Ernie from Va.beach, Virginia
Quality:
This Keyboard has a good feel the key feel semi weighted. Knobs and other moving components feel sturdy and tight, nothing play play.
Features:
Audio engine. I would and mor modulation functions, to create your very distinct sound
Ease of Use:
Very easy to use, if your not familiar with a synth functions could be a learning curve. Easy to easy to use and understand functions.
Sound:
very rich, especially when recording in my DAW.
Value:
A synth and interface plus software, alway a plus. Very good package deal.
Do you own this product?:
yes
GearJunky from Fort Mohave, AZ
Subject:
Good for the money
Quality:
Actually kind of heavy for a plastic case, so there must be some metal in the chassis.
Features:
Again, I can't get into the MIDI world just yet. (still waiting on a half way decent 2 monitor graphics card for my computer)
A good piano preset (as others have stated) would have been nice, but according to Novation: "We can't get a piano sound because it is a subtractive synth." What a P-Poor Excuse! From what I can tell, the subtractive process does not take place to presets until you fiddle with them; hence the subtraction?????
Over all, this is a very nice unit, and well worth the price if you are looking for a subtractive MIDI SYNTH. If not get a compact digital keyboard that is available for around $90.00.
Ease of Use:
Ok, I am no expert on subtract technology, and it will take me some time to learn most of what this little unit can do Via MIDI, usb/computer mode, so my comments are directed at the onboard 200 preset samples and the out of the box feel for the unit.
I have no problems with the keys as other have stated (I have a very expensive fully weighted key Yamaha synth. that is not much better)
The Rub: Unlike the Yamaha, the documentation on the unit STINKS!!!
As with most folks, I like a paper manual that you can open up and read as you fiddle with the new toy. Novation sends a one sheet (get started)offering with two mostly useless (except for computer software) disks.
This unit is very easy to use and like all synths I have known, you will have to figure out the preset sounds yourself, as most are beyond boring, but thanks to the toggle and touch pad you can futs with every one of them.
Sound:
I have it hooked up to a couple of Eagle ET-AR302-BK 2.0 speakers that do a very good job (considering they only cost $19.00) in my bedroom and the sound is very good. I believe the tone and overall sound quality is directly tied to your amplified speaker set, or headset. The delivered tone seems to be constant from the Synth.
Action:
I found the key action to be very good and have no complaints as others have. This unit comes very close to a very expensive 81 full weighted key Yamaha synth. I have.
Value:
For the money, this is probably as good as you will get for a full on subtractive MIDI synth.
If you don't need the MIDI usb/computer part, don't spend the money as you can get a good compact digital keyboard for around $90.00.
Do you own this product?:
Yes
Squeak_D from United States
Subject:
Great Bang For Your Buck Synth!
Quality:
Quality isn't top notch on this little synth. However, you cannot place your expectations beyond reason without first taking into account how much this synth costs. It's made fairly well. The knobs aren't as solid as they could be, but are more than acceptable. Little bit of play in the joystick, and the physical pressure it takes to depress a button varies on a few of them. Again.., you MUST take into consideration how affordable this little synth is. You cannot reasonably expect the build quality of a Moog for under $300. I would say it's dependable if you take care with it. It's not going to hold up to heavy abuse.
Features:
Loaded with features..., just way too darn many to list honestly. You get a 10 voice 3 osc synth engine.., with MANY editing options that go beyond what you see listed on the panel. You'll find the most commonly used controls on the panel, but my goodness this synth is a bit of a shape-shifter. On the surface it looks sweet and gentle, but go into the menus and you find editing options that turn this synth into a FREAKIN SONIC BEAST! The options within the menus are unreal. For example, being able to not only modulate the patch with the stick, but the ability to set the mod stick to control modulation, filt. freq, effects levels, and much more ALL at the same time is amazing. I have custom patches where the modulation stick is controlling 5 things at the same time and EACH of those parameters can have different max points. Just an amazing synth engine! I would add an additional midi jack as the unit only has midi out and not midi in.
Ease of Use:
I think it's very easy to use. However, I think it's easy because I've been playing for nearly 30 years and have owned many synths over the years. To the newbie.., I'm not sure how this synth would do. It has a lot of editing options. The manual really isn't written for the novice either. One "could" use this as a first synth to learn the basics. I will say that given all the editing options.., it will keep the novice VERY busy as it will teach you a lot about synths (if you're willing to explore these editing options though).
Sound:
BIG SOUND! That's all I can say. The synth physically leaves a small foot-print..., but the moment you start tweekin it you'll soon realize that "size really does not matter.., well at least in the synth world that is".
Action:
I've got a mixed bag of emotions with the action really. It's semi-weighted, but I'm not sure if it's a TRUE semi-weighted keybed. At this point I'm not willing to void my warranty and pull the synth apart to see if there are weights under those keys. The action is different. I've never played a semi-weighted bed quite like this one. It does feel nice, but different. Some keys rattle a little, but again consider the price range it sells within.
Value:
GREAT VALUE! No other hardware synth offers this much for under $300! The Xio is in its own class (when you compare cost to features).
Do you own this product?:
YES!
Date submitted:
April 19th 2009