ESI Xsynth: New Info and Price for the Unexpectedly Ambient Synth
Is this a complete portable studio solution?
4,0 / 5,0 | 
ESI Xsynth · Source: ESI
ESI Xsynth · Source: ESI
ESI Xsynth · Source: ESI
ESI Xsynth · Source: ESI
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
[9 May 2025] ESI Xsynth was the surprise of NAMM. Now it’s at Superbooth and we’ve got pictures, information, price and sound!
ESI Xsynth
New Information
One of the surprise hits for me last NAMM was the ESI’s Xsynth. Part MPE controller, part ambient synth (yes, really!), it wowed with its specs. I finished my report wanting to hear what this synth with field recording waveforms sounded like. Well, that day has finally come. Check it out in the video below.
Portable Studio Solution
Along with the wild waveforms, it’s also got a full complement of synthesis parameters that you can read more about below. New information includes the fact that it has 512 sounds (four banks with 128 each), pressure-sensitive modulation and pitch bend buttons, two ins and outs (you can use it as an audio interface, remember?), and two headphone outs. And, with its aluminum chassis and light weight (around half a kilogram/one pound), ESI really is positioning this as a portable studio solution.
Price and Availability
ESI Xsynth is €369 and should be available now.
ESI products are available at Thomann*.
Cute Digital Synth With Strange Waveforms, Polyphonic Aftertouch
[25 January 2025] 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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