Modern synthesis and complete MIDI control in one affordable package.

Novation's stylish, compact and highly affordable XioSynth 25 offers a staggering amount of classic and cutting edge sounds, many from internationally acclaimed artists, along with its X-Gator patch programmer and optional filter distortion. It has everything required for producing music on the move through its audio interfacing and MIDI control capabilities.

Novation-class synthesizer with updated features
The XioSynth features a mono-timbral Novation synth engine with 8-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
The XioSynth features 200 hard-hitting onboard patches, utilizing 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 two-in/two-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. You can also plug a guitar straight into the XioSynth for DI recording while also recording via microphone.

Flexible MIDI controller for software or hardware
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.

Novation XioSynth 25 Features:

• Synthesizer
• One part, 8-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
• 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, 0-270ø rotation
• Rotary encoders: 1, 360ø 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
  
  Templates
• (16 preset onboard, more available on Novation website)
• 1. Apple Logic 7
• 2. Steinberg Cubase SX3
• 3. Ableton Live 5
• 4. Cakewalk Sonar
• 5. Native Instruments - Absynth 3
• 6. Native Instruments - B4
• 7. Native Instruments - FM7
• 8. Native Instruments - Pro53
• 9. Gmedia - Oddity
• 10. Novation V-Station
• 11. Novation Bass Station
• 12. reFX Vanguard
• 13. Linplug Albino 2
• 14. Gmedia - Minimonsta
• 15. Spectrasonics - Atmosphere & Trilogy
• 16. User Template

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Novation XioSynth 25

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Average of 3 User Ratings

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Not a Toy

Posted by nreade from New York City on Jun 19, 2008

Experience w/product: I own it

Reviewer's Background: Hobbyist musician/ recording engineer

Reviewer's Play Style: shoegaze, kraut rock, bluegrass

I bought this synth because I needed something small that I could fit in my dorm room. I didn't want a MicroKorg because I have used them; the small keys made it feel like a toy and the controls were limited. Granted, the vocoder is cool if you're into that sort of thing, but I'm not really. The Novation resembles an analog synth much more than the Korg, in both sound quality and controls. If you're looking for an extremely portable synth that doesn't sacrifice quality, this is unbeatable.

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completely blown away

Posted by SamariaGuitarist from Santa Cruz, CA on Dec 30, 2007

Experience w/product: I own it

Reviewer's Background: Active Musician, Recording Artist

Reviewer's Play Style: Indie, Ambient Rock, Post Rock

I shopped for many synths before settling on this one. It is a perfect start for any beginning synthesis artist as well as an excelent tool for any musician to add to his/her collection. First, I considered the microkorg however the sounds were cheesy and the keys felt like toys. It only seemed like a complete waste of money. It felt like a toy, I have a couple friends who have bought it, and regret it, they all love this synth. With a wide variety of tones and the simplicity involed with personalizing your tones this synth is one powerful machine. Don't let the size fool you. Battery life is good, if you have an outlet near, I'd recommend using the power supply, especially for a live show. It was very simple to figure out, i literally took it our of the box, put in 6 AA batteries and started playing. I recommend this product to anyone wishish to enter the world of synthesis or anyone wishing to add a powerful addition to their setup.

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value!

Posted by iamrobot from townsivlle, aus on Jun 5, 2007

Experience w/product: I own it

Reviewer's Background: Active Musician

Reviewer's Play Style: electronica, hardcore,

The Xiosynth was the first synth/MIDI controller I have purchased. Intially I was deciding between the Xiosynth, Micron, and Microkorg. I found that the Xiosynth for the price had alot more features (besides the Mircokorg which has the vocoder) such as the touch pad. Very handy. The hybrid mode is excellent. However, although there are a lot of presets, alot of them are very similiar. Editing functions are a bit confusing at start. For the money it is a good MIDI controller and synthesizer. If you do upgrade your synth you can always keep it as a MIDI controller.

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Novation XioSynth 25

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