The keyboard used to type on Dune 2 is getting cheaper

Expressive E is making its own Osmose MPE a (relatively) inexpensive keyboard by ditching the synthesizer and making it a simple MIDI controller. New EC osmosis it comes in two sizes, 49 and 61 keys, for $999 and $1,199, respectively. Now, $999 is pretty expensive for a MIDI controller, but it’s a lot cheaper than the Osmose. $1,799 the starting price. It’s even better when compared to its closest competitor, $1,399 Roli Seaboard 2.

For those who don’t know, a Osmosis is one of the most unique synths on the market. It looks like a piano-style keyboard, but the keys move back and forth, allowing you to strum as gently as you would a violin or guitar. Plus MPE (MIDI Polyphonic Expression) means that each note can have its own speed and timbre, making it one of the most popular keyboards on the market. Hans Zimmer also turned to Osmoses orchestra scoring Dune 2.

For Osmose CE, Expressive E puts aside the idea that Osmose is a stand-alone console and builds a tight integration with the desktop software, including the new Ctrl-e suite that collects more than 900 presets designed to showcase the keyboard’s capabilities. Osmose CE also has strong DAW (digital audio workstation) integration, giving you control Ableton Live, Bitwig, Cubaseand Logic Pro directly from the keyboard.

Expressive E plans to bring Osmose CE software updates to the original Osmose synth in a future firmware update. But current owners will also get access to the Ctrl-e suite, to start looking at the presets.