ESI Xsynth: Cute Digital Synth With Strange Waveforms, Polyphonic Aftertouch
4,5 / 5,0 | 
ESI Xsynth · Source: Bonedo
ESI Xsynth · Source: Xavier / GEARNEWS
ESI Xsynth · Source: Xavier / GEARNEWS
ESI Xsynth · Source: Xavier / GEARNEWS
ESI Xsynth · Source: Xavier / GEARNEWS
ESI Xsynth connectivity · Source: Xavier / GEARNEWS
Use field recordings as oscillators with the ESI Xsynth, a cute little digital synth that’s also an MPE controller!
ESI Xsynth
ESI is joining the synthesizer battle with the Xsynth, the first synthesizer from the company best known for its portable MIDI controllers like the Xkey series and Xjam. The ESI Xsynth actually looks a lot like an Xkey 25, although it has a number of differences, including shorter keys and a coral design.
Synth Engine
Xsynth is a digital synth, with three oscillators capable of hosting a variety of waveforms. The synth comes with the usual analog waveform suspects but interestingly also includes more unusual fare like field recordings of environmental sounds. It also offers a number of drum sounds.
The synth engine also includes a multimode filter, three LFOs, three envelopes, a modulation matrix with up to 16 slots, and ring modulation. You also get an arpeggiator, glide, and octave control.
In terms of polyphony, the ESI Xsynth offers up to 10 voices but “always at least eight voices,” they say in the demo video below.
Although you can do all your programming via the onboard screen, there’s also a software editor that runs on Mac or Windows computers.
Controller and Audio Interface
Given its MIDI controller history, it’s no surprise that you can use the ESI Xsynth as a controller. It sports polyphonic aftertouch as well as four controllers that can send out MIDI CC messages.
With its auxiliary in port, you can also use the Xsynth as a USB audio interface. It also sports MIDI in and out mini jacks.
ESI Xsynth Price and Availability
The ESI Xsynth is an intriguing instrument. Unfortunately, there are no audio demos available anywhere that I could find.
ESI plans to sell the Xsynth for €349 and hopes to release it in April or May this year.
More Information
- ESI home page
- All about synthesizers
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