The Osmose with …
larger buttons, drum module, tape echo, speakers, wood cabinet, silver keys.
This was done by Love Hulten with the cooperation of Expressive E.
Beautiful!
MTR is supposed to be better than daws, it looks better than what i got into logic.
Still i’m not sure if this is due to the recording,the way daws are able to show the recorded animation, or the way mpe data are sent.
I know, it’s been dropped already. But I needed this for my morning.
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Wow, there is some amazing playing and wonderful soundscapes in this video. It’s a testament both to the expressivity of the controller and to the power of the Eagan matrix synth engine as well. And the musician of course!
I just preordered one from the new batch scheduled to arrive in September/October. Such a unique instrument.
How are people liking their Osmoses so far? Build quality, feel, sound, playability etc?
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I love it.
Some sounds are a bit too digital for my taste, but there are so many presets it doesn’t really bores me.
Still in the exploration period though, I can’t say I master this instrument yet. In fact, every patch more or less feels like an instrument on its own.
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I’ve had mine since the new year … and still love it !
Ive even for a short while had TWO osmose (*), and thats even better than one 
overall, I think the main strength of the Osmose is the playing experience, its so natural, so joyful… and of course expressive.
I really do like the sound engine (always have), I particularly enjoy the physical modelling side, though expressive-e have done a great job on some bread n’ butter synth sounds.
is it for everyone? no…
you will love it IF:
you love playing keys, and want more expression - its great, you can transfer any skill you have quickly, and its just feels like a new way to enjoy keys.
you want a ‘synth’ that you can just turn on and play with a fantastic selection of ‘presets’.
you love physical modelling, and digital synthesis you’l; enjoy the sounds a lot, and that new feeling brings a new side to exploring sounds.
if you enjoy complex synthesis engines, kind of modular and have no issues using a computer to create, and importantly you want to attach this directly to your fingers.
for me, the strength of the sound engine is its ability to connect with the players, its pretty much unmatched in this regard.
BUT… you will not enjoy if…
you enjoy hands on synthesis, want happy accidents, want something ‘obvious’ to use… the Eagan Matrix is likely going to frustrate you.
the synthesis model is also NOT all encompassing, e.g. dont expect sampling, granular… like we can see on some modern synths today.
and yes, I’d agree whilst its can be a very natural/acoustic sound (at times), its tends to lean towards cold and digital tones.
also, lets not forget its not the only expressive controller… nor is it the last word in this area.
the Continuum, Linnstrument, and others (e.g. Eigenharps) all have their advantages on the expressive side… they keyboard format is the most accessible for many , but its not perfect in this regard for expressive ‘style’
I think Ty Unwin summed it up best…
for most, this is a ‘characterful’ synth, its unlikely to be your workhorse , bread n’ butter synth that you use all the time… it’ll be your second/third synth.
though, as he also said, we might get to see some ‘specialists’ in the future, who really focus on the Osmose, to really make the most of it… as the more you put in , the more you’ll get out !
this is how Ive found myself enjoying the Osmose the most, now I’ve had it for a while…
Ive got my Virus TI which I love using for pads, or driving things like sequences thru.
then below it (physically) the Osmose is there, for the sparkle, lead lines, natural sounds things like bells, harps, flutes, strings (violin) , or expressive synth lines.
overall, I suspect in 6-12 months, we will still see that the Osmose deserves the praise it has been receiving, and that it will have been ‘game changing’, even likely appearing in lots of tracks…
however, some will find its not for them.
but thats true of everything… look at the rise/fall/rise of modular 
(*) I’ve had a few issues with the hardware, which Ive not really discussed… because:
its a brand new instrument, there were bound to be a few teething troubles BUT expressive e have been nothing short of fantastic at sorting these out for me.
so frankly… nothing to see here ! but its why Ive had a couple of osmose around
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That was my first impression too when I tried one at my local store.
Would you expect a digital signal processor on its own to sound any different ? Even if the EaganMatrix is 100% digital, it sounds very much alive when played expressively.
Adding “digital” to my list of “do not use” words when posting a synth review, along with “warm”
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I’m really digging all the early videos from folks who have received their units.
This most recent Loopop video (above) was a nice addition as it addresses some of my questions about interacting with external synths. It’s also the first video I’ve seen that goes into detail about sound design using the Eagen matrix synth engine. I found that really helpful as well.
I have an Osmose on pre-order from a US retailer but would be thrilled to have one earlier than that. I’ve posted this to the WTB forum but if an early recipient has gotten their unit and decided it’s not for them and would like to sell it on, please DM me.
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Andrew’s video is very nice too… love how he supplies the musical context.
Its interesting to see that pretty much Loopop was the only review that showed the EM (*) most have just said ‘its complex’, and moved on quickly!
in fairness, I can see why… most users won’t touch the EM in any depth, and its probably realistic to set this expectation.
personally, I don’t think its the complexity/difficulty of learning the EM thats the issue - I found it pretty easy to learn - but rather it’s more down to its lack of immediacy.
even though Im very keen on the EM, I do still find it a bit of a chore to actually create presets, its just not that much fun… e.g. compared to say my virus, or my modular.
for months, Ive been considering getting the Eagan Matrix module for my eurorack, and I just really cannot decide… its powerful, it has a sound I like. but if you dont enjoy the process of sound design, its all for nought.
at the moment, Im trying to push thru on the Osmose, perhaps as I create better patches for the Osmose, this ‘end reward’ will motivate me more?!
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Got an email reminding me to add Osmose to my cart and complete the order.
Logged and was reminded about the softcase with promo discount, so added that to the cart too.
There’s also a 50% off deal on MPE-compatible preset packs - Mercury, Helium, and Patchwork. They run on UVI Workstation/Falcon, so they’re probably just for home/studio use, except for those who don’t mind playing live with laptop. Listening to those to determine if I want any of those sounds.
Hey y’all! I am an amateur, can play keys on level 2-3 out of 10. Can play M, m chords, scales (almost all M, m scales), play by ear and don’t read music. I am planning on buying an Osmose just because I was extremely interested to get into Continuum to experience and play with it, Continuum is expensive for ‘play’. I am kinda on the fence whether Osmose it is a wise investment. Any thoughts? I guess I am on the fence also whether to get Continuum and start learning it or get Osmose and learn those things and get Continuum maybe sometime down the line if I still want to keep playing. Would love to hear your perspectives. Thank you!
It’s a quality instrument imo.
A real pleasure to play with, and I guess it’s easier to learn than the Continuum.
I hope it ages well, cause coming back to a regular controller feels like walking on a single foot.
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I don’t own a Continuum, but have played one (for extended period).
frankly, the two are very different…
the continuous surface of the continuum, and a very deep ‘feel’ to it, and continuous Y axis - makes it a hugely expressive instrument BUT it’s not a keyboard, so if you have skills with keys… you have a lot to relearn, its very different (but rewarding) to play.
the Osmose, is the opposite, for a keyboard its extremely expressive… but not as expressive as the Continuum.
note : this is very relative, just because its not as expressive as a continuum, doesn’t make it not expressive ! it also lends itself to different play styles too.
ok, so you say you play keys 2-3/10 …
this one is a bit tricky…
an important question here is… do you want to improve your keyboard skills? is this a goal?
I think its important, as I have had a dilemma in this area too…
many years ago (around 10?) I bought my first expressive controller, an Eigenharp… and it is fantastic, still love it today, and since then Ive added various other expressive controllers.
my reasoning was… my skill on keys were ‘ok’ (*) but not great, and at the time… there was no expressive piano option, and I felt, I didn’t want keys to limit the expressive side.
generally, Ive been happy with this decision…
however, it does mean my skill on keys hasn’t improved much…so now I do wonder, what might have been…
now in my case, there was no Osmose, so no choice… but if there had been, and I knew what I know now… Id probably have gone Osmose over less conventional surfaces, just to build up more conventional key skills.
however, reality is… I dont really regret this, and Im happy I can now play a variety of surfaces… and I can now work on my keyboard skills with Osmose.
but its a angle perhaps to reflect on.
(*) I done a few piano lessons etc… so knew my way around - I could play most scales, but not complex pieces.
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Not to mention, well, 