XILS StiX - New drum machine coming?

[subterfuge]

I dont know if mentioning its a virtual instrument will be enough to avoid the ambiguity. Or maybe this needs to be changed/adapted to be more precise, and not lead to possible misunderstandings. Thanks for pointing this out.

No problem. For me personally there was no danger of taking it as a real hardware. I was just wondering if it was marketing tactics or simply just avoiding long descriptions like you said.

The heart of StiX synthesis is analog modelled. In depth, and with the *woody quality* of Xils-Lab synths.( Yes, I know *woody* can lead to as many comments as *warm* or similar terms, but that's just how I see, or hear, it )

Sounds interesting (no pun intended), will have to check that when it's out. Thanks Lotuzia.

[ras.s]

Hmmmm I don't know. what is precisely *Sequencer parameter locking* in the Elektron drum machines ?

basically you can set different parameters values at every sequencer step
i.e.

First step : bass drum decay = 0.5, snare cutoff = 0.1 etc...(for all synthesis parameters)
Second step : bass drum decay = 0.1, snare cutoff = 0.8 etc...(for all synthesis parameters)

...but sincerely 'cause i do more complicated rhythmic stuff i would use DAW piano roll and VST automation for parameters...

..but again i guess a lot of guys are more in the step sequencing stuff...

Ok. So yes regarding this its comparable to Elektron drum machines.

This said, StiX sequencer also does a lot of things that would be quite difficult and time consuming to make in a daw (like per step macros as a simple exemple). Even for expert users.

And it also does some things that are impossible to make in a Daw. The rising of daws is somewhat tied in a linear way to an average decline of the drum machines. So the only drum machines that will survive well -imo- are the simplest ones (very fast workflow, less power) . Or the ones that will be able to make things daws cant do, and things daws can do, but that can be made in a much easier way inside a drum machine. ( and still have a f.a.S.T workflow) At least, this is how I see things, and it was one of my motivations/goals when designing StiX.

A bit of a longshot, but does the sequencer have different rudiments for steps? I mean: I'd like that step to be a single stroke, the other one a flam, and that fill I'd like to start with a paradiddle. I'd love to have a sequencer that does drum rudiments without me having to think about how to go about programming them (with swing and all).

[sqigls]

'StiX' is a very glam rock naf sounding name.
What about something like "Dwum SkinZ" ? or "Wack BeatZ" ?

no?

...tough crowd tough crowd




"StoolZ" ?


"Beat OfF" ?


"Rim joB" ?

[GHOST19]

StiX : Sticks : Drums : Drum Sticks :

I know a guy who used to play his drum machines with sticks.

He ran into problems.

[Numanoid]

I would have called it: XILS Tr-iX

TR-808 is there a more classic machine

...and everybody need more tricks up their sleeve right

[Lotuzia]

Hmmmm I don't know. what is precisely *Sequencer parameter locking* in the Elektron drum machines ?

basically you can set different parameters values at every sequencer step
i.e.

First step : bass drum decay = 0.5, snare cutoff = 0.1 etc...(for all synthesis parameters)
Second step : bass drum decay = 0.1, snare cutoff = 0.8 etc...(for all synthesis parameters)

...but sincerely 'cause i do more complicated rhythmic stuff i would use DAW piano roll and VST automation for parameters...

..but again i guess a lot of guys are more in the step sequencing stuff...

Ok. So yes regarding this its comparable to Elektron drum machines.

This said, StiX sequencer also does a lot of things that would be quite difficult and time consuming to make in a daw (like per step macros as a simple exemple). Even for expert users.

And it also does some things that are impossible to make in a Daw. The rising of daws is somewhat tied in a linear way to an average decline of the drum machines. So the only drum machines that will survive well -imo- are the simplest ones (very fast workflow, less power) . Or the ones that will be able to make things daws cant do, and things daws can do, but that can be made in a much easier way inside a drum machine. ( and still have a f.a.S.T workflow) At least, this is how I see things, and it was one of my motivations/goals when designing StiX.

A bit of a longshot, but does the sequencer have different rudiments for steps? I mean: I'd like that step to be a single stroke, the other one a flam, and that fill I'd like to start with a paradiddle. I'd love to have a sequencer that does drum rudiments without me having to think about how to go about programming them (with swing and all).

I didn't know the word *rudiments* (Though I knew all the individual techniques mentioned). Thanks.

So interesting question.

First a disclaimer : Though it will be able to play samples -and load your own- StiX was not made to deal with multisampled acoustic drums with gazillion sample/RR etc. It will NOT replace BFD or anything similar. StiX deals with samples like the 1rst vintage drum machines dealt with them ( Well a bit more but that can be discussed later). So it's definitely on the electronic side, and can only make some pseudo realistic or acoustic stuff. If you're looking for very sophisticated pure acoustic drums emulations, StiX is not for you. Then ....

From all the rudiments mentioned on your page, it can however reproduce the essence of most. But you'll have to use the sequencer and adapt it for a precise task/rudiment.

So I'll take the 'simple' example of a flam : Stix has per step micro position timing. So basically, if you take two pad slots, you can make any kind of Flam. I dont think that a strict 'flam' flag or 'menu' would be handy anyway. Why ? Because a flam can have multiple variations : Usually the first beat s the weakest and is played a fraction of a second in advance ( so both hits are different, and have a different sound ) But the intensity difference between the two strikes can vary. As well as the very short time interval between the two hits. So a Flam function should receive at least these two parameters to be at least a bit efficient. With the micro position ( + per step velocity ) you deal with all that. And you can make a flam even if you dont know that you're making one.

StiX Per Step Micro Position : But besides Flams this parameter can be usefull for a lot of other things :

• * Make a Snare/Clap stack as LARRRGE (or COMPACT) as you want
  * Make, or adapt to, any *human* Shuffle ( different of Swing because Swing implies symetry amongst beats of a bar, while shuffle/Groove can be any strike(s) )
  * Play the shaker/Cabassa/marracas on the beat ( and not after ) This is really the burden of many sequencers, they cant play these instruments properly. With StiX, your shaker peak will be spot on the beat.
  * Play *in haste* and *lazy/laid/Back*
  * Change micro timing of a percussion so that it doesnt pile brutally with the BD/Snares/etc but plays just a bit behind or before (so that the natural resonnances of the drum instruments breathe and can be heard/separated in the mix). Though .... brutal can be desired, in this case all you have to do is to let the sequence line as it is ( And StiX will function as the terrible brute drum machine it can also be)

Ok, so just an exemple to show that one of the rudiment you described can be the result of a function that can accomplish a lot of different things, so that you figure out the spirit of StiX, how things were built, and why they were built that way. The same goes for the rudiments that rely on strict metrics/multimetrics, parradidles ( you'll need two drumpad slots : R & L) , drags and diddles. StiX is VERY flexible and should be able to accomplish most of them in a quite fast and intuitive way. But well your question covers too much ground. So some of these subjects might be covered later I think.

LtZ

[Lotuzia]

Eh eh he guys, I know that as long as you will have only the name of the Drum Machine and a few announcement lines, you'll be tempted to have fun with the name.

That's why I hope I will be able to give you a bit of -draft- audio examples rather soon. And will give a few more details about it when I can ( I'm atm moment buried in so many *urgent* tasks that it's not easy to follow Kvr and answer everything )

[ras.s]

Thanks for the detailed response, Lotuzia.

I do mostly prefer synthesized sounds over realistic sampling, so no big deal for me that it isn't intended for the latter. But good that it does also have sample loading -- means it's going to be more powerful.

Interesting that micro position timing thing. I do enjoy working with a step sequencer, but then I do find myself being frustrated at times with a sequencer being too rigid. Sounds like this could relief that frustration.


I suppose for drop-in rudiments (ones that I don't need to program specifically) the engine would need to have optional A/B (or left/right) sounds for each part. Basically the same sound with a small variation to distinguish between the two, but not done by usual suspects for modulation such as velocity. And that could probably make it immensely more complicated both in terms of programming sounds and the interface ergonomics.

However, I'd still like some kind of basic "roll" type of step as an alternative to a regular single strike. I have a Korg ESX, the red sample-based Electribe, and it has a button that can be engaged to create a quick, repeated strike (2-4 strikes each, affected by amount of swing). It can be either switched on so it's always on for a part, or it can be automated (Korg calls that a motion sequence) so that it's only on for a specific step. It isn't anything mind-blowingly good, it easily goes into machinegun territory, but it is a nice option for variation. Even something simple like that would would be great in a drum sequencer.


Few questions still:
- how many parts (different sounds per plugin instance) will it have?
- is the swing/shuffle per individual parts or is it a global effect?
- surely it can do either MIDI out or drag&drop patterns to the host?


Anyways, consider me interested.

[Numanoid]

There are already so many drum machine plugs in the market

What does StiX have to offer, that Battery, Geist, Spark et al haven't covered yet?

I hope the price point of StiX will reflect that it is a saturated market already.

[deastman]

Micro position adjustment also sounds useful for getting reverse snares to land on the beat.

As for "woody", I associate that with the sound of wood, which is a hollow sound, and therefore associated with square waves.

[Lotuzia]

Thanks for the detailed response, Lotuzia.

I do mostly prefer synthesized sounds over realistic sampling, so no big deal for me that it isn't intended for the latter. But good that it does also have sample loading -- means it's going to be more powerful.

Interesting that micro position timing thing. I do enjoy working with a step sequencer, but then I do find myself being frustrated at times with a sequencer being too rigid. Sounds like this could relief that frustration.


I suppose for drop-in rudiments (ones that I don't need to program specifically) the engine would need to have optional A/B (or left/right) sounds for each part. Basically the same sound with a small variation to distinguish between the two, but not done by usual suspects for modulation such as velocity. And that could probably make it immensely more complicated both in terms of programming sounds and the interface ergonomics.

However, I'd still like some kind of basic "roll" type of step as an alternative to a regular single strike. I have a Korg ESX, the red sample-based Electribe, and it has a button that can be engaged to create a quick, repeated strike (2-4 strikes each, affected by amount of swing). It can be either switched on so it's always on for a part, or it can be automated (Korg calls that a motion sequence) so that it's only on for a specific step. It isn't anything mind-blowingly good, it easily goes into machinegun territory, but it is a nice option for variation. Even something simple like that would would be great in a drum sequencer.


Few questions still:
- how many parts (different sounds per plugin instance) will it have?
- is the swing/shuffle per individual parts or is it a global effect?
- surely it can do either MIDI out or drag&drop patterns to the host?


Anyways, consider me interested.

More interesting questions :

A/B state : There's a very simple tool to make A/B variations, and actually much more interesting things, in StiX. However its really only A/B variations, if this tool is used for that purpose, and will only deal in that case with strict alternate strikes. So it wont deal with paradiddles for instance. To make pseudo paradidlles you really need to use two drumpads slots, program the desired sound variations between the two drumpads kore sounds, then just write/program your parradidles on two sequencer lines. The advantage of this tool is that it can not only be programmed in a flash, but it is VERY powerfull to make more complicated things that A/B strict variations.

Step rolls : Can be done in Stix in several ways. And can be somewhat automated (but not strictly switched on the fly between regular single steps status and roll status like on the Korg unit you mention ). So the fastest way to make *divisi* on Styx is simply to choose a *divisi* for a step on the ... XoX editor ( Because yes StiX is based on a superpowerfull/super simple XoX editor, and you see ALL THE LINES on the GUI ) This will set a *mechanical* roll, with a possible gun machine effect, because all hits inside the step will have the same velocity.

But ... in StiX you can also have a different number of steps per beat , and this will also be reflected on the multiline simple XoX editor. This time, you can define the velocity of each strike, but also define all the per step parameters ( like the Micro Position mentioned some post aboved ) And the icing on the cake : You can also specify wich hits of the roll will be active.

So you can have regular 16th notes AND detailed sextolets (6 strikes per beat ) within the same sequencer line. That's fine, and no drum machine can do this afaik. But .... it doesnt stop there : Each of this sextolets can have triplets or pentolets (5) simple *divisi* So on the main XoX editor Yes, you can make *heptolets of triplets* anywhere in your sequencer line populated with 16th regular notes ! Effortless, and with the best visual feedback ( XoX )

As for automation you can mute any sequencer line via a midi device ( that send note on ). So it's not really a switch between regular/ratchet on the fly, its more : let it play, or mute it.( though if you carefully mute after the 1rst hit you'll get the regular single hit only -but obviously with a different gate time )

How many parts : 10 drumpads. ( but you can also run several StiX instances )
Swing is global, but Micro position + Gang mode will let you make any groove per line if desired.
Midi D'nD : At the moment it's not implemented, but it would be a nice addition in a future version.

[Lotuzia]

Micro position adjustment also sounds useful for getting reverse snares to land on the beat.....

Exactly ! (I'll add that in the manual )

In other words, any Drum Machine without micro position can only be more/less wrong for all the sounds that dont have a zeroed attack parameter. This kind of missing features can lead to good beats btw, and certaily won't do ANY harm for a lot of *standard beats*, when all sounds have minimal attack time ... but ..... in some cases you'll just need something else.

[Lotuzia]

There are already so many drum machine plugs in the market

What does StiX have to offer, that Battery, Geist, Spark et al haven't covered yet?

I hope the price point of StiX will reflect that it is a saturated market already.

Well, an Analog modelled Drum Machine like StiX would justify its existence by the Xils-Lab excellent filters, oscillators, envelopes, cumulated waveforms LFOs, aso.

Add micro position, per beat number of steps, Step Divisi, the XoX sequencer paradigm revisited from scratch, while maintaining its most exquisite constitutive elements : Visual programming at the speed of light and intuitive beat making. ( Please, read the posts above, if you want to find more about these things )

If only for that, StiX would deserve to exist imho. But .....

There's much more than that, of course

[sqigls]

There are already so many drum machine plugs in the market

What does StiX have to offer, that Battery, Geist, Spark et al haven't covered yet?

I hope the price point of StiX will reflect that it is a saturated market already.

Well, an Analog modelled Drum Machine like StiX would justify its existence by the Xils-Lab excellent filters...

I think the Xils-Lab filters could justify almost anything.

I hope this thing isn't too CPU hungry, and I hope you're aware that many dude's like me will just be interested in the 'sound module' aspect. Sequencers on drum machines just don't interest me in the slightest. Will there be a 'sound module' version? Without all the shenanigans?

[ENV1]

So you can have regular 16th notes AND detailed sextolets (6 strikes per beat ) within the same sequencer line. That's fine, and no drum machine can do this afaik.

I know of no drummachines either, (not that i remember anyway), but one VST sequencer that is excellent for this kind of stuff is ERA2. By combining different settings of GateTime, Fill and Hits you can go totally crazy with the timing/repetitions, and thanks to the 'envelopes' provided by the Hits section you can do even crazier stuff such as making the 'extra' hits go gradually faster/slower or louder/quieter.

Curious? Heres a small 2-minute audio example. It demonstrates only some of what is possible with ERA2 since the Fill/Hits stuff is only performed on 1 single note in a single 16-step pattern. (Technically a lot of patterns could be programmed and chained or even played by a 999-patterns playlist.) Still its a good demonstration of what ERA2 can do in this department. Who knows, maybe it gives you some last-minute ideas for StiX.

Note: No actual steps were added or removed from the pattern, nor was the pattern speed itself changed. Everything you hear is the result of altering the Fill/Hits parameters on Step4, which was set to a GateTime of 5 so the note remained sustained during steps 5-8. (Which themselves were muted / not set.) Since i was just moving sliders at random not all of it can be considered 'musically useful', but youll get the point.