What Expressive E does

Expressive E is a French music technology company founded in 2013 and headquartered in Marseille, with manufacturing sites in Poland and China. The company designs and sells MPE-enabled hardware controllers and expressive soft synths aimed at professional and prosumer musicians, with its core products being the Osmose keyboard family (flagship Osmose at $1,799; Osmose CE at $999/$1,199), the Touché and Touché SE gesture controllers ($399/$299), and a portfolio of proprietary and partner-developed sound content including Noisy 2, Soliste, Imagine, and the Expressive Suites line (Hive 2, Dune 3, The Legend HZ, Phase Plant, Myth, Kontrast, Lounge Lizard).

The company's underlying technology centers on MIDI Polyphonic Expression (MPE), a protocol enabling per-note continuous control of pressure, timbre, and pitch bend. The Osmose keybed achieves over 16,000 steps of resolution compared to 128 in standard MIDI, and the Touché uses a patented cylinder-based haptic mechanism to translate physical gestures into MIDI/CV data. Expressive E licenses Haken Audio's EaganMatrix sound engine for Osmose and maintains co-development partnerships with major third-party soft-synth manufacturers.

Expressive E operates a direct-to-consumer go-to-market via its own e-commerce storefront (expressivee.com), shipping globally with USD and EUR pricing. Revenue derives from one-time hardware sales and perpetual software licenses; there is no subscription pricing model disclosed. The company has no disclosed external funding, is structured as a French SAS (share capital €42,274), and serves individual musicians, film and game composers (notably including Hans Zimmer's use on the Dune 2 score), and electronic music producers across international markets.

Name

Expressive E

Legal name

EXPRESSIVE

Website

https://expressivee.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Expressive E is a French music technology company that designs and sells MPE-enabled hardware controllers (Osmose, Touché) and expressive software instruments to professional and prosumer musicians, composers, and electronic producers globally via direct-to-consumer e-commerce.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Musical Instruments

NAICS

Musical Instrument Manufacturing (339992)

SIC

Musical Instruments (3931)

akta.pro primary industry

Music Production Hardware (Synthesizers, Drum Machines, Samplers, MIDI Controllers) (MPAIAJAE)

akta.pro secondary industry

Audio Plugins & Virtual Instruments (VST/AU/AAX) (MPAIAIAB)

Keywords

• MPE musical instruments
• MIDI expression controllers
• Physical modeling synthesis
• MPE sound presets
• Expressive electronic instruments

Headquarters

HQ city

Montreuil

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Hardware Sales: Sale of physical MIDI controller instruments including Osmose keyboard ($999-$1,799), Touché ($399), and Touché SE ($299). Hardware products include accessories like touch plates and cylinders.
2. Software Plugin Licenses: Sale of software synthesizer plugins and sound expansions including Noisy 2, Soliste, Imagine, and Expressive Suites (bundled with partner synths). One-time license purchases with optional bundles.
3. Expressive Suites: MPE-optimized preset collections for third-party synthesizers (Phase Plant, Hive 2, Dune 3, The Legend HZ, Myth, Lounge Lizard) sold as add-on packs ranging from $59.99 to $239.
4. Touché Sounds Collection: Bundle of Touché-compatible instrument plugins and sound expansions including Noisy 2, Soliste, Imagine, and expansion packs (Helium, Mercury, Nightdream, Dusk) at $498.34.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Expressive E designs and sells MPE (MIDI Polyphonic Expression)-enabled electronic musical instruments and supporting software. Its hardware line includes the Osmose and Osmose CE keyboards and the Touché and Touché SE expressive controllers. The company also offers a software ecosystem of proprietary synth plugins (Noisy 2, Soliste, Imagine), the Ctrl-e preset suite, and co-developed Expressive Suites with synth manufacturers such as U-he, Synapse Audio, Dawesome, Kilohearts, and Applied Acoustics Systems.

Product overview

Expressive E is a French company (Marseille, founded 2013) specializing in expressive electronic musical instruments centered on MPE (MIDI Polyphonic Expression) technology. The company offers two distinct hardware controller lines: the Osmose/Touché line for MPE-enabled performance, and the Touché/Touché SE line for traditional MIDI/CV control of hardware and software synthesizers. The product ecosystem includes companion software (Lié for Touché, Ctrl-e for Osmose CE), proprietary soft synths (Noisy 2, Imagine, Soliste), and extensive third-party Expressive Suites with MPE presets for Dune 3, The Legend HZ, Hive 2, Phase Plant, Myth, and Lounge Lizard. Accessories include silicone cylinders, touch plates, cables, and the Osmose Softcase.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Osmose Flagship 61-key MPE keyboard with built-in Haken Audio EaganMatrix synthesizer and proprietary keybed that detects per-note pressure, aftertouch/timbre, and sideways pitch bend. Targeted at professional composers, producers, and MPE-focused performers.
• Osmose CE More affordable MPE keyboard controller variant of Osmose that omits the built-in synthesizer. Available in 49-key ($999) and 61-key ($1,199) versions, bundled with the Ctrl-e software suite of over 900 presets for use with external DAWs and software synths.
• Touché Expressive MIDI/CV/USB controller with a touch surface and patented cylinder mechanism providing four axes of movement. Designed for hardware synth users, modular rig owners, and software synth players needing tactile expressive control.
• Touché SE Software-focused edition of Touché controller with USB-only connectivity and companion Lié software for hosting and mapping third-party VST instruments. Targeted at DAW-based producers and software synth users.
• Noisy 2 Flagship MPE software synthesizer plugin that merges acoustic and analog resonators to produce lively, expressive sounds. Includes 700 Touché presets and 500 MPE presets for expressive controllers.
• Soliste Physically modeled solo strings software plugin with violin, viola, cello, and double bass models. Provides real-time control over articulation, bowing, vibrato, and dynamics for MPE and MIDI controllers.
• Imagine Acoustic software synthesizer inspired by the body of real instruments, co-developed with Applied Acoustics Systems. Combines acoustic timbres into unique textures with 440 Touché presets and 400 factory presets.
• Ctrl-e Software suite of over 900 presets for various synthesis types, included with Osmose CE to provide sound content and DAW integration for users without a built-in synthesizer.
• Touché Sounds Collection Complete bundle of Touché-compatible instrument plugins and sound expansions including Noisy 2, Soliste, Imagine, and four expansions, totaling 1,400+ Touché presets.
• Phase Plant Expressive Suite Sound preset collection of 400 MPE presets for Kilohearts' Phase Plant synthesizer, sold standalone or bundled with the Phase Plant plugin.
• Hive 2 Expressive Suite Sound preset collection of 300 MPE presets for U-he's Hive 2 synthesizer, including organic, synthesis toolbox, and cinematic banks.
• Dune 3 Expressive Suite Sound preset collection of 300 MPE presets for Synapse Audio's Dune 3 hybrid synthesizer, covering ambient, dark, and organic tones.
• The Legend HZ Expressive Suite Sound preset collection of 300 MPE presets for Synapse Audio's The Legend HZ analog synthesizer plugin developed with Hans Zimmer, covering emotional, space, and dark sound banks.
• Myth Expressive Suite Sound preset collection of 300+ MPE presets for Dawesome's Myth synthesizer featuring machine-learning-driven resynthesis, covering lo-fi, futuristic, and acoustic flavors.
• Lounge Lizard Expressive Suite Sound preset collection of 300 MPE presets for Applied Acoustics Systems' Lounge Lizard EP-5 electric piano plugin, with a dedicated Electric Expressions bank.
• Kontrast Expressive Suite Sound preset collection of curated MPE presets for Dawesome's Kontrast software synthesizer.
• Osmose Softcase Protective soft case designed for transporting the Osmose keyboard controller.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 900 presets included with Osmose CE via Ctrl-e software suite
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration16 records

AI capability2 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.

• KiloheartscoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2024Phase Plant Expressive Suite - collaboration to create 400 MPE presets specifically designed for Kilohearts' Phase Plant synthesizer. CEO Per Salbark stated 'The Osmose is fantastic! The freedom of expression it gives fits perfectly into Kilohearts' design philosophy.'
• Applied Acoustics Systems (AAS)coreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2021Collaboration with Applied Acoustics Systems to create Imagine, an acoustic software synthesizer inspired by the body of real instruments. Marc-Pierre Verge, CEO of AAS, described it as 'a perfect match' between Expressive E's multidimensional expression expertise and AAS's physical modeling technology.
• U-hecoreTechnology or IntegrationHive 2 Expressive Suite partnership combining U-he's renowned Hive 2 softsynth with Expressive E's MPE sound design expertise, offering 300 premium MPE presets.
• Synapse AudiocoreTechnology or IntegrationCollaboration on The Legend HZ Expressive Suite - Hans Zimmer's signature analog synth plugin with 300 MPE presets. The Legend HZ was developed with Hans Zimmer and recreated classic vintage synthesizer characteristics.
• DawesomecoreTechnology or IntegrationMyth Expressive Suite - partnership with Dawesome combining their unique Myth synth with Expressive E's MPE presets. Myth features machine-learning-driven resynthesis and advanced sound shaping.
• Synapse AudiocoreTechnology or IntegrationDune 3 Expressive Suite - combining Synapse Audio's Dune 3 hybrid synth (VA, wavetable, FM synthesis) with 300 MPE presets for next-level expression. Richard Hoffmann from Synapse Audio stated 'Those are the best MPE patches I've ever played using the Osmose.'
• Haken AudiocoreTechnology or IntegrationLicensed integration of Haken Audio's EaganMatrix sound engine into Osmose keyboard. The EaganMatrix supports MPE+ protocol - an optimized extension to MPE standard. This provides Osmose with a sophisticated sound engine developed by Lippold Haken's company.
• Hans ZimmerflagshipOthersMulti-Oscar winning film composer used multiple Osmose units to score Dune 2, bringing cultural prominence to Expressive E. Composer Jean-Michel Jarre also praised the company, saying 'You guys spent an enormous amount of time building exactly the instruments that should have been built a hundred years ago.'
• Jean-Michel JarreflagshipOthersElectronic music pioneer Jean-Michel Jarre is featured on Expressive E's homepage with endorsement: 'We know how hard it is to reach such a level of perfection.'
• A.R. RahmanflagshipOthersGrammy-winning composer A.R. Rahman recognized Expressive E's innovation, stating 'The boundaries between electronic and acoustic sounds are blurring.'

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Native Instruments: Native Instruments is the dominant producer-facing music software/hardware brand (Komplete, Maschine, Kontrol S-Series); competes broadly with Expressive E's premium controller-plus-plugin positioning, though without an MPE-first focus.
• Ableton: Ableton's Push hardware controller and Live DAW define the modern electronic production workflow that MPE/Osmose integrates with; while not an MPE-native controller, Push's deep DAW integration places it as a competing expressive workflow for the same composer and producer customer.
• Arturia: Arturia pairs hardware controllers and synths (MiniLab, KeyLab, MicroFreak) with a deep plugin catalog (V-Collection, FX) much like Expressive E's hardware-plus-Expressive-Suite model, addressing the same producer buyer across more price tiers and genres.
• Korg: Korg is a long-standing music hardware manufacturer (synths, controllers, digital pianos) with broad retail footprint and adjacent software (KORG Collection); competes indirectly with Osmose/Touché in expressive electronic music creation.
• Novation: Novation (a Focusrite brand) makes Launchkey and SL MkIII MIDI controllers that compete with Expressive E at the lower end of expressive keyboard control and are widely bundled with DAWs like Ableton, capturing a similar starter-producer segment.

Emerging players

• Keith McMillen Instruments: KMI's Smartpiano, QuNexus, and MIDI smart controllers target expressive electronic music-making with pressure/gesture sensing, overlapping Expressive E's controller-and-software business in a smaller, more specialized way.
• Applied Acoustics Systems (AAS): AAS is Expressive E's Imagine and Lounge Lizard partner — a physics-modeling plugin maker (Lounge Lizard, Chromaphone, Ultra Analog) that competes in the expressive instrument plugin space while also co-releasing Expressive E-branded products.

Direct peers

• Sensel: Sensel's Morph is a pressure-, tilt-, and multi-touch controller that competes directly with Touché in bringing gestural/tactile control to software synthesizers and DAWs; comparable price band and producer-focused positioning.
• ROLI: ROLI's Seaboard and Piano M are the most direct competitors to the Osmose in MPE-enabled expressive keyboards with similar per-note pressure/slide/Glide gestures; both companies target composers and electronic producers with premium expressive hardware and have overlapping MPE ecosystem ambitions.
• Haken Audio: Haken Audio makes the Continuum Fingerboard and EaganMatrix sound engine that Expressive E licenses into the Osmose; as the upstream technology partner and a standalone MPE instrument maker, it occupies the same expressive-controller category and directly intersects with Expressive E's product roadmap.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/expressive_e
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCAKc3_QTczvh5WFSZrdc6og
• Facebookfacebook.com/Expressivee.Music
• Instagraminstagram.com/expressive_e
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/expressive-inc-

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Expressive E