Expressive E Osmose 2.0: Seven Ways This Firmware Update Rewrites the Playbook

Expressive E’s Osmose 2.0 firmware update isn’t just a minor tweak—it’s a substantial rethinking of how the instrument fits into both studio and stage workflows. The update introduces a suite of features that address long-standing user requests, particularly around preset management and external MIDI control. The video wastes no time in emphasizing that these changes are designed to make the Osmose more adaptable for a wide range of creative contexts, from live performance to project-based sound design.

One of the most notable aspects is how the update bridges the gap between the internal sound engine and external MIDI modes. Features that were previously siloed are now available across both domains, making the Osmose a more unified and versatile tool. This architectural shift signals Expressive E’s commitment to making the instrument not just expressive in terms of playability, but also in terms of integration and workflow.

The ability to mark presets as favorites is a deceptively simple feature that can have a major impact on day-to-day use. With a quick click, users can now star their go-to sounds, making them instantly accessible via a dedicated filter. This is a clear nod to real-world performance needs, where speed and reliability matter more than ever.

Playlists take this a step further, allowing users to organize presets into themed collections for gigs or specific projects. The new browser interface supports up to 30 playlists, each with 128 slots, and includes move and remove functions for flexible setlist management. The update also brings a unified navigation tab where user and factory presets coexist, and a new bank filter streamlines access. Perhaps most significant from a digital architecture standpoint: presets are now stored on the main board, expanding total capacity to over 2000 slots and ensuring that custom sensitivity and performance settings travel with each patch.

Osmose’s reputation for nuanced expression gets a significant boost in external MIDI mode with the addition of Press Glide and the MPE arpeggiator. Press Glide, previously limited to the internal engine, now works with any external MPE synth or DAW, translating pressure gestures into dynamic pitch glides. Users can set the maximum interval for glides, and the system responds to pressure distribution between keys, enabling seesaw-like pitch transitions that are both intuitive and deeply expressive.

The MPE arpeggiator is another highlight, bringing per-note articulation to external gear. Each note in an arpeggiated pattern can be shaped individually with pressure and pitch bends, and parameters like octave and ratcheting can be modulated in real time. Notably, the arpeggiator remains lively even with non-MPE legacy instruments, thanks to Osmose’s next-gen keybed. These additions make the Osmose a formidable controller for both modern and classic synth environments.