SYN'X 2.5 Released - Xils-Lab - (Multitimbral Synthex - intro discount-)

[HunterKiller]

Yes it was a strange choice for their interface.

While we're on the subject, I always liked most of Xils' GUIs, but they really dropped the ball on the Synthex emus. The gui doesn't look pro, too flat, and boring on both synths. Whoever did the PolyKB did a great job, but if the same person did the Syn'X guis, they need to redo 'em from scratch.

I also prefer the PolyKB GUI, but one should remember that it's realitstic/skeumorphic GUI got a lot of critics too when it was released. Would I dare to say, having read a lot of comments on various synths UIs/GUIs for years, that a single GUI will never, by definition, please everyone ?

However it's very easy to use it -imho- and it doesn't give eye fatigue.
All in all, compared to the previous version, a lot of things were bettered in the workflow/logic/usability. Yes, there are probably many things that still could be enhanced, and as precise as possible requests are always welcomed.

Tell me if I'm wrong, but I find, generally speaking, that guys who are more into vintage emus are more or less predisposed towards the 3D gui/the realitstic/skeumorphic kind. But guys who favour the modern 'anything goes' synths are into the flatter 'functional' guis...? With some overlap probably.

I've never been attracted just to one or the other, I've favored both functionality and realistic beauty, the problem occurs due to the second qualifier, the mystery aspect of life always required, because everyone' definition of that aspect, in this case "beauty", is quite varying. And the view of what represents optimum functionality itself not uniformly perceived among people, but with far less variance than beauty.

[JonSolo]

I think you got it...with maybe a little of this added in...

I think when it comes to emulators of an original tool, it is great to make the product (software or hardware) appear similar to the original. For example, if someone emulates an Arp Pro Soloist in software, it makes more sense for the GUI to look like that...the black and white flip switches, a few knobs with LEDs near them, brown boxy rectangle, etc.. While we may be attracted to the sounds, many want to navigate in a similar way they did on the hardware; that is part of the familiarity. Additionally, I am all for expanding the capabilities of a software/hardware emulation, and adding a few "switches" or "knobs" to the interface is just fine. But part of the joy/magic/inspiration/etc is seeing the original styled GUI/appearance.

For a modern "anything goes" synth, one that has no basis in a specific hardware model (think Avenger), then the above makes less sense. It does come down to functionality for some and sexy for others, or any mix in between for many.

I will say this...when someone makes an emulator of a classic synth, and it looks nothing at all like the original...I would almost rather that they said "inspired by..." instead of calling it an emulator. That is my personal choice. Still it doesn't have to be a 100% reproduction to pass my personal muster...I like Adam Sazbo's JP6K for example, as well as most of TAL's things.

[Sound Mechanics]

I must say that I enjoy working with this synth very much. It's a bit of a head scratcher at first but once the layers and voices are understood it can go as deep as you want. I like being able to pan the different layers with individual filters and envelopes - adds nice depth to the sound.
I prefer a single GUI synth as it makes working easier, but often the controls just won't fit in one screen... unless they are all titchy

This is one side of the beauty of the Syn'X 2 : Even on fairly simple patches, where all layers are identical, just change the LFO speed on some layers, or the filter cut-off, or the Pan settings, and suddenly you have a much more organic vibe. Something that barely no other analog emulations can achieve.

So with the same base patch, you can stay simple/punchy, or add depth/details/interest easily, or go complex to crazy by loading/experimenting with totally different layers.

And it is this which decides me to purchase it.

You won't regret it

[Lotuzia]

Yes it was a strange choice for their interface.

While we're on the subject, I always liked most of Xils' GUIs, but they really dropped the ball on the Synthex emus. The gui doesn't look pro, too flat, and boring on both synths. Whoever did the PolyKB did a great job, but if the same person did the Syn'X guis, they need to redo 'em from scratch.

I also prefer the PolyKB GUI, but one should remember that it's realitstic/skeumorphic GUI got a lot of critics too when it was released. Would I dare to say, having read a lot of comments on various synths UIs/GUIs for years, that a single GUI will never, by definition, please everyone ?

However it's very easy to use it -imho- and it doesn't give eye fatigue.
All in all, compared to the previous version, a lot of things were bettered in the workflow/logic/usability. Yes, there are probably many things that still could be enhanced, and as precise as possible requests are always welcomed.

Tell me if I'm wrong, but I find, generally speaking, that guys who are more into vintage emus are more or less predisposed towards the 3D gui/the realitstic/skeumorphic kind. But guys who favour the modern 'anything goes' synths are into the flatter 'functional' guis...? With some overlap probably.

I've never been attracted just to one or the other, I've favored both functionality and realistic beauty, the problem occurs due to the second qualifier, the mystery aspect of life always required, because everyone' definition of that aspect, in this case "beauty", is quite varying. And the view of what represents optimum functionality itself not uniformly perceived among people, but with far less variance than beauty.

Wish I had the answer, but, tbh, I have no solid data to base a possible answer on. My perception on the subject is however very close to yours and JonSolo ones. Also, fwiw, the PolyKB and Syn'X Guis were made by the same designer.

[BlackWinny]

I think you got it...with maybe a little of this added in...

I think when it comes to emulators of an original tool, it is great to make the product (software or hardware) appear similar to the original. For example, if someone emulates an Arp Pro Soloist in software, it makes more sense for the GUI to look like that...the black and white flip switches, a few knobs with LEDs near them, brown boxy rectangle, etc.. While we may be attracted to the sounds, many want to navigate in a similar way they did on the hardware; that is part of the familiarity. Additionally, I am all for expanding the capabilities of a software/hardware emulation, and adding a few "switches" or "knobs" to the interface is just fine. But part of the joy/magic/inspiration/etc is seeing the original styled GUI/appearance.

For a modern "anything goes" synth, one that has no basis in a specific hardware model (think Avenger), then the above makes less sense. It does come down to functionality for some and sexy for others, or any mix in between for many.

I will say this...when someone makes an emulator of a classic synth, and it looks nothing at all like the original...I would almost rather that they said "inspired by..." instead of calling it an emulator. That is my personal choice. Still it doesn't have to be a 100% reproduction to pass my personal muster...I like Adam Sazbo's JP6K for example, as well as most of TAL's things.

It is very exactly the feeling I personally have.

I purchase a lot of synths (and effects) and get also many freeware synths (and effects). Moderns one as well as "vintage emu" ones. It is probably due to 55 years of music practice with all the time imprints engraved in my mind, when I get a "vintage emu" synth or effect the skeuomorphism takes a real part to the emotion I feel when using it, while when it is a plugin totally designed from scratch I'm not worried at all by the modern GUI, it can even be totally futuristic.

[jsc]

I've just purchased this beauty one hour ago, however no email confirmation received. Is this normal at Xils-Lab? Or is it delayed because i'll purchased it on saturday and get the serial on monday? Thanks

[Lotuzia]

I've just purchased this beauty one hour ago, however no email confirmation received. Is this normal at Xils-Lab? Or is it delayed because i'll purchased it on saturday and get the serial on monday? Thanks

No it's not normal. I think it's instantaneous. I'll fw this to Xils so that they can look at the last orders and see what's wrong.

[jsc]

I've just purchased this beauty one hour ago, however no email confirmation received. Is this normal at Xils-Lab? Or is it delayed because i'll purchased it on saturday and get the serial on monday? Thanks

No it's not normal. I think it's instantaneous. I'll fw this to Xils so that they can look at the last orders and see what's wrong.

Thanks i've also send an email to the sale departement .

[e-crooner]

Maybe it's in your good old spam folder

[jsc]

Maybe it's in your good old spam folder

That was the first place i checked

[BlackWinny]

If you email client is an application which is not browser based, sometimes the email is locked server side. Using Thunderbird (which is not browser based) it sometimes happens to me. I suggest you to check also this, visiting your email address (the inbox AND the junk box) with a webmail tool.

[jsc]

I've received an email from Xavier, Problem is solved!
Thanks! Lotuzia

[Lotuzia]

I've received an email from Xavier, Problem is solved!
Thanks! Lotuzia

Glad I could help. Hope you'll enjoy your Syn'X 2.

Some Syn'X 1 audio clips for our Big Sounds Soundbank. ONE instance at time playing.

Nori Ubutaka Splits and Complex Big Sounds

[brick]

We've released a new soundset for Syn'X 2.5. You can here a preview of the presets here :

[e-crooner]

The preset from 1 to 2 mins is very nice.