Overview
The X-Station features a host of controls, providing instant access to its powerful synth engine. Combined with a powerful multi-effects engine and a superb semi-weighted key-bed with after-touch, X-station has become the synth of choice for a number of today’s influential artists. X-station also features MIDI control and audio i/o, providing an all-in-one solution for the studio environment and laptop live performance.
The 3-oscillator virtual analog synthesizer is based on the renowned Novation KS-series and is 8-voice polyphonic. The extensive control interface provides instant access to all key parameters, making it ideal for live performances. And forget cables - the synthesizer is fully integrated: The stereo audio output is sent straight through the USB cable onto the track in your sequencer via ASIO.
The keyboard employs a premium-class mechanism with semi-weighted keys and aftertouch. Even if you're not a trained piano player you will instantly feel the difference! Aftertouch, a joystick and the assignable X/Y touch pad controller provide you with extra dimensions of expression for your performances. What's more, X-STATION comes in three sizes: 25, 49 and 61 keys - your choice of ultimately portable or plenty of keys! All models may be run off batteries, power supply or USB.
X-Station's audio interface with two phantom-powered, hi-quality converters, two Neutrik™ combined XLR and jack sockets, digital S/PDIF out, and much more. Dedicated headphone and monitoring connections with separate controls even allow you to work without a mixer. What's more, the onboard DSP effects processor provides instant, zero-latency multi-effects for monitoring or recording applications. Each audio channel has its own effects chain. You can even record audio with effects on one channel - and use the synthesizer on the second at the same time! On top of that, X-Station has a built in MIDI Interface on board, allowing you to integrate external MIDI Gear as well.
Two channels of onboard multi-effects are also available. Up to six effects may be used simultaneously on each channel. The palette includes Chorus, Delay, Reverb Distortion, EQ and a Compressor. The effects can be routed for monitoring only (like giving the singer some Reverb while recording) or for recording as well (e.g. recording a guitar with Chorus). Thanks to the unique design, synthesizer and effects for incoming audio can even be used at the same time!
For controlling your virtual instrument and effect plug-ins, X-Station offers a total of 55 assignable physical controls, including 3 Encoders, 16 pots, 9 sliders and 22 buttons. And that doesn't include the dedicated controls in the Audio section. A template can have up to 150 virtual controls in total using the shift functions.
Liquid ASM
ASM: Analogue Sound Modelling
In order to present a sonic masterpiece, Novation pioneered LIQUID ASM. Studies of pure analogue circuitry demonstrated that much of the warmth of classic analogue instruments was due to very subtle distortions introduced by the synthesiser’s filter stage. Again, proprietary algorithms were used to model the way in which the character of the sound altered as it passed through filter stage.
Novation looked to redefine the Polyphonic Synthesiser with this no compromise approach and LIQUID ASM was first used in Novation's synth classic, the Supernova.
Specifications
Keyboard Mechanism
Keys: 25, 49 or 61
Type: Semi-weighted
Aftertouch: Yes
Pitch and Mod Wheel Mechanism
Pitch wheel lever: Rubberised - spring loaded, centre return left to right motion
Mod/control lever: Rubberised - spring loaded, front to back motion or free running forward and backwards
X/Y Touchpad
Touchpad: Pressure sensitive
Parameters: 2 assignable in X direction; 2 assignable in Y direction
LCD Display
LCD: 2 x 16 character silver. Blue LED backlit
Audio
Audio inputs: 2 x combined 1/4” jack / XLR sockets
Phantom power: On/Off 48 Volts
Gain control: -10dB to +60dB signal range
A to D converters: 2 x 24 bit Delta Sigma
Audio outputs: 2 x 1/4” jack sockets, 1 x stereo headphones 1/4" jack
Digital output: S/PDIF - phono
MIDI and Audio Interfacing
MIDI ports: 1 x MIDI In; 2 x MIDI Out
USB: 1x combined MIDI (1 x 1) and audio I/O (stereo I/O)
Effects Processors
Effects: 2 x multi-effects processors
Type: Delay/Reverb/Chorus-Phaser/Compressor/Distortion/EQ (Bass-Mid-Treble)
Controls
Rotary potentiometers: 20 - rotation 0 to 270 degrees
Rotary encoders: 4 - rotation 360 degrees continuous
Sliders: 9 - 30mm length
Transport controls: Rewind/Fast Forward/Stop/Start/Record
General Operation: Play/Template Common/Template Edit/Write/Global/Snapshot/Panic
Cursor/page control: Bank - page up/down; Program - cursor up/down; Inst Channel - cursor left/right
Keyboard control: Octave up/down
Synth Architecture
Voices: 8
Modes: Program (monotimbral)
Memories: 200 memory locations programmed with the KS factory presets
Synth Oscillators 1, 2 and 3
Waveforms: Square/Saw/Variable Pulse/Tri/Sine/Double Saw/Double Tri/Double Sine/9 complex cycle waveforms
Noise Sources: White/Crack/Metal 1/Metal 2
Octave Range: Shift -1/0/+1/+2
Mod Env Depth: -64 to +63
LFO1 Depth: -64 to +63
PWM Source: Mod Env/Manual/LFO2
Ring Mod: 1 * 2
FM: 2 * 3
2 * 3 FM Level: 0-127
2 * 3 FM Mod Level: 0-127
FM Env Attack Rate: 250uS-20S
FM Env Decay Rate: 1mS-20S
Comprehensive aftertouch, breath and pitch/mod wheel control of both static pitch and modulation of pitch
Synth Mixer
Osc 1 Static Level: 0-127
Osc 1 Mod Level/LFO1: -64 to +63
Osc 1 Mod Level/LFO2: -64 to +63
Osc 2 Static Level: 0-127
Osc 2 Mod Level/LFO2: -64 to +63
Osc 3 Static Level: 0-127
Osc 3 Mod Level/AD Env: -64 to +63
Noise Static Level: 0-127
Noise Mod Level/LFO1: -64 to +63
FM Static Level: 0-127
FM Mod Level/AD Env: -64 to +63
Synth Filters
Frequency: 0-127
Slope: 12dB/24dB
Modes: Low Pass, High Pass, Band Pass
Resonance: 0 to self-oscillation (24dB mode)
Mod Env Depth: -64 to +63
LFO 2 Depth: -64 to +63
Keyboard Tracking: 0-127
Velocity: 0-127
Overdrive: 0-127
Q normalise: 0-127
Comprehensive aftertouch, breath and pitch/mod wheel control of both static filter freq and modulation of filter freq
Synth Amplifier & Modulation Envelopes
Velocity: -64 to +63
Attack: 250uS-20S
Decay: 1mS-20S
Sustain: 0-127
Release: 1mS-20S
Delay (Mod Env): 1mS-20S
Synth LFO1 - LFO2
Modes: Cyclic/One-shot
Waveforms: Sine/Tri/Saw/Squ/Sample & Hold/Sample & Hold/Quantize/Random 24 Intricate Wavetables
Speed: 0 Hz-1kHz
Delay Fade In: 0-5S
Synth Effects
Reverb: Level/Echo Chamber, Small Room, Large Room, Small Hall, Large Hall, Grand hall/Decay/Wheel Level
Chorus - Phaser: Level/Rate/Type/Feedback/Mod Depth/Centre/Initial Position/Wheel Level
Distortion: Drive/Compensation/Wheel Level
Panning: Position/Mod Depth/Speed/Initial Position
Delay: Depth/Time/Feedback/Stereo Width/Ratio/Wheel Level
General
Battery operation: 6 x standard ‘C’ size 1.5 Volt dry cells or rechargeable cells
External power supply: Standard ‘centre positive’ 9V DC 600mA (supplied)
Size: Width = 468mm; height = 68mm; depth = 278mm (25-key version)
Size: Width = 798mm; height = 68mm; depth = 278mm (49-key version)
Size: Width = 963mm; height = 68mm; depth = 278mm (61-key version)
Weight: 2.5Kg (25-key version)
System requirements
Operating system: Mac OSX 10.2.4 or greater or Windows XP (32- and 64- bit Vista compatible)
Computer spec: Apple G3/400 GHz or Pentium 600 MHz or better
Interfacing: USB 1.1 compatible USB connector
Awards
Technology Award
Remix - Best Value Category
2004
Best Overall hardware Award
Future Music
2005
Xcite+ Pack
Novation likes to set the standards, and their latest bundled software collection is no exception.
'Xcite+' comes on a DVD-ROM filled to the brim with royalty-free loops and samples alongside a host of powerful applications ideal for getting the new user started, or to expand the experienced user’s creative toolbox.
PLEASE NOTE: The Xcite+ pack was only recently introduced to this product. Consequently, there may be old stock in store. If there is no sticker on the box, then there will be no xcite+ pack inside and it cannot be provided retrospectively. MAKE SURE TO LOOK FOR THE XCITE+ STICKER
The bundle includes:
Ableton Live Lite 6
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Novation Bass Station
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Waldorf PPG Wave Lite classic synth
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Arturia Analog Factory SE plug-in
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Waldorf's D-Pole Lite FX classic filter plug-in
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FXpansion's powerful demo versions of the BFD acoustic drum plug-in
and 'Guru' sample player with library.
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Waldorf's 'Attack Lite' analogue drum module plug-in
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'Mike the Drummer' A collection of 572 inspiring and original live drum loops
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Free 3 months membership for 'i-dance'- Global XS Artist
Find Out More **
