This page presents some details about the equipment used in many Xexify recordings.
Blacet/Wiard Hybrid Frac-Rac Modular System
This is the largest modular system in the Xexify studio and has been under construction/collection longer then most of our synth projects. Of special note are the two Blacet Time Machines, a rare analog delay that can be used in stereo tandem for some of the most wild delay/flange FX imaginable. The Wiard Joystick Axis Generator (large module in bottom row, middle) is another very esoteric module that splits 2 control inputs into 10 related but different voltages. The Blacet VCO/Wiard Miniwave combination allows for the creation of "West-Coast Style" synthesis voices with high timbral modulation possibilities. The Blacet Binary Zone is a bit-division based sequencer with one of the most intuitive and creative interfaces in the whole modular sequencer market.
Module list from top to bottom, left to right:
Wiard Joystick, Blacet Final Filtre, Bl. Klangwerk, Bl. Quad VCA, Bl. Mult/Atten, Bl. MicroLFO, Bl. Binary Zone, Bl. Mult/Atten, Bl. Darkstar Chaos (first ever Xexify module), Bl. Improbability Drive, Bl. VCO, Bl. EG1 (one of the best EG's in all of synthesis), Bl. Time Machine, Bl. Time Machine, Bl. Stonz VC Phase Shifter, Bl. I/O, Wiard/Blacet Miniwave, Bl. Mult/Atten, Wiard Joystick Axis Generator, Wiard Joystick, Bl. Mult/Atten.
Eurorack Hybrid Modular Suitcase
This system is portable, being housed in the Doepfer powersupply suitcase. It has a lid and is approved for carry-on. Thusly, it is used for many Xexify live performances. The module list is a mish-mash of many manufacturers: Doepfer, MFB, Cwejman, Plan-B, and Wiard all on the line-up. The high-lights of this system are the Cwejman dual-oscillators, which are amongst the most precise and clean sounding analog oscillators I have encountered, the Cwejman VC side-chaining compressor, and the Wiard Borg Filter, which may be one of the most versatile and beautiful sounding filters on the modular market.
Module list, top row first, left to right: Doepfer Quad EG/LFO, Doepfer clock divider, Doepfer dual VCA, MFB 24dB LPF, Plan-B Complex Envelope Generator, Doepfer Linear Mixer, Plan-B Model 15 Oscillator, Cwejman Dual-Oscillator, Cwejman VC Compressor, Doepfer Wae Multiplier, Wiard/Malekko Borg Filter 2
Oberheim SEM w/ patch-point panel
This is one of the work-horse synths of Studio Xexify. It is a vintage SEM module with a special (though fairly simple) modification made to give it a fully modular interface. This synth features a true vintage sound with ridiculously warm oscillators and a filter made of cream and cherries. The envelopes are snappy with a pleasing decay curve.
The SEM excels at creating "bread and butter" analog sounds, like slow hand-twirled filter sweeps of a tuned oscillator pair, or big, fat, juicy lower-midrange pads. It also creates a rather booming bassline, though the oscillators don't sync as well to an external sync input as, say, the Cwejman oscillators. The knobs have some of the nicest resistance of any that I've used, especially the oscillator dual coarse/fine-tune control.
Years ago I traded an Access Virus C for this beast and that was the end of VA hardware for Xexify. One must experience an SEM in person to truly feel the glory of Analog.
Dave Smith Instruments Evolver Desktop
The other major workhorse of the Xexify studio. This monosynth may be one of the most versatile all-in-one synths on the market. Being portable, light-weight, and discreet, it is also good for live performance. It has 2 analog oscillators and 2 digital wavetable oscillators for a rather complex and wide set of timbral possibilities-- not too mention a classic Curtis chip LPF and fairly unlimited amount of modulation sources (3 EG's, 3 LFO's, 4 16 step sequencers, 3 anywhere-to-anwheres, and more!). Most users think that the Evolver is only capable of the "dirtier" sounds, but if one tunes the oscillators and output level correctly, it is possible to achieve very clean and precise frequencies. All level amounts on the Evolver are set to have a wide-range of overdrive.
Dave Smith was the brains behind Sequential Circuits, makers of the famous Pro-One and Prophet 5 synthesizers. The Evolver is like a combination of a Pro-One and a Prophet VS, with a little twist of its own. It won't quite replace a Pro-One, but it does produce many sounds of this style.
Jomox XBase09
This is an analog drum-machine that produces fairly identical sounds to a TR-909 or a TR-808. I say that with some trepidation as the Jomox actually seems to be an instrument of its own more than an emulation of the classic Roland boxes. It has a bit of its own sound, though the kick section will do a perfect 909 or 808 kick that will blow out your speakers quite easily. These days the Jomox gets used for a vast majority of Xexify percussion. There is just something that never gets old about 6 bit hi-hat samples.
Motu Volta
This is an audio-unit virutal instrument plug-in for Macintosh only. In the last two years, it has revolutionized the way that electronic music is made in Studio Xexify. Essentially, it turns your audio-interface into a modular interface, allowing you to output midi-sync'd LFOs, multi-envelope voices, sync'd sequencer loops, automation ramps, clock signals, etc., all out of the analog outputs of your audio interface! Eliminates the need for MIDI and is sample-accurate... well actually it's not sample accurate, but maybe one day when we all have super-computers it will be.
http://www.motu.com/products/software/volta
Mac Pro Tower (Quad Xeon, 4 gigs RAM) running Logic Pro 9
This computer is now over 4 years old and still outperforms the brand new Macbook Pro that I have. There is just no comparing the mileage of these quad CPU behemoths to their under-clocked, under-cooled laptop cousins. Xexify audio projects are often over 60 channels, with linear phase EQ and many other high-oversampling plug ins running on every channel. The MacPro handles this work load with ease.
Studio Xexify has been employing Logic as its DAW since 2003. Experiences with similar software like Cubase and Ableton Live have been unsatisfactory to the point of "swearing" by Logic. This is the BMW of DAW's, and there is no doubt about it. Logic 9 now features extensive bounce-in-place and audio-flexing tools, making it a true Cubase-killer.
