Next-gen MPE: Expressive E adds smarter control, $999 MIDI keyboard

Expressive E is making its expressive, multi-dimensional keyboards more accessible, with 49- and 61-key controller Osmose options starting at $/€999. And across the full range, the company’s sound ecosystem is expanding with updated software, including the new Ctrl-e platform for sound. That means it’s easier to afford and get started with these unique MPE keyboards, and you’ll more quickly find ready-to-play sounds.

Bitwig Studio 6 is out of beta, and the “workflow update” is worth the wait

Bitwig Studio 6 has arrived after an extended public beta period. A lot of Bitwig users might barely notice, since you switched full time to this release for its polish and workflow improvements — but here’s a refresher, with tips. With all the nuances of little workflow, editing, automation, and interface interaction tweaks, you can […]

Peter Kirn - March 11, 2026

Tuning, polyphonic expression: Black Corporation’s Roman Filippov

The evolution of music is intertwined with the design and capabilities of instruments. After several decades of more constrained tuning and expression, new playability is becoming a norm with technologies like MPE and live per-note tuning. Music hardware maker Roman Flippov of Japan-headquartered Black Corporation joins us to connect early instruments from Buchla and Yamaha with these capabilities with modern creations.

Roman Filippov - December 13, 2023

Ableton Live 11.3 in beta: more expressive control, new Drift synth

Peter Kirn - April 4, 2023

Wiggler is a bendy expressive DIY synth – and its creator is sharing their process

Peter Kirn - March 9, 2023

Free MIDI Tape Recorder captures all your expression – sample-accurate, no quantization

Peter Kirn - December 27, 2021

Android users get an expressive, powerful MIDI control app in DAW IT

Peter Kirn - July 20, 2021

Bitwig Studio 4: Apple Silicon, new Operators, expression Spread, comping

Peter Kirn - May 27, 2021

How MPE can work on hardware synths: a look at Sequential OB-6, Prophet 6 updates

Peter Kirn - January 8, 2021