French music tech innovators Expressive E have partnered with acclaimed plugin developers Kilohearts to release the Phase Plant Expressive Suite – a collection of 400 expressive MPE presets designed to showcase the power and musicality of Kilohearts’ flagship semi-modular softsynth when paired with the expressive control of Expressive E’s Osmose keyboard and other MPE controllers.
Setting a New Standard for Expressive Software Instruments
The suite aims to set a new standard for expressive software instruments by combining Expressive E’s decade of expertise in expressive sound design with the deep modulation and synthesis capabilities of Phase Plant. The result is a vast library of sounds that respond musically to subtle and dramatic gestures, unlocking new dimensions of sound-gesture interaction.
Four Expressive Sound Banks
The Phase Plant Expressive Suite includes four sound banks:
- Delicious: Warm, characterful sounds like electric pianos, vintage keys, and analog-style patches
- Stripes: Modern digital sounds like sharp leads, grainy pads, and advanced wavetables
- Onirica Vol. 1 & 2: Evocative soundscapes and acoustic-electronic hybrid instruments perfect for scoring
Across these banks, you’ll find everything from brass and winds to keys, plucks, pads and more – all expertly crafted to respond to the Osmose’s pressure, strike, and 3D control for maximum expressivity. The sounds also map well to other popular MPE controllers like the Ableton Push.
Osmose: The Perfect Phase Plant Companion
According to Expressive E, the collaboration with Kilohearts has pushed the boundaries of expressive software instruments and positions the Osmose as the perfect companion controller for Phase Plant. Kilohearts’ CEO Per Salbark agrees, stating “The freedom of expression the Osmose gives fits perfectly into Kilohearts’ design philosophy.”
Overview Video Showcases Dynamic Sounds
Expressive E has released an overview video showcasing the dynamic range of sounds in the suite:
Tutorial Videos Teach MPE Sound Design
The company has also released two tutorial videos demonstrating how some of the expressive patches were made using Phase Plant’s powerful modulation system. This makes it easy for users to learn MPE sound design principles to craft their own expressive patches.
A sax MPE preset, anyone?
Or rather an ambient soundscape MPE preset? (This would be our pick!)
Phase Plant’s Granular Synthesis Capabilities
While not the focus of the Expressive Suite, Phase Plant also offers robust granular synthesis features that can be used expressively, as demonstrated in this video:
Intro Pricing & Availability
To celebrate the launch, the full suite is available at an intro price of $99 bundled with Phase Plant, or $39 for existing Phase Plant owners, through April 15. The banks are also available individually for $15 each.
A New World of Expressive Sound Design
The Phase Plant Expressive Suite looks set to make exploring expressive software synthesis more accessible and rewarding than ever. By combining an acclaimed synth with a vast library of MPE sounds, it offers a new world of sound to explore for owners of the Osmose and other expressive controllers.
