Expressive E's Osmose, the Keyboard Hans Zimmer Used to Score 'Dune 2', Now Has a $999 USD Controller Edition
By removing the internal engine, the new Osmose CE brings Hans Zimmer’s favorite 3D-expression keyboard to a sub-$1,000 USD price point.
Summary
- Expressive E has introduced the Osmose CE, a streamlined MIDI controller version of its groundbreaking MPE keyboard that ditches the built-in synthesizer for a more accessible entry price
- Arriving in 49-key and 61-key configurations priced at $999 USD and $1,199 USD, the new hardware undercuts the original $1,799 USD standalone flagship
- The release debuts alongside Ctrl-e, a dedicated companion software ecosystem loaded with over 900 custom presets and direct integration for major DAWs
Expressive E is officially democratizing one of the most vital instruments in modern cinematic scoring. The French hardware manufacturer just revealed the Osmose CE (Controller Edition), a stripped-back iteration of the three-dimensional MPE keyboard that recently earned legendary status in Hollywood. Gaining massive cultural cachet after composer Hans Zimmer deployed an arsenal of the units to craft the alien soundscapes of Dune: Part Two, the instrument is now pivoting to serve a broader audience. By removing the internal EaganMatrix sound engine, the brand is positioning this new release as the ultimate tactile centerpiece for studio producers who already rely on desktop software.
Built at a new manufacturing facility in Poland, the controller retains the exact same mechanical keybed that made the original a revelation. Musicians can still manipulate notes with lateral movement and pressure-sensitive gestures, executing per-note pitch bends, deep vibrato, and dynamic strumming directly on the keys. Visually, the hardware swaps the all-black stealth look of its predecessor for a striking white aluminum top plate paired with a black metal base. Available in both 49-key and 61-key sizes, the unit connects seamlessly to modern production setups via USB-C while also featuring traditional DIN MIDI inputs and outputs for driving outboard gear.
To ensure the hardware feels like a cohesive instrument rather than a blank slate, the launch coincides with the introduction of Ctrl-e. This free companion software bridges the gap between physical touch and digital synthesis, hosting curated engines from heavyweight developers like Synapse Audio, Kilohearts, and Dawesome. It comes loaded with over 900 macro-mapped presets specifically designed to respond to the controller’s unique gesture inputs without requiring tedious manual routing. The ecosystem also introduces smart auto-detection for instant transport and mixer control across major workstations, including Ableton Live, Logic Pro, Bitwig, and Cubase.
Priced at $999 USD and $1,199 USD respectively, the 49-key and 61-key models significantly lower the barrier to entry compared to the $1,799 USD standalone synthesizer. As the music production landscape increasingly demands organic, human-feeling modulation to cut through the digital noise, this streamlined MPE platform arrives at a perfect cultural moment. Current owners of the original flagship aren’t being left behind either; the company confirmed that a future firmware update will unlock the same DAW control features and Ctrl-e compatibility for the pioneering first-generation units.
