General
The Expressive E Osmose is yet another remarkable synthesizer, especially when it comes to performance. During the last couple of years, more synths and controllers have been released new types of keyboards, including ones that let you polyphonically 'bend' individual keys to give you access to the expressiveness of a violin via a keyboard. The Osmose also comes equipped with such a keyboard - even if it actually looks rather traditional. This means that it doesn't boast a large touch-pad covered with a small bit of keyboard. It's a real keyboard with keys, backed by tech that Expressive has dubbed 'Augmented Keyboard Action' (AKA). For many keyboard players, this offers a huge advantage. While other options aren't impossible to use after a bit of practice, not every musician will be equally attracted to these so, if you're looking for a keyboard with polyphonic expression plus an authentic feel, the Osmose is the perfect solution.
The Expressive E Osmose
Okay, so you're digging the ideas of polyphonic initial pressure, aftertouch and horizontal bending, but what do these concepts even mean? Well, a synthesizer has to come prepared for in-depth expression, or else it's basically just a golden spoon to eat oatmeal with. Fortunately, the Osmose is armed with a highly respectable sound-engine: the Haken Audio EaganMatrix. It's a mouthful, but at least it offers even more than simply the bread and butter of synthesizers. There's FM synthesis, physical modelling, virtual analog, wave-shaping, granular synthesis, extensive filters and much more. How about that for breakfast?! Big names like JunkieXL and Jordan Rudess are already impressed with the Osmose which, as a brilliantly intriguing bit of gear, justifiably comes at a fatter price. For now, there's no one alternative that feels as natural as the Osmose.
