Expressive-E Osmose : Initial Impressions #3

[@JAAPIOJO]

I thought you have to have high skills for this synth but I see a lot of you just gooving around on this thing creating already fantastic sounds while simply having fun. A great synth to play with.

[@TimShoebridge]

Exactly this. It is the ease of playing that in my opinion sets the Osmose apart from so many other MPE controllers.

[@ChristopherOrth]

Thanks for these great videos! As primarily a guitar player, this is the synth I have been waiting for since the early 90s. On guitar I miss the depth of tones available on a synth, but on a keyboard I miss the huge range of expressiveness one has on a stringed instrument. I would expect that getting the most out of the Osmose would specifically require you to not approach it as a traditional keyboard player. Though those skills are certainly great, there is a lot of new territory depth here to explore. I'm later on the early buyer list... can't wait to get mine. Hope it's soon!

[@midinotes]

I think this synth is pretty groundbreaking. The market has been flooded lately with digital and analog synths from manufacturers, all pretty much doing the same thing without really being game changing. From what I have seen and heard so far, this is truly an intriguing and fascinating instrument. One has to look beyond the sounds as they come out the box, and focus on how the player interacts with the synth engine. This isn't comparable to any digital or analog synth or workstation, it's a new platform that provides interesting and creative ways for keyboard players to express themselves. I think its magical - it appears that creating your own sounds could be the challenge, but there again so was FM when the DX7 came out! Nice to see a track put together using the sounds, and appreciate your dedication in putting these videos together. It is definitely apparent you are enjoying the product. 😊

[@fray3dendsofsanity]

Yeah I've given up on choosing a hardware poly synth in this saturated market, most of them do the same stuff as VST's and have more steps to actually record and set up MIDI and all that. Pretty cumbersome compared to software. I have a couple of deep mono synths that can do a bunch of modular type stuff (Pro 3, Matriarch) but the Osmose is the only "poly synth" I really want because the controller and presets are unlike anything in the VST world

[@EricBayer]

Not gonna slight Ed Eagan’s work with the engine or sound design… the Haken Audio engine is a very powerful and fairly unusual combination and the sound design has a lot of love in them. (I’ve been using it for a decade or so with my Continuum.) That said, saying there’s noting like it in VSTs is a bit of a misnomer. Unlike subtractive or virtual analog, they’r never a dime a dozen, but some do exist. I’ll stick to modern stuff that is widely available and pure software. To be really similar, you’re looking for synths with complex topologies (modular/semi-modular) that contain rich Physical Modeling tools… so things like AAS Tassman, Madrona Labs Kaivo. There’s also some more fixed topology offerings like Rhizomatic Plasmonic, AAS Chromophone, Image-Line Sakura. There’s also several more general purpose engines like Reaktor, MAX/MSP, Pure Data (all of which have some physical modeling capability, but you do have to work for it)… modular engines with Physical Modeling components like Cherry Audio’s Voltage, Soft Tube Modular, VCV, … Would I give up my Continuum for any/all of these? Absolutely not. Combining the input feel/ergonomics with such a powerful sound engine and patch design that was tailored for it is truly inspirational to play. PS - I have used everything on this list, and each of them has unique strengths and weaknesses… and I’m definitely looking forward to cozying up with the Osmose and its unique playing style.

[@fray3dendsofsanity]

@@EricBayer The keyboard is the main selling point. Of course there are other synth engines that can create timbres similar to the Continuum, but this combination of innovative keybed plus that engine is not found in software world, as the controller itself can't be virtual

[@emotionblur7214]

Excellent ensemble demo track 👌👌

[@andyjones760]

Great video Tim, thanks. You're the first reviewer I know of who has a plan to do a video of the editor and it's integration with the Osmose (great to hear you now have it working). Very interested to watch that when it's done, I anticipate getting stuck into that when mine arrives in April.

[@piperfox74]

That closing track is gorgeous. ❤

[@RoadhawK66]

Actually, i, or we, love your talking Tim. Deffo buying this synth, the options as a poly controller for Hydrasynth and others are so mouthwatering ❤

[@CognitiveEvolution]

Nice track and appreciate the category based series of videos.

[@mick3950]

Nice track Tim,thanks for sharing.

[@prlinhabh]

Great reviews! All three are amazing. I really would like to know your view about Roli Seaboard 2 and a comparison with Expressive-E Osmose.

[@DankePlace]

Truly an amazing instrument, something that screams "play me". Some simply do not get it, their loss, I welcome devices like this, it just allows one to be more creative which is a good thing. Thx for the upload Tim.

[@DankePlace]

@SYNTHPUNK You wouldn't know a good instrument if it smacked you in the face, like the Cobalt 8X being the best Wavetable, in your words.

[@torbenanschau6641]

Probably the best Osmose demo yet as you were using it for several tracks. Yet I considered it rather as a solo instrument but here it's shown how suitable it also is for ensemble.

[@electronicbagatelle]

beautiful track at the end, I so want this keyboard

[@Darthleo1121]

If this has any guitar sounds in it, do you mind doing a demo of those as well. Id love to hear how the bending works for guitar sounds especially a electric guitar because this thing has the bends figured out well.

[@palmereldrich]

I am getting fantastically excited to try this Osmose at a store with very likely purchase afterwards.

[@Wagoo]

Nice closing track, Tim 👍 The only other thing I can think of that probably works with the editor is the Haken engine eurorack module

[@DankePlace]

how are you getting along with yours?

[@ElectroPercs]

Nicely done!

[@letMeSayThatInIrish]

I kind of want one of these. Seems like a lot of fun.

[@Kkidzz]

Soooo looking forward to the release of the Anyma Omega modeling synth….. controllers on it look to be amazing.

[@kettenlaiho]

Ever since that Osmose Keyboard was introduced I was very interested. I didn't even know about the MPE system, but now I'm amazed by the expresion capability of the keybed. I'm not really sure about the sound engine, but it would be great if they manufactured a controller only.

[@billyruss]

There's a definite "feel" to the Haken Audio sounds. I also have the Continuumini, and the family resemblance is striking.

[@SCHAAFJOERG]

Beautiful track in the end of your video! Thanks a lot!

[@RayyMusik]

The outro song is so beautiful!

[@danlindy9670]

Thanks for the helpful demos and tasteful grooves! Question: The Haken Continuum has three control axes: left-right, front-back, and velocity. For the Osmose, there’s left-right (pitch) and velocity, but what is third vertical dimension? Is it pressure? If so, how does pressure differ from velocity? Is it possible to demo each vertical dimension separately? I’m curious to know exactly what’s going on there. Also, do you know of any plans for a bigger a keyboard? Another octave or two would be worth having, I think.

[@philaiken6003]

The 3 dimensions are Initial Pressure, Aftertouch, Pitch What they call "Pressure" is distinct from Aftertouch.The instrument is aware of the key position at any point in its travel. So you can use that key position as a continuous controller - like opening/closing a filter by moving a key up and down. At the bottom of the key travel, you can then apply additional pressure to be used as polyphonic aftertouch.

[@anijon]

Thank you and beautifully done!.

[@SynthAddict]

nice one Tim, and thanks for showcasing the rhythm/perc sounds - I knew it could do them but a lot of naysayers were claiming the Osmose wasn't good for perc...thanks for proving them wrong I look forward to getting my Osmose next month 🙂 I'm already a huge ROLI fan, but it will be nice to have more options with this new beauty

[@MartinLear_CChem_MRSC]

I got a bit in a trance at one point too - each time the repetition completed, I heard more and more nuances 🤓

[@pascalschwaller7573]

Thank you once more for a great video. I really enjoy this Osmoes series. Any update on the clacking key noise? Do you still feel it's an issue? How about the keys themselves, are they loosening already or still all good?

[@TimShoebridge]

Still all good. Yes I get clacking when I'm playing faster, I guess it comes down to technique (or lack of it!), it doesn't bother me too much.

[@hubadj]

Your music is beautiful.

[@peterpeper4837]

Are you getting used to the keys? Do they still hit eachother?

[@aardvarkmindshank]

Cool track.

[@Elazarko]

I wonder if there's some interesting effect pedal out there that could help me get my digital piano to be somewhat more expensive like this Expressive-E Osmose. Any idea? Any suggestions?

[@christianokami2220]

As far as the expensive options, there are many. As far as expressive… I’m personally enjoying running my boards through the Empress Zoia

[@Elazarko]

@@christianokami2220 oh that was a typo. Zoia pedal, interesting I'll look into it. Thanks

[@MrBothandNether]

Thank You!

[@DankePlace]

Hey Tim, I was just wondering, since you have done some work with Cherry Audio, do you think you will ever do a demo of some of their MPE compatible soft synths? I counted 6 MPE on their website.

[@peterpeper4837]

it really reminds me of AAS Chromaphone

[@CRayBeats]

Well, AAS did have a part in thier plugin Imagiane.. So maybe

[@thomas.moerman]

Same thought

[@PantaFlux]

That’s due to the physical modelling modules of the Haken Audio engine.

[@fray3dendsofsanity]

@@CRayBeats It'll be cool to use Osmose as a controller for Imagine, I bet that opens up the plugin a ton as I think it supports MPE (could be wrong though, if not I'm sure they will update it to support MPE)

[@DaveBessell]

It sounds a lot better than Chromophone. I have both.

[@joostvanbunnik7646]

Nice track

[@kierenmoore3236]

Next time I’m making a World Music album, I’m definitely going to sell a kidney to pick one of these up …

[@asynchronicity]

Great!

[@torbenanschau6641]

Is it possible the Osmose is a bit weak on the lower/bassy side of frequency range? I have not heard one demo yet where there was some oomph.

[@GotYourWallet]

You can't check the latest Andertons demo where they do two base patches. One of them goes really low in the end. However, a lot of the patches seem to emphasize high frequencies.

[@uhoh007]

The EaganMatrix as applies to Osmose is unexposed: EG layering (yes you can), ARP is totally new, and could those be combined to simulate a 2-part synth? Crack the books, Tim ;)

[@kevinhuman6275]

Tim, we have the same Logitech vertical mouse!

[@kevinhuman6275]

Also Tim, can you please grow a mustache. Would be legendary

[@kierenmoore3236]

Yes - please pair with a mohawk and bikie leathers … that would be *super* legendary … You can’t buy the kind of publicity/notoriety that would give you in the Synth/YT Community …

[@kevinhuman6275]

@@kierenmoore3236 that’s not what I imagined but I’m getting your drift. the mustache itself is all that’s needed tho. It would be so legendary it would not need any motorcycle or leather or badass personality to accompany it because it would speak for itself. And man would it speak.. your idea would make one hell of a video intro though. I wish Tim was living to his full potential now.

[@TimShoebridge]

I think you boys might be watching the wrong channel 🤔

[@kevinhuman6275]

@@TimShoebridge No Tim, it’s time to unlock your true inner self. Quit resisting! (I’m jk but I do believe it would be a truly badass and legendary mustache. I have one myself so I’m speaking from personal experiences with mustaches, it would be top tier quality I can tell. Also, cannot believe you just replied. Tim, I absolutely love your channel and would never stop watching. Literally cannot think of a better more informative synth channel. Yep there is none. You’re the best and I mean it. I don’t care if we disagree on a very small amount of politics. You’re the man. I seriously love you dude.)

[@Equinoxalpha647]

I honestly am stuck between getting this or the seaboard. I get that the seaboard is literally a different instrument to a keyboard and there will be a learnig curve, but all the videos of people playing them seem to be way way more expressive than the Osmose. Vs. The smaller learning curve of the Osmose.

[@jacobbrown1690]

It would make a decent controller

[@zedaudiolab]

very nice :)

[@asynchronicity]

Our protagonist is surely going to get a lot of attention from the ladies after this one.

[@liothomasart]

Especially during the percussion section of the video.

[@TimShoebridge]

@@liothomasart I sprayed myself with Old Spice just for that section

[@BullyMaguire4ever]

Deep Forest should do an album with this thing.

[@luisbarrera5740]

I think the synth sounds lackluster. If osmose makes it into a midi controller I'd definetly buy it.

[@auralplex]

Yea but can it do trap?

[@kierenmoore3236]

And does it djent?!

[@GoodAfternoonDave]

no it does music

[@GoodAfternoonDave]

This synth sounds like it'll do well in Asia and with World music/new age artists

[@e-conrecords4665]

Another synth I won’t be able to afford. 😢