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.

MPE meets modular, strings: AAS Multiphonics CV-3, Osmose, Soliste

Multi-dimensional polyphonic expression, connecting gestures underneath your fingers, finally makes the full range of sound synthesis something you can feel. You might even want to practice, like when you first discovered instruments. Let’s take a quick break and look at some examples featuring AAS’ Multiphonics CV-3 and Osmose, for MPE plus modular, then a bonus round with Osmose and Soliste, for string lovers.

Peter Kirn - September 29, 2025

Still from Haken Continuum video with hands on the red-and-black horizontal ribbon controller of the Continuum Fingerboard; visualization above with Harmonic Resonator, circles overlaid on keyboard showing multi-dimensional expression.

Haken Continuum deep dive, as composition blurs with sound design

Is it sound design? Or is it composition? Yes. Here’s a full exploration of the Haken Continuum, the oft-misunderstood expressive device, as a musical instrument, plus creations for the hardware. It might inspire you to rethink how you view digital interfaces for performance.

Peter Kirn - March 26, 2025

Expressive playing with MPE, demystified

Peter Kirn - February 20, 2025

Inside the Dune 2 score with Osmose and Hans Zimmer

Peter Kirn - December 11, 2024

The best Black Friday deals in music tech right now

Peter Kirn - November 29, 2024

Osmose 2.0 makes this expressive MPE instrument more navigable, powerful

Peter Kirn - September 5, 2024

Geert Bevin, MPE innovator, tours Osmose keyboard and expression

Peter Kirn - June 18, 2024

Tuning, polyphonic expression: Black Corporation’s Roman Filippov

Roman Filippov - December 13, 2023