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

[Timfonie]

Thanks Xavier for explaining the implementation of polyphonic aftertouch in XILS-Lab synths.
Recently I bought a hardware synth which generates poly aftertouch. As there are not many plugins which can use this controller data, I'm even more inclined to jump on the group buy bandwagon.

[aMUSEd]

Just one question/slight reservation - has preset management been improved yet for this? I still think both the other's have big problems with navigating presets

Hi Stephen,

Well if you could be a bit more precise : PolyKB preset management was stable with the first quick update, and for the Xils3 I know the bug has been fixed but I dont know if it has been published yet ( ie if the version on the public server fixed it )/

Then, is it the logic behind the preset browser, wich is very handy when you get used to it, or the fact that on all Xils-Lab all "sound" events are calculated in real time, so sometimes getting from a preset to the next one might take a little time : Actually it depends on both the complexity and the possible similaties between the two patches (especially true on Xils 3) or do you mean something else ? ( Like a crash who would occur especially when browsing etc )

In any case I'll make a short tutorial about the preset management in the Xils-Lab synths. I rewrote this part of the manuals for the PolyKB and Synthix, but its still much more easy to explain it on a quick video. Unfortunately this wont happen before a few weeks at least.

LtZ

It's not bugs - it's just that I find it not the easiest system for navigating and organising patches. For a start none of the presets can be seen on the harddrive with their real names so I can't organise them the easy way using drag and drop into folders I make. I have to use the built in system for renaming and tagging patches which can only be done one by one and I don't have time to bother with that for hundreds of patches I have already and which it seems nearly all sound designers can't be bothered with either if you see the next screens each using a different sorting method - not one really enables me to avoid having to scroll down lengthy lists to find the patch I want to through several nested menus:

[Lotuzia]

Ok Stephen,

Well you took the Xils3 example, and at that time I wasnt in charge of the Libraries development and Implementation.

But anyway the system on the Xils3 will be updated (if its not already done ) to reflect the PolyKB II and Synthix system.

So as far as I can see on the Picture ( wich is too small but you can send it to me by Email also Stephen if you wish ) you're not using double hierachical system then the center browser view to refine the search of patches but maybe I'm wrong and cant see in the picture.

I'll give a short explanation of the system with short examples wich might, or not you'll tell me, be adapted to your system and traditional way of searching :

You want to search all the Basses made by SoundsDivine

Search Field 1 Select Type as criteria then Bass
Search Filed 2 Select Author as criteria and select Sounds Divine
In the center browsing window you only have all the BASSES made by Simon ( and it should not be an endless list )
You can browse this list very easily and scroll thru the presets with the arrows

You just purchase Xilistics Soundbank for Xils 3( Sorry could not resist ) and want to browse all the presets in it :

Search Field 1 Select BANK as Criteria then Xilistics
Search Field 2 Select ALL or Eventually TYPE to search by category of instruments
Center browsing window you now have all the Xilistics instruments

The idea is that I never developp a tree from the first browse field on the left as you seem to do according to the picture/.

I select criterias in the fist two fields then I only browse in the center window, or I use the scroll arrows once I have refined my research to what I need ( generally for me its a type of instruments like BASS and then a musical genre like LOUNGE )

Does this help Stephen ? or make sense ? or not ?

L.

[aMUSEd]

So as far as I can see on the Picture ( wich is too small but you can send it to me by Email also Stephen if you wish ) you're not using double hierachical system then the center browser view to refine the search of patches but maybe I'm wrong and cant see in the picture.

If you're using Firefox just rightclick and select view image - then the +zoom and you will see them full size, or rightclick and save image - they are full sized its just KvR that shrinks them

[Lotuzia]

Then I want to add that all the factory presets are now tagged with the minimal tags : Type ( Category of instruments ) and Style ( Musical genre )

We even added an info field in the Synthix, but unfortunately SDs forgot to use it.( including myself )

LtZ

[Lotuzia]

So as far as I can see on the Picture ( wich is too small but you can send it to me by Email also Stephen if you wish ) you're not using double hierachical system then the center browser view to refine the search of patches but maybe I'm wrong and cant see in the picture.

If you're using Firefox just rightclick and select view image - then the +zoom and you will see them full size, or rightclick and save image - they are full sized its just KvR that shrinks them

Yeah I saved them on my HD on now I can see them in big. Its just what I said : you developping the tree from the first browser only, when I for example use the three search fields to refine the search, then browse only in the center browser ( ie the one where the current preset name is displayed ).

But tbh I dont know if all Xils3 factory library presets are tagged, wich could explain why there are so many "init" patches, a fact I consider as a bit weird.

Then did my explanation was of any use Stephen ?

LtZ

[themossinator]

have been playing with the demo and i gotta say its not doing anything new for me - id have to agree with the comments about it sounding similar to polykbII - i already own it and love it and i cant hear what Synthix is bringing new here really. Sure it sounds nice, cant argue there
Also didnt like the multi layered option - just makes things confusing for me, most people will probably love it

I still think OPX Pro-II is the best vintage softie ive heard

Having said that i wish you all the best with the synth

[Ingonator]

have been playing with the demo and i gotta say its not doing anything new for me - id have to agree with the comments about it sounding similar to polykbII - i already own it and love it and i cant hear what Synthix is bringing new here really. Sure it sounds nice, cant argue there
Also didnt like the multi layered option - just makes things confusing for me, most people will probably love it

I still think OPX Pro-II is the best vintage softie ive heard

Having said that i wish you all the best with the synth

Maybe you should hear my comparison at page 20 where i tried to reprogram one of my new Synthix patches on other synths including PolyKb II and OP-X Pro II.

While those other synths are great on their own respect my opinion is that Synthix is my favorite both in terms of sound and features. If you really think it sounds identical to PolyKB II you maybe have not tried to create a similar patch on both synths and if they match you had luck to find the right one.

The Multimode filter of Synthix alone makes it totally different to most other synths. Not to mention the other differences like e.g. oscillators, envelopes etc.



Ingo

[themossinator]

have been playing with the demo and i gotta say its not doing anything new for me - id have to agree with the comments about it sounding similar to polykbII - i already own it and love it and i cant hear what Synthix is bringing new here really. Sure it sounds nice, cant argue there
Also didnt like the multi layered option - just makes things confusing for me, most people will probably love it

I still think OPX Pro-II is the best vintage softie ive heard

Having said that i wish you all the best with the synth

Maybe you should hear my comparison at page 20 where i tried to reprogram one of my new Synthix patches on other synths including PolyKb II and OP-X Pro II.

While those other synths are great on their own respect my opinion is that Synthix is my favorite both in terms of sound and features. If you really think it sounds identical to PolyKB II you maybe have not tried to create a similar patch on both synths and if they match you had luck to find the right one.

The Multimode filter of Synthix alone makes it totally different to most other synths. Not to mention the other differences like e.g. oscillators, envelopes etc.



Ingo

Where did i say they were identical???

I said similar sounding - so much so to me that i cant see why i would need to buy this synth too, ye dig? This is imo of course

I guess ive tried so many softsynths at this stage and own so many that when i see a new one from a respected dev i hope that it will "wow" me when i use it - i actually went an bought a dongle so i could use polykbII, Sythnix isnt having the same effect on me

Maybe i will go back to it another day and my opinion will change but for now i wont be purchasing

[Ingonator]

I said similar sounding - so much so to me that i cant see why i would need to buy this synth too, ye dig? This is imo of course

I guess ive tried so many softsynths at this stage and own so many that when i see a new one from a respected dev i hope that it will "wow" me when i use it - i actually went an bought a dongle so i could use polykbII, Sythnix isnt having the same effect on me

Maybe i will go back to it another day and my opinion will change but for now i wont be purchasing

Hi,

no problem. It's a matter of taste like mostly.

For me Synthix will replace several of my other synths which maybe even includes OP-X Pro II (i have upgraded to that from the older version). Of course i like PolyKB II too and i'll maybe even get Xils 3 soon.
Besides this my favorite synths are mostly from Waldorf but that's no secret. Others are e.g. TimewARP 2600, NI Kontakt 4, Synthmaster 2.5, Curve and Dune.


Ingo

[themossinator]

Interesting you like Waldorf synths, ive been thinking about picking up a Blofeld, just for a different kind of sound
anyways...

[Ingonator]

Interesting you like Waldorf synths, ive been thinking about picking up a Blofeld, just for a different kind of sound
anyways...

Besides owning a Q and Microwave Xt in 2004/2005 for me it started with Largo and the Blofeld desktop and i became a beta tester for PPG Wave 3.V later (including factory sounds). I also got the Waldorf Edition and am currently testing the new Lector Vocoder.
I have already done a bank for the Blofeld (see my signature) and finished one for PPG Wave 3.V which after some delays should be released next week:
http://www.kvraudio.com/forum/viewtopic ... 56&start=0
A bank for Largo will follow this year.

This year at the Musikmesse i was invited by Waldorf and had a chance to meet some of the guys in person.
It's a kind of open secret at KVR that i'm a "Waldorf fanboy" (i'm more or less an "unofficial support" here...) but i really like the Xils synths too, especially the new Synthix.

Enough about Waldorf now as i don't want to "derail" this thread...


Ingo

[Lotuzia]

have been playing with the demo and i gotta say its not doing anything new for me - id have to agree with the comments about it sounding similar to polykbII - i already own it and love it and i cant hear what Synthix is bringing new here really. Sure it sounds nice, cant argue there
Also didnt like the multi layered option - just makes things confusing for me, most people will probably love it

I still think OPX Pro-II is the best vintage softie ive heard

Having said that i wish you all the best with the synth

Thanks for haing taken the time to try it Themossinator,

Yes the Multilayered option can be confusing though you have a simple Panel Mode available too.

And yes the Multilayer function leads to another kind of instruments, ie big layers.

But like I said before the Synthix has a special character wich might not be for everybody that's true

---------------

SOo to change a bit here are around 8mn of Keys and Synths.

What you can see, amongst other things, in this demo is that the Synthix can be especially both "meaty" AND "precise" in the hi range, wich is not so obvious for all analog synths (or VA ). Whenever you want an instrument that will CUT into a buried mix, then I guess, like an FM synth, the SYNTHIX can come and help

SYNTHIX Keys And Leads

Also I wanted to precise that ALL the instruments in the separate audio demos, though some are not atm included in the Factory Library WILL be included in the 1.0 Release.

LtZ

[Nielzie]

SYNTHIX Keys And Leads

Wow, some amazing presets are in there Laurent. Those wurly- and organ-like sounds for instance do really sound "alive"

[zerocrossing]

have been playing with the demo and i gotta say its not doing anything new for me - id have to agree with the comments about it sounding similar to polykbII - i already own it and love it and i cant hear what Synthix is bringing new here really. Sure it sounds nice, cant argue there
Also didnt like the multi layered option - just makes things confusing for me, most people will probably love it

I still think OPX Pro-II is the best vintage softie ive heard

Having said that i wish you all the best with the synth

I've yet to try the demo, but the audio examples sounded very good... but totally uninteresting to me. If there's something truly special or new that this instrument does that others don't do, the audio demos sure don't show it.

I feel like at this point a synth had better really bring something very new to the table if it's going to peak my interest.