XILS-lab ‘KaoX’: A Virtual FM Synthesizer Powered by Analog Synthesis and Chaotic Algorithms
The French virtual instrument and effect plug-in developer company XILS-lab has recently released 'KaoX' — A virtual instrument inspired by a legendary FM synthesizer, reinforced by Analog Oscillator and Filter, and sublimated by Chaotic Algorithms in an advanced two-layer architecture allowing for a powerful sound creation with easily understood signal path through the use of illuminated modules in a GUI (Graphical User Interface).
KaoX provides two synthesizer layers — UP (upper) and LO (lower) — and these layers can be played Single, Double or Split. Limited controls are available in an easy-to-tweak simplified view, including Tune, Drift, Vibrato, Tremolo, Glide, and four deep and warm Effects (Chorus, Delay, Phaser, Reverb) with independent routing, enabling users to easily play presets and to tweak them accordingly.
The Advanced Panel shows all main parameters at a glance, allowing more adventurous users access to KaoX’s internal modules to tweak or change any parameter therein, aided by contextual help windows, while active modules are helpfully illuminated.
FM synthesis options are available on each of the two available layers with eight operators grouped in two banks with independent pitch — useful for creating chorus-like FM sounds or punchy stereo patches — and two outputs. Each FM operator features one LFO (Low Frequency Oscillator), one Envelope, Wheel and Aftertouch access, two user-definable external modulators (assignable to any KaoX modulation source), Keyboard follower 2D pad, Ratio or Fixed frequency selection, and a Low-pass filter.
Analog synthesis options are also available on each of the two available layers with two continuous waveform Analog Oscillators, two zero-delay like Analog Filters, four D-ADSR envelopes, and four VCA outputs for bringing a deep, warm and living sound.
KaoX provides a 4-Track Step Sequencer, where each track can be assigned to the UP or LO layer with independent sustain and gating or used as a source of modulation.
Preset Manager allows users to find the right patch in seconds, manage presets and sound banks, and create his or her own tags. Kaox comes with more than 500 presets programmed by world-class sound designers such as Nori Ubukata, Soundsdivine, Tom Wolfe, Zensound, Mikael Adle, Xenos, Status, Yuli-Yolo and more.
Features
Two independent layers that can be played Single, Double or Split
Four deep and warm effects with independent routing
One Advanced Panel for tweaking the various modules
Contextual help windows
Global view with active modules illuminated
Eight FM operators structured in two banks with independent pitch
One Cross-Modulation Matrix with access to the Analog and Chaotic oscillators per FM operator
Two Analog Oscillators
Two Zero-Delay analog filters
Two Chaotic Oscillators
Two Chaotic Modulators
4-Track Step Sequencer
Two LFOs for vibrato and tremolo
Two independent arpeggiators
KaoX is available in the following formats:
Mac OSX 10.9 or later (64 bits only): VST, Audio Unit, AAX (native). Compatible on Big Sur with Rosetta (native Apple Silicone will be available soon)
Windows 7, 8, and 10 (32 & 64 bits): VST, AAX (native)
Price
€99.00 EUR
(Introductory promo price until June 15, 2021 — rising thereafter to €179.00.)
* KaoX is available to purchase as an iLok (2 and 3 dongle hardware or software) protected plug-in.
** You can download a Demo Version with limited features for free: here.
Based in Grenoble, France, XILS-lab is an audio software company, created, and managed by Xavier Oudin. Having created some of the best known virtual instruments and effects plug-ins on the market for various companies over the last 20 years, today he focuses on bringing his passion for audio, instruments, and music to bear on his own company. Working with highly-skilled professional musicians and sound designers, the company collectively believes that a virtual instrument or effect is not simply a series of mind-boggling mathematical algorithms designed and scrutinized over by bookish PhD engineers but rather a useful and useable musical tool made for musicians. Moreover, XILS-lab loves to create virtual instruments and effects that inspire its users to create more imaginative music than they ever dreamed possible.
< Copyright ⓒ The Music Telegraph :: Prohibit reprinting and redistribution >
1BITDRAGON is a music creation software super easy to use, simple, instant and fun. Create a basic melody in a few steps, compose a great song in a few minutes. Developed in France.
Amsterdam-based indie brand dedicated to developing the next generation of vocal plugins for modern metal screamers and metal producers, founded by metal vocalist Jochem de Jong
Canadian professional calibration service provider and audio software developer offering digital room correction calibration services and stereo & multichannel convolver software
Brand-new American software instrument developer providing composers and music producers with innovative tools that simplify and enhance the music creation process
Mexican developer of audio plug-ins known for its innovative tools that expand creative possibilities, offering products based on AI and music production research
Austrian sound design company founded in 2022 and Tranzwave is its debut product featuring advanced wavetable synthesis based on legendary Ensoniq Fizmo
American audio sample creator, founded by composer and multi-instrumentalist Nick Torreta, specializing in the Extended Techniques series of classical instruments to create otherworldly sounds
American audio software development company founded by a former software architect at Avid offering sophisticated media tools to enhance workflows and customized softwares based on individual client's needs
New Zealand-based audio software developer offering softwares that effectively calibrate audio playback for loudspeakers and room acoustics resulting in higher fidelity
Israeli audio software development company offering software-based live audio mixer and control room based on GroundControl technology of powerful routing and monitoring capabilities
The Amsterdam-based composer and software developer Josep Garcés owned audio software company offering a professional looping software for live music performance
German music publishing company offering innovative music softwares such as 'Forte' notation software and 'ScanScore' sheet music scanning software for musicians, students, and teachers.
Dutch company developing software instruments and effects based on its state-of-the-art circuit modeling process known as ACE (Advanced Circuitry Emulation) technology
Online educational platform founded in 2021 by Austrian composer Nikolaus Daim offering high quality online courses covering any imaginable topics about media music production
Canadian brand-new sound design company offering ultimate hybrid-style Kontakt sample libraries founded by ASCAP award-winning music composer Benjamin Pinkerton
Italian boutique sound design company creating evoking, vivid, unmistakable sound design for the wide community of composers, filmmakers, game developers and editors
Finnish sample instruments developer offering versatile, high-quality tools for composing and arranging vocal music with lyrics based on human voice digitalization research
Software company specialized in Indian music and virtual Indian instruments offering the most realistic virtual Indian instruments based in Switzerland
American world music specialized audio software developer offering world music synthesizers, world music libraries, world music community, and world music learning resources.
German virtual instruments developer founded by a professional film composer Tobias Hang, offering sounds that are unheard of, deeply emotional, and intuitively playable
American audio plug-in developer offering groundbreaking audio plug-ins based on AI voice transformation technology designed specifically for audio creatives
