I've been asking questions about synths lately because I need to get a new midi keyboard and I want to get something else, possibly my first hardware piece.
I figure if I dish out 200 more for the Novation Xio I'll have my midi keyboard and synth all in 1.
I've seen vids on youtube and it sounds real nice. I have most commercial VST's available (except Massive) and can't decide whether to do Massive and a new midi board or just go for the Xio.
Anyone have it? I can't make up my mind lol.
Jun-23-2008 02:49
davidbuhau
Supreme tranceaddict
Registered: Jun 2008
Location: bay area california
while the xio is no powerhouse, it sounds pretty snazzy
imo, xiosynths are shit. they are basically just v-station with a gating effect and you don't even get a decent synth interface (not enough knobs).
if i were you, i would get an x-station. they are way better - you get a full synth interface with knobs for everything other than effects. no bullshit menus to deal with!
even better yet, see if you can find a k-station. should be able to get one for about $300US. they are basically the x-station plus a vocoder, but no usb and don't act as a soundcard.
Jun-23-2008 02:56
davidbuhau
Supreme tranceaddict
Registered: Jun 2008
Location: bay area california
saying that a particular product is shit makes you sound really dumb
the advantage of something like a xio is size and versatility...
the number of things it does, and how tiny it is, gives it a pretty high "cool factor"
its not a full blown workhorse synth, novation does not claim it to be, it's just a controller with a very basic synth included. i think it's pretty tight...
I like K-Station too but I'm not crazy about getting a used one. Only problem is I went from planning on spending $150 for a new midi board to $300 for the Xios, and now $500 for the X-Station.
As long as I'm happy with w/e I get it won't really matter, I'll just youtube myself to death untill I make a decision.
Jun-23-2008 03:30
davidbuhau
Supreme tranceaddict
Registered: Jun 2008
Location: bay area california
thank you! I'm still in college so moneys rough but I seemed to have forgotten my birthdays the 28th which has me leaning towards the X-Station right now.
I need to get a glimpse of the Alesis Micro but I don't like the fact my Alesis keyboard only lasted 1 year before the keys stopped working, and I never banged them or dropped it once.
Jun-23-2008 03:59
davidbuhau
Supreme tranceaddict
Registered: Jun 2008
Location: bay area california
man on a budget i think the xio is a great little toy... but it's just not serious "Gear"
Yeh just going back & forth between vids on Xio and X they both actually sound almost identical (at least to me), I like the extra knobs on the X but I care more about sound potential.
And a few patches on the Xio actually sound pretty damn good for not being serious gear. Going to be a hard decision.
Jun-23-2008 04:18
echosystm
super wow maker
Registered: Jul 2004
Location:
She synth engine in the A/V/X-Stations is basically exactly the same as the Xiosynth. The only difference is you get a gate effect on the Xiosynth (negligable). I think patches are actually transferrable between them.
quote:
Originally posted by davidbuhau
saying that a particular product is shit makes you sound really dumb
Blow me.
quote:
Originally posted by davidbuhau
the number of things it does, and how tiny it is, gives it a pretty high "cool factor"
Xiosynth: 468 x 68 x 190mm
X-Station: 468 x 68 x 278mm
WAEW! A WHOLE 10CM!
I don't know how someone could live with that!
PS. davidbuhau, I'm just taking the piss. Dont hate. <3
Jun-23-2008 05:10
derail
Supreme tranceaddict
Registered: Feb 2007
Location: Canberra, Australia
You have "most" of the commercial VSTs available, but you're still in college and money's rough? I'd be interested to hear your definition of "most" - surely they'd work out to a fair chunk of money?
