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You painted a very accurate history here. Actually, the Hammond organ is a keyboard that has expression features you can activate with the knee or tabs. Synthesizers, especially analog ones, are built to produce endless variations during playing, at least if you dedicate one hand to it. There is also aftertouch, which can provide some kind of live expression. So, live sound modulation has been a feature sought after for a long time by keyboard manufacturers. The Wave was a brilliant attempt, except it was not fully compatible with MIDI parameters, and consequently, the sound bank was very limited. By the way, the Osmose makes me dubitative because, despite the entertainment it brings to keyboard players, I'm not sure this synth may shine when surrounded by a whole arrangement. Some instruments, especially richly textured ones, tend to take up too much room and make mixing very challenging.
You can totally set up a keyboard properly to be a pitch bendable lead instrument. Pitch wheels suck. You need a 4 axis stick. Not even gonna get into tweaking the aftertouch. Really neat and innovative device you featured just the same. Thanks for the cool video.🎶✌️
I dig your casual demeanour in these videos. Too many cats are all hyped up, fake, salesy, etc. With you it feels like a relaxing low key chat about stuff.
Congrats! I've had my Osmose for about 6 months and I can confirm that even though it's amazingly intuitive, the learning curve is long. Every time I play it (or use it as a controller) I learn something new gesturally that requires repetition and practice in order to make it applicable in a real world scenario. In a few more years, I expect there will be a whole generation of MPE virtuosos and the tech will start to really show it's potential. It's a completely new era for us keyboard kids (I started learning and playing piano at about age 6.) BTW, I also just picked up a GS Music e7 desktop polysynth, which is MPE enabled and makes an incredible addition to the Eagan Matrix by adding raw analog power. The recent Noisy 2 and MPE banks for Phase Plant are also pretty amazing and much more doable for hands-on sound design.
How well does it work as a midi controller, if you try to approach it like a regular keyboard with non-MPE instruments? Do the wiggly keys feel awkward at first when played in that context? Just wondering if it'd be a good replacement for a main controller when I don't need extra expressivity.
@@AdamsOlympia It's... different, but it works fine for me in non-MPE modes. For example, with the e7 desktop, I tend to turn on MPE on both ends to play leads and certain rhythmic/arp stuff, but even in "normal" mode, when I'm comping or laying down pads and don't want the pitch bendy stuff, the extra throw on the channel aftertouch is much more expressive than a standard controller or synth. Like I said, it's a long learning curve and you need to take into account that it will take some time to adjust. If you're a strong player with good technique, it'll come together with practice.
Sadly, I have not had the opportunity to get my hands on one. I can certainly tell from watching others try to play it, shows it truly is a a whole new instrument.😁🎶🎹🎶Play On
Surge XT vst plugin is MPE and is free. There is even a full playlist someone made how to make MPE presets with it here on youtube . all free. I'm waiting for my jamstik guitar to come in the mail right now. it's MPE midi guitar.
@@AdamsOlympiaI think it sounds fine as a regular midi controller for non mpe synths. The classic keyboard mode is a blast. The key wiggle pitchbend works when hooked up to a vintage midi synth. It also allows the fine tuning of the pitchbend amount of key wiggle for the connected synth.
It's not true old synths were without expression before Moog. Actually some acient synthesisers were capable of expression in much better way than modwheel. Notable examples being Odens Martenot and Ondioline. Also if you are into keyboard/guitar hybrids definitely check out Harpejji.
I can't remember the exact model but some russian synths from the 70s let you wiggle the keys around for vibrato. You've been able to do what's described in this vid on a Roli Seaboard for over 10 years, this is not new
Playing Osmose is a totally unique vibe. I used mine on my recent album and was blown away by how it felt to play it. I've never really been a guitarist (though I have played double bass a long time ago), so really this was more of a voyage of discovery for me than a return home. Anyway, the subtlety of the experience is wonderful. Incidentally, I'd argue that while it's true that you can't bend notes on a piano, you... kinda can. You can "imply" different amounts of bending by the time you spend on the "grace note". It's a subtle skill but worth learning.
ARP made a pro-soloist keyboard in the late 70s that had pressure and side-to-side expression on each key. I remember having the thin plastic record that came in keyboard magazine with Herbie Hancock demonstrating it.
I remember (or maybe time has cast a rosy tint to my memory ?) playing a very early Yamaha synth in the mid 70s (cy-1??) that had a wiggle vibrato effect which was super cool
I think I'm not the only pianist who wiggles their fingers (inexplicably) when playing - it feels expressive like we're adding vibrato (even though we're not). Finally a keyboard that will actually translate those moves into musical expression!
I did the same always xD but your body movement is definetly changing the Soundwaves everso sloghtly... so it is maybe a sound difference of 0.01% but that is the X-Factor! xD
Hell Yeah, I just bought on of these last month and it'll be here in early July. When I demo'd it at the store it blew mind how natrually all the music was being written on the spot and how inspiring all the presets were. Looovveeee hearing you play with this and can't wait to hear what you release with it!
The Yamaha GX-1, the "Dream Machine" had an upper keyboard that could do the vibrato thing by shaking your finger...using vertical and horizontal aftertouch. This was introduced back in 1973 and only a handful made it out of Japan, and usually by big names like Keith Emerson, Stevie Wonder, and John Paul Jones. It was more a test bed which lead directly to the CS-80. The GX-1 was also massive and not very portable. The CS-80 was like a laptop compared to the size of the GX-1.
Great video as usual! But can we talk about the filmic look? Holy cow, I feel like I'm watching a movie at my local theater! Crushed blacks, lots of grain, dust and dirt - love it!
For me, the Osmose has taken over as my main controller keyboard (the one in front of the monitor anyway). It isn't the best for a lot of things (like a straight up piano), but it is good enough and then it excels at the type of MPE control I want. It is kind of a great sweet spot. My only issue in production is that it generates a lot of extra MIDI information (even in classic or poly aftertouch keyboard modes) like pitch bend, the expression pedal (even after repeated calibrations) is noisy (could be my pedal, but I don't get that plugging it into other keyboards), and the sustain pedal is doesn't send discrete 0 and 127 events, but the full continuum. This can be cool sometimes for plugins that actually can use that (I think pianoteq can possibly?) but usually when editing events after the fact, it is a pain. Most of these MIDI I deal with MIDI post-processing.
You should try a shakuhachi. I bet, you would have fun with it after a while. I'm learning it. So many microexpressions, which changes the sound so drastically.
I don't have an Osmose, but I have several mpe controllers -- Linnstrument, Erae Touch, Striso -- and they are absolute game changers. The Linnstrument is my main controller. It's so nice to have the responsiveness.
@Obscurity202 I don't think anyone doesn't dislike those videos. I just don't think they should have to avoid making gear videos because of how certain people have reacted in the past or that it might feel like too easy of a video. I'm sure there's a lot of reasons why Cameron or Benn Jordan don't make them as much anymore. At the end of the day we all got into this because we love the gear and want to hear someone gush about gear too.
It's wild to me that your version of "Not a major video" is still so much more interesting and well put together than anything I can do. And I've also had the ipulse to vibrate the the keys on a piano hoping that one day it'll suddenly just articulate lol
ondes martenot, one of the first electronic keyboards (1921) has keys which affect the tone when you wobble them. My first synth, an ensoniq ESQ-1 (1986) had a feature where the pitch bend would only affect keys held down, but not those "held" by the footswitch
I've just watched the entire video and I haven't the faintest idea what additional axes of control it actually offers. I had to go to their site to find out that instead of just tracking key velocity and aftertouch pressure, it continuously tracks the key movement throughout the press. Which opens up a lot of possibilities on how you want to process that data. So you can divide the range of motion into different notes, so you get a controlled strumming effect as you press. Or you can do controlled glides based on key depression. And several other use cases on their site.
First of all: Your videos, good Sir, are just soo damn well made it‘s crazy. They themselves deserve to be regarded as art! Second: I‘ve already had the pleasure of using the osmose myself and also tried implementing it into my works (results on my channel if anybody‘s interested :) ) and I‘m really hyped to see how it will evolve in the future! Anyways, thank you Mr Venus Theory for yet another amazing video!!
For the producers that want to get the most out of their current midi keyboards, I feel like a lot of factory presets could benefit from a bit of velocity and or key mapping additions to the parameters making any preset so much more expressive to play
By the way, clavichords, which have been around since the 15th century, can bend pitch and do vibrato on individual notes. Their keys are simple levers, and if you press them, the part in contact with the string will put pressure on the string and change the pitch.
I had to wait 4 years to get mine on pre order, no vsts support its kind of mpe outside of polyphonic after touch and youd have to manually map the pitch bend to the keys, ive never tried that though because my vsts dont use pitch bend. Synth plugins with it however, those are where this comes alive. Pair it with a 3rd wave desktop ;) Most powerful combo of the decade.
I've owned a couple Yamaha keyboards with Touch Response. You can get a lot of sensitivity out of that light or hard key strokes. It's an invaluable tool .
May I recommend you try the brand roli? Im slightly biased as i receive products for free for testing, but the seaboard does everything you mentioned in the intro. Pitch bends, slides, loops. Its fully customisable, for example I use a seaboard (pitch bender similar to guitar), a lumi, 2 drum pads and many looper blocks.
I also started with guitar and bass; I also have a KMI K-Board Pro 4 for MPE, but the Osmose format is much more familiar. I'm anticipating many more future keyboards, especially synths and workstations, to start adding MPE capable keyboards. My Osmose is my go-to lead synth; paired with my Roland Fantom EX (unless I need a keytar), I have nearly everything I need; for everything else, I have my Hammond SkX Cheers!
Just got my Osmose back from it being left behind after I moved, had no room to take it. Love this thing, nothing else is really like it right now. Currently my only controller, & I feel it is the only one I really need. ☺️
The bending-thing that you are talking about is the missing point in my synth journey of the last years. Like you I started to play guitar. In my case 20 years ago. And when I learned about the mod wheel it Was a cool experience but not that bending that my muscle memory wants my fingers to do. I am really happy that someone designed this new synth. I hope that this design will be used in the synth of the future.
This was incredibly useful to me. As a former sax player, I've been frustrated with the comparitive lack of expressivity that I've been getting out of my synth. Heck, I play harp and added a bigsby and a sustain pedal for the same reason. Poly aftertouch is better than nothing, but I've resorted to using a wind controller...but that's mono. This gives me a nice, familiar chromatic keyboard, but an entirely new suite of tools. Thanks!
Hey man, always a joy to watch your cinematic essays on music production. This keyboard has been on my radar too, and it's not a question IF but WHEN I'm going to buy it. So much potential, but not easy to master... Still, not having to draw automation or record different tracks to achieve selective modulation/ pitch FX etc. will be worth it.
I noticed from videos about the seaboard that a slow vibrato on a sax was not impressive: like a three step system where you'd want 127 steps in the sideway key movement tracking, but even 10 steps would be great. Can you give me any indication of how well the Osmosis translates a natural, subtle and slow vibrato on a sax sound? If it does, I'd go for it in a heartbeat. What was I thinking when I bought an EWI when I have little skills on regular keys to begin with.. Oh yeah I know: I love sax so much. I'm usually more into vintage stuff but this one has overlap: it seems exciting to compose pieces based on its best behaviours and characteristics: that's what attracted me since I did the sideway vibration thing forever anyway. Ooh that sweet Mellotron sax... Hats off for your presentation style btw: wonderfully relaxed with little fun personal sidenotes yet informative to the max. I'm ok with one Dr. Mix.
What a coincidence, I just watched somebody used this exact instrument in a music (musics actually, he made several arrangements). This keyboard really pushes the performance ceiling even higher. The music that used this sounds much more natural and more 'real'
As to bends, the littlest brother of the DX7, the DX100, made it possible to apply the pitch wheel to one note at a time in chords. It’s been 30 years, so I don’t remember exactly how it worked. I just remember that I was able to conjure up a steel guitar patch and play it in ways that had people in low places hootin and hollerin. The DX7 did not have the option, and I don’t know whether anything else in the DX line had it. I kinda wish I never sold my DX100.
Don't forget earlier synthesizers with pitch bend. Hey, you know how you can wiggle the keys from side to side on the Osmose to get that vibrato effect? You could also do it with the Ondioline, perhaps as far back as the '40s.
"macro patch is so powerful..." adjusts the fiddle knobo + proceeds to play disgusting sounds for a moment or two sorry... I just couldn't help myself. Seriously though, I am in awe. This is absolutely amazing. I want one but can't afford the (I'm assuming) 5 figure price tag. You noodling around before you played that ca ca patch sounded so much like a 90s Aphex or Autechre record. . . with one instrument and nothing in post. blew me away.
I think it’s funny you say “recovering guitarist” because a lot of us that got deep into synthesizers have been falling off the wagon lately. I just bought my first new guitar in 15 years.
Well done. Keep us posted on that score for the game. I'm interested in hearing it and playing the game. I recently saw Robert Rich play the Haken Continuum and it was absolutely mesmerizing. The Osmose has captured my attention and interest, as well, and it was very cool to see you use it. Thanks for sharing.
My old buddy and original Blue Angel bandmate RobEone got one of the first of these. I agree, it is probably the most expressive key instrument I've seen. hefty price tag, but being able to do something beyond hitting keys up and down, looks real interesting. Being a multi-instrumental guy (had to play just about every instrument to become a music educator) and as much as I've had to rely on workstations, synths etc. for education and performing, this is a different animal altogether, no amount of changing pitch, mods etc. an quite do what this does. Hope they stay in business, so many of the most innovative music technology products end up no longer being produced or supported, or disappear entirely.
I'm not that good on keyboards (been a drummer for most of my life and never properly learned how to play keys) but when I tried the Osmose at a local music shop I was instantly blown away and want one sooo badly...
Love my KMI K-Board 4 Pro... so much so that I bought two of them for a greater range and for playing two instruments. They can often be found on sale. Doesn't have the cool synth engine, but extremely cool for playing SWAM instruments and the slide in the Y direction is very cool. Only gripe I have with the K Boards is that they are 48 keys instead of the 49 which would have provided 4 complete octaves from C to C instead of the last one cutting off at B. Picky picky.😅 And yeah, Generate is way cool and MPE! A super synth to play with a wind controller.
Nice video... Microfreak - this is solved a little differently, but you can also control the expression. Orba 2 as a midi controller also gives interesting effects.
Oh yeah! Short video, but great content ... A few weeks ago, I was like: I need an MPE controller. A Joué Play or ROLI Seaboard or something else. But I came across the GeoShred controller app (MacOS) or MuseLead (Android) and MIDI PolyGrid (both OS) and it works ok for me. I just needed a new toy. This Osmose is another concept. Away from the touch technology to - I don't know - piezos in the back of the keys. Therefore there may need this long extensions of the keys ... I saw some videos on the webpage. Great stuff! Thanks for sharing!
Osmose and Exquis are my MPE duo. Different input methods, great expression capabilities. It mostly depends on the instrument and how I want to play that instrument. Osmose is great for the pads and chords, while Exquis is fun for melodies. The latter also has an ingenious layout for entering chords, but the flat angle on a table is not great for me to play it. I need to invest in a good stand, so I can position it at an angle to have a relaxed hand position. I just need space for it, which I don't have at the moment.
You should try using a Hydrasynth Deluxe by Ashun Sound Machines as the keyboard has aftertouch....or use the Enhancia Neova midi ring...that allows you to tilt, vibrato, pitch bend or roll notes on keyboards by how you move your hands while playing the keys.....
the osmose is one of my fav things. still learning hard to play it. not using the sounds of itself much, but its truly awesome as an mpe controller. used it quite a lot recently for my videos and slowly getting better at this :)
Great review. I have a friend who has one and loves it. I'm no longer producing that style of compositions, so I don't find a need for it now. But where was it 25 years ago? 😁
How do the functions of the Osmose differ from those of the Seaboard Rise 2? If both can handle pitch bending, what sets them apart? I'm new to electronic instruments, so I could really use some help understanding the differences and figuring out which one might be better for different needs. Thanks in advance for your insights!
I've been so interested in this keyboard since it came out it's the only piece of hardware I've seen that I feel like would actually make a significant difference to me
Well this is similar in functionality as my Seaboard Rise 2 that I own. it has several ways to create/produce the sound on the Rise keyboard for each key played. My Rise 2 keyboard is amazing and can be very creative in doing songs. Thanks for your video. Take care.
The history of expression needs to bring awareness to the Trautonium, which had an expression close to a guitar already in the 1930s. Due to WW2 the commercial success was unfortunately low. I play an Osmose myself and love the device. It’s definitely another level. Thank you for your video!
i've wanted one so bad since i saw the first introduction videos, about a year(?) before it was eventually released. for a while, i wondered if it was REALLY going to happen.. i love playing percussion and acoustic guitar, so synthesizers/samplers have been inherently dissatisfying to play-- very cool sounds, but.....
Why don't you talk more about the ROLI Rise? I would like to know what the difference with the Expressive E. I have already played on a Rise, and for me, it is the pinnacle of what can be done, thanks to its unique texture. But if we overlay real piano notes, doesn't it somewhat break its playability and interest ? What do you think ? And if you've never played on a Rise, you really should try it.
I paired my Osmose with a Ultrahaptics Leap Motion Controller 2 with Midipaw software... Let me tell you, the level of expression my setup is capable of blows my mind every time I play the thing!
Hey Cam, hi from the UK! Interesting to see a take on the Osmose that is not so glowing and gushing! Also coming from a guitar background I was close to buying an Osmose when it came out but am currently more interested (when circumstances permit) in trying to use a Boss GM800 and associated pickups to control VST’s such as Equator and Pigments. Using a dual cable method to mix the output with more-standard guitar sounds from my Valeton processor should be pretty mind blowing. Wonder whether you’d thought of trying the GM800 with Pigments? Would be interested to hear your take on it! Best. John
Pianist here. I've wanted to dive into synth-world for a looong time now, it's just a whole new world. Would you recommend the Osmose as my first synth? I'm kinda in love with it, but don't know if I should go with something classic like Nord..
I've been torn between the Osmose and the Seaboard. On one hand, the Osmose has really nice keys, and feels more sturdy under the fingers. On the other hand, the Seaboard is amazing for really natural-feeling pitch slides (because you actually slide your hand, instead of slowly raising and lowering two notes). I dunno. I may just have to experiment with both.
I couldn't decide between the two, so I just bought both. Having used them for a couple weeks, they both play different. And I'll be keeping them both.
🤤 I've been drooling over the Osmose since it hit the market. Now that it is available again, I will hopefully be able to grab one, before it is too late. Glad you got one. The moment I heard it, I knew it would be a good fit for you. I want to hear what it sounds like in Hip-Hop
The main problem with stuff like this is that a person literally needs to be an octopus and a millionaire to enjoy playing music on it for real. To elaborate, I am sure this thing is great on its own two feet, but to make the most of this, it would need to be paired up with something like a Montage or a Fantom, and while that could technically be done, its not very practical overall. Now if this had a robust set of synth controls built in along with premium electronics, it would be a lot cooler but it would also cost as much as a sports car. So there is my humble opinion. It could be fun, but its basic as well as cutting edge, so somewhat limited and risky. Expression is extremely important, and I do hope this catches on because its innovative and creative.
@@bnjmnwst Yes, very well put. In the right hands this instrument could be exceptional, but as it is new relatively unproven tech, it will be far more impractical to explore its unique capabilities. I would say it has a risky learning curve which involves more of an investment if one does not already have a moderate collection of compatible music gear. In that sense, this seems to me more like a backup plan than the main event. Poly aftertouch still hasn't caught on in mainstream, at least its still not really in too many budget devices. This is an admirable concept, but seems to me a bit ahead of its time... who knows maybe I've got it all wrong.
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You painted a very accurate history here. Actually, the Hammond organ is a keyboard that has expression features you can activate with the knee or tabs. Synthesizers, especially analog ones, are built to produce endless variations during playing, at least if you dedicate one hand to it. There is also aftertouch, which can provide some kind of live expression. So, live sound modulation has been a feature sought after for a long time by keyboard manufacturers. The Wave was a brilliant attempt, except it was not fully compatible with MIDI parameters, and consequently, the sound bank was very limited. By the way, the Osmose makes me dubitative because, despite the entertainment it brings to keyboard players, I'm not sure this synth may shine when surrounded by a whole arrangement. Some instruments, especially richly textured ones, tend to take up too much room and make mixing very challenging.
Congrats the guitar man !! Woot woot
You can totally set up a keyboard properly to be a pitch bendable lead instrument.
Pitch wheels suck.
You need a 4 axis stick. Not even gonna get into tweaking the aftertouch.
Really neat and innovative device you featured just the same.
Thanks for the cool video.🎶✌️
just get a Haken Continuum
I've been trying to wiggle my keys too, glad I'm not the only one.
I dig your casual demeanour in these videos. Too many cats are all hyped up, fake, salesy, etc.
With you it feels like a relaxing low key chat about stuff.
For a second I thought you meant actual cats, lmao
@@ReeferMusic Well, UA-cam was solely invented to show cat videos, so.
that's why he gets the big bucks
Congrats! I've had my Osmose for about 6 months and I can confirm that even though it's amazingly intuitive, the learning curve is long. Every time I play it (or use it as a controller) I learn something new gesturally that requires repetition and practice in order to make it applicable in a real world scenario. In a few more years, I expect there will be a whole generation of MPE virtuosos and the tech will start to really show it's potential. It's a completely new era for us keyboard kids (I started learning and playing piano at about age 6.) BTW, I also just picked up a GS Music e7 desktop polysynth, which is MPE enabled and makes an incredible addition to the Eagan Matrix by adding raw analog power. The recent Noisy 2 and MPE banks for Phase Plant are also pretty amazing and much more doable for hands-on sound design.
How well does it work as a midi controller, if you try to approach it like a regular keyboard with non-MPE instruments? Do the wiggly keys feel awkward at first when played in that context? Just wondering if it'd be a good replacement for a main controller when I don't need extra expressivity.
@@AdamsOlympia It's... different, but it works fine for me in non-MPE modes. For example, with the e7 desktop, I tend to turn on MPE on both ends to play leads and certain rhythmic/arp stuff, but even in "normal" mode, when I'm comping or laying down pads and don't want the pitch bendy stuff, the extra throw on the channel aftertouch is much more expressive than a standard controller or synth. Like I said, it's a long learning curve and you need to take into account that it will take some time to adjust. If you're a strong player with good technique, it'll come together with practice.
Sadly, I have not had the opportunity to get my hands on one. I can certainly tell from watching others try to play it, shows it truly is a a whole new instrument.😁🎶🎹🎶Play On
Surge XT vst plugin is MPE and is free. There is even a full playlist someone made how to make MPE presets with it here on youtube . all free. I'm waiting for my jamstik guitar to come in the mail right now. it's MPE midi guitar.
@@AdamsOlympiaI think it sounds fine as a regular midi controller for non mpe synths. The classic keyboard mode is a blast. The key wiggle pitchbend works when hooked up to a vintage midi synth. It also allows the fine tuning of the pitchbend amount of key wiggle for the connected synth.
It's not true old synths were without expression before Moog. Actually some acient synthesisers were capable of expression in much better way than modwheel. Notable examples being Odens Martenot and Ondioline.
Also if you are into keyboard/guitar hybrids definitely check out Harpejji.
I can't remember the exact model but some russian synths from the 70s let you wiggle the keys around for vibrato. You've been able to do what's described in this vid on a Roli Seaboard for over 10 years, this is not new
Mod wheel wasn't the only game. Some setups use pedals or breath control too. I'm surprised they never got a mention though.
Trautonium as well. See LudoWic :)
The editing and visual style are absolutely wonderful. Amazing job, bud.
Playing Osmose is a totally unique vibe. I used mine on my recent album and was blown away by how it felt to play it. I've never really been a guitarist (though I have played double bass a long time ago), so really this was more of a voyage of discovery for me than a return home. Anyway, the subtlety of the experience is wonderful.
Incidentally, I'd argue that while it's true that you can't bend notes on a piano, you... kinda can. You can "imply" different amounts of bending by the time you spend on the "grace note". It's a subtle skill but worth learning.
ARP made a pro-soloist keyboard in the late 70s that had pressure and side-to-side expression on each key.
I remember having the thin plastic record that came in keyboard magazine with Herbie Hancock demonstrating it.
I remember (or maybe time has cast a rosy tint to my memory ?) playing a very early Yamaha synth in the mid 70s (cy-1??) that had a wiggle vibrato effect which was super cool
So did a few Yamaha organs.
I remember those flexi disks! I had one from a guitar magazine - blues backing tracks :)
I think I'm not the only pianist who wiggles their fingers (inexplicably) when playing - it feels expressive like we're adding vibrato (even though we're not). Finally a keyboard that will actually translate those moves into musical expression!
I do the same sometimes. Makes me interested in this
Yes, I DO too! :)
I did the same always xD but your body movement is definetly changing the Soundwaves everso sloghtly... so it is maybe a sound difference of 0.01% but that is the X-Factor! xD
Roli
Hell Yeah, I just bought on of these last month and it'll be here in early July. When I demo'd it at the store it blew mind how natrually all the music was being written on the spot and how inspiring all the presets were. Looovveeee hearing you play with this and can't wait to hear what you release with it!
Glad to hear you are busy.
That definitely looks like awesome kit.
This is such a good video. Seriously, from beginning to end. Great storytelling without being UA-cam-y. Thank you
The Yamaha GX-1, the "Dream Machine" had an upper keyboard that could do the vibrato thing by shaking your finger...using vertical and horizontal aftertouch. This was introduced back in 1973 and only a handful made it out of Japan, and usually by big names like Keith Emerson, Stevie Wonder, and John Paul Jones. It was more a test bed which lead directly to the CS-80. The GX-1 was also massive and not very portable. The CS-80 was like a laptop compared to the size of the GX-1.
Great video as usual! But can we talk about the filmic look? Holy cow, I feel like I'm watching a movie at my local theater! Crushed blacks, lots of grain, dust and dirt - love it!
For me, the Osmose has taken over as my main controller keyboard (the one in front of the monitor anyway). It isn't the best for a lot of things (like a straight up piano), but it is good enough and then it excels at the type of MPE control I want. It is kind of a great sweet spot. My only issue in production is that it generates a lot of extra MIDI information (even in classic or poly aftertouch keyboard modes) like pitch bend, the expression pedal (even after repeated calibrations) is noisy (could be my pedal, but I don't get that plugging it into other keyboards), and the sustain pedal is doesn't send discrete 0 and 127 events, but the full continuum. This can be cool sometimes for plugins that actually can use that (I think pianoteq can possibly?) but usually when editing events after the fact, it is a pain. Most of these MIDI I deal with MIDI post-processing.
You should try a shakuhachi. I bet, you would have fun with it after a while. I'm learning it. So many microexpressions, which changes the sound so drastically.
I really struggled with the embouchre on the Shakuhachi, I really love the sound of it as an instrument, but it definately is not like other flutes.
I'm waiting for a young keyboardist to get so good at this thing that it changes everything
What about an old person who is so bad at it, that it changes everything? If expressive e wants to send me one, I would give it one hell of a try!
why wait when u can try urself
@@AlchemicalAudiolmao
Have you heard of Yohan Kim? He's incredible. Possibly one of the best keyboardists of all time.
Jordan ruddes and Cory Henry have played similar to this and I believe Jacob collier has too.
I don't have an Osmose, but I have several mpe controllers -- Linnstrument, Erae Touch, Striso -- and they are absolute game changers. The Linnstrument is my main controller. It's so nice to have the responsiveness.
Don't be afraid to make videos just about gear. I like gear and so do the rest of us.
Ya, but it's the road to perdition
Idk I like the videos where he goes completely off the rails because I can relate to that 😂 gear is cool tho.
Perhaps a bit tooo much at times.😜
@Obscurity202 I don't think anyone doesn't dislike those videos. I just don't think they should have to avoid making gear videos because of how certain people have reacted in the past or that it might feel like too easy of a video. I'm sure there's a lot of reasons why Cameron or Benn Jordan don't make them as much anymore. At the end of the day we all got into this because we love the gear and want to hear someone gush about gear too.
The road to purrditchin
is the realm where internet memes abound
of cats digging holes.
Already have a Roli Seabord...i absolute adorei it for flutes/solo violins etc...But the minute i saw this i went crazy for it!
It's wild to me that your version of "Not a major video" is still so much more interesting and well put together than anything I can do.
And I've also had the ipulse to vibrate the the keys on a piano hoping that one day it'll suddenly just articulate lol
ondes martenot, one of the first electronic keyboards (1921) has keys which affect the tone when you wobble them.
My first synth, an ensoniq ESQ-1 (1986) had a feature where the pitch bend would only affect keys held down, but not those "held" by the footswitch
I've just watched the entire video and I haven't the faintest idea what additional axes of control it actually offers. I had to go to their site to find out that instead of just tracking key velocity and aftertouch pressure, it continuously tracks the key movement throughout the press. Which opens up a lot of possibilities on how you want to process that data. So you can divide the range of motion into different notes, so you get a controlled strumming effect as you press. Or you can do controlled glides based on key depression. And several other use cases on their site.
First of all: Your videos, good Sir, are just soo damn well made it‘s crazy. They themselves deserve to be regarded as art!
Second: I‘ve already had the pleasure of using the osmose myself and also tried implementing it into my works (results on my channel if anybody‘s interested :) ) and I‘m really hyped to see how it will evolve in the future!
Anyways, thank you Mr Venus Theory for yet another amazing video!!
"As a recovering guitar player..." 😂 Beautiful turn of phrase. Love your humour Cameron.
I've watched a handful of your videos in the past. I understand this was intentionally different - and I thought it was great.
For the producers that want to get the most out of their current midi keyboards, I feel like a lot of factory presets could benefit from a bit of velocity and or key mapping additions to the parameters making any preset so much more expressive to play
That's intense!! I love the look of this. I think I'll wait until the 66 key version and then it will be all I want!
What a lovely piece. Also, you have always done great videos, so ones like these are super fun too!
Thank you for putting those sounds out. You gave me an idea. Love you bro 😅😊
By the way, clavichords, which have been around since the 15th century, can bend pitch and do vibrato on individual notes. Their keys are simple levers, and if you press them, the part in contact with the string will put pressure on the string and change the pitch.
i think this is my favorite video because of your final comments, really made it 🤌 perfect
I had to wait 4 years to get mine on pre order, no vsts support its kind of mpe outside of polyphonic after touch and youd have to manually map the pitch bend to the keys, ive never tried that though because my vsts dont use pitch bend. Synth plugins with it however, those are where this comes alive. Pair it with a 3rd wave desktop ;) Most powerful combo of the decade.
I've owned a couple Yamaha keyboards with Touch Response. You can get a lot of sensitivity out of that light or hard key strokes. It's an invaluable tool .
May I recommend you try the brand roli? Im slightly biased as i receive products for free for testing, but the seaboard does everything you mentioned in the intro. Pitch bends, slides, loops. Its fully customisable, for example I use a seaboard (pitch bender similar to guitar), a lumi, 2 drum pads and many looper blocks.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this amazing keyboard.
The osmose paved the way for the Arturia Polybrute 12. The true MPE king!
I also started with guitar and bass; I also have a KMI K-Board Pro 4 for MPE, but the Osmose format is much more familiar. I'm anticipating many more future keyboards, especially synths and workstations, to start adding MPE capable keyboards.
My Osmose is my go-to lead synth; paired with my Roland Fantom EX (unless I need a keytar), I have nearly everything I need; for everything else, I have my Hammond SkX
Cheers!
This looks neat!
Unrelated note: been using mixcraft 9 again and loving it.
Your tutorials on their channel have helped me a bunch already.
Just got my Osmose back from it being left behind after I moved, had no room to take it. Love this thing, nothing else is really like it right now. Currently my only controller, & I feel it is the only one I really need. ☺️
The bending-thing that you are talking about is the missing point in my synth journey of the last years. Like you I started to play guitar. In my case 20 years ago. And when I learned about the mod wheel it Was a cool experience but not that bending that my muscle memory wants my fingers to do. I am really happy that someone designed this new synth. I hope that this design will be used in the synth of the future.
This was incredibly useful to me. As a former sax player, I've been frustrated with the comparitive lack of expressivity that I've been getting out of my synth. Heck, I play harp and added a bigsby and a sustain pedal for the same reason. Poly aftertouch is better than nothing, but I've resorted to using a wind controller...but that's mono. This gives me a nice, familiar chromatic keyboard, but an entirely new suite of tools. Thanks!
Dude! Good to see you again! I have been seriously jonesing for an Osmose and hope to be able to pick one up ere long!
I was watching this while on lunch break and that "get of the internet and get back to work" hit me hard. thank you tho lol
Hey man, always a joy to watch your cinematic essays on music production. This keyboard has been on my radar too, and it's not a question IF but WHEN I'm going to buy it. So much potential, but not easy to master... Still, not having to draw automation or record different tracks to achieve selective modulation/ pitch FX etc. will be worth it.
Very good video!.You always bring very ineteresting things that help learn new things. Thanks a lot
I noticed from videos about the seaboard that a slow vibrato on a sax was not impressive: like a three step system where you'd want 127 steps in the sideway key movement tracking, but even 10 steps would be great.
Can you give me any indication of how well the Osmosis translates a natural, subtle and slow vibrato on a sax sound?
If it does, I'd go for it in a heartbeat.
What was I thinking when I bought an EWI when I have little skills on regular keys to begin with.. Oh yeah I know: I love sax so much.
I'm usually more into vintage stuff but this one has overlap: it seems exciting to compose pieces based on its best behaviours and characteristics: that's what attracted me since I did the sideway vibration thing forever anyway.
Ooh that sweet Mellotron sax...
Hats off for your presentation style btw: wonderfully relaxed with little fun personal sidenotes yet informative to the max.
I'm ok with one Dr. Mix.
Ooh. This looks neat. This would be a lot of fun with sound design.
What a coincidence, I just watched somebody used this exact instrument in a music (musics actually, he made several arrangements). This keyboard really pushes the performance ceiling even higher. The music that used this sounds much more natural and more 'real'
Thank you, I needed to see this!
As to bends, the littlest brother of the DX7, the DX100, made it possible to apply the pitch wheel to one note at a time in chords. It’s been 30 years, so I don’t remember exactly how it worked. I just remember that I was able to conjure up a steel guitar patch and play it in ways that had people in low places hootin and hollerin. The DX7 did not have the option, and I don’t know whether anything else in the DX line had it. I kinda wish I never sold my DX100.
possibly similar to ESQ-1 - pitch bend did not affect notes held via the footswitch (unless you wanted it to)
Good man, giving us the distraction, but also the reminder to get back to work. Thanks man.
Don't forget earlier synthesizers with pitch bend. Hey, you know how you can wiggle the keys from side to side on the Osmose to get that vibrato effect? You could also do it with the Ondioline, perhaps as far back as the '40s.
This was not only a fun video but really nicely done! Definitely worth doing. ❤
Great expressive keyboard 🎹 with that being said, adjusting parameters using polyphonic after touch make all sorts of these nuances available
"macro patch is so powerful..." adjusts the fiddle knobo + proceeds to play disgusting sounds for a moment or two
sorry...
I just couldn't help myself. Seriously though, I am in awe. This is absolutely amazing. I want one but can't afford the (I'm assuming) 5 figure price tag. You noodling around before you played that ca ca patch sounded so much like a 90s Aphex or Autechre record. . . with one instrument and nothing in post. blew me away.
Try the Microfreak. It's pretty expressive. Lots of cool stuff out there right now.
I think it’s funny you say “recovering guitarist” because a lot of us that got deep into synthesizers have been falling off the wagon lately. I just bought my first new guitar in 15 years.
Well done. Keep us posted on that score for the game. I'm interested in hearing it and playing the game.
I recently saw Robert Rich play the Haken Continuum and it was absolutely mesmerizing. The Osmose has captured my attention and interest, as well, and it was very cool to see you use it. Thanks for sharing.
My old buddy and original Blue Angel bandmate RobEone got one of the first of these. I agree, it is probably the most expressive key instrument I've seen. hefty price tag, but being able to do something beyond hitting keys up and down, looks real interesting. Being a multi-instrumental guy (had to play just about every instrument to become a music educator) and as much as I've had to rely on workstations, synths etc. for education and performing, this is a different animal altogether, no amount of changing pitch, mods etc. an quite do what this does. Hope they stay in business, so many of the most innovative music technology products end up no longer being produced or supported, or disappear entirely.
This is pretty cool. Thanks for working with it and sharing your thoughts -- as always.
I love the cinescope; it feels so natural to the eyes.
When he played in the Mahavishnu Orchestra, Jan Hammer used to bend notes on his MiniMoog as expressively as any guitar player.
8:39 when the riff is so fancy you gotta go pinky out
I wish all UA-cam videos would sign off like that.
Was thinking the same thing. I hope this becomes a regular outro!
I'm not that good on keyboards (been a drummer for most of my life and never properly learned how to play keys) but when I tried the Osmose at a local music shop I was instantly blown away and want one sooo badly...
0:51 Accordion can do vibrato (I don’t know how I just know it can). 二胡 can do that; it even has a very strong vibrato.
Love my KMI K-Board 4 Pro... so much so that I bought two of them for a greater range and for playing two instruments. They can often be found on sale. Doesn't have the cool synth engine, but extremely cool for playing SWAM instruments and the slide in the Y direction is very cool.
Only gripe I have with the K Boards is that they are 48 keys instead of the 49 which would have provided 4 complete octaves from C to C instead of the last one cutting off at B. Picky picky.😅 And yeah, Generate is way cool and MPE! A super synth to play with a wind controller.
Was that Ground Branch?!
I absolutely LOVE that game and the work of that team.
Oh, and cool synth too! Gonna have to get my hands on one of those!
Nice video...
Microfreak - this is solved a little differently, but you can also control the expression. Orba 2 as a midi controller also gives interesting effects.
Oh yeah! Short video, but great content ...
A few weeks ago, I was like: I need an MPE controller. A Joué Play or ROLI Seaboard or something else.
But I came across the GeoShred controller app (MacOS) or MuseLead (Android) and MIDI PolyGrid (both OS) and it works ok for me. I just needed a new toy.
This Osmose is another concept. Away from the touch technology to - I don't know - piezos in the back of the keys. Therefore there may need this long extensions of the keys ...
I saw some videos on the webpage. Great stuff!
Thanks for sharing!
NewFangled generate ! never heard of that one ! It sounds SO GOOD !!
2:38 The great Vaggelis Papathanasiou ! 💙 🇬🇷
Osmose and Exquis are my MPE duo. Different input methods, great expression capabilities. It mostly depends on the instrument and how I want to play that instrument. Osmose is great for the pads and chords, while Exquis is fun for melodies. The latter also has an ingenious layout for entering chords, but the flat angle on a table is not great for me to play it. I need to invest in a good stand, so I can position it at an angle to have a relaxed hand position. I just need space for it, which I don't have at the moment.
You should try using a Hydrasynth Deluxe by Ashun Sound Machines as the keyboard has aftertouch....or use the Enhancia Neova midi ring...that allows you to tilt, vibrato, pitch bend or roll notes on keyboards by how you move your hands while playing the keys.....
the osmose is one of my fav things. still learning hard to play it. not using the sounds of itself much, but its truly awesome as an mpe controller. used it quite a lot recently for my videos and slowly getting better at this :)
Pair the Osmose with the Polybrute 12 (supports mpe in/out), trust me on that one 😊
Good to see Vince Gilligan taking up new hobbies. Bravo Vince
thank you! ... I've been looking at this thing pretty hard...
Great review. I have a friend who has one and loves it. I'm no longer producing that style of compositions, so I don't find a need for it now. But where was it 25 years ago? 😁
Hmm none of the sounds really inspired me tbh but I'm interested to know more about the haptics of this board. Intrerseting stuff!
How do the functions of the Osmose differ from those of the Seaboard Rise 2? If both can handle pitch bending, what sets them apart? I'm new to electronic instruments, so I could really use some help understanding the differences and figuring out which one might be better for different needs. Thanks in advance for your insights!
Eyyy my fav channel atm Venus, looking forward to it!
I've been so interested in this keyboard since it came out it's the only piece of hardware I've seen that I feel like would actually make a significant difference to me
Well this is similar in functionality as my Seaboard Rise 2 that I own. it has several ways to create/produce the sound on the Rise keyboard for each key played. My Rise 2 keyboard is amazing and can be very creative in doing songs.
Thanks for your video. Take care.
a most balanced and honest appraisal
`````i wish that soundfonts supported MPC
The Osmose is incredible! We love ours! ❤
The history of expression needs to bring awareness to the Trautonium, which had an expression close to a guitar already in the 1930s. Due to WW2 the commercial success was unfortunately low. I play an Osmose myself and love the device. It’s definitely another level. Thank you for your video!
i've wanted one so bad since i saw the first introduction videos, about a year(?) before it was eventually released. for a while, i wondered if it was REALLY going to happen.. i love playing percussion and acoustic guitar, so synthesizers/samplers have been inherently dissatisfying to play-- very cool sounds, but.....
Why don't you talk more about the ROLI Rise?
I would like to know what the difference with the Expressive E. I have already played on a Rise, and for me, it is the pinnacle of what can be done, thanks to its unique texture. But if we overlay real piano notes, doesn't it somewhat break its playability and interest ?
What do you think ?
And if you've never played on a Rise, you really should try it.
Exactly. I feel like this thing is the LUMI equivalent, which has per note bending, but lacking the 48-note slide (bend) of the Seaboard.
I think what sets this apart is the thoughtful SYNTH DESIGN fused with a staggeringly expressive piano-keyboard-size per-note-expressive controller
Hello. How does it compare to the Roli Seaboard? And yes, I need to get back to work - Thanks!!!!
I paired my Osmose with a Ultrahaptics Leap Motion Controller 2 with Midipaw software... Let me tell you, the level of expression my setup is capable of blows my mind every time I play the thing!
Hey Cam, hi from the UK! Interesting to see a take on the Osmose that is not so glowing and gushing! Also coming from a guitar background I was close to buying an Osmose when it came out but am currently more interested (when circumstances permit) in trying to use a Boss GM800 and associated pickups to control VST’s such as Equator and Pigments. Using a dual cable method to mix the output with more-standard guitar sounds from my Valeton processor should be pretty mind blowing. Wonder whether you’d thought of trying the GM800 with Pigments? Would be interested to hear your take on it! Best. John
Clavichord kinda works this way. SInce 1300-ish :) Vou should try one, you will love it!
Have you tried the roli seaboard? I’ve been torn between the two
Pianist here. I've wanted to dive into synth-world for a looong time now, it's just a whole new world. Would you recommend the Osmose as my first synth? I'm kinda in love with it, but don't know if I should go with something classic like Nord..
I've been torn between the Osmose and the Seaboard. On one hand, the Osmose has really nice keys, and feels more sturdy under the fingers. On the other hand, the Seaboard is amazing for really natural-feeling pitch slides (because you actually slide your hand, instead of slowly raising and lowering two notes). I dunno. I may just have to experiment with both.
I couldn't decide between the two, so I just bought both. Having used them for a couple weeks, they both play different. And I'll be keeping them both.
🤤 I've been drooling over the Osmose since it hit the market. Now that it is available again, I will hopefully be able to grab one, before it is too late. Glad you got one. The moment I heard it, I knew it would be a good fit for you. I want to hear what it sounds like in Hip-Hop
Ondes Martenot did vibrato on keyboard in the 30s already, as well as glissando :D That's why it's my favorite instrument to play
The main problem with stuff like this is that a person literally needs to be an octopus and a millionaire to enjoy playing music on it for real. To elaborate, I am sure this thing is great on its own two feet, but to make the most of this, it would need to be paired up with something like a Montage or a Fantom, and while that could technically be done, its not very practical overall. Now if this had a robust set of synth controls built in along with premium electronics, it would be a lot cooler but it would also cost as much as a sports car. So there is my humble opinion. It could be fun, but its basic as well as cutting edge, so somewhat limited and risky. Expression is extremely important, and I do hope this catches on because its innovative and creative.
It's strangely just like a nice guitar in that way. Wouldn't you say?
@@bnjmnwst Yes, very well put. In the right hands this instrument could be exceptional, but as it is new relatively unproven tech, it will be far more impractical to explore its unique capabilities. I would say it has a risky learning curve which involves more of an investment if one does not already have a moderate collection of compatible music gear. In that sense, this seems to me more like a backup plan than the main event. Poly aftertouch still hasn't caught on in mainstream, at least its still not really in too many budget devices. This is an admirable concept, but seems to me a bit ahead of its time... who knows maybe I've got it all wrong.