Expressive E’s Osmose CE MIDI Controller Launched at Lower Price Points

Expressive E has introduced a more affordable version of its Osmose keyboard by eliminating the integrated synthesizer and repositioning it as a MIDI controller. The newly rebranded Osmose CE is now available in two configurations: a 49-key model priced at $999 and a 61-key model at $1,199.

While $999 remains a premium price for a MIDI controller, it represents a significant discount compared to the original Osmose’s starting price of $1,799. The new pricing also positions the Osmose CE competitively against its closest rival, the Roli Seaboard 2, which retails for $1,399.

The Osmose is renowned for its distinctive design, featuring a piano-style keyboard where each key moves laterally. This unique mechanism allows musicians to apply subtle pitch bends and expressive modulation directly through key movement, rather than relying solely on aftertouch or pitch wheels. The original Osmose combined this innovative keyboard with a powerful built-in synthesizer, but the Osmose CE strips away the synth functionality to focus exclusively on its MPE (MIDI Polyphonic Expression) capabilities.

MIDI Polyphonic Expression enables each key to send independent pitch, pressure, and position data, offering a level of expressiveness typically reserved for advanced electronic instruments. By transitioning to a MIDI controller, the Osmose CE becomes compatible with a wide range of software synthesizers and digital audio workstations (DAWs), making it a versatile tool for producers, composers, and live performers.

Expressive E’s decision to launch the Osmose CE reflects a growing trend in the music technology industry, where high-end controllers are being designed to integrate seamlessly with existing software ecosystems. This approach allows musicians to leverage cutting-edge hardware while maintaining flexibility in their sound design workflows.