Novation XioSynth

Back in 2007, this compact synth arrived as a clever evolution of Novation's X-Station, packing a full subtractive engine into a desk-friendly footprint while adding tricks like the X-Gator for rhythmic gating that no other mini-keyboard had at the time.

At its core is a digital mono-timbral synth with 10-voice polyphony, three oscillators offering 17 waveforms each—including classic analog shapes, wavetables, PWM, and sync between osc 1 and 2—routed through a versatile multimode resonant filter (high/low/bandpass, 12/24dB slopes) with shape and distortion controls for extra grit. Two LFOs (32 waveforms apiece, MIDI-syncable) handle osc and filter mod, alongside ADSR amp/filter envelopes and a dedicated attack/decay for FM on osc 3, plus noise and an arpeggiator with latch. Hands-on tweaks come via 11 rotary pots, a continuous data wheel, X/Y touchpad, pitch/mod joystick, and velocity-sensitive keys (25 or 49 mini versions), with hybrid modes letting you play internal sounds while controlling software. Effects cover delay, reverb, chorus/phaser, distortion, 3-band EQ, and stereo panning; it doubles as a 2-in/2-out USB audio interface (stereo in/out, one XLR mic pre with phantom) and MIDI controller with 16 editable templates and 200 user patches, all in a lightweight 1.4kg battery-powered chassis.

Players have long praised its phat, phase-locked digital tones, logical layout for quick editing, and value as an all-in-one—though some note the lack of MIDI in, aftertouch, or external audio FX as trade-offs for the size. It's a secret weapon for portable rigs or vintage collectors chasing that early Novation vibe.