This article explains how to set up Osmose within Apple Logic Pro X. There's also a video tutorial (French with English subtitles) available here: 🎞️use osmose with logic pro - creative tutorial, but be aware that it was done with an older firmware version that didn't have DAW Control or Ctrl-e support, and only 2 USB MIDI ports.
Configuring the DAW's MIDI settings
First, select and configure the Osmose USB MIDI ports. Open Logic Pro's Settings -> MIDI -> Inputs.
Activate Osmose Port 1 (play) to play plugins in Logic Pro. Optional: If you wish to integrate Osmose's internal sound engine as an external hardware instrument in your DAW, activate Port 2 (sound engine) as well.
Port 4 (daw control) and Port 5 (haken) must be deactivated as MIDI Inputs. Port 3 (din interface) can be activated if you explicitly plan to use Osmose as a DIN MIDI interface.
Configuring the DAW's Project Settings
In your Project Settings -> Recording -> MIDI, disable the MIDI data reduction:
Using Osmose as an MPE controller in Logic Pro X
When controlling external instruments inside your DAW, use USB MIDI Port 1 (play) of Osmose exclusively.
Choose MPE configuration for Osmose's External MIDI Mode
Enter the config menu of External MIDI mode and select the configuration preset that the plugin you wish to control supports.
For this tutorial, we assume the plugin you want to control supports MIDI Polyphonic Expression, so you can take advantage of all the per-note expression that Osmose's keybed offers.
Select the config preset "mpe". This will make Osmose send MIDI messages according to the MPE specification on Port 1 (play).
When you have selected a track with Ctrl-e loaded in it, Osmose will automatically send MPE data by default; see DAW Control on a Ctrl-e track.
Creating an instrument track with Osmose as the input device
In Logic, create a new Software Instrument track: “Track” menu > “New Tracks...”. Then select “Software Instrument” and choose an MPE-compatible instrument plugin. Click “Create”.
In the Track Inspector of the channel, make sure to select only "Osmose play" for the 'MIDI In Port', not "All".
Configure MPE interpretation in the plugin
Note that for some MPE-compatible plugins, you must also enable MPE functionality within the plugin. Check your plugin’s manual to learn about its MPE workflow. When MPE is activated in the plugin, 'Pressure' will be controlled by Osmose's Initial Pressure axis and 'CC74 (MPE Timbre/Slide)' is controlled by Osmose's Aftertouch axis. For more details, see config menu.
Some factory plugins from Logic Pro X (Retro Synth, ES2...) support Midi Mono Mode, a variant of MIDI quite similar to MPE. It can be activated in the footer of the plugin window: Midi Mono Mode: "On (with common base channel 1)".
Ideally, in MPE synths, the maximum MPE note pitch bend range (Axe X) should be set to +-48 semitones, which is the defacto MPE standard. This setting is required for the Pressure Glide feature in playing menu of Omose to work correctly. It's also required to make the ‘bending range’ in Osmose (Ext Midi mode > sensitivity menu > bending tab) show the correct per-note bending range in semitones.
Integrating Osmose as an external instrument in Logic Pro X
To record performances on your Osmose as MIDI messages inside your DAW and play them back into Osmose, use USB MIDI Port 2 (sound engine) exclusively.
Select the suiting midi i/o settings on Osmose for integration into a DAW setup
Head to Osmose's midi i/o tab. Set 'haken local control' to "off" to cut the direct connection between Osmose's keybed and its sound engine.
It's important because we will establish that connection by routing your playing through your DAW first, before it enters the internal sound engine. Leaving 'haken local control' enabled would cause the same notes to arrive twice in the engine as soon as you arm the track, causing sound glitches.
Attention: With 'haken local control' set to "off", Osmose will only sound when its track in your DAW is armed.
Creating a MIDI track with Osmose as input and output device
In Logic, create a new External MIDI track with an External Instrument plug-in loaded onto it: “Track” menu -> “New Tracks...”. Then select “External MIDI” with "Osmose sound engine - All" as 'MIDI Destination'. Activate "Use External Instrument plug-in" and set the 'Audio Input' to match the one your Osmose audio output is connected to. Click “Create”.
Then, in Track Inspector, change the 'MIDI In Port' from "All" to "Osmose sound engine"
Arm the MIDI track, and you are ready to record, edit, and playback Osmose performances in Logic Pro X.
