![]() The new expressive functions offered had to be integrated into the gestures pianists were deeply accustomed to. We had only one thing in mind, we did not want to distort the keyboard in its essence. We prototyped quite a few things to achieve our initial goal, until the point where we realized that the technologies we were developing had massive potential. I like the saying “you truly understand what you do, once you are doing it.” It perfectly represents Expressive E, and it is very apparent with Osmose. ![]() How did the team decide on these particular talents?Īlexandre Bellot: Our first objective with the Osmose project was to build a piano-style keyboard with a truly good poly aftertouch, and that perhaps also offers the possibility to modulate the pitch. All in all, the origin of the Touché project was to recreate the Ondes Martenot lever mechanism using modern engineering techniques and technology.įutureMusic: The Osmose has the tap, press, press+tap, pitch|(wiggle), aftertouch, shake and strum modes of expression. By pressing this lever, the player could continuously perform all kinds of incredibly dynamic articulations with the left hand, while defining the pitch with the right hand. In order to compete with the expressivity of traditional orchestral instruments, it featured a special intensity lever, a mechanism similar to a Morse code telegraph key, which allowed fine, gradual control over the amplitude of its sound in real time. The Ondes Martenot is considered today to be one of the first electronic instruments. It was invented in the 1920s by the French cellist and radio telegrapher Maurice Martenot. ![]() They grew up with us, and most of them have been part of the team from the beginning.įutureMusic: Was Expressive-E self-funded, or do you have an investor(s)?įutureMusic: What was the “spark” of inspiration or market need that resulted in the Touché?Īlexandre Bellot: Our inspiration clearly was the “touche d’intensité” introduced by the original Ondes Martenot instrument. And that doesn’t include all the marketing and commercial aspects, which require very serious work if you want to establish such a disruptive tech in a sustainable manner.Īll these fascinating subjects allowed us to attract very talented people. We find challenges everywhere we work, including human interaction, haptic feedback, sound design, synthesis technologies, the MIDI standard, etc. We are constantly exploring new fields, and not only on the hardware front but in all technological aspects. Step-by-step we explored this fascinating world of expressive instruments from all its amazing perspectives. We were working in collaboration with a French research lab team called the LAM specialized in instrumental gestures. To learn more about Expressive E and the Osmose, FutureMusic interviewed Expressive E’s co-founder and Chief Executive Officer, Alexandre Bellot.įutureMusic: How specifically did the Expressive-E team come together?Īlexandre Bellot: Expressive E started as three young engineers passionate about music. The video below provides an overview of the Osmose’s capabilities… » Standalone configuration :: Set up your MIDI configuration directly from the in-built screen, without the need to connect to a computer. » Multichannel MPE, MPE+ :: Osmose is also compatible with the major MIDI protocol for polyphonic expression, and MPE+, for the most advanced and accurate response. Every key can also control the global pitch bend of your synth. » Poly Aftertouch & Global Pitch Bend :: Control your synth with Osmose’s Initial Pressure system and Poly Aftertouch. ![]() » Piano mode :: Osmose can emulate a classic keyboard controller, sending simple velocity messages. (See our Roli Seaboard Rise Review -Ed.) Osmose’s Four Main Modes: When we were testing out Roli’s Seaboard Rise, we were thrilled with the level of expression their MPE technology delivered, less so with the sonic limitations of their Equator softsynth. Now this is a crucial attribute and one that can actually make or break the overall success of the Osmose. Osmose embeds Haken Audio’s EaganMatrix sound engine, which can employ virtual analog, FM synthesis, physical modeling and everything in between for sound design. Expressive E proclaims that the Osmose is “the first expressive keyboard that respects a player’s existing skills.” While Roli may have something to say about that, the Osmose is one impressive platform. Pushing the technology of the Touché to the next logical realm, the upcoming Osmose keyboard synthesizer integrates Expressive E’s multi-dimensional sensing technology for every single key of its entirely new A.K.A (Augmented Keyboard Action) keybed.
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