Updates to Intuitive Instruments' Exquis MPE controller

Published 17/9/25

Major firmware and DAW integration updates

Intuitive Instruments have announced firmware v2.2.0 for their award-winning Exquis MPE controller, alongside new workflow scripts for Ableton Live, Bitwig Studio, and Cockos Reaper. Exquis first came to prominence when it won the Commercial Hardware Product category at the 2023 MIDI Innovation Awards (we covered the winners here) and Intuitive Instruments has continued to expand its capabilities since.

Originally launched in 2023, Exquis combines a 61-pad hexagonal layout with MPE (MIDI Polyphonic Expression) support, allowing velocity, pitch, timbre, and pressure to be controlled independently on each note. It connects via USB, MIDI and CV, and comes in both Pure and Deluxe versions.

Firmware 2.2.0 Highlights

MPE Key Freeze – capture the expressive state of notes or chords and sustain them indefinitely, freeing hands for other parts or effects.
MIDI Score Display – incoming MIDI notes light up the keys like a playable score, prioritising active scales.
Pedal Support – sustain, expression, portamento and soft pedals can now be connected via MIDI IN and passed through to USB/MIDI OUT.
Other refinements – improved sensitivity curves, better handling of off-centre presses, new default layouts, and clearer tempo/firmware displays.

DAW Integration

Timed with the firmware release, Intuitive Instruments have introduced a free Ableton Live Remote Script, offering clip launching, track control, device tweaking, scale/tempo setting, and visual MIDI feedback directly on the Exquis surface.

Additionally, controller specialist Jürgen Moßgraber has expanded his DrivenByMoss extensions for Bitwig Studio and Reaper to support Exquis, enabling clip, track and device management, as well as expressive performance views.

CEO Bruno Verbrugghe: By merging our workflow with Ableton Live, Bitwig Studio, and Reaper, Exquis enables users to access countless functions without touching the mouse, keeping them focused on the music.