X-Station
IMAGES
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.

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.


Key Features

Novation-class Synthesizer
Monotimbral, 8-voice, 3-oscillator (with 17 waveforms), 2 LFO (with 32 waveforms) virtual analogue synthesizer with 200 massive onboard sounds and a huge array of hardware controls for editing parameters

Advanced MIDI Controller
First-class remote control with 150 available controls and 40 onboard Templates for popular software/hardware, with many more available for free online

24-bit Audio Interface
Fully featured 24-bit audio interface with 2 XLR/Jack inputs, both with phantom power, and a coaxial digital out (S/PDIF)

Multi-effects Processor
A total of 6 effects per channel can be applied simultaneously to the onboard synthesizer and/or audio input(s)

High Quality Novation Keyboard
Superb semi-weighted, high-quality keyboard with velocity- and aftertouch- sensitivity

2-D Controls
Fantastic ‘Xpression’ pad and adjustably sprung pitch/mod joystick, both freely assignable in MIDI Controlling mode

Complete Portability
Various options such as USB- or battery- power, in addition to PSU, allow maximum portability. Batteries can even recharge via USB!


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 or above (also compatible with Vista 32/64 and Windows 7 32/64)

Computer spec: Apple G3/400 GHz or Pentium 600 MHz or better

Interfacing: USB 1.1 compatible USB connector


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
RELATED PRODUCTS

Gig Bags