Osmose keyboard

[AnotherScott]

15 hours ago, uhoh7 said:

PS My daughter comes home each summer from Brooklyn, and today I had her fiddling with the Osmose. She was having a grand time wiggling keys and comparing presets. After a few minutes I directed her attention to the variation of attack and the aftertouch. "Whoa!" 

Younger players may be the quickest to embrace new approaches to playing.

[uhoh7]

This one is priceless:

 

 

What Starsky did not figure out: there is a "cookbook" with many answers, for free on the Osmose Facebook group. It gets updated frequently. Version 1.7 now I think. 

 

Think of a cup half full circa 6000BCE.... "what? you are so poor?" "Taste it." "Ohhhhhh..........." The birth of wine. 

[uhoh7]

The real Osmose manual:

 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/15qAz6zMF_Go_6rUjbOdqEYKZVeeU6uhP/view?usp=sharing

 

The link changes with updates, which are frequent. Check Osmose Facebook group for latest from the indefatigable Richard Kram, godsend to Osmose plebs such as myself. 

[GovernorSilver]

38 minutes ago, uhoh7 said:

The real Osmose manual:

 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/15qAz6zMF_Go_6rUjbOdqEYKZVeeU6uhP/view?usp=sharing

 

The link changes with updates, which are frequent. Check Osmose Facebook group for latest from the indefatigable Richard Kram, godsend to Osmose plebs such as myself. 

 

Wow, Mr. Kram is still hard at work.  Now his book is at 1.14!

 

He was on 1.09 when I posted his book to this thread back in June.

[David Emm]

Part of me feels as if I could never master this thing and the other feels like its the instrument of my dreams. Its appeared a bit late for me, sadly, but yeah, that's MPE brought to full flower. I understand that the Haken engine is a complex bear, but as with a ROLI, just tweaking the main axes is a go-to basic skill you can grasp pretty easily.

 

Its also likely to be a case of Preset Hell becoming a meaningless term. From what I hear, a large number of them are exactly what the instrument is for, so there seems like less of a drive to modify them at the root level. The performance level is where you do most of the expressive adjustments.

I don't expect many "Digital Native Dance" patches, but after a while, we'll be able to say "That's an Osmose." I look forward to the people who will really meld with it and personalize it. Its still in the early days.

[GovernorSilver]

 

[Dave Bryce]

Finally got mine.

 

 

My initial thought is that I’m really impressed with this instrument.  As mentioned extensively in this thread, it’s way deep…but, man - I just love the sound and flexibility so far.  
 

I’m inclined to agree that it’s quite a bargain at the asking price.

 

It was definitely worth the wait. 😎🥳

 

dB

 

 

[GovernorSilver]

Custom patches by Bill Blair.  Download links in YT comment section

 

 

[SamuelBLupowitz]

Wandering around downtown Montreal with my wife on a weekend getaway today, we stumbled into a Moog Audio store and I was shocked to see an Osmose in the flesh out on the floor. Plugged in some headphones and tried out a few patches ... ooh boy. I think I LOVE this thing. I've been playing a lot of left-hand bass and it seems *ideal* for that, as well as a great compromise between the expressiveness of the Seaboard and the practical needs of doing pads and stabs and other more traditional keyboard gestures to round out a rig based on organ and/or piano.

 

How are those of you who have had yours for awhile feeling about it?

 

From what I can tell from this thread and the wider internet, the editing software is deeply, frustratingly complicated, but it also seems like the onboard presets are diverse and very responsive. It's got DIN and USB MIDI in and out, all of which I would make use of... did I also see that there is, in fact, ways to layer and split? I had assumed it was monotimbral, and that wouldn't be a dealbreaker, but being able to spread multiple voices across the four octaves would certainly come in handy from time to time.

 

Man, I'd had a solid two years of not having any keyboard purchases on my wish list. It's a hard life we lead. Anyway, interested in how the Osmose is feeling for those of you who have had it for awhile.

[Dave Bryce]

Still digging mine.  Lotta fun to play, sounds unlike anything else I own, pretty versatile software instrument controller.

 

dB

[ProfD]

Thread resurrection.

 

I mentioned in another thread that the Osmose doesn't seem to get the same level of attention as rehashed synths.

 

Yet, it seems the Osmose could be everything musicians have been asking for in an KB instrument.

 

I'm asking Osmose owners to chime in with their pros/cons after having spent time with it.

 

Let us know if you're still wiggling, er, digging the Osmose or the masquerade is over and it's back to the comfort and safety of traditional subtractive synths.😎

[octa]

Have been only occasionally playing with Osmose, but like its potential for certain situations. I'm still not in love with the keybed (thought it would be more sturdy and less plasticky), but when I play other synths I sometimes miss the expressive options on the Osmose. Looking forward to messing with new features today: 

 

 

[Stokely]

So, question and apologies if it's been asked....

How well does this thing work with other instruments (in my case, VSTs)?

I've got money from a keyboard sale burning a hole in my pocket and I'm more than set for a live rig.   Thinking more of something "outside the box" for my sounds that are "in the box".  I know I have at least some plugins that are to whatever degree mpe capable (though I'm surprised a bit to read that Omnisphere may not be, not exactly).

Anyway, my interest in this is more as a controller but if the internal sounds are the best/only way to take advantage of the expression, so be it.
Also looking a bit at the Linnstrument though a part of my brain is yelling "weren't you supposed to be getting better at guitar?!?"

[ProfD]

13 minutes ago, Stokely said:

Anyway, my interest in this is more as a controller but if the internal sounds are the best/only way to take advantage of the expression, so be it.

From what I gather, the Osmose will work as an MPC controller externally but it's really a performance-oriented KB thus onboard sounds. 

 

The Osmose is designed to give KB players a fuller range of expression and articulation in playing. 

 

We don't have to pick up another instrument especially when it comes to solos.😁😎

[GovernorSilver]

2 hours ago, Stokely said:

So, question and apologies if it's been asked....

How well does this thing work with other instruments (in my case, VSTs)?

I've got money from a keyboard sale burning a hole in my pocket and I'm more than set for a live rig.   Thinking more of something "outside the box" for my sounds that are "in the box".  I know I have at least some plugins that are to whatever degree mpe capable (though I'm surprised a bit to read that Omnisphere may not be, not exactly).

Anyway, my interest in this is more as a controller but if the internal sounds are the best/only way to take advantage of the expression, so be it.
Also looking a bit at the Linnstrument though a part of my brain is yelling "weren't you supposed to be getting better at guitar?!?"

 

I like the internal sounds, personally, and feel it would be a waste to not invest some time exploring them, particularly how they respond to your touch, pressure, etc.

 

That all said, there were some MIDI features that were missing until the 2.0 firmware was released very recently.  You might want to watch the video about it that was posted a couple of days about upthread for more info.  Summary of new features :

 

#1 save your favorite presets

#2 make playlists for your projects

#3 switch presets & playlists easily w/ program changes

#4 discover the new preset browser

#5 use press glide in external midi mode

#6 use the mpe arpeggiator in external midi mode

#7 save custom midi config presets

[UnderGroundGr]

Yesterday i played an osmose for the first time.

I have tendonitis in my left arm so i had to check the keybed, i cannot play with heavy actions.

Unfortunately, the action is near a weighted keybed and i had pain in my arm after played it for a while...

I bought it...

It is, by far, the most expressive thing i have ever play in my life with fantastic sound, a piece of art!

I could not sleep for about an hour after went to bed because of the pain...

I will keep it.

I will play only with my left hand and a little more(5 minutes)per day with my right hand and i hope get use to it...🙂

I did the firmware update and today i will install the haken editor.

It is not for practicing piano, organ etc. It is like an acoustic instrument, like a guitar, a violin or a flute...

 

[My Keys And Me Are Vintage]

4 hours ago, UnderGroundGr said:

I have tendonitis in my left arm so i had to check the keybed, i cannot play with heavy actions.

Unfortunately, the action is near a weighted keybed and i had pain in my arm after played it for a while...

I bought it...

 

 

So it hurts like hell to play the Osmose, but it plays so well you can't stop yourself? That is about the best endorsement I have read for this keyboard! I look forward to the day I get to spend some time with one!

[Stokely]

On 9/5/2024 at 4:30 PM, GovernorSilver said:

 

I like the internal sounds, personally, and feel it would be a waste to not invest some time exploring them, particularly how they respond to your touch, pressure, etc.

 

That all said, there were some MIDI features that were missing until the 2.0 firmware was released very recently.  You might want to watch the video about it that was posted a couple of days about upthread for more info.  Summary of new features :

 

#1 save your favorite presets

#2 make playlists for your projects

#3 switch presets & playlists easily w/ program changes

#4 discover the new preset browser

#5 use press glide in external midi mode

#6 use the mpe arpeggiator in external midi mode

#7 save custom midi config presets

Gotcha.

I'll check further into what this can do, and I'm sure there's a manual online as well  

[ProfD]

8 hours ago, UnderGroundGr said:

I have tendonitis in my left arm...I will play only with my left hand and a little more(5 minutes)per day with my right hand and i hope get use to it...🙂

Bummer. Hopefully, customizing the settings will make it less painful to play as well. 

8 hours ago, UnderGroundGr said:

It is like an acoustic instrument, like a guitar, a violin or a flute...

That's definitely how I would approach the Osmose if I decide to cop one.

 

For my use, I'm thinking an Osmose would be a *better* 2nd KB complementing my EP than copping a *regular* synth.😎

[linwood]

 

[UnderGroundGr]

[ProfD]

Took Osmose for a test drive yesterday. It's definitely a performance-oriented KB instrument for musicians.

 

The overall build quality feels good. I'd be slightly concerned about the keys getting dirty picking up oil/dirt from fingers. Wiping it down as necessary should keep it clean.

 

The factory sounds are very well done for immediately playing the Osmose out of the box. While tweaking sounds is possible, it's not a traditional synth.

 

Yet, the macros within a sound allow the musician to make changes according to what they want to hear/play with that sound.

 

I've seen where the 2.0 firmware upgrade is supposed to make editing sounds better along with other features. 

 

While I understand the rationale behind fewer keys, from a KB player perspective, I prefer 61 keys at a minimum. 

 

Otherwise, as a performance-oriented KB especially used along with a 73 or 88-note KB, the 49er will suffice. I would look at the Osmose KB as a secondary set of keys to complement a main KB.

 

Of course, the MPE capabilities take the Osmose way beyond the aftertouch for which  musicians have been clamoring. The Osmose key action begs to be played.

 

IMO, it doesn't take too long getting used to the feel of the Osmose key action. But, it will definitely require some practice and patience moving from one sound to another because the feel is tied directly to it.

 

The user can customize the key action to respond the same way to every sound.  That steals some joy out of how the keys were set up to respond to a particular sound.

 

IOW, its best to see how the key feel is implemented per sound before deciding on a universal key setup.

 

The Osmose is definitely not for every KB player's rig. But, for musicians who want an instrument to play parts with their own feel, I don't believe there's a better KB in that regard.

 

Surely, other KBs sound better. Playing is a different thing. The Osmose is hard to beat.😎

[UnderGroundGr]

Combine the overall sound and the way of expression you have, is one of the best synthesizers of all time...

What musical instrument do you play? guitar, violin, drums, flute, piano, hammond? No osmose...

I believe it is a new instrument...

From Harpsichord to Piano and then to Osmose.

Maybe it is sound heretic but it's true.

With the typical form factor(standard keyboard) this is the evolution.

Harpsi - no velocity

Piano - velocity

Osmose - bend the keys, the finest aftertouch and the pressure glide.

[Jose EB5AGV]

Please, stop praising it ... I am sorely tempted!!! 😆

[ProfD]

1 hour ago, Jose EB5AGV said:

Please, stop praising it ... I am sorely tempted!!! 😆

It doesn't cost anything to take the Osmose for a spin.  You may not like it. 

 

OTOH, if the credit card flies out of your wallet, we're not liable.🤣😎

[Legatoboy]

Meh ... Osmose cosmos...... no it's a pretty awesome development....I always wanted to be able to play a passable 'Uilleann Pipes' on any modern syth... now I think it may actually be possible.... 

[SamuelBLupowitz]

On 9/4/2024 at 2:04 PM, octa said:

Have been only occasionally playing with Osmose, but like its potential for certain situations. I'm still not in love with the keybed (thought it would be more sturdy and less plasticky), but when I play other synths I sometimes miss the expressive options on the Osmose. Looking forward to messing with new features today: 

 

 

Oof, preset management being one of the only things that concerned me about getting one of these for live use, they're really killing me trying to get me to spend my money. 

[UnderGroundGr]

12 hours ago, SamuelBLupowitz said:

Oof, preset management being one of the only things that concerned me about getting one of these for live use, they're really killing me trying to get me to spend my money. 

As you saw in the video ,in 2.0 they added playlist and cc program change. You can make as many as you want and put the sounds you want to play per song.

[SamuelBLupowitz]

14 hours ago, UnderGroundGr said:

As you saw in the video ,in 2.0 they added playlist and cc program change. You can make as many as you want and put the sounds you want to play per song.

Yup, like I said ... they are really taking away my reasons not to buy one! 

[UnderGroundGr]

In this video I played the most iconic bass riff in Greek rock music scene.

The song called "Dead Rock Commandos" from Nightstalker.

The patch is "Electric bass 2". I changed the sound with the macro controls...

I was not recorder the sound to Logic, the sound of the video is from the cell phone...