Osmose Yes!
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- KVRAF
- 16823 posts since 13 Oct, 2009
I just wanted my own thread about the Osmose. Sorry existing Osmose threads, this will be one of those threads that will initially read like middle schoolers in love, but will settle into more somber grown up chat later in the thread.
Holy shit. It took all of five minutes out of the box for me to realize that I wish that I had picked this up much sooner. If you create ambient and you play keyboard to any extent, then this is the keyboard to have. I could noodle for hours with this and a Cosmos. Unfortunately, I don't have a Cosmos, but I might have to get one now.
Ghettosynth and Osmose TLA!
Ok, you may now jump in and tell me what I'm doing wrong. I've only had it plugged in for fifteen minutes with a pair of headphones.
Holy shit. It took all of five minutes out of the box for me to realize that I wish that I had picked this up much sooner. If you create ambient and you play keyboard to any extent, then this is the keyboard to have. I could noodle for hours with this and a Cosmos. Unfortunately, I don't have a Cosmos, but I might have to get one now.
Ghettosynth and Osmose TLA!
Ok, you may now jump in and tell me what I'm doing wrong. I've only had it plugged in for fifteen minutes with a pair of headphones.
- KVRian
- 1091 posts since 21 Apr, 2004
Damn it! I've been going back and forth between getting this or a Push 3 and last night I finally decided on the Push but now I gotta read this! I can't decide! The Osmose is definitely sexier but I'm not really much of a keyboard player (I'm the guy that always uses a Scale-restricter type plugin so I can't hit any "wrong" notes. The Push offers more functionality but I'm not sure about using pads to play. But it still offers MPE and is an audio interface with obviously tight integration with Live...
- KVRAF
- 20913 posts since 22 Nov, 2000 from Southern California
You'll love it even more once you plug it in.


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- KVRAF
- Topic Starter
- 16823 posts since 13 Oct, 2009
I don't know how push 3 implements the response to pressure. I have a Push 1 and 2, and while I like them, it's not the same. What, for me, really makes the difference is the physical travel, in all of the dimensions. I'm also a terrible keyboard player, when I said "to any extent", I meant it.parma wrote: Tue Dec 10, 2024 8:50 pm Damn it! I've been going back and forth between getting this or a Push 3 and last night I finally decided on the Push but now I gotta read this! I can't decide! The Osmose is definitely sexier but I'm not really much of a keyboard player (I'm the guy that always uses a Scale-restricter type plugin so I can't hit any "wrong" notes. The Push offers more functionality but I'm not sure about using pads to play. But it still offers MPE and is an audio interface with obviously tight integration with Live...
My push has been used as my expressive instrument up to this point. I will still use it because I've developed some skill with moving around progressions using the matrix layout, but, IMNSHO, it's not a replacement for the Osmose.
On the other hand, I can't imagine not having some kind of velocity/pressure sensitive pad controller.
Yeah, so I guess that's the answer, get both.
- KVRian
- 1091 posts since 21 Apr, 2004
Not helpful!ghettosynth wrote:
Yeah, so I guess that's the answer, get both.
Budget dictates one or the other (and that's a refurb Osmose or controller-only Push)
I don't know, man. I've had multiple hardware synths over the years and I always end up selling them because I can't really play them and I always end up back in the box where I can "supplement" my playing with midi tools. Buuuuut...the Push 3 will eventually be outdated by Push 4 and so on whereas the Osmose will have greater longevity. Balls!
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- KVRAF
- Topic Starter
- 16823 posts since 13 Oct, 2009
Given your constraints, I would opt for the push first. It has been my ambient instrument of choice to this point.parma wrote: Tue Dec 10, 2024 9:45 pmNot helpful!ghettosynth wrote:
Yeah, so I guess that's the answer, get both.![]()
Budget dictates one or the other (and that's a refurb Osmose or controller-only Push)
I don't know, man. I've had multiple hardware synths over the years and I always end up selling them because I can't really play them and I always end up back in the box where I can "supplement" my playing with midi tools. Buuuuut...the Push 3 will eventually be outdated by Push 4 and so on whereas the Osmose will have greater longevity. Balls!
- KVRian
- 1091 posts since 21 Apr, 2004
Yeah, that's how I'm leaning.ghettosynth wrote: Tue Dec 10, 2024 9:51 pmGiven your constraints, I would opt for the push first. It has been my ambient instrument of choice to this point.parma wrote: Tue Dec 10, 2024 9:45 pmNot helpful!ghettosynth wrote:
Yeah, so I guess that's the answer, get both.![]()
Budget dictates one or the other (and that's a refurb Osmose or controller-only Push)
I don't know, man. I've had multiple hardware synths over the years and I always end up selling them because I can't really play them and I always end up back in the box where I can "supplement" my playing with midi tools. Buuuuut...the Push 3 will eventually be outdated by Push 4 and so on whereas the Osmose will have greater longevity. Balls!
- addled muppet weed
- 111327 posts since 26 Jan, 2003 from through the looking glass
- KVRian
- 1091 posts since 21 Apr, 2004
Hmmm after spending the evening doing further research I'm not quite sure the Push is for me. You basically are forced to work in the session view paradigm. I use arrangement view almost exclusively. In the past, when session view was the whole reason to use Live I always struggled to get actual full tracks produced. I'd just have a ton of 4 bar loops. It looks like there might be a bigger learning curve than I anticipated if I want to get the most out of Push. I value immediacy these days. Obviously after spending time with it you'd overcome that but all the videos and text reviews are making me *less* excited about developing a new workflow. I already have a Maschine Mk 3 if I want to play drums with pads. Lately though I've been using mostly Microtonic and Visco for drums...
That Osmose is looking sexier. I can still use constrain-to-scale midi tools when using Osmose as a controller for MPE virtual synths. That Noisy 2 VST looks pretty cool. I already have Generate which is MPE compatible and of course the Ableton instruments.
Originally this all started as a search for an MPE capable controller. The Push now looks like overkill if I'm not really looking for Ableton integration. I'm still most comfortable with a good ol' mouse and keyboard for editing duty. I think editing midi on the Push is going to be uphill sledding for me.
Time to sleep on it. I thought I had already worked through the GAS/impulse buy zone but now I'm not sure.
That Osmose is looking sexier. I can still use constrain-to-scale midi tools when using Osmose as a controller for MPE virtual synths. That Noisy 2 VST looks pretty cool. I already have Generate which is MPE compatible and of course the Ableton instruments.
Originally this all started as a search for an MPE capable controller. The Push now looks like overkill if I'm not really looking for Ableton integration. I'm still most comfortable with a good ol' mouse and keyboard for editing duty. I think editing midi on the Push is going to be uphill sledding for me.
Time to sleep on it. I thought I had already worked through the GAS/impulse buy zone but now I'm not sure.
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- KVRAF
- Topic Starter
- 16823 posts since 13 Oct, 2009
Ok, well, since I feel a tiny bit of responsibility here, I will share with you that I prefer Maschine to push when it's just about working in quasi session mode. Where I prefer push is in using it as an orthogonal keyboard, but, even there, I still do the same thing with Maschine, I've just had to adjust my technique for not having so many pads. I prefer the Maschine pads to the Push pads. That said, I do not have a Push 3, just 1 and 2.
For me, the process of working on Push as a quasi-standalone experience is somewhat overrated. I mostly use it as an orthogonal keyboard and to control effects/synths.
Also yes, 25% off on push is a great deal.
I think you should identify clearly what you want from either. I love using an orthogonal keyboard. I also love expressive playing for ambient. It's often very slow playing so that the movement from one chord to another is slow and deliberate. Osmose translates small movements of my hands to really nice musical variation. Well, I like it, and that's enough for me. Osmose helps me improvise more in the textural domain than a less dynamic instrument. Push/Maschine also do this, just not as subtle or controllable as Osmose.
For me, the process of working on Push as a quasi-standalone experience is somewhat overrated. I mostly use it as an orthogonal keyboard and to control effects/synths.
Also yes, 25% off on push is a great deal.
I think you should identify clearly what you want from either. I love using an orthogonal keyboard. I also love expressive playing for ambient. It's often very slow playing so that the movement from one chord to another is slow and deliberate. Osmose translates small movements of my hands to really nice musical variation. Well, I like it, and that's enough for me. Osmose helps me improvise more in the textural domain than a less dynamic instrument. Push/Maschine also do this, just not as subtle or controllable as Osmose.
- KVRian
- 1091 posts since 21 Apr, 2004
I think I'm just GASsing. I've got about $4000-$4500 to update my studio and I want all the newness! I'm getting a maxed out Mac Mini M4 Pro so that's gonna eat a big chunk of that. I think if I find myself wanting to try MPE I'll check out the cheap-o Exquis. It's not gonna be anywhere as smooth as Osmose but it could be fun. This is the first time in a long time I've had a substantial chunk of change to play with. I'm gonna slow it down and really consider what would be best for me.
Anyway, congrats on the Osmose!
Anyway, congrats on the Osmose!