Expressive E are set to overturn the industry (again) with Osmose CE, a controller version of the game-changing MPE keyboard. We spoke with the company to find out more.
Although there are a number of MPE-compatible keyboards on the market, none has captured the zeitgeist quite like Osmose. The synthesizer/controller combo from Expressive E does all of the MPE things - like polyphonic aftertouch, pitch bend per note, and aftertouch - but in a form factor that looks and feels like a traditional piano keyboard. Now Expressive E has released Osmose CE, a controller version in two keybed sizes, with either 49 or 61 keys. Osmose CE that loses the EaganMatrix sound engine but gains DAW control. We spoke to Expressive E’s Head of Global Sales & Marketing, Roméo Verlet, to get the story of how the Osmose CE came to be, and what people may still not understand about MPE.
Attack: Why did you want to make a controller version of the Osmose, and why now?
RV: MIDI controllers have become very efficient tools, but the way notes are actually played has remained relatively unchanged. With Osmose CE, the intention was not to replace that model, but to extend it and carry it forward in its natural evolution. It works as a familiar MIDI controller within an existing setup, while allowing much more to happen at the level of each note. That comes from the combination of the keybed, firmware, software, and sound ecosystem working together. Now felt like the right moment because that full system is mature enough to make this level of control usable in real production workflows.
What’s different in the controller version?
At its core, Osmose CE uses the same keybed as the original Osmose, so the playing experience itself remains unchanged. What’s new is everything around it. Osmose CE is designed as a controller, with a new chassis and refined hardware design, including a white finish and modern USB-C connectivity. It also introduces deep DAW integration, allowing users to control transport, navigation, and mixing directly from the keyboard without breaking their workflow.
Another major difference is Ctrl-e, the companion software that provides a complete expressive sound ecosystem, tightly integrated with the hardware. Together, these elements make Osmose CE not just an expressive instrument but a fully integrated controller designed for modern production environments.
Not everyone is a virtuoso keyboard player. How can Osmose CE contribute to regular workflows?
It’s not really about virtuosity. Many producers already shape sound through automation or modulation. Osmose CE brings part of that control directly into the playing. Because the sounds in Ctrl-e are already designed for expressive interaction, and the DAW integration is in place, users can focus on making music rather than configuring their setup. It also changes the physical workflow. You can often keep both hands on the keyboard, instead of using one hand to play and the other to control parameters.
[quote align=right text=" With Osmose, even small variations in how you play have a clear and immediate impact, which makes the experience feel much more responsive and engaging"]
Are there features specifically designed for non-keyboardists?
The main focus was to reduce complexity rather than add assistance features. Osm