Expressive E has released Noisy 2.6, a major update to its noise-through-resonance software synthesizer.
Noisy 2.6 is a free update for existing Noisy 2 owners. For a limited time, new users can get it for €89/$89 (40% off), before it returns to its regular €149/$149 price.
I remember playing one of Expressive E’s early keyboards at Musikmesse many years ago, and the nuance you could get with it was amazing, even in those early days. Their products have grown a lot since then, and Noisy is one that brings it all into the plugin realm.
The synth is built around a noise-through-resonance engine designed for expressive performance. Instead of behaving like a standard subtractive synth, Noisy excites resonators with noise sources, then lets the player shape evolving timbres through performance gestures, modulation, and effects.
The new 2.6 update expands the instrument across analog, FM, harmonic, wavetable, and acoustic synthesis. Expressive E describes this as Noisy’s broadest sonic palette yet, moving from organic resonances and acoustic textures to more synthetic sounds.
The update adds five new resonator types. These include a wide analog unison resonator, an FM oscillator, an FM feedback resonator for denser and grittier textures, a harmonic resonator, and a 2D wavetable-style resonator called Wave Map for fluid digital morphing.
Noisy 2.6 also adds five new noise sources, a new LFO shape, and nine new effects, bringing the total to 26 noise sources and 21 effects. The new effect algorithms were optimized for smooth real-time modulation, which matters for a synth built around expressive movement.
The preset library is also bigger. Noisy 2.6 now includes more than 1,400 presets, with 650 MPE presets and 750 standard MIDI presets covering acoustic instruments, expressive leads, evolving pads, cinematic textures, experimental sounds, and modern electronic timbres. The update adds 150 new sounds to showcase the expanded engine.
Expression is still the main point. Every preset includes four expression modules that reshape the sound’s texture and effects. There is one expression block for each of the two sound layers, plus two shared across the effects.
Noisy 2.6 is designed for Expressive E’s Osmose and Touché controllers, but it also works with MPE controllers and regular MIDI keyboards. With expressive hardware, it can respond to pressure, movement, aftertouch, release gestures, and even shake-style key interactions.
For standard MIDI users, the synth still includes a large non-MPE preset library and DAW automation support, so the update is not limited to players with dedicated MPE hardware.
And lastly, I have to mention the interface. It’s simply gorgeous, and something I would even use as a desktop wallpaper on my computer. An excellent example of plugin interface design done right.
Noisy 2.6 runs on macOS 11 Big Sur through macOS 15 Sequoia, with Apple Silicon and Intel support, and Windows 10 or higher. It is available in VST2, VST3, and AU formats. Licensing uses PACE iLok with up to three activations, and no hardware dongle is required.
More info: Expressive E Noisy 2.6 (€89/$89 intro price)
Last Updated on July 24, 2026 by Tomislav Zlatic.
