rather than depend on a software editor. This is the first instrument after the Korg Wavedrum that really excites me. It was worth the wait and the price was fair. Enjoy!

[@arcadestudio]

A nice, no nonsense overview .

[@nikola.kovacevic]

Hmm I've had mine for over a week and I've not experienced a single crash after playing it for hours at a time. Have you tried redoing the firmware?

[@synthplayer1563]

Thanks for your insights. I'm looking forward that you test and play all the other fabulous presets. My Osmose doesn't crash and it connects with the editor. I think there must be something wrong with your unit. Maybe software, but maybe hardware.

[@MaximeFrjq]

I really hope they make a 5 octave version someday, it sounds great!

[@wd25a]

5 or 6 octave pure controller only would be great.

[@thedarkestrainbow]

They will right after taking delivery of the 49 lol.

[@Russtopia]

@@wd25a Yes! I do not like the trend of 3-4 octave synths in recent years. Give us a decent keyboard. We aren't all living in a tiny apartment and we want some space to play.

[@alexandrebaroni1057]

They will do a lot of new products using the same Tech. It´s the first one.

[@herfstmys4125]

just get two?

[@denistunguz]

Brilliant piece of hardware, so tempting! As you said at the end of the video, I'm curious the see a few Osmose in 1 or 2 years, just to see if the keys mechanic is aging well or not.

[@kriseliassen477]

I have a 4 year old Touché, same technology. Works as if it was new still.

[@aquaticborealis4877]

Lovely playing

[@brandonspivey8020]

Good on you Tim .

[@xriou]

Here is my advice. Select Osmose MIDI 2 in Haken and in the Osmose you have to select usb-haken mode : 2/3 Note & matrix

[@PantaFlux]

In the meantime I managed to get the Haken Editor running under Windows with the following settings: 1. Cogwheel > MIDI and Global Settings > Sources > Instrument > Input Port > MIDIIN2 (Osmose) 2. Cogwheel > MIDI and Global Settings > Destinations > Instrument > Output Port > MIDIOUT2 (Osmose) 3. On the Osmose: System Menu > Cogwheel > midi i/o > usb haken mode > 2/3 note & matrix 4. After that I was able in the Editor to: Cogwheel > MIDI and Global Settings > Update Firmware > Load Update File 2 (~7 mins) 5. Now the Editor actually showed all the control panels from the documentation and worked as intended.

[@RogerKlaveness]

Same here, after I found out I had to read the manuals, I managed to get it to work. Now actually understanding the editor and how to edit or create a patch it's another thing 🙂 ...

[@PantaFlux]

@@RogerKlaveness Indeed. My first trial and error baby steps led to massive feedback loops. 😵‍💫😅

[@xp50player]

Is this running the same models found in their plugins?

[@babyzorilla]

Preordered 3 years ago. Now that’s planning.

[@scottmcauleysounds]

been looking forward to hearing your thoughts on this, great Video as always Tim, just a quick question, the power connection, is it inherently slack? or just not seated in correctly? could cause issues with live use. especially that pop :O

[@TimShoebridge]

Hi, I'll cover the power connector in the next video, hopefully will have some time to record it this w/e

[@mick3950]

Persevere ,thanks Tim,

[@ghavinga]

Thanks Tim for this first impression video. I would like to request you re-upload the video, taking the video and commentary parts about "crashing" out. This is a classic user misunderstanding issue. The Osmose is an amazingly impressive instrument and it deserves better I believe.

[@TimShoebridge]

Re-uploading the video means physically deleting it and uploading a new video. Deleting this video will delete all the comments and all the interaction, all the questions and all the answers. And when the replacement video is uploaded people won't bother watching it again because they've watched it already. Basically, what you are requesting is something no "youtuber" will do unless there is a very compelling reason. So let's discuss the "crashing" which turns out to be instantaneous power loss. I think it's a valid possibility for people to know about. I'm not the only person to have not realised the power plug has tiny prongs on and needs to be locked into place. I may have incorrectly called the problem "crashing" but still I think (1) the fact that it was happening, (2) that the cause has been found (thanks to other viewers who recognised the problem) and (3) that a pinned comment at the very top of the comment section explains the solution, these are all valid contributions for people to watch and read. One thing to be clear about, this video is not an advert for this product. It is my own personal impressions, it's a snapshot in time of me using and talking about it. When I get the software to communicate with my Osmose should I delete the video and re-upload again? And when Expressive-E update the firmware and change some features, do I re-upload at that stage too? I'm taking the time to answer your request comprehensively because I'd like you to understand the reasons why I am not going to do as you request. As for your suggestion that the Osmose "deserves better", well that statement leaves me a little speechless, I'm not sure I could be any more positive about this instrument in the video to be honest. I'm never going to produce "fanboy" videos about gear, you're going to get what I serve up; the good, the bad, and the stuff I learn along the way. And there's going to be plenty of learning along the way with the Osmose, which makes me wonder if perhaps this video series won't be your cup of tea....

[@tomsaunins1]

All round best Osmose review

[@JamesA2]

The potential of this keyboard is wonderful, it will open up a whole new way of interacting with sounds. I did wonder, like yourself Tim, about the longevity of the mechanics. But I am sure they will have considered that in the design? I look forward to watching more of your videos discovering this unique instrument.

[@wilhelmmatthies5921]

The Roli Seaboard Rise does similar things.

[@symbiat0]

@@wilhelmmatthies5921That is true, though having to use a laptop is one downside… 🤔

[@joostvanbunnik7646]

to get the software going and resolve the connection to the Osmose (I'm using Mac) follow the read-build editor and even it has all warning I did get it to work.

[@catchthehare]

I was an early backer, but sadly pulled my deposit during the apocalypse thinking I'd still gladly pay full whack for when they were eventually released to the public. It does sound lovely, there is no denying that, and I imagine the expressiveness is truly wonderful (maybe a bit clunky too for the unskilled?) But after listening to tons of new demos, and researching the mind-boggling interface of the Haken editor, my biggest fear now is that this could be destined to be a preset machine, and that those beautiful presets would be played to death. My gut tells me to hold out until the technology and UI is truly ironed out in the next version.. right now something about it still whispers "beta version"

[@PantaFlux]

Well, the something about 500 presets it comes with all have a bunch of more or less clever macros assigned to them, which enable you to adjust the sounds to your taste. And the playability is very intuitive and not clunky at all even for a bad keyboardist like me.

[@catchthehare]

@@PantaFlux that’s good to know. I suppose I was hoping the editor would be more inviting and easier to use, as the possibilities beg to be tinkered with. The UI on the synth itself looks very good indeed, something along the lines of that would be ace in the future.

[@HowToShopGreen]

Sorry mate but you seem to miss the point. This keyboard is entering unchartered territory with this new keybed but Expressive-E had almost 3 years to fine tune and expand on this device. Definately not a beta unit. Beta means there ares still bugs in the software that needs to be ironed out. Beta or not there will always be issues that are discovered along the way but not issues that the developers are aware of on the release of the product. The computer based sound editor is not an Osmose product but an Haken Audio product, thus it is really not an issue directly related to the Osmose or Expressive-E in my opinion. I am certain that a more intuitive sound creation tool will be available down the road but this is not a huge minus for the Osmose to be very useful. The original concept was to be able to play the given sounds expressively and not to create new sounds specifically.

[@catchthehare]

​@@HowToShopGreen Yeah thanks Bob, I agree with you. In short, I firmly believe in the technology and the company, and I'll undoubtedly pick one up in the future. Just naturally a little cautious during this initial phase while the synth & editor is being stress-tested in the wider market.

[@jimharris6389]

Tim, what does the build quality feel like? Any impression of its durability yet? I ask only because I imagine it has an awful lot of mechanical parts. It looks a little fragile, what with the back of the keys extending across the top of it. But perhaps not, perhaps they've engineered all that away. EDIT: Ah, my bad. You talk about it at the end.

[@tatmo1072]

Hey Tim! I'm having issues getting the Osmose to work with the Haken Editor as well. Were you able to resolve that issue?

[@TimShoebridge]

Yes all sorted. You need to use the Midi2 device to communicate with the editor and your Osmose will require a firmware update once received from the manufacturer. There's helpful information in the FAQ section of Expressive-E's website.

[@tatmo1072]

@@TimShoebridge Got it! Thanks so much.

[@wilhelmmatthies5921]

How would you compare it with the Roli Seaboard Rise 2?

[@mk1st]

Pretty interesting. Most of the demos I've seen have it producing sounds reminiscent of traditional plucked and blown instruments (banjo, koto, shakuhachi etc) but warped in unusual ways. Seems like lots of potential in experienced hands. Does make you appreciate the synths that come with rock solid software though.

[@manny_f]

I would love a controller-only version of this. I don't need the synth bit.

[@onothingnesso7170]

Thanks. It feels better being patient with this one after the video. The sounds are very seductive. But right now it sounds like it’s a bit crazy. Looking forward to when they iron out the details. Is the software available to anyone?

[@InnerVisions68]

I’d love to see a top Nashville piano and keyboard session player get familiar with voicing on those string patches, and hear what they come up with.

[@InnerVisions68]

This sounds killer … kzbin.info/www/bejne/iHzTlpt5r5qqoJI

[@dooldriverr]

I have a Keith McMillan K-Board pro. I have not seen any comparisons to it yet. Maybe there is none.

[@wedream2]

Sounds like a virtuoso instrument, but the software issue would be a nightmare for me. I'm looking forward to your future videos.

[@stevedavey1710]

Love the video tim , as always , but don't think it's for me ! Plucked sounds , hmmm , sounds a lot like background music for Chinese restaurants ! Cuckoo used wind presets and they just sounded like a broken harmonium ! So far not impressed by sounds ! Again thanks Tim love your video's

[@dingbatjack1234]

🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️

[@philippendletonmusic]

I agree that this is not a replacement for a regular keyboard and I had the same thought - will the hardware still respond in the same way in 2 or 3 years?

[@dankeplace]

I thought it was based on the e touche` which I have but it seems the design is much different.

[@MikkelGrumBovin]

The sounds so very much like , - and reminds me of ,- my Seaboard Rise 61 - which i have a love/hate relationship with- i Love to play it - but play it MUCH too seldom , because of the Computer it handcuff´s me to - but it REALLY a robust , and fun Expressive keybed to play - and a steal , compared to This bad boy ,-

[@unclemick-synths]

That's what puts me off the Roli products - I don't go near a personal computer until final mix and mastering.

[@unclemick-synths]

An interesting product.

[@najnacisi]

and? how it is holding up after 10 months?

[@okinawa1312]

Firmware updates should be something to look forward to not to be afraid of. :( Nowadays you really better ignore them for a while till the internet says it´s safe. It´s crazy how many products out there bring you pain with their updates.

[@richardtrussell8220]

Was Ry Cooder in the room?

[@GizzyDillespee]

Also, with the Continuum, it really has been, for me, a bulletproof, works every time out of the box, software and connectivity experience... I'm not sure what all the fuss is about with Osmose, but it might be another issue endemic to your system. (Mine is Windows 10, an old build, 16somethingorother)

[@GizzyDillespee]

I too would worry about Osmose's keys' longevity and maintenance, as well as whether any of the "soft touch" surfaces on the unit will degrade into a sticky mess....

[@StevenCalwas]

This video was posted only seven hours ago, but I'll bet that Tim has already begun writing a new Eagan Matrix editor which he'll demo in a day or two.

[@mangolassi_.]

Thanks for that review! The instrument itself looks great but honestly, it's 2023 and a software without a good UX and stable processes is just not acceptable anymore and a huge red flag to me. Especially as we are talking about an instrument that is supposed to be used in a digital workflow. Good software integration is really 50% of the job here and it sounds as if the manufacturer failed in this regard.

[@BedouinRecords]

1800USD?

[@alexguest6289]

Thanks for the insight Tim, I nearly put an order in for this and was put off by the lack of detail regarding price in the UK. Does anyone know the price after import tax in the UK? Anyway, I'm glad I didn't, I think it's going to be too much money for another product that is still not finished.

[@peterkenney9158]

£1659 at places like Andertons, Absolute Music, Music Matter, Gear4music.

[@alexguest6289]

@@peterkenney9158 Thanks, but I was talking of ordering from their own site as nowhere seems to have stock in the UK. They don't list the import duty and were not forthcoming in an email I sent them. Still, no problem I'll wait and see how it the device develops before I decide to make a purchase. The lack of software integration and current software user experiences make me reluctant, also not sure how it integrates with my other devices as a controller. Time will tell.

[@peterkenney9158]

@@alexguest6289 they say on their website that dealers have been allocated a number of units each that will be forthcoming and that customers should now order from one of the retail partners in their locality (where there will be no import duty). FYI import taxes and duty on something like this if ordering from outside the UK would be around 22.5% of the cost of the instrument (around £360 plus about £25 for the handler paying the fees on your behalf). Some companies have an arrangement in place where they handle all the taxes in advance at point of sale (such as Thomann and Bax).

[@alexguest6289]

@@peterkenney9158 Thanks, that's actually more information than I received from them in the two emails they sent me when I made my enquiries. I guess they are really busy. April seems to be the earliest we will see them in the stores in the UK, obviously this is a keyboard that requires hands on experience to appreciate but I will be surprised if my local store will stock it.

[@peterkenney9158]

@@alexguest6289 only the partner stores listed on the Expressive E site will stock it as far their wording goes. None of those have a floor model either. I’m kicking myself for not having tried it in Berlin over Christmas (I saw it) but was too busy checking out OB-X8 and Hydrasynth deluxe.

[@lokologico]

I preordered mine for this summer! I can see how this long term, it can potentially degrade, but I'm confident they had years of testing it to make sure it is long lasting. Osmose has claimed easy repairability; I think I heard this in one of the latest Sonic Lab demos with Gaz; Its almost like if you need to fix something inside, they might even send you instructions and maybe even parts but who knows. I know the Touche has easily replaceable parts but I've had mine for years and have not replaced anything. I'm excited for this keyboard though. I am also going to treat it like a glass porcelain I think :) pairing this with a continuum though, I think you're in for some magic.

[@kierenmoore3236]

Hmm, even if it’s ‘easily repairable’ (somewhat dubious), that doesn’t mean ‘inexpensively repairable’ … I’d stick with the porcelain approach …

[@spridgejuice]

I've got the editor going OK - had to install "file 2" it said which was via the utilities in the midi settings menu - that said I read that in french post somewhere and it went on to say they lost all sound! but I'd ventured forth by the time I translated that, and it's working. But bloody hell the eaganmatrix sw is quite the learning curve, pretty weird approach I think if you're used to an analogue-oriented ui, but clearly and proudly digital - and some things seem not to work at all (eg the so-called additive oscillator, which promised something like sample input and granular processing, but seems to have dematerialised). But really looking forward to making new sounds that don't try to sound like cellos etc

[@TimShoebridge]

Yes I've noticed that additive synth presets are silent. Work in progress I guess. Thanks for the tip re. Midi connectivity, will give it a go tomorrow 👍

[@spridgejuice]

good luck! I think the additive requires "flash" memory (mentioned in one of those interminable eaganmatrix tutorials) which maybe the osmose doesn't have?

[@robst247]

I also got stuck at the install "file 2" point. Can you explain in simple steps how to proceed from there? Also, my Osmose now boots into safe mode every time I start up and only has presets starting with a, b or c and some features unavailable. Any idea how to get it booting up normally? I've tried factory resetting twice, but no joy.

[@spridgejuice]

At your own risk! What I did was go to the settings menu in the editor (top right cogwheel icon) > MIDI and global settings > bottom right there was an option to download "File 2" I think in the utilities. I doubt this will solve your problem with presets (sounds more like an interrupted/incomplete system update? but I'm not expert...) the help team seem a bit swamped but I'd get in touch with them.

[@robst247]

@@spridgejuice Thanks! I'll give that a try. I can handle a bit of risk. I've solved the other problems, which were indeed due to an aborted update to firmware v1.0 and the new DSP data (i.e. presets). Another problem is that the sound engine (EaganMatrix) doesn't respond to incoming MIDI data from my Linnstrument in MPE mode. The Osmose does output MIDI from both ports. Perhaps responding to MIDI data input has not yet been implemented in firmware v1.0.

[@Riktenstein]

I’d like to play one as I’m just not feeling it. This sounds aren’t doing it for me.

[@johncarter2741]

I’m also wondering about the mechanics. But maybe it’s an ‘occupational hazard’ of having all that expressiveness within the medium of a keyboard.

[@nobody-x7g]

Thanks

[@davidsobel3303]

I hadn't thought about it til I saw your video that the black keys don't wiggle...(?)

[@GizzyDillespee]

I've been waiting for him to touch the black keys. I think he's a sharpist. Or a flattist. Something. Averse to the black keys.

[@PantaFlux]

All keys wiggle if you want them to.

[@TimShoebridge]

@@GizzyDillespee If you watched my other reviews you'll see I generally play black keys so much that people start to comment and complain. As it is, you're calling me names because I don't touch them! All in good humour no doubt. The internet is an amazing place to be! And no, I'm not deleting the video.

[@TimShoebridge]

Yes they do wiggle. Just not as much as the White ones because they're shorter. To demonstrate the expressivity of the Osmose I chose to play only white keys. It was my choice.

[@calebmayo2170]

Does it have orchestral sounds?

[@neilloughran4437]

The crashing is a bit worrying!

[@josephfelice601]

One of the first backers here, and still no word from Osmose and no update to my account, yet seeing these in the hands of multiple KZbin videos. Multiple emails sent to staff and support with no response.

[@TimShoebridge]

Check your spam folder, that's where many people's notification emails ended up, including mine.

[@josephfelice601]

@@TimShoebridge Thanks, I already did that.

[@EBMZEQUENZER]

Judging by the sounds this will be a massive success in Asian countries ...

[@SouthParkStudio]

Anybody else hear the Motorola ringtone?

[@DarrenAudioguy]

I'm not sure I need that much wibble in my life right now.

[@SandcastleTheory]

They'd better sort out that firmware. A professional musician can't have their instrument crash in the middle of a performance; especially if it's going to be a noisy affair like that.. Through a P.A. system, that power thump would wreak havoc! Cheers!

[@SandcastleTheory]

I see now Tim's comment about it just being a loose power cable... That's a relief. Cheers!

[@GoodAfternoonDave]

perfect if you want to sound like you're playing a stringed instrument while playing a keyboard but also not so perfect for the same reason

[@rockhills]

I really want one but I quickly realize I don't know how to play a keyboard well enough to justify it.

[@P-S-T]

For me, learning to do something needs inspiration and motivation. Perhaps you’ll find this in Osmose and start to learn playing piano more? 😊

[@namenaim1560]

Tim Shoebridge unplugged.

[@Lainer1]

I'll buy one in 3 more years. LOL!

[@dejangaletic7884]

my ipad can do that for 20$ without crushing

[@MuzixMaker]

If you plan on keeping this for a long time, I’d start buying spare parts.

[@GizzyDillespee]

Maybe once warranty period is nearing the end, and the company catches up with new orders. Right now, I don't think you can buy and receive parts, or buy and receive a completed unit even. Buy a new Osmose now, and receive it in summer or autumn. So yeah... no parts, or need for them

[@ChrisP3000x]

They couldn't have made a more BORING looking device. Definitely not buying.

[@NN-sp9tu]

It’s pretty clean looking. Don’t understand why you’re so upset

[@ChrisP3000x]

@@NN-sp9tu Why are you so upset?

[@NN-sp9tu]

@@ChrisP3000x what?

[@ChrisP3000x]

@@NN-sp9tu what?

[@dankeplace]

@@NN-sp9tu ignore him, he likes to troll the unsuspecting.

[@deadmanwalking6342]

Terrible clacky!

[@cresshead]

early days once the beta feedback has completed it'll probably be a good, solid synth. currently seems to be plug and pray!

[@gsten2116]

Its a cool keyboard but I really don't like the synth engine. This is an engine for the eastern world.