Novation XStation.

[kodama]

Both sound awesome and look cool, both have 8 voice poly, but they are much different, the Micron is a deeper multi-timbral synth but is more tradionally "standalone", where as the XIO is an excellent controller that integrates well with your computer and has a mono-timbral synth.

Micron:

+ Multi-Timbral

+ MUCH deeper synth engine

+ Vocoder

- Crappy feeling keyboard

- Oddly placed pitchbend wheel and sliders instead of mod wheel

- B*tch to program without 3rd party editing software (there's only 1 programming knob)

- No battery power

- No USB


XStation:

+ VERY graphical easy to use interface

+ XY Pad

+ Nice keys

+ Aftertouch

+ Battery/AC/USB Power (it and the X-Station are the only USB powered synths)

+ Nice 1in/2out audio interface (you can record both the synth & 1 mono source at once)

+ Nice Mic Preamps

+ Nice knob layout for Live's Macros

+ Nice midi control modes with a supplied editor

- Mono-timbral


So if you wanna go for creating deep/wild/experimental sounds and want multitimbral and don't mind shelling out for an editor, go for the Micron.

If you want slightly more hands on with better computer integration, a better control surface and just want a really nice synth to play, go for the X-Station.

Hope this helps!

[p51superace05]

B*tch to program without 3rd party editing software (there's only 1 programming knob)
So if you wanna go for creating deep/wild/experimental sounds and want multitimbral and don't mind shelling out for an editor, go for the Micron.

If you want slightly more hands on with better computer integration, a better control surface and just want a really nice synth to play, go for the X-Station.

Hope this helps!

Hey Kodama,

who makes that editor for the Micron? Does it update via Sysex dumps? Also, I don't quite understand your post - are you talking about the XioSynth or X-station in the second half?

If you are familiar with the ION, how would you compare it's user interface / ease of use to the x-station?

Thanks

[Cygnus X-1]

It's called Microzune, check here: www.bizune.com
Sells for $30-35 on ebay I think.

Best.

[kodama]

I meant X-Station, not Xio (whoops!)

The differences on the XIO vs the X-Station are:

- A bit harder to program

+ supposedly sounds a little better

+ Has the X-Gater

+ Better Control Surface/Synth integration

+ Better color

- One less physical audio input

+ Can record one input plus stereo synth @ the same time

- No aftertouch

- No Expression Pedal Input

- Keyboard not as good ( but still good)

+ Tiny!

[kodama]

If you are familiar with the ION, how would you compare it's user interface / ease of use to the x-station?

The X-Station is a very graphical synth (like Virus/Nord Lead/JP 8000/K-Station) and very hands-on, the ION is very 90's one knob kind of programming, I would have to use software myself...

[raymen]

Well as a new ION Owner perhaps I can offer a little insight. Personally I went for the Ion over the Roland SH201 Simply Because it looks and feels more solid.

After reading the reviews that slated its pathetic keyboard I was a little reserved, but after recieving it I certainly can't complain. Sure it's plasticy, but its got a good feel, a nice action and good return. Plus I have a 88 key weighted keyboard if I really need that 'better' feel.

The other benifit over the SH201 and many of the others is the continuous potentiometers, you can keep turning a nob and there is never a skip or break in the sound shift.

Other complaints I have heard are the arpeggiator is rubbish. But if you set it up and tweak it like your supposed to (isn't that the point of a hardware synth) you can get some good affects.

The effects are lacking where others have many, but then other synths steal polyphony from the oscillators to beef up the sound. The only actual set ups that do this on the Ion are the Unison, the multipart splits and the mono button!

Its got 400 factory settings, and the screen shows exactly what you need to see when you want to see it. Oh and don't listen to the small button complaints either. There well labled, well placed and have simple leds to show that a section is active or being edited.

As a new hardware synth user some of the deeper mod matrix tweeks are a little baffling. But from a basic sine wave a few nob tweeks and button presses can result in anything from warm pads to wierd glitchy realistic analogue sounds. It even manages to faithfully model the analogue drift heard on real analogue synths.

Oh and as for sending CC messages, there are sysex updates for the ions os that sort that, and some other issues that have presented to those good ol' alesis chaps. See yes there are 6 os updates since release, but only because alesis LISTEN to their customers!!

Best plan is to audition the synths you can afford in your budget, then chose the one you like the best. Don't listen to everything you hear or believe everything you read.

[bosonhavoc]

have you thought about getting a fire wire audio interface a sm57 and an sm58? (or better a couple of sennheiser's)

sounds like you can make synth noises but u cant recored very well.
that being the more uniqueness of your sound.
it may not hurt to think about building up on that side.

check out the m-audio 410 (i have one and it works good)

presonus fire box and a few other
they retail around 300 but u can find em for 200
and you could spend the rest on some descent mic's

just some food for thinkin