Novation X-Station 25 Synthesizer Controller
No longer available at zZounds
25 keys. Semi-weighted keys. Aftertouch.
Overview
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. read less
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. read less
Specs
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: Standard 'centre positive' 9V DC 600mA (not supplied)
Size: Width = 468mm; height = 68mm; depth = 278mm
Weight: 2.5Kg
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: Standard 'centre positive' 9V DC 600mA (not supplied)
Size: Width = 468mm; height = 68mm; depth = 278mm
Weight: 2.5Kg
Reviews
Submitted June 13, 2008
"A completely portable, fully functional, really inexpensive and very useful machine."
This review has been selected by our experts as particularly helpful.
At this price point just go get one. Portabilty and functionality in one package. Get all Nike'd up and JUST DO IT!!!
Sound
I was surprised by how much this machine could do considering it is intended to be virtual analog. By no means would I say that it is good at simulating acoustic instruments. It isn't and it is not meant to do that. But when it comes to analog or even some digital nastiness, this thing rocks. Remember this machine can also use A-station and K-station patches and there are some great ones out there. The only reason I did not give it a 10 is because the audio output lacks in character a little bit. You really need to tweek it with some EQ and compression externally. Not a big deal.
Features
Knobs, knobs, give me knobs. I used to have an old Chroma Polaris analog machine. Knobs and switches for everything. The X-station has all knobs and buttons and faders you'll ever need. It makes it a pleasure to program and perform with. Some knobs are harder to turn then others which seems a little strange. Maybe they just need some breaking in. Great little arp on board too.
Ease of Use
It is easy to manipulate the X-station since most of what you need to access has a knob, fader or button. Some stuff requires going deeper into the menus, but it all makes logical sense. Great feel on the semi-weighted keyboard too.
Quality
Very… read more good build quality, but not great. It is what you would expect at this price point, however, I truly feel if they made a sturdier machine it would sell better even if they increased the price.
Value
Bang for the buck it is untouchable. A synth, an effects processor, a USB audio AND midi interface, a great controller for your DAW...and it's less than $500!!! Buy one...hell, buy TWO!!!
Manufacturer Support
I doubt I will ever need support.
The Wow Factor
Simple, but not sexy. It is what it is and that's OK in my book.
Musical Background:
Active Musician
Musical Style:
All read less
Sound
I was surprised by how much this machine could do considering it is intended to be virtual analog. By no means would I say that it is good at simulating acoustic instruments. It isn't and it is not meant to do that. But when it comes to analog or even some digital nastiness, this thing rocks. Remember this machine can also use A-station and K-station patches and there are some great ones out there. The only reason I did not give it a 10 is because the audio output lacks in character a little bit. You really need to tweek it with some EQ and compression externally. Not a big deal.
Features
Knobs, knobs, give me knobs. I used to have an old Chroma Polaris analog machine. Knobs and switches for everything. The X-station has all knobs and buttons and faders you'll ever need. It makes it a pleasure to program and perform with. Some knobs are harder to turn then others which seems a little strange. Maybe they just need some breaking in. Great little arp on board too.
Ease of Use
It is easy to manipulate the X-station since most of what you need to access has a knob, fader or button. Some stuff requires going deeper into the menus, but it all makes logical sense. Great feel on the semi-weighted keyboard too.
Quality
Very… read more good build quality, but not great. It is what you would expect at this price point, however, I truly feel if they made a sturdier machine it would sell better even if they increased the price.
Value
Bang for the buck it is untouchable. A synth, an effects processor, a USB audio AND midi interface, a great controller for your DAW...and it's less than $500!!! Buy one...hell, buy TWO!!!
Manufacturer Support
I doubt I will ever need support.
The Wow Factor
Simple, but not sexy. It is what it is and that's OK in my book.
Musical Background:
Active Musician
Musical Style:
All read less
36 of 39 people (92%) people found this review helpful. Did you?
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