Mobile synths have quietly become some of the most interesting places to play MPE. Elastic OSC, the polyphonic synth built on Mutable Instruments' Plaits algorithms, has just received a free version 2.2 update, and several of its changes make it a more practical instrument for anyone connecting an expressive controller to a phone or tablet. The update was covered by Synth Anatomy on 12 November 2026.
A Quick Refresher
Elastic OSC is developed by Oliver Greschke (MoMinstruments / Elastic Instruments). It combines the 24 synthesis engines of the open-source Plaits macro-oscillator with a subtractive signal path, a multi-effects section, and its signature "Elastic" recordable parameter automation. It runs on iOS (standalone and AUv3) and Android.
We first looked at its MPE capabilities back in July. Since the 1.3 update in March 2026, MPE has been available as an in-app purchase. According to Synth Anatomy's earlier coverage, it works with controllers such as the Erae Touch, Osmose and others, and the built-in touch-sliding pedal lets you explore polyphonic aftertouch and MPE-style gestures even without external hardware.
What's New in 2.2
Proper MIDI Handling in the Standalone App
The headline change is extended MIDI support in the standalone version. You can now select your MIDI input and channel in a dedicated setting, and, more usefully, MIDI learn lets you map hardware controls directly to synth parameters.
For MPE players, this matters. Many expressive controllers, including the Embodme Erae 2 and the LinnStrument, have faders, knobs or programmable zones alongside the playing surface. With MIDI learn, those can now drive macro parameters while the main surface handles per-note pitch, pressure and slide.
Ableton Link and Link Audio
The iOS standalone version gains Ableton Link sync and Link Audio integration. Link keeps tempo and phase locked across apps and devices on the same network, so Elastic OSC's arpeggiator and Elastic automation now stay in time with Ableton Live, other iOS apps, or a bandmate's device. Link Audio extends this by sharing audio streams across Link-enabled software, which simplifies recording a phone-based performance into a laptop session.
MPE, LPG and LFO Modulation Animations
The update also adds modulation animations for MPE, the low-pass gate (LPG) and the LFOs. Visual feedback sounds cosmetic, but on a small screen it is genuinely useful. When you are learning how pressure or slide affects a patch, seeing the modulation move in real time helps you understand what each gesture is doing, and helps you spot when a mapping is too sensitive or not responding at all.
Timing and Presets
Rounding out the release are improved arpeggiator timing and new presets from sound designers John Cohen and YouTuber The UnPerson.
Why It Matters for MPE Players
Plaits engines are a natural fit for MPE. Each engine exposes a small number of highly musical parameters (timbre, harmonics, morph), and mapping slide or pressure to those gives every note its own evolving character. Grains, strings, modal resonators and speech engines all respond to expressive control in very different ways, which makes Elastic OSC a cheap way to explore what MPE can do across many synthesis methods.
The 2.2 changes address the practical side: getting your controller recognised cleanly, mapping its extra controls, and syncing with the rest of your setup.
Getting Started
If you already own the app, the update is free via the App Store or Google Play. Remember that MPE requires the separate in-app purchase. Pricing reported for the base app has varied between sources, so check the store listing in your region before buying.
A simple first session:
- Connect your MPE controller via USB and select it as the MIDI input in the new settings.
- Enable MPE and confirm the pitch bend range matches your controller (±48 semitones is the common default).
- Pick an engine such as the string or modal resonator and map slide to timbre and pressure to the LPG.
- Watch the new MPE modulation animations as you play to fine-tune sensitivity.
For more on hosting expressive instruments on tablets, see our guide to MPE on iPad and AUv3 hosts.