Novation X-Station 61 Synthesizer Controller

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zZounds Gear Experts Say...
61 keys. Semi-weighted keys. Aftertouch.

Superb Keyboard in 3 Sizes
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 3 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.

Audio and MIDI Solution
X-Station includes a fully featured audio interface with 2 phantom-powered, hi-quality converters, 2 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.

Hardware Synthesizer
A fully featured Novation-class hardware synthesizer also runs on the unique X-Station hardware thanks to its powerful DSP processor! The 3-oscillator virtual analog synthesizer is based on the renowned Novation KS-series and is 8-voice polyphonic. read more 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!

DSP Effects
X-Station provides 2 channels of onboard multi-effects! Up to 6 effects may be used simultaneously on each channel. The palette includes Chorus, Delay, Reverb Distortion, EQ and even 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!

Direct Remote
Want a first class remote control for sequencer functions? Need a hardware surface for your VST-Instruments Would you like to remote control other hardware from one surface? Here's your solution -- no matter if you want to remote control your Access Virus or Propellerhead Reason. 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 a massive 150 virtual controls in total using the shift functions!

Tired of Wires
X-Station only needs one for everything -- the USB cable. That's it. Even power is provided via USB* or batteries whenever desired! So if you really want to make your recordings on the beach -- take your laptop, X-Station and enjoy the sun as inspiration. But don't say we didn't warn you about the sun-burn and the sand all over your gear!

* The USB bus must be able to supply the required amount of current in order to power the X-Station. Please verify that your computer provides enough power.
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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 in. jack / XLR sockets

Phantom Power: On/Off 48 Volts

Gain Control: -60dB - +10dB signal range

A to D Converters: 2 x 24 bit Delta Sigma

Audio Outputs: 2 x 1/4 in. jack sockets

Digital Output: S/PDIF - phono

MIDI and Audio Interfacing
MIDI Ports: 1 x MIDI In; 2 x MIDI Out

USB: 1x combined MIDI and audio 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 Normalize: 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: Included 'centre positive' 9V DC 600mA

Size: Width = 963mm; height = 68mm; depth = 278mm

For support or warranty questions, please contact the manufacturer:
Phone: 800-431-2609

Reviewers gave this product an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars. (6 ratings)
Submitted July 4, 2007 by a customer from yahoo.com

"Excellent Value, lots of features."

Overall: 5 out of 5 stars
(see rating details)
Verified Customer zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
I may upgrade my audio interface sometime in the future, but I definitely won't need to get another keyboard controller ever.

Sound
The synth section of the x-station has some great sounds, and there are more free patches available on the Novation website. Unfortunately, the synth can only store 200 of them at a time, so you have to try them out and then pick and choose. The pre-amps on the audio interface are nice for the price you are paying. There are even a number of built in effects that are tweakable and sound pretty good.

Features
This thing is PACKED with features. There is the audio interface with effects, the synth with nice sounds and loads of tweakability, it also works as a midi keyboard for your software, there are a number of pre-programmed templates so the large control section can be mapped to your VST's or DAW. Oh yeah, and it has a joystick and touchpad.

Ease of Use
Very easy to use. You may need to update the onboard OS but directions are straightforward. They get some minor marks off for requiring a third party software though.

Quality
Feels well put together. Every key and knob felt pretty solid. Also, I like the key-action. I travel a fair amount with it, though not regularly, and it has held up well.

Value
For the money it's great. An all in one sort of thing to use with a DAW + laptop for read more a great mobile studio. I got my x-station 61 for $549, which was a great deal.

Manufacturer Support
Novation has done an excellent job of supporting this product with updates and even free sound patches.

The Wow Factor
Looks great, does so much!

Musical Background:
Amateur

Musical Style:
Indian influenced electronica
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