Novation X Station Demo (Tony Stone)

[roflmaotzetung]

Please help me - I've read lot a lot of comments on this synth and one thing I still cant get:

is it possible to SIMULTANEOUSLY use it as sound card ( by sending to speakers something from sequencer - beat, etc.) AND as a synth for playing separate melody, bass line, etc. ?? I need that kind of functioanality for gigs and key word is SIMULTANEOUSLY. Thanx in advance!

[PleasureTV]

I Love the X-Station 49keys version, cause it has space for laptop on right side <3

[cjsinister6]

so this is indeed a synthesizer with it's own sound engine?

[jujuwx3]

The keys are too noisy ?

[DjDvDndMcSuperiorair]

CAN YOU MAKE BUBBLE SOUNDS

[Flipjunkie1]

Hey man thanks for this ! it helped me , i was thinking of getting one . Dont mind these pricks on here that talk smack because i watched one of there videos and all they had to show was some stupid fckin show where they were dressed up as a cheerleader and i watched another video of a hater and in his comment he was talking about how your crowding the market he's trying to dominate and his music was complete rubbish , i would rather lick a rats asshole than listen to more! so they know nthing ?

[RizzoAstronama]

People need to realize, quality hardware doesn't make you a better producer. When i first started out I was selling beats for $100 exclusive with only a laptop and Fl studio 7. You have to have an ear for music. And this guy sucks ass a producer. I am only being so passionate because I love music and guys like this just over crowd the market that real producers such as myself are trying to dominate.

[aksen303]

@RizzoAstronama he's doing a GEAR demo, not making a track. and as a demo (sound quality issues aside), it was spot on - he went through most of the major features and showed how they affected the sound.

btw, your music aint nothing to write home about dude.

[gridsleep]

@aksen303 And, like comedian Marsha Warfield, he also learned to conjugate the verb 'to be', as in "I be..." "He be..." "They be..."

If Mozart were alive today, he'd be a German rap star. Think about it.

[Apocarteresis]

Can you route the sounds you make on the xstation into the axiom and play them on there?

[kyoobaze]

eeeeeeew, for the love of youtube, trash that m audio axiom 61. The xstation is also a midi controller, if you didnt know lol

[illdrums2000]

@kyoobaze Lol I like the axiom better than the x station for key action, plus a 25 key x station won't get you too far when playing anything more than small synth parts and drum programming. Thanks for the suggestion, though!

[kyoobaze]

@illdrums2000 lol, if you have gotten the M-Audio Ozonic (which is the only best M audio product ever with 49 keys, man.......thumbs up

[V19torrent]

I really want a stand-alone hardware synth with a drum machine and step sequencer. I still havent been able to decide on a good entry-level one.

[pencildives]

WHen I try to use my portamento knob I get no response and the screen says "No Control". Anybody know how to turn it back on?

[bigbass3]

Very informative video. Thanks. Don't be a hater Keybern. Get a life.

[Keybern]

lousy review.

The damn thing has a built-in audio interface for christs sake and still you're recording through a sh*ty mic which makes the keyaction noises more noticeable than the synthsound itself !

Just proves that wannabe cool artists like you don't understand a bit of synth capabilities. What a waste.

[illdrums2000]

@Keybern How was I trying to be "cool"? I recorded it on a little handy cam, last I checked there were no XLR mic's on it lol....so much for that post, THAT'S a waste

[Keybern]

@illdrums2000 My point is, don't feel noble by posting such a crappy "review" on youtube. If you had any dedication at all, you would have first examined how to record properly instead off impulsively uploading the same sh*t so many others bedroom kiddies do.

Noticed the usb-port on the backside of the X-station ? And the XLR-input ? Use them !

Learn to layer video and sound with some video editing software (there are free solutions)...

[illdrums2000]

@Keybern Wait a minute...you mean to tell me that if I don't feel noble for posting this, your post is pointless and you go away? Should've told me from the start and I would have saved you the trouble. I don't feel noble. Posted just a simple demo of it a year ago with a cheap cam. Got 23k views, to my surprise. Maybe you'd feel better if I had 10 views. Sorry to disappoint you. Don't hate on bedroom guys, though. Especially when you don't live off music. Bye

[BMI07]

@Keybern hater much? lol

[pinksbsc]

@Keybern hahaa people like u make me laugh, its only a demo

[EoN604]

have had an X-Station 49 for years and I hate it, would not recommend it to anyone. Its crap. The synth is toyish, but the unit BUILD is just weak. it is designed like computer peripheral grade, rather than pro audio grade - you can see it. The knobs are small and fiddly/weak - you cant get a good solid grip for live use, the sliders are gritty and crap. the pitch control LEAKS, the buttons get stuck, also the look of it is horrible. ONLY decent point: the actual key action is good.

[gareebee]

This might be more impressive if the sound was louder than the click of the keyboard.

[illdrums2000]

@gareebee I agree. However, wasn't really going for anything impressive in this demo, just a demonstration of some basic features. Thanks, though!

[mdjpinto]

don't kick the notes please... poor sinth

[illdrums2000]

@mdjpinto lol!  it's built like a tank!

[mdjpinto]

@illdrums2000 i know i've got one! But, be kind!

[gezaklaat]

Tony Stoned?

[powderski11]

whats the difference between this and the xionsynths?

[illdrums2000]

from what i remember, pretty close. i think i like the x station's build, better, though. I'd go w/ an x station over a xio if I had the choice

[tobebius]

cheers mate for the heads up, im on it, going to update tomorrow.... thanks for taking time out to help. v much appreciated...

[tobebius]

ive had one since 2003, remote audio 25(x station) but now with my new mac book using logic9 latency monitoring/ recording is terrible, in fact i may have to sell it!!!!! anyone had the same problem? how can i resolve? direct monitoring

isnt ideal as ill lose fx from logic..................

[illdrums2000]

that's interesting. make sure the firmware is updated. I use this on my laptop when I'm going portable (it's a pc, though). I've never had latency problems, but I'm using ableton live 8

[tobebius]

@illdrums2000 thanks matey, when you say firmware do you mean the novation drivers?

[illdrums2000]

you may want to check the novation drivers on your laptop but also there is a firmware update for the device itself

[rcflite]

I see theres an adsr section for the amplitude but is there one for the filtering?

Also can you have different filters for each oscillator?

[illdrums2000]

You cannot independently use filters on all 3 oscillators, unfortunately. I want to say that you can do filter envelopes...there's an envelope 3 function that's supposed to give me control over adsr for the filter but I haven't had much success w/ it.

[rcflite]

Thanks. After a lot of research I think I'm going to go with the Korg R3. looks tasty

[sk8ingwalrus07]

can you use this with out a computer and plug it straight into a mixer?

[illdrums2000]

yes, so long as you have a power supply

[sk8ingwalrus07]

@illdrums2000 sweet thanks

[bkuethen]

@illdrums2000

While using it without a computer, does it have a regular piano sound, as well as others? (strings, e-piano, oregon, etc...)

[Brizzne]

yo man..really like your vid...i just received my novation x-station about a week ago..so far i got everything going great! It controls ableton very smoothly! AND i just fell in love with the anolog synth banks that the "synth" plays...Here's where my issue begins...I want to play the synth through ableton as a midi! Who wouldnt?

[Brizzne]

..It only allows me to play the xstation as an input audio device through an audio clip in ableton! I want to edit my notes and really get technical with it..Please can u help me load the xstation into ableton and play the KS synth banks as midi!?

[illdrums2000]

You'll have to have a separate audio device. You can't use the x station as an audio device and use it as a midi synth. I use my x station only as a synth and use it w/ my computer running through a firestudio project. I run midi out from the firestudio to midi in on the novation and I can then control it like you're saying. if you use the x station as an audio device, audio is all you get

[Brizzne]

yeah..im using ableton and ive just been recording it via audio clip..sounds like a hassle to get it to run midi...I do have VST's that i run through the midi control aspect on the xstation..THanks for the help tho !

[fullmontis]

X station looks really cool for its price... I think I'll get it for my first synth.

What do you think? Is it a good choice?

And also, how solidly buit it is, especially the knobs? I don't want it to crumble after a few months :)

[illdrums2000]

built like a tank and won't crumble at all. As far as the only synth, you'll find areas of limits, but it will be OK for a while

[inthefade]

@fullmontis They aren't that solidly built. But for the price range it is good. Just take care of it, and put it in a good case if you play gigs with it.

[Taud]

Do you guys still have a use for your xstation or does it just collect dust and get blown away by your other gear? I want something that ill always have a use for really... i dont like to toss away and upgrade...

[illdrums2000]

you probably won't toss it. I've had it for years and I'm still hanging on to it, though I don't use it as much unless I'm on the road

[rolla070]

hi!

can you make (program) your own arpeggio presets on X-Station? If yes, then please explain how can I do this? Thanks ;)

[sefalik]

Would this work good to use primarily as a MIDI controller for a vocal processor? That's mostly what I'm looking for, but I wouldn't mind having a synth to play around with as well.

[illdrums2000]

actually, that sounds like a super cool idea! I would definitely use it for something like that, and the added synth would be cool. You couldn't really use this AS the vocal processor, as it's limited, but if you had one that responded to midi, this would be an excellent choice

[sefalik]

yea i'd get a separate vocal processor (looking at a VoiceWorksPlus) for it. i'm defintely leaning towards the x-station right now. thanks for the vid and quick reply!

[Xs3v3n3l3v3nX]

Whats better for straight synth sound. Looking for a small synth for a hardcore band to go along with perhaps a Roland Juno Di or Korg X50. This or the Xiosynth 25

[illdrums2000]

You know, I actually would suggest this model for that. You can really hit all your basic sounds and even more complex sounds. For backdrops, I don't think you can go wrong

[futurewave27]

Thanks for the tutorial. I'm just curious, is the synth full sized keys and how's the key action? Very Informative video.

[illdrums2000]

Thanks! The keys are full size and the action is actually pretty good. You can feel the quality. It was better than any midi controller that came out around the time and still is pretty solid compared to what comes out now

[betbowt]

Are these sounds and oscillators internal hardware or software that come with the machine or are you using some external device and/or hardware?

Thanks

[illdrums2000]

its actually internal hardware

[XYtoTheDoubleG]

Your name should be used in a tv action series!

[illdrums2000]

lol that would be cool

[FOX5URF3R]

hey are there any type of drum or beat effects on the x station?

[illdrums2000]

no, sorry

[thomas4500]

is this a good controller for producing via the computer and creating your own sounds through the knobs?

i was thinking about buying this one, i am also considering the Novation SL MKII and the NOVATION REMOTE SL.

[illdrums2000]

you can use it like that. i haven't tried the other models to compare, though

[blackmore1412]

my friend, can i play with the x station without a pc? what cables come with it? besides the usb cable, does it have an adaptor or something? can it be used as a totally independent synth? plz help

[illdrums2000]

It can be used as a stand alone synth apart from a computer. You need to get a power adapator, batteries, or a wall jack to usb 5 volt adapter (i have one of those for my phone, and I understand they make them for iphones/ipods also). hooking it up to the computer only makes it so that you can use it as an audio interface and midi controller. It also has 2 midi outs and 1 midi in

[swedishtraceur]

Im gonna buy one of these soon, And I have a question. How good is the bass in this synth?

[notaspsi05]

is the audio interface fast enough for live playing?

coz I wanna buy this thing for live VSTi... is it a good idea?

thx

[illdrums2000]

it really depends on your computer specs, but this guy is pretty solid for playing vsti live in my experiences with my hardware

[darkmetal100]

Is this synth any good for making dance and trance music??? x

[illdrums2000]

it's ok. this synth i would not recommend for anything advanced as a single piece. it's a good learning tool and good if you have other synths to work with along side of it. I wouldn't get it as a primary device. You could make trance on it, but it would require alot of programming.

[itwasallgoodinthe70s]

Informative demo. Thanks Tony.

[DJKiidDirty]

Hey i have a Novation remote 49. Do any one know where i can purchase a installation disc or download copy?

[kurtcrowbain]

great demo! exactly to the point while style being informative and covering lots of features

[illdrums2000]

Thanks!

[VJFranzK]

thanks for this detailed demo ;-) Think I might want to buy one, for both controller and synth features... (unless I get a micro korg XL!  but that's less good as control I suspect...)

[SecondLifeSailing]

timeconsuming thou all that fiddling :) oh for a simple piano X)

[cthulufunk]

I've read that if you use the synth while using it as a soundcard, input is downgraded to just one mono input. Would it be possible to send the mono out of the X-Station to a Sherman Filterbank, then the Filterbank output to the mono in, or would you get a wet/dry "doubling" effect or feedback loop since it transmits the synth over USB?

Sorry, I know that's probably a difficult question to answer off the cuff.

[LexCruiser99]

it has a built in audio interface, right? I want to replace my m-audio ozonic with this and I am wondering how low is the audio interface's latency? m-audio ozonic has around 11.6 milliseconds in logic pro.

[CompuDJ]

if i were u i wouldn't do that... maybe coz i use my ozonic for pro tools m-powered.

[JusticeBeatz]

I've read around but cant find my answer....

Do the line of "X-Station" boards, come with the "sounds" within the board as an actual synthesizer

Or is it a midi-board?

lol. If u could let me know i would appreciate it sir

[illdrums2000]

Hey man! This is how it's set up: You have 199 presets in the board that are all using the basic synthesizer waveforms built into the board. The board has sine wave, square wave, triangle wave, white noise, pink noise, and even some instrument wave forms. You can combine, edit, and effect these sounds to create new presets. But yes, it does come w/ the sounds in the board as a synthesizer. I mainly use it as a midi controller because it's best for that

[JusticeBeatz]

I ordered one. THNX!

[CULTUREOFMUSIK]

then for the response on drums. ill do the same (808)

i got an mv8800, mc909 and i use battery with my padkontrol just thought i could tweak some onboard drums !

thnx

stay easy

[CULTUREOFMUSIK]

hey ills !

question, since i just ordered today a 49 version of the x station anxious to know if there are there any drum sounds onboard?(that i can tweak)

would just like to have some drums on board so when I play live everything is at my finger tips, and i dont need to setup my extra gear.

thnx keep the tutorial vids coming since mine is coming in a few days ! i cant wait !!

Great easy overall view on the x. A+

looking forward to your other vids!

culture

stay easy

culture

[illdrums2000]

Hey man! actually there are no drum sounds! I haven't tried, but I'm positive that you could easily simulate some drum sounds with white noise and envelopes (808 sounding). I'll have to give it a try, but since you can't load multiple patches up at once, it won't be like a full on drum kit. Might want to get another drum machine box to go along, or just have one loaded up on a lappy. Enjoy it man, it's a great piece!

[CULTUREOFMUSIK]

thnx for the response man

no stress i got battery 3 with the pad kontrol a mc-909 and the mv-8800.

stay easy keep posting

culture

[illdrums2000]

You get 200 presets, but you can just dump those presets to your computer easily and save the factory presets. I have a backup of the factory presets on my computer. So it's easy to program your own sounds and then save those custom sounds on your computer for backup or as a library

[ketaminebean]

thanks mate really helpful.

[ketaminebean]

now i heard that there is only 200 presets so if i programmed my own patch would i have to delete another preset or does it have enuf storage for custom patches.