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Novation XioSynth
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| Theran |
Hi everybody,
Since I'm selling my Line6 Pod 2.0, I would like to get a Novation Xiosynth as replacement.
Does anyone have any experience with this synth, and if this is a good one. I'm not interested in the onboard soundcard, I won't use it anyway.
So fire up ;) |
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| DJ RANN |
| quote: | Originally posted by Theran
Hi everybody,
Since I'm selling my Line6 Pod 2.0, I would like to get a Novation Xiosynth as replacement.
Does anyone have any experience with this synth, and if this is a good one. I'm not interested in the onboard soundcard, I won't use it anyway.
So fire up ;) |
Same question for me, but I actually have to buy a new soundcard and was wondering if it's as as all the other built in soundcards/internal combos out there? |
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| echosystm |
| quote: | Originally posted by DJ RANN
Same question for me, but I actually have to buy a new soundcard and was wondering if it's as as all the other built in soundcards/internal combos out there? |
i actually looked into this myself a while back... the ADC/DAC is very poor.
theran, i would get an x-station or k-station instead of the xiosynth. the xiosynth has bugger all knobs, so you're going to be diving through menus all the time. the x-station and k-station have controls for basically all parameters. the k-station actually has a vocoder too, which the others don't. the synth "engine" behind these three synths is essentially the same. the only features unique to the xiosynth is a trancegate effect and some other negligable feature (I forget) - nothing that can't be added in your DAW.
keep in mind though, you're basically paying for a copy of v-station, in hardware. personally, i would just buy a midi controller (uc-33e) and dedicate it to controlling v-station. this is more flexible than using hardware anyway, since you can use multiple instances in a single project and the parameters will be automatically recalled when you open your projects. with the xio etc. you will have to re-load the banks every time you open a project and can only use it once (unless you keep rendering parts). |
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| DJ RANN |
| quote: | Originally posted by echosystm
i actually looked into this myself a while back... the ADC/DAC is very poor.
theran, i would get an x-station or k-station instead of the xiosynth. the xiosynth has bugger all knobs, so you're going to be diving through menus all the time. the x-station and k-station have controls for basically all parameters. the k-station actually has a vocoder too, which the others don't. the synth "engine" behind these three synths is essentially the same. the only features unique to the xiosynth is a trancegate effect and some other negligable feature (I forget) - nothing that can't be added in your DAW.
keep in mind though, you're basically paying for a copy of v-station, in hardware. personally, i would just buy a midi controller (uc-33e) and dedicate it to controlling v-station. this is more flexible than using hardware anyway, since you can use multiple instances in a single project and the parameters will be automatically recalled when you open your projects. with the xio etc. you will have to re-load the banks every time you open a project and can only use it once (unless you keep rendering parts).
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Thanks - Sod it, doesn't sound like it's worth buying full stop, I've already got V station, so it's not much more than a expensive midi controller with a crap soundcard.
Does anyone make a midi keyboard with a decent built in soundcard? |
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| LfmC |
| quote: | Originally posted by DJ RANN
Does anyone make a midi keyboard with a decent built in soundcard? |
Maybe some of m-audio stuff, but none of the all-in-one solution can replace a good dedicated soundcard imo. The combo's are usually aimed at beginners. If you need mobility, you could go for a external card (E-mu has some pretty good and cheap stuff) and get a midi controller.
It also depends on you budget and needs. If you have good monitors and are already well into production, then you should aim for a better card. But if you're just starting out or plan on using some hi-fi speakers, no point in spending too much on a sound card atm. As long as it's at least aimed at production ;) |
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| DJ RANN |
| quote: | Originally posted by LfmC
Maybe some of m-audio stuff, but none of the all-in-one solution can replace a good dedicated soundcard imo. The combo's are usually aimed at beginners. If you need mobility, you could go for a external card (E-mu has some pretty good and cheap stuff) and get a midi controller.
It also depends on you budget and needs. If you have good monitors and are already well into production, then you should aim for a better card. But if you're just starting out or plan on using some hi-fi speakers, no point in spending too much on a sound card atm. As long as it's at least aimed at production ;) |
I know this, it's just I wa trying to get out of having to stump up the cash to buy a soundcard and midi keyboard, and wasn't sure if anyone had made a decent combo one yet as the ones on the market as of a couple of years ago were dreadful. |
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| psymon.d |
In my opinion: not worth your money. I was really excited to get my first hardware synthesizer after only using software and was suckered in by the promotional videos featuring the museum of techno lads, but the synth itself was a huge let down.
I, like you, didn't need the soundcard, so that just left the synth. 200 some presets ranging from average to joke worthy, and though the synthesis power may be strong with tweaking and such, getting to the point of having a good sounding patch is an absolute motherless. As echosystm said, the knobs are , and with no VST control, the knobs are the only way to create different sounds. You'd have a better time with the free synth1, in my opinion. |
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| Theran |
| quote: | Originally posted by echosystm
i actually looked into this myself a while back... the ADC/DAC is very poor.
theran, i would get an x-station or k-station instead of the xiosynth. the xiosynth has bugger all knobs, so you're going to be diving through menus all the time. the x-station and k-station have controls for basically all parameters. the k-station actually has a vocoder too, which the others don't. the synth "engine" behind these three synths is essentially the same. the only features unique to the xiosynth is a trancegate effect and some other negligable feature (I forget) - nothing that can't be added in your DAW.
keep in mind though, you're basically paying for a copy of v-station, in hardware. personally, i would just buy a midi controller (uc-33e) and dedicate it to controlling v-station. this is more flexible than using hardware anyway, since you can use multiple instances in a single project and the parameters will be automatically recalled when you open your projects. with the xio etc. you will have to re-load the banks every time you open a project and can only use it once (unless you keep rendering parts). |
Thanks for all the responses, I would surely like a X- or K-station but the are above my budget @ the time. And I like the fact that the Xiosynth (25) is pretty small, so I can easily tweak the knobs, lying in bed ;). But what do you mean with 'bugger all knobs', aren't the knobs any good or is it that there are really few knobs to control the synth!
Thanks! |
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| LfmC |
| If this was your first synth, Id say go for it. It's a cheap synth, good for learning the basics of synthesis while having fun tweaking knobs. But Since you've already got the virus C, buying the xiosynth is pretty much pointless as far as synthesis capabilities are concerned. If you want a good cheap synth, the microkorg and blofeld are both much better choices imo, but if you really want the xiosynth, just get it. Who knows, it might work for you. |
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| pwnage1 |
| In this price range i would go for the microkorg, or k-station. |
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| DJ Robby Rox |
I own a XioSynth and went through all the bs you are now.
I'll keep this short:
The xiosynth ROCKS, it does, any lazy bastard who complains about the knobs never used one before, its one push to the next menu, simple enough for any retard to comprehend.
NOW, my beef.
DO NOT get the xio for sounds if you have quality vsts already, you're wasting your money. Hypersonic, Absynth, Fm-8 ALL have better sounds. If you are a pirate, do NOT get xio, TRUST ME.
If you're not, get it. It makes cool ass sounds. But there ARE many common vst that put it to shame. This is not opinion, this is fact.
- Eco |
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| echosystm |
| quote: | Originally posted by DJ Robby Rox
The xiosynth ROCKS, it does, any lazy bastard who complains about the knobs never used one before, its one push to the next menu, simple enough for any retard to comprehend.
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I used one. I actually was thinking about buying one, then I realised it is , about 30 seconds after touching it.
A good pyshical interface is one of the main benefits of hardware. Full interface > ty menu interface. I would rather use my mouse on a computer screen.
| quote: | Originally posted by DJ Robby Rox
DO NOT get the xio for sounds |
Exactly, it is just V-Station in hardware... So what benefit are you really getting from it?
1. It has a physical interface, so you don't get much knob-twiddling benefit.
2. It has the same sound as a cheap and old VST.
3. The onboard soundcard sucks ass.
4. It is not recallable like a VST and you cannot use multiple instances.
Failure of a product. You would be better off with a midi controller and V-Station.
The reason I recommended a K-Station (which you ignored), is because it has a vocoder and a full interface. An X-Station is a close second, but lacks the vocoder. A Xiosynth is an overglorified midi controller, with near-useless features added as an afterthought.
OP: You should be able to find a K-Station for about $250US. They are relatively rare though - people usually don't want to part with them.
A Korg MS2000B or 2000BR are also very good alternatives. From memory, this is actually the only hardware synth Eric Prydz has in his studio (according to interview). The Novation synths have more features, but the Korgs are a bit better sounding (particularly the vocoder). |
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