Novation Xiosynth 25

This is an awesome synth in a small package. The Novation Xiosynth 25 has several products built into one. The instrument is an eight voice polyphonic synth with on-board FX, flexible MIDI controller keyboard with two-in two-out USB audio interface.

The 25 key versions occupy very little space. It features 200 onboard synthesizer patches out of which 60 are programmed by producers belonging to variety of genres, including Rennie Pilgrem, Skeewiff, Ferry Corsten and Shimon.

The Xiosynth keyboard is solid and responsive, though it does not provide after touch sensitivity like other Novation’s expensive controllers. The internal synth engine however responds to aftertouch data. The Xiosynth offers staggering amount of cutting edge and classic sounds, many of them belonging to internationally acclaimed artists. It also features new X-Gator patch programmer with optional filter distortion.

The mono-timbral Novation synth engine comes with a 10-voice polyphony. It also features 3 oscillators with 17 waveforms each, 2 LFOs, 1 Filter, an Arpeggiator and multi effects board. The X-Gator can be used to gate each patch to create distinct 16-32 step rhythmic patterns for each onboard sound. All these sounds are synchronized automatically to a MIDI clock from a sequencer.

The Xiosynth boasts of 200 hard hitting onboard patches, using a new optional filter distortion to produce wide range of sounds that was not possible with previous synths. The Xiosynth provides a compact controller keyboard for studio as well as live performances. The keyboard presents comprehensive control possibilities with 11 knobs and buttons. The keyboard also features freely assignable touchpad and joystick. The controls are pre-programmed with 16 onboard templates.

Each of the three oscillators offer a choice of four traditional analogue waveforms (sine, Sawtooth, Triangle, Pulse/Square) four noise types (BP Noise, HP Noise, White Noise, HBP Noise), nine sampled waveforms (‘Ana’ Bass, Organ, Slap Bass, Elecpiano, Harpsichord, ‘Rhod’ Tine, ‘Rhod’ Piano, ‘Whurly” EP, and Clavinet). The oscillators can be configured in several ways including the basic layering and mixing. Oscillators 1 and 2 can be either ring modulated or synced to create wide variety of discordant tones and textures and metallic sounds. The Oscillator 3 can be frequency modulated by Oscillator 2 to achieve tonal variation.

The 200 synth patches are divided into two banks. The analogue basses can be put to good use by applying distortion and filter and effects sections. You will also find quieter and gentler sounds in the preset synth patches. The wide ranges of pad sounds offered start from simple synth strings sounds to much more complex evolving, ambient pads. The sounds offered sound genuinely atmospheric giving wide quality of results through wide programming. You will also notice single-hit percussion and FX sounds which include couple of imitations of vintage drum machine sounds. A handful of patches demonstrating repeat rhythmic and melodic patterns can be used to create unique sounds with application of Xiosynths Arp, X-Gator and LFOs

The Xiosynth layout is quite logical. The top-panels features 14 knobs and couple of multi function buttons. The functions of these buttons change with the mode you’re working in. The interface also features a two-line 16 character LCD with attractive blue backlight.

The left-hand side of the panel features modulation joystick that is spring loaded in both directions. The back panel features two audio inputs, one-quarter inch jack and one XLR. Four additional jacks are also provided for headphone output and stereo audio output.

Good: Most important parameters are easily tweakable. Good internal processor and resonance filters

Bad: The panel is small and bit cramped. You have to dig menus for fine-tuning