I'm toying with the idea of swapping out a synth and this one has been on my wish list since it was first announced. I really like the idea of a semi-modular approach. But, I've never seen/heard an XS in person, so I'm a little hesitant. Does anybody here have one and can give me a run-down of its pros/cons and how well it fits into your workflow? Also, what styles of music and what sounds (e.g., basses, leads, blips, drums/percs, FX) are you using it for?

For those of you not familiar with the FR XS, here's a video with the company prez demoing it at NAMM 08:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=om1On36jtY0

___________________
cryophonik.com | facebook | soundcloud

Sonar Platinum | Ableton Live 9 | Logic Pro X | Access Virus TI2 Keyboard | Kurzweil PC3X | Nord Lead 4R | NI Maschine

we had one in the studio for a few months, really cool ! i really liked it because we had some vintage stuff in the studio (before volta was around) and the futureretro has CV outputs so i was able to control my ARP Odyssey etc with it.

tone of it was fantastic, everyone on the analog forums has been raving about it for sometime i still think the nord wave is where everyones $$ needs to go at the moment lol

From the other reviews I've read, the XS seems to be built like a tank. Would you agree DJA?

___________________
cryophonik.com | facebook | soundcloud

Sonar Platinum | Ableton Live 9 | Logic Pro X | Access Virus TI2 Keyboard | Kurzweil PC3X | Nord Lead 4R | NI Maschine

yah, knobs, input jacks, everything was really really solid. i used it in the remix i did of your essence tune...

Yeah, I've got one. Nice piece of kit.

quote:

Originally posted by cryophonik Does anybody here have one and can give me a run-down of its pros/cons and how well it fits into your workflow?

Pros:

I love the tone.
The immediacy of programming and the ability to warp from one place to the next.
The semi-modularity is very nice.
Lack of patch storage.
Feels very solid.

Cons:

Lack of patch storage

It's an on/off thing with me, gets used on a fair number of tracks, only real downside is the need to bounce to audio... but of course thats to be expected.

quote:

Originally posted by cryophonik Also, what styles of music and what sounds (e.g., basses, leads, blips, drums/percs, FX) are you using it for?

All sorts of music, all sorts of sounds. Excels at all of the above, though it has it's own tone. Partner it with some effects for awesome fun tweaking.

It's the kind of synth you can lose hours just tweaking around.

quote:

Originally posted by Rusty O'Hara Pros: Lack of patch storage. Cons: Lack of patch storage

Exactly! That's one of the things that really appeals to me. Besides, given that there are no menus and everything has a dedicated control on the front panel, a digital photo should work for "patch storage".

I'm convinced that I want one. Now, the problem is going to be trying to find a used one.

Wanna sell me yours?

___________________
cryophonik.com | facebook | soundcloud

Sonar Platinum | Ableton Live 9 | Logic Pro X | Access Virus TI2 Keyboard | Kurzweil PC3X | Nord Lead 4R | NI Maschine

quote:

Originally posted by cryophonik Exactly! That's one of the things that really appeals to me. Besides, given that there are no menus and everything has a dedicated control on the front panel,

This is one of the core reasons why I got it, apart from the sound/capabilities etc.

Over time I found after selling my old gear, and having newer gear, I didn't actually have a dedicated analogue mono-synth (i.e. menu free) synth, so out of the limited options available, the XS was number one on the list.

Second would probably be the Kraftzwerg, third the Neptune, but no where for me to try them out.

quote:

Originally posted by cryophonik a digital photo should work for "patch storage".

Exactly what I do. Works a treat.

quote:

Originally posted by cryophonik I'm convinced that I want one. Now, the problem is going to be trying to find a used one.

They pop up occasionally on gearslutz, though not very often truth be told.

quote:

Originally posted by cryophonik Wanna sell me yours?

Don't hold your breath, she's a keeper.

Could somebody post a high quality clip of the XS in action. I would love to hear it being used for some minimal techno, prog house styles or similar!

Really want one of these! have wanted one for ages. They hardly ever come up second hand in the UK so i may have to have a brand new one imported from the US! will probably be hit pretty hard on taxes though?

quote:

Originally posted by dannib Could somebody post a high quality clip of the XS in action. I would love to hear it being used for some minimal techno, prog house styles or similar! Really want one of these! have wanted one for ages. They hardly ever come up second hand in the UK so i may have to have a brand new one imported from the US! will probably be hit pretty hard on taxes though?

One listed on Ebay

Yep, just saw that after i posted! Might have to snap that up!

quote:

Originally posted by dannib Yep, just saw that after i posted! Might have to snap that up!

Yeah, can't see many of them being put up at the moment.

Go on, treat yourself

quote:

Originally posted by Agenz One listed on Ebay

UK and Europe shipping only.

___________________
cryophonik.com | facebook | soundcloud

Sonar Platinum | Ableton Live 9 | Logic Pro X | Access Virus TI2 Keyboard | Kurzweil PC3X | Nord Lead 4R | NI Maschine