2-octave synthesizer and audio USB MIDI controller keyboard.
6 People rated this product : 9 out of 10
4 People wrote reviews









6 out of 10
Feature:
Features are great, lots of knobs, good selection of patches, poly is quite good for a little synth, USB/Audio interface (big plus there). I think features wise the Xio's can't be beat... There's so much under the hood of this little beast.
Quality:
NOW THE BAD NEWS! I "used to own this synth". Here's the problem.., and I don't know if it's a fluke or a quality control issue or Novations just gone plain dirty cheap on the hardware. THE KEYBED HAS ISSUES! I went through (3) Xio's from zzounds, ALL with keybed issues. ALL THREE units I got had a problem with BOTH of the B keys (oddly just the B keys were doing this), but MAN DID THEY RATTLE. I have never owned a keybed that's supposed to be "semi-weighted" rattle like that. I've played $99 Casio's that didn't have keys that rattled like that. Zzounds was very nice thoughout this entire ordeal of constant keyboard swap outs. I spoke with Novation and was told those keys should NOT be making that sound, but at this point I had enough. I was on the 3rd unit, and I was spent! If Novation fixes the keybed issue I will buy this synth again. Oh the knobs like someone else mentioned DO come off fairly easy.., so be careful if giggin with this synth, and if you do buy some extra knobs because you're gonna lose one eventually.
Value:
I'm giving it a 6 because of the keybed issue. We're not talking about something minor here IMO.., as I would think the keybed is an important part of the synth.
Desirability:
I stil want to get this synth back..., as I was very impressed with it overall, but there's NO WAY that I could live with those noisy keys... My wife couldn't even stand to sit next to me on the couch when I was playing this thing with headphones because those B keys rattled the nerves in her spine! Drove her nuts.
Sound:
Sound is good.., for a digital replication of analogue, I'd say Novation did a good job. Some thick, some thin, some you can't tell which way the sound's trying go. Overall great soundset for the price.
Ease of Use:
A snap to use.., I was up and going out of the box with no need for the manual. Easy to edit and tweek sounds, effects, ect.
Support:
Support was decent. However, I can't stand those ignorant jerks who treat EVERYONE who calls like they're some novice and know nothing about keyboards. I got lip from one rep who hasn't even been alive as long as I've been playing the keys. Those attitudes are very annoying from reps.
Overall:
Overall a very good synth, compact, lightweight, good controller, great sounds, JUST A TERRRIBLE KEYBED. If anyone knows for sure that Novation has fixed this issue please post reviews on forums about it so I can buy this wonderful little synth again.
Submitted: 8/1/2008
Style of Music: Many









9 out of 10
Feature:
The spec list for this synth is very impressive. It's actually 10 voices and not 8. I won't bore anyone with a spec list as you can see it on Zzounds site. Novation includes a USB cable, power adapter, and free software too. Sadly it only has MIDI OUT and does not have MIDI IN.
Quality:
I'm rating this at an 8 because there is one issue that I consider to be major. Especially if you plan on gigging with the synth. The knobs are not on very tight at all. It takes very little effort to pop a knob off. This can become a real problem for gigging. With day to day use being transported a knob is bound to pop off. I'm going to contact Novation and see if I can order some extra knobs (just in case)
Value:
Probably the best bang for the buck compact synths out there. It's amazing how many features Novation packed into this little unit (25 key model). For all those who complained about the number of knobs and buttons and other functions in menus..., well I say "cry me a river". Novation packed 14 knobs, 23 buttons, a joystick, a pressure sensitive pad, and a backlit screen on the panel of a 25 key synth. They did an AWESOME job with a VERY limited space.
Desirability:
Very sexy synth. I own it and don't regret it at all. The layout is logical and easy to navigate. The features and price of this synth is what lured me to it. All those features for just under $300!
Sound:
The sound on this little synth is quite large. It's digital, but has a very good analogue sound too it. Many of the presets are very good. However, this is a synth and presets are just there to doodle with. The power is in creating your own patches. If you're looking for acoustic emulation THIS IS NOT THE SYNTH FOR YOU! This synth is designed to replicate analogues synths. That being said the sounds work well for all forms of electronica, and will work for some nice lead sounds in rock, pop, and even metal.
Ease of Use:
This is very easy to use. I have yet to crack a manual. I've been playing for nearly 30 years so the layout is logical to me and easy to understand. Creating custom sounds is simple. You can have up to 3 osc in one patch and adjust numerous parameters for each osc. That with the 10 note poly leads to some PHAT sounds!
Support:
Im on the middle of the fence at the moment as I have yet to contact them.
Overall:
Overall great synth and well worth every penny. I looked at the MicroKorg and the Ion, and IMO this one is a better value. It has more knobs than the Ion, and more real-time tweeking power than both the MicroKorg and the Ion. The Micro and Ion both go for $400, but that's probably just because they have the vocoder. I think this synth has a better sound than both. I like the size, weight, features and the price.
Submitted: 5/9/2008
Style of Music: I love em all
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"Very quick shipping." - customer on August 17, 2008
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