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Xils lab XILS 4 User Manual

Ultimate matrix modular synthesizer
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XILS 4
Ultimate Matrix Modular Synthesizer
User Manual
www.xils-lab.com

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Summary of Contents for Xils lab XILS 4

  • Page 1 XILS 4 Ultimate Matrix Modular Synthesizer User Manual www.xils-lab.com...

  • Page 2: Table Of Contents

    ANAGER 6.5 A/B C ............................14 OMPARISON 7 XILS 4 GUI DESCRIPTION...........................15 8 XILS 4 COMMON GUI DESCRIPTION:.....................16 9 XILS 4 MATRIX DESCRIPTION:........................17 10 XILS 4 TRIG CONNECTION DESCRIPTION..................18 11 XILS 4 SYNTHESIZER ROUTING:......................19 12 XILS 4 MODULES DESCRIPTION......................20 12.1 M ...........................20...
  • Page 3 12.2.2 Tempo synced LFO..........................29 12.2.3 Sample and Hold..........................29 12.2.4 Voltage Processor..........................30 12.3 S ..............................30 EQUENCER 12.3.1 Front sequencer controls........................30 12.3.2 Connecting the Sequencer.........................32 12.3.3 Recording a Sequence........................32 12.3.4 Playing a Sequence..........................33 12.3.5 Using the Sequencer Editor.......................34 12.3.6 Using the Sequencer preset menu......................34 12.4 V ......................35 IRTUAL KEYBOARD AND...

  • Page 4: Introduction

    Note 1: We plan to release a series of tutorial videos to help you to get the most out of XILS 4. When available, you will be able to view these videos on our YouTube channel.

  • Page 5: Xils 4 Features

    "VST® is a trademark of Steinberg Media Technologies GmbH, registered in Europe and other countries." Minimum system requirements: 1 Gigabyte of RAM and a 2 GHz processor. XILS 4 is a plug-in, and is not available as a standalone application. Please...

  • Page 6: Installation

    XILS 4 work. Important : Please take care of your dongle. You need it to run the XILS 4, as it carries your license! Please Note: Even if you have already installed the eLicenser drivers for a previous product, please install the latest version of the eLicenser License Control.

  • Page 7: Mac (Osx 10.9 And Later)

    4.4 Mac (OSX 10.9 and later) To install the XILS 4 on a computer equipped with Mac OSX 10.9 or later, download the latest version of either the iLok or eLicensor versions from the XILS-lab website, to make sure you have the latest version of the software.

  • Page 8: Quick Start

    You can sort presets by: Author, Feeling, Type, Style, Bank or Projects. Info: Please note that XILS 4 will display presets sorted by instruments Categories (Type = Bass, Keys, Leads etc.) and Library Bank by default.

  • Page 9: Adjusting The Instruments Parameters (Knobs, Switches)

    On the XILS 4, the sound parameters are controlled using faders, knobs or switches To use a mouse to adjust the parameters of the XILS 4 which are controlled by faders, click on the slider of the fader and drag it up to increase the value, of drag it down to decrease it.

  • Page 10: Preset Management

    Note: When a parameter is modified, the name of the preset is followed by a *, indicating that the current settings of the XILS 4 no longer match the stored preset. When you want to save a modified preset, click on the Save or Save As button.

  • Page 11: Sort Menus

    User Bank, which you can then export as a single file, containing all the presets you have created or edited for a given project. CANCEL: This will just cancel all operations, and return to the standard XILS 4 GUI. 6.3 Sort menus The sorting menus are a unique and powerful tool.

  • Page 12: Sorting Menu: Additional Functions

    In order to perform such selections, all you have to do is to select an item in the first sort menu. This represents the first, and main criteria for the search engine. • Author: (Your name, or a Sound Designer's name for factory presets), •...

  • Page 13: Advanced Preset Manager

    Export Bank: This function exports a bank in XILS 4’s proprietary cross platform format, (Mac and PC). The selected bank (i.e. the bank which contains the currently active preset) will be exported to a user specified location on your hard drive.

  • Page 14: A/B Comparison

    When you launch XILS 4, the default-activated memory is A. When you load or modify a preset, this memory – A- is also modified in real time according to your edits. You can switch to B memory by clicking on the B button.

  • Page 15: Xils 4 Gui Description

    7 XILS 4 GUI description The XILS 4 features 2 main synthesizers and, for this reason, requires a specific GUI management. It is best to think of this machine as a three panel instrument: Left Synthesizer panel, Right Synthesizer panel, and the Sequencer/Modules panel as in the following view:...

  • Page 16: Xils 4 Common Gui Description

    8 XILS 4 common GUI description: As you have seen, your XILS 4 is based on one or two main synthesizers, and other possible modules. The main synthesizer is a matrix-based modular machine, for which every connection has to be made.

  • Page 17: Xils 4 Matrix Description

    A matrix is a component that allows you to connect the output of one module to the input of another. In all the XILS 4 matrices, outputs are listed in the horizontal row, and the inputs in the vertical column.

  • Page 18: Xils 4 Trig Connection Description

    10 XILS 4 Trig connection description As we explained, there are absolutely no internal or default connections in the XILS 4. This means that even the connection between the keyboard and the envelopes, for instance, must be made. Two trig sources are available: the Keyboard and the Sequencer. They are grouped in two different panels: You will find the Keyboard trig matrix at the right of the virtual keyboard, and the Sequencer matrix in the sequencer/module panel (under the tab “seq connection”)

  • Page 19: Xils 4 Synthesizer Routing

    11 XILS 4 Synthesizer routing: The XILS 4 provides two synthesizers, the one on the left and the one on the right; mimicking the old EMS VCS4, or the Crystal Machine dual AKS used by Tim Blake. These two synthesizers are mixed together with their own level and pan parameters, before being sent to the effects unit (delay, chorus and phaser).

  • Page 20: Xils 4 Modules Description

    12 XILS 4 modules description The XILS 4 GUI is divided into four areas: Two cabinets are dedicated to the main synthesizers. One cabinet is dedicated to the keyboard and it's controls, and another cabinet is dedicated to the advanced analog-like 3 layer sequencer (based on the old EMS 256 unit) and other modules.

  • Page 21: Oscillators

    The pitch of the oscillator is set by the internal knob for fine-tuning (from -12 to +12 semi-tones), or by the external ring for the octave range. The XILS 4 also provides the ability to hard synchronize osc2 to osc1, and also osc3 to either osc2 or osc 1.

  • Page 22: Filter

    Triangle Frequency: This knob has two parts, one for coarse tuning and the other for fine-tuning. The outside ring sets the octave of the oscillator frequency: you can set it from -2 to +2 octaves, or it can be set to Low. This “Low” setting gives a very low frequency oscillator, which can be used for effects.

  • Page 23: Envelope Shaper

    TRAPEZOID knob, and the output level is set by the SIGNAL knob. The envelopes of the XILS 4 have two modes. The Trapezoid is as per the original model, whereas ADSR is like that found on almost all standard synthesizers.

  • Page 24: Noise Generator

    Most of the sounds you can hear in instruments and nature have a noise component in the background, or during the attack. To reproduce this sound feature, the XILS 4 incorporates a noise generator module. Level: this knob sets the output level of the noise.

  • Page 25: Output Filter

    When the switch is set to the centre, no filter is activated. 12.1.8 Input Level The XILS 4 can also be used as a versatile audio effect processor. In this case, the Audio Input of the plugin is directed into the Main matrix, and the level can be adjusted with these two knobs.

  • Page 26: Joy-Stick And Output Levels

    The Sources of the Modulation are separated in three different groups: Oscillators, Envelopes and Modulators. For the XILS 4 you will find oscillators and envelopes for both synthesizers. In the case of the XILS 4, having access to both synthesizers...
  • Page 27 Oscillators, Filters, Envelopes, Modulators and Effects. For the XILS 4 you will find Oscillators, Filters and Envelopes for both of the synthesizers. In the case of the XILS 4, having access to both synthesizers helps create a much wider range of sound design possibilities.

  • Page 28: Additional Modules

    12.2 Additional modules For some patches, the VCS3 core is not enough, so we added some extra modules. These include an LFO, Envelopes, Sample and Hold, and a Voltage Processor. 12.2.1 Two additional Envelopes Two envelopes were added to the VCS3 core, for a total of three envelope modulators. These two additional envelopes are similar to the main envelope shaper, apart from the fact that they are not connected to the internal VCA.

  • Page 29: Tempo Synced Lfo

    12.2.2 Tempo synced LFO To avoid having to use the third oscillator as a low frequency modulator, we added an independent LFO. RATE : Sets the frequency of the LFO. SYNC : When engaged, this switch synchronizes the frequency to a multiple or sub-multiple of the DAW tempo.

  • Page 30: Voltage Processor

    LEVEL : Sets the output level of the Voltage Processor. 12.3 Sequencer The sequencer of the XILS 4 is extremely useful, and can create endless sound design ideas. It is well worth the learning curve, as it will help unleash the full potential of this synthesizer. 12.3.1...
  • Page 31 The sequencer has six output tracks, organised into three independent layers of two linked banks. The section of the sequencer panel shows the six tracks, and how the three layers are used. The external ring of the corresponding double-knob (with the small triangle) shows each current output value.

  • Page 32: Connecting The Sequencer

    To help with your creative workflow, independent sequencer presets can be saved and recalled. This preset management is found under the Sequencer 256 label: 12.3.2 Connecting the Sequencer Above the sequencer controls you will find the Sequencer Connection tabs. With these matrices you can connect the sequencer outputs to synthesizer parameters, such as Oscillator pitch, PWM, filter cut-off frequency, or output level.

  • Page 33: Playing A Sequence

    _ Start the sequencer by clicking on the start button. _ Switch ON the “RECORD” button with the 1/2/3 LAYER knob set to 1. If you wish to record the other layer, just set this knob to 2 or 3 and adapt the example below to the corresponding sequencer layer and banks.

  • Page 34: Using The Sequencer Editor

    Using the Sequencer Editor The XILS 4 provides a simple mouse editor for the sequencer. Using the old analog push-button method to enter or modify a sequence can be difficult. That is why this editor was created to help you.

  • Page 35: Virtual Keyboard And Controls

    12.4 Virtual keyboard and Controls The illustrated red keyboard lets you send notes to the XILS 4, by clicking on its keys. The keyboard also reflects the MIDI note ON information that the XILS 4 receives, whether triggered by an external keyboard controller, or your DAW.

  • Page 36: Input Modules

    The GLIDE TIME sets the rate at which the keyboard will alter its pitch control information. 12.5 Input modules When using the XILS 4 as an effect processor, the input travels through the Input modules, before being sent to the Main matrix.

  • Page 37: Envelope Follower

    The PAD sets the sensitivity of the transient detection. When moving the dot you hear what the transient follower detects, helping you finding the right position. More detection occurs when the dot goes to the top and detection can occur more often when it goes to the right. LVL OUT sets the level of this control signal.

  • Page 38: Input Gate

    12.5.4 Input Gate This module is applied to the two effect inputs, when the XILS 4 is used as an effect processor. ATTACK: This knob sets the duration the gate will take to open. RELEASE: This knob sets the time the gate will take to close.

  • Page 39: Delay

    12.6.1 Delay DRY/WET: Sets the mix balance between the initial signal and the processed signal. DELAY: Sets the time delay (right or left). FEED B: Sets the amount of the delayed signal which is recirculated to the input (left and right). TIME: Sets the time of the delay.

  • Page 40: Phaser

    DRY/WET: Sets the mix balance between the initial signal and the processed signal. SPEED: Sets the rate of the internal low frequency oscillator of the chorus. AMOUNT: Sets the amount of the effect. TYPE: Toggles through the three available types of chorus. 12.6.3 Phaser DRY/WET: Sets the mix balance between the initial signal and the processed signal.

  • Page 41: Option Menu

    13 Option menu This menu allows the setting of the global settings. These settings are defined for all instances of XILS 4. Each time an option is changed, the related option file is saved. 13.1 Main In the toolbar, the Options button opens a menu for selecting various options for XILS 4.

  • Page 42: Misc

    Wheel Incr: 0.1: Parameter increment of 0.1 when using of the mouse wheel. 14 Credits Thanks to the artists and musicians who really helped us during XILS 3 and XILS 4 development: Tim Blake, Mathias Brüssel, Paul Barret, Laurent Bourgeon.

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