NOVATION XIOSYNTH25 Details
Novation-class USB Synth, MIDI Controller, and Audio Interface
You can't spell "Innovation" without Novation, and that pretty much sums up every product that Novation has introduced since their inception 12 years ago. Now they've gone and done it again with the new Novation XioSynth - an 8-voice polyphonic synth, that's also an audio interface. Oh, and it's also a MIDI controller - all in one compact unit. The XioSynth comes equipped with what is essentially a new sound engine that offers some pretty incredible onboard sounds, many of which just happened to be programmed by top international producers. One USB cable is all that's needed to turn your computer into a complete workstation for recording, controlling, and synthesizing. Since the XioSynth is class compliant (no drivers needed for Win XP or Mac OSX), you truly can just plug and play. The Novation XioSynth is available in 25- and 49-key configurations.
Novation XioSynth 25 at a Glance:
8-voice polyphonic synth with 32-step sequencer
MIDI controller and audio interface
200 virtual analog patches programmed by top artists
Class-compliant USB
Novation-class Synthesizer with New Features
The XioSynth features a mono-timbral Novation synth engine with 8-voice polyphony. In addition to 3 oscillators (17 waveforms each), 1 Filter (varying types), 2 LFOs (32 waveforms each), an arpeggiator and multi-effects board, this subtractive synth also boasts some brand new facilities such as the X-Gator patch programmer. The X-Gator can be made to gate each patch to create unique 16-32 step rhythmic patterns for every onboard sound, all automatically synchronized to MIDI clock from a sequencer; just press and hold one key to groove along to a track with style.
Flexible MIDI Controller and High-quality Audio Interface
If wanting a compact controller keyboard for studio or live use, the XioSynth is the most flexible and powerful tool on the market. In addition to synthesizing and audio/MIDI interfacing, the keyboard is also a comprehensive control surface with 22 knobs and buttons (doubled to 44 by a Group A/B switch), plus a freely assignable Touchpad and joystick. All of these controls are pre-programmed in 12 of 16 onboard Templates, so that the XioSynth can instantly control many software applications straight out the box. Add to this many more Templates online, a free Template Editor software application and hybrid modes for simultaneous synthesizing and MIDI controlling, and you have an extremely versatile package for producing or performing.
The XioSynth includes an ultra-low latency 2 In/2 Out audio interface for high quality recording and playback. This allows you to record a microphone with phantom power, as well as simultaneously stream the onboard synth audio directly to the sequencer via the USB cable. Equally though, a guitar can be plugged straight into the Jack input for DI recording, as well as simultaneously miked, and recorded with outstanding results.
High-profile User Patches
The XioSynth features 200 hard-hitting onboard patches, utilizing a new optional filter distortion to produce an even greater range of sounds than on previous synths; from the distinctive clean British sound to the filthiest and grittiest of sonic characters. Furthermore, 60 of the onboard sounds come from internationally acclaimed artists and producers from a variety of musical genres, namely James Zabiela, Ferry Corsten, Rennie Pilgrem, Roots Manuva, Shimon and Skeewiff. As such, every one of the patches on the XioSynth is eminently and instantly usable for creating synthesized music of any kind.
Highly Portable and USB Class-compliant
Simply connecting the keyboard over USB is all that's required to start recording, synthesizing and MIDI controlling. As the device is class compliant, no drivers are required for Windows XP or Mac OSX (although some are provided to improve latency and stability in some apps). Furthermore, if wanting to escape the confines of the studio for a while, the USB cable can be unplugged and the XioSynth can be powered by batteries, functioning as a standalone synth completely separately from the computer.
Novation XioSynth 25 Features:
One part, 8-voice polyphonic synthesizer
3 Oscillators, 17 Waveforms
2 LFOs, 32 Waveforms
Multimode resonant filter section with various filter options
Extensive modulation capabilities
Arpeggiator with latch
X-GATOR with latch
Direct streaming of synth into computer via USB
Number of Keys: 25 Semi-weighted
Velocity curves: 7
Pitch wheel lever: Rubberized - center return spring loaded left to right motion
Mod/control lever: Rubberized - spring loaded front to back motion
X/Y touchpad: 1 x touch sensitive 45x60mm, 2 assignable parameters in X direction, 2 assignable in Y direction
LCD: 2 x 16 character silver, blue LED backlit
MIDI: 1 MIDI Out
USB MIDI: 1 In/1 Out
Audio Interface Inputs: 1 XLR (with phantom power), 1 TS Jack
Audio Interface Outputs: 2 TS Jack (L/R)
1 stereo Headphones Jack
1 x USB 1.1
Sustain pedal: 1 x 1/4" Jack Input
Rotary potentiometers: 11, 0-270° rotation
Rotary encoders: 1, 360° continuous DATA wheel
Buttons: 11 function switches
Group B switch
General operation: 4 Mode and Menu select buttons
Keyboard Octave Up and Down buttons
Synth Menus/Audio mode select button
Effect Select buttons (Synth Mode)
Template/Bank/Page Up/Down buttons
Line/Phones Volume pots
Battery operation: 6 x standard 'AA' Size
External power supply: Standard 'center positive' 9V DC 600mA (Novation PSU6)
Size (25): 468 x 68 x 190 (mm) w x h x d
Size (49): 798 x 68 x 190 (mm) w x h x d
Weight (25/49): 1.4/1.6kg
Templates (16 preset onboard, more available on Novation website):
1. Apple - Logic 7
2. Steinberg - Cubase SX3
3. Ableton - Live 5
4. Cakewalk - Sonar
5. Native Instruments - Absynth 3
6. Native Instruments - B4
7. Native Instruments - FM7
8. Native Instruments - Pro53
9. Gmedia - Oddity
10. Novation V-Station
11. Novation Bass Station
12. reFX - Vanguard
13. Linplug - Albino 2
14. Gmedia - Minimonsta
15. Spectrasonics - Atmosphere & Trilogy
16. User Template
XioSynth Launches
Never before has Novation offered so much for so little! The fantastic new XioSynth provides Novation-class synthesis in its most compact and affordable format to date, with seamless audio interfacing and MIDI controlling capabilities to boot!
The XioSynth features 200 hard-hitting onboard patches, utilising a new optional filter distortion to produce an even greater range of sounds than on previous synths; from the distinctive clean British sound to the filthiest and grittiest of sonic characters. Furthermore, 60 of the onboard sounds come from internationally acclaimed artists and producers from a variety of musical genres, namely James Zabiela, Ferry Corsten, Rennie Pilgrem, Roots Manuva, Shimon and Skeewiff. As such, every one of the patches on the XioSynth is eminently and instantly usable for creating synthesized music of any kind.
Also included is a brand new patch programming facility called ‘X-Gator’. This allows every onboard sound to be gated to create interesting 16- or 32- step rhythmic patterns, without having to rely on an external sequencer. Of course, the X-Gator, like all effects and the arpeggiator, will synchronise automatically to incoming MIDI clock so that composing and performing along to a track become a breeze.
In addition to quality synthesizing, the XioSynth provides everything else required to produce and perform music with a computer, through its comprehensive audio/MIDI interfacing and MIDI controlling ability. One USB cable is all that’s needed to turn your computer into a complete workstation for recording, controlling and synthesizing. However, for those keen to escape the confines of the studio, XioSynth works just as comfortably as a standalone instrument, even powering off AA batteries for complete portability.
Sixteen onboard memory slots for MIDI Templates are pre-programmed to work with popular software straight out the box and, since the device is class compliant (no drivers for Win XP or Mac OSX), you truly can just plug and play. Additionally, the XioSynth boasts a new hybrid mode that allows simultaneous synthesizing and MIDI controlling, making it the most flexible device on the market and a worthy tool for the widest range of applications.
The audio interfacing spec includes the ability to record a microphone with phantom power, as well as simultaneously stream the onboard synth audio directly to the sequencer via the USB cable. Although the device is class compliant (no drivers are necessary), there are drivers provided that minimise the latency and make XioSynth more stable with certain software platforms.
As with the ReMOTE SL (Novation’s revolutionary Automap MIDI controller), an accompanying DVD offers a series of video tutorials, which succinctly explain the operational basics and main features. These offer blessed relief from written manuals and are a quick and easy way to get started with XioSynth.
With all of these features, plus the pleasant semi-weighted keyboard mechanism and much-loved Xpression pad and stick, all for a very attractive price, the XioSynth is a ‘no brainer’. Whether you’re new to music production and in search of your first instrument (or even MIDI controller or interface), or already an owner of a collection of synths but want new Novation sounds and a more portable solution, the XioSynth wins on every count.
• Novation-class Synthesizer
8-voice mono-timbral synth engine with multi-effects processor and 200
massive sounds
• High Profile User Patches
60 cool sounds from internationally-renowned artists and producers across
a variety of musical genres
• 24-bit Audio Interface
Ultra-low latency 2 In/2 Out audio interface for high quality recording and
playback; includes 1 XLR input with phantom power
• MIDI Controller
Unrivalled MIDI controller with a host of assignable controls, 16 onboard
Templates and hybrid modes for simultaneous synthesizing/controlling
• 2-D Controls
Fantastic ‘Xpression’ pad and pitch/mod joystick, both freely assignable in MIDI
Controlling mode; allow 6 parameters to be tweaked at once!
• USB/Battery Power
USB bus-powering is available, as well as optional battery (AA)/PSU operation,
making the keyboard highly portable
• Class Compliant
No drivers are required for Mac OSX or Windows XP – just plug and play!
Novation XioSynth25 USB Midi Controller
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