XIOsynth free editor

[JustJ]

Wow, the randomize section really helps to avoid endless "R" clicking, and it works like a charm. Although I miss the randomize all button. Maybe you could add a button that would work as if you just clicked every section random on (or off for that matter).

And imho the randomize function still has somewhat unusual results, (or maybe this is because my pc has a strange perception of probability...) as if i pull randomize up to 100%, some values still look pretty "unrandom" as in, sometimes 5-6 controls in a row have the same value.
I uploaded a picture to show what I mean, or if you can reproduce this.
www.jam-world.de/JustJ/xio.jpg

And maybe a different randomize algorithm for the osc waveforms would be helpfull, as you cant change the waveform a bit. Either you change it or you don't, and with low randomize settings, most of the time, it won't.
Maybe the algorithm could go something like this:
R = for each osc randomly generated number between 0 an 100
if R < Rand Level; then; change waveform
also, a avoid noise button would be usefull
just a thought.

I think it would also be really great if you had something of a randomize template, like: "Create Pad (rather long attack and release times and much modulation with mostly sine or triangle waves as lfo, and everything but noise for osc waveforms)" or "Create Atonal Effect (everything can be pretty much everything, at least one noise waveform, or noise mix level)" or "Create Lead (Rather high filter frequency and little modulation, also no noise for oscs) ", you get my point I believe.
Although, not being a coder myself, I don't know how much work this would mean for you.

I'm also uncertain wether it would make sense to change the original layout a bit, eg that all the modulation options for the lfos would be in one line.

On another thought, maybe you could use Highlife to sample (in this case freeze) the Xio...
http://www.discodsp.com/highlife/

But apart from that, this is becoming better with every update. I played around a good half an hour, just randomizing around...

And if you could create a Patch browser, you would have made the xio pretty much the holy grail of small budget synthesizers, as until now it sounded really good, was nicely small, and quite cheap. But it was really annoying to create or organize patches on it...



All in all, again a Big thank you from my side of the screen

[billw]

jemap -- this is awesome...thank you!

[jemap]

JustJ,

Thank you for those good constructive suggestions as usual.

1/ overall randomize R marker : added to the checklist.

2/ randomize algorithm : parameters with same original values are generating same random values ; this is a known issue because of using a single random system number for all parameters. I've already put it on the checklist. It will be a lot of work to add local random system numbers on each parameter. I'll have to check it remains a quick and low CPU process.

3/ osc waveforms randomized : parameter ranges are already included in the algorithm. I will closely verify if a bug is hiding here.
The random level must be set to a high enough percent -according to the parameter range destination- to generate an effective new random value.

4/ "...not being a coder myself..." : I often coded but I actually work with Synthmaker, so I "only" link low level modules. Later, some online screenshots will show what stands behind the scene, and maybe I'll put the source schematics online (Synthmaker .osm files).

5/ templates and avoid-noise feature : it would be great, but I think it's a question of sound design ; my/our choices may not convice everyone. Perhaps we should make a bank with templates patches, sorted by category (a GM-like bank ?).

6/ layout : I've got a lot of headaches to group together parameters in a logical way, at least the tenth version. Modulations can be near their sources (i.e. all lfo1 modulation sources near the lfo1 section), or near their destinations (i.e. all osc1 modulation destinations near the osc1 section), or grouped together in a modulation matrix section. I wanted it to remain as compact as possible, without too many gaps.
For now, modulations are near their destinations, like Novation made in XioSynth menus; I began using colors to identify mods and destinations (Freq, FM and PW) but too many colors are disturbing.
I play with paper cut printed sections to try other layouts !

7/ Sampler : I know Highlife, a very good free real sampler (automatic vstis sampling), not only rom-player sampler. However, I won't use any sample or audio in Xio²SD. I still search for a satisfying Xio²SD vst version.

8/ patch browser : a far more technical project than it first seemed. I want it to receive bank dumps from XioSynth (already works), to load sysex files (in progress), to save banks, to swap user-chosen patches with real time dump to XioSynth, to arrange patches, to send program changes to XioSynth (already works) in order to hear the user-selected patch, to cook pizzas.

[johnp352]

First, thank you so much for making this and offering it to XIO users for free. Every post to Novation regarding a program like this was ignored.

Yesterday I dl'd an older version, and it worked great..reading the notes, I dl'd the current one, and I am having a slight problem, as I cannot resize the app, if I make it bigger than 100%, I lose part of the programmer in the large black frame which is the result of the zoom. I am on win xp, sp3.

I realize the x gator is a hard function to program, but with the arp being limited to a certain amount of none changeable patterns, I have tricked the xgator to function as a psuedo arp, and could really use the ability to be able to draw in the steps. Is there any way this could work? Also, I was thinking that in saving the patches..how nice it would be to be able to save patterns of x gators..and apply them to different patches without the in between steps..sort of like what the Props did with ReBirth patterns, back in 1958 I mean 1998..

at any rate, thanks for this, it's a great piece of work and really appreciated. Is there a way to donate to you so that you can see a bit of money for your work?

[piroman]

You are a genius Jemap!!!

Waiting so much the Patches browser/organiser.

[piroman]

First, thank you so much for making this and offering it to XIO users for free. Every post to Novation regarding a program like this was ignored.

I writed to Nova 3 times to make please something software for this killer synth and nothing happend, just "we sent to the developers". I cant understabd this business concept:) If you have editor for your synth, you can make much more sales. But only novation can programming over the usb port, we can use just midi cc for communication, but Jamap get 100%(or 1000%)from that:)

Now with xio editor i realize every day more n more, that i dont know before what can do my xio:) Randomize fuction open the door for billion brilliant sounds:)

Just with one problem with randomizer: I see that if i randomize some buttons move the same way and same rate(sometimes not)...Maybe its much more better if the randoomize function go step by step on the parameters in the program. because now "1 rnd variable number" sets to all "selected parameter". I think its better "x rnd variable number" for "x selected parameter"
Anyway this problem is kindershit, not important.

THANK-THANKS-THANKS this tool

[johnp352]

I think their focus switched from hardware synths to controllers and interfaces. Which is really too bad, because the XIO and X station are great sounding synths..and inexpensive and portable, something that working musicians need these days. Ignoring their customers' simple requests though is not good.

It's strange to me how Novation can make a great synth but drop the ball on getting an editor and a functional librarian going....and be weirdly defensive about it as well. Digitech does some of that nonsense as well, dropping all support for things that are "too old" (over a year..) in the hope of "consumers" buying more/newer. At the very least they could open up the architecture to the public so that 3rd parties could improve on their no longer updated software.

[piroman]

Find solution for vst version:)

Not need vst version, because there is a midi routing software. Midi Yoke (freeware, http://www.midiox.com/)

So install and after just use any midi ports you need for routing xiosynth editor with your DAW and XIO and try the nord G2 demo with this too....

[jemap]

- johnp352 :
I don't know what's wrong with the resize feature. Zoom is a native Synthmaker's function I can't change.
X-Gator steps changes will be done ; it's a big challenge and a lot of work.
As you mentionned Rebirth, I thought about a future midi application to program pattern steps in a piano-roll way. All documentations are collected. I'm off topic anyway, XioSynth first.
No way to donate, I just enjoy my synths, programming, sound designing, sharing, composing.

- piroman :
Parameters with same original values are generating same random values. I will fix this. This is not kindershit, this IS important.
The current algorithm takes a single random system number for all parameters : more system random numbers will be added.
I worked on another vst version of Xio²SD within Ableton Live 7. No satisfying results. I give up the vst idea.
I've linked virtual midi cables with MapleVMC (a Midi-Yoke-like for Vista) between Ableton Live 7 and Xio²SD.
This is the best idea to make it work with DAWs. I'm making a pdf tutorial about it, soon online.

- JustJ
New layout in progress.


Save function is added to the checklist.

[piroman]

- johnp352 :
I don't know what's wrong with the resize feature. Zoom is a native Synthmaker's function I can't change.
X-Gator steps changes will be done ; it's a big challenge and a lot of work.
As you mentionned Rebirth, I thought about a future midi application to program pattern steps in a piano-roll way. All documentations are collected. I'm off topic anyway, XioSynth first.
No way to donate, I just enjoy my synths, programming, sound designing, sharing, composing.

- piroman :
Parameters with same original values are generating same random values. I will fix this. This is not kindershit, this IS important.
The current algorithm takes a single random system number for all parameters : more system random numbers will be added.
I worked on another vst version of Xio²SD within Ableton Live 7. No satisfying results. I give up the vst idea.
I've linked virtual midi cables with MapleVMC (a Midi-Yoke-like for Vista) between Ableton Live 7 and Xio²SD.
This is the best idea to make it work with DAWs. I'm making a pdf tutorial about it, soon online.

- JustJ
New layout in progress.


Save function is added to the checklist.

You are a genius man. In one person you are more than the hole novation developer team:)

[jemap]

Xio 3 Sound Designer is out :
http://chemidistry.webs.com/editors.htm

- new layout ;
- added randomize system numbers ;
- added Write, Update, Restore and Compare functions ;
- added Xgates and Octaves mouse handling ;
- added midi in led ;

Manual and web site updated.

Checklist is empty.

I thank you all here for your suggestions.

Next :
- tutorial to use Xio3SD from a DAW with virtual midi cables (I've made a previous one but have to rewrite it);
- bank browser/organizer to be continued ...

[damstraversaz]

fantastic work ! thanks a lot !

[whitecloud]

Yummy, thanks I'll give go here real soon. Can't wait for the bank browser/organizer

[piroman]

Fantastic, THX a lot man!!!!

[piroman]

Dear jemap!

Version3 is perfect, i only have 2 problems. If i select to much options for the random function, the end is crashing without error window.. I think this is a buffer midi speed problem. How your algorithm works, you send in same time all midi infos to xio(when push random button) or step by step from list(after press the button)? And sometimes my "midi in" fly away, but i thing that because the random problem...

Anyway, if i not select to much option its works perfect!

THX