Novation XioSynth 25 25-Key Synth/USB Interface

2-octave synthesizer and audio USB MIDI controller keyboard.

Item: NOVXIO25

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  • More expected Monday, September 8, 2008. Preorder today.
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    We have been given a date of Monday, September 8, 2008 for the arrival of this item. This date is not guaranteed, rather an estimate based on either information obtained directly from the manufacturer or historical delivery data for the specific manufacturer.

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customer reviews

Rate and Review This Product:

6 People rated this product : * * * * * * * * * * 9 out of 10

4 People wrote reviews

* * * * * * * * * * 6 out of 10

"Great Synth, BUT TERRIBLE KEYBED!"

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

"Best Bang For Your Buck!"

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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About This Product!
Description
From Our Catalog
Never before has synthesis been so accessible! In this stylish, compact and highly affordable format, the XioSynth offers a staggering amount of classic and cutting edge sounds, many from internationally acclaimed artists, along with a brand new X-Gator patch programmer and optional filter distortion. Furthermore, the XioSynth provides everything required for producing on the move, through its audio interfacing and MIDI controlling capabilities.

NOVATION-CLASS SYNTHESIZER WITH NEW FEATURES
The XioSynth features a mono-timbral Novation synth engine with 10-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 synchronised to MIDI clock from a sequencer; just press and hold one key to groove along to a track with style.

NOVATION SOUND OLD AND NEW - HIGH PROFILE USER PATCHES
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.

HIGH QUALITY AUDIO INTERFACE
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 mic'd, and recorded with outstanding results. Check the demo XioSynth guitar track in the Novation online player to be blown away by the quality.

FLEXIBLE MIDI CONTROLLER - OF SOFTWARE OR HARDWARE
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 11 knobs and buttons (doubled to 22 by a Group A/B switch), plus a freely assignable Touchpad and joystick. All of these controls are pre-programmed in 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.

HIGHLY PORTABLE
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 excape 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.

Technical Info

Synthesizer
One part, 10-voice polyphonic
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

Keyboard
Keys: 25 or 49
Type: Semi-weighted
Velocity curves: 7

Pitch and mod wheel mechanism
Pitch wheel lever: Rubberised - centre return spring loaded left to right motion
Mod/control lever: Rubberised - spring loaded front to back motion

X/Y touchpad
Touchpad: 1 x touch sensitive 45x60mm
Parameters: 2 assignable in X direction
2 assignable in Y direction

LCD display
LCD: 2 x 16 character silver
Blue LED backlit

MIDI interfacing
MIDI: 1 MIDI Out
USB MIDI: 1 In/1 Out

Audio Interfacing
Inputs: 1 XLR (with phantom power)
1 TS Jack
Outputs: 2 TS Jack (L/R)
1 stereo Headphones Jack

Other interfacing
Data ports: 1 x USB 1.1
Sustain pedal: 1 x 1/4” Jack Input

Controls
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

General
Battery operation: 6 x standard 'AA' Size
External power supply: Standard 'centre 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

System requirements
Operating system: Mac OSX 10.2.4 or greater or Windows XP
Computer spec: Apple G3/400 GHz or Pentium 600 MHz or better
Interfacing: USB 1.1 compatible USB connector
Look over here! It's a synthesizer! It's a MIDI controller! It's an audio interface! It's the XioSynth! Compact 25-key, 3-oscillator analog-style synth with MIDI control and 2x2 audio interfacing over USB. Eleven knobs; includes templates for DAW control. Phantom-powered XLR mic input plus 1/4" instrument input. Headphone and 1/4" outputs.

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