Expressive E Osmose Firmware 2.3 Adds DAW Control, Ctrl-e and 900+ Expressive Presets
1 day ago
2 min read
Expressive E has released firmware 2.3 for Osmose, adding deeper DAW integration, access to Ctrl-e with more than 900 expressive presets, a new bottom action bar and improved MIDI connectivity. Expressive E Osmose firmware 2.3 is one of the biggest workflow updates for the instrument so far, expanding both its DAW and software integration.
The update is free for existing Osmose owners and brings several features previously associated with the newer Osmose CE workflow to the original instrument.
If you want a closer look at the expressive keyboard itself, we recently tested its controller-focused sibling in our full Expressive E Osmose CE 61 review.
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What’s New in Expressive E Osmose Firmware 2.3
One of the biggest additions is DAW Control. Osmose can now handle common production tasks directly from the hardware, including transport, track navigation, loop controls, mixing functions and selected-track macros.
The Mode button also works as a Shift control, giving access to functions such as undo, redo, tempo and quantization.
For an instrument built around expressive performance, this should make the workflow much smoother by reducing the need to constantly switch between the keyboard and computer.
Ctrl-e Is Now Included
Firmware 2.3 also gives Osmose owners access to Ctrl-e, Expressive E's software environment for expressive sounds.
The included library contains 900+ presets designed to take advantage of the Osmose keybed and its pressure, pitch and per-note expression capabilities. The sounds cover multiple synthesis engines and software platforms, giving users a much broader palette beyond the internal EaganMatrix engine.
If you're new to this type of control, our guide to MPE and MIDI Polyphonic Expression explains how individual notes can respond independently to pressure, pitch and other performance gestures.
New Bottom Action Bar
The update also introduces a new bottom action bar, accessed by holding the Mode button.
It provides faster access to:
semitone transposition
Pressure Glide
Expressive Arpeggiator
the main menu
It's a smaller change, but one that should make frequently used performance controls quicker to reach.
Improved MIDI Integration
Expressive E has also reworked the MIDI workflow in firmware 2.3.
The update improves communication between Osmose, the computer, external hardware and the internal synth engine. Osmose can also work as a DIN MIDI-to-USB MIDI interface, which could be especially useful in hybrid studio setups.
Bug fixes and general stability improvements are included as well.
Osmose Becomes More Flexible
Firmware 2.3 strengthens the software-controller side of Osmose without changing what made the original instrument interesting in the first place.
You still have the standalone EaganMatrix synth engine, but now the same keyboard integrates much more naturally with DAWs, plugins and external hardware.
We also spent time with the Osmose CE at Superbooth 2026, which you can read about in our Superbooth 2026 report.
Availability
Osmose firmware 2.3 is available now as a free update for existing owners.
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