SONICWARE Lofi-12 XT Groovebox Sampler – XTra Crunch
4,8 / 5,0 | 
SONICWARE Lofi-12 XT · Source: Sonicware
SONICWARE Lofi-12 XT · Source: Sonicware
SONICWARE Lofi-12 XT · Source: Sonicware
SONICWARE Lofi-12 XT · Source: Sonicware
SONICWARE Lofi-12 XT · Source: Sonicware
SONICWARE Lofi-12 XT Retro · Source: Sonicware
SONICWARE continue their exploration of Lo-Fi sampling with the Lofi-12 XT, a portable, hand-held groovebox sampler with some interesting twists.
If any company has quietly turned heads and been continuously inventive these past few years, it’s SONICWARE, and their new Lofi-12 XT seems to continue that trend. Hot on the heels of their recent Lo-Fi explorations with the LIVEN Lofi-12 and the limited, Perfect Circuit-only unit, Lofi-6, comes Lofi-12 XT. Instead of making this part of the very successful LIVEN range, they have opted to use the SmplTrek platform. SmplTrek was a brilliant device in a much more portable form factor. It added an albeit tiny screen and delivered a handheld games console vibe for on-the-go music making.
Key features of the Lofi-12 XT include 12-bit sampling, an 8-track sequencer, lots of signal processing and background Mix-Tape recording. There’s also lots of signal processing and it ships with a bunch of useful samples. The LIVEN user interface has always been seen as a tad impenetrable but the addition of the screen and the SmplTrek interface definitely simplifies things. Tracks are easily selected, and there’s a TR-x0x style step input section and useful turn and press knobs.
Lofi-12 XT Specifications
Lofi-12 XT has true 12kHz/24kHz sampling capability. In addition, the 12-bit sampler mode transforms any sound into some crunchy goodness. Whereas the LIVEN Lofi-12 only had up to 4 seconds of sampling, Lofi-12 XT has 300 seconds! The maximum number of samples is limited only by the size of your SD card. Up to 64MB/256 samples can be loaded into each project. All sample editing is in realtime. Samples are imported via USB or SD card and internal polyphony is expanded to 28 internal voices. Lofi-12 XT goes way beyond its forebears.
The Sequencer
Lofi-12 XT has a powerful 8-track sequencer. This can be used in step mode and also supports unquantised recording for that extra ‘slop’! Parameter locking allows you to record any tweaks to your samples. The D-pad also doubles up as a repeat function. There are 7 retrigger divisions to choose from.
Mix Tape Recording
One particularly handy and clever feature is the background Mix-Tape Recording. When activated, it continuously captures all your performances in the background. These remain until the unit is powered down. The recording quality can be set from Lo-Fi to 16bit/48kHz! This feature is a really clever way of capturing live performances or simply extracting the best bits of your jam session.
Connectivity
Another great part of moving to the SmplTrek platform is the added connectivity. LIVEN’s have very basic connections. MIDI IN/OUT, Sync, 3.5mm audio in and out and that’s it. With the Lofi-12 XT you have 6.4mm TRS individual ins and outs. Full-size MIDI is there, as is USB (Micro, not C, sadly). The USB port supports audio, MIDI and data. The audio inputs feature line gain and there is Hi-Z gain for guitar and mic gain for mic inputs. Sync In and Out are in attendance and there’s a separate headphone jack too. All this connectivity makes the Lofi-12 XT much easier to integrate into more setups.
Other Features
Effects are ‘per-track’ which include delays, reverbs and compressors. There are over 20 different types and the master compressor is side-chainable. And to round it all off nicely, the bundled SD Card contains over 1000+ samples of a wide range of classic, legendary drum machines.
SONICWARE’s Lofi-12 XT is a real step up from the Liven range. It’s great to see them run with the whole Lo-Fi vibe. When the LIVEN Lofi-12 dropped, I likened it to a budget SP1200. Sure, it didn’t have the immediacy of that E-MU classic, but sonically it got you in the ball park. Now, with Lofi-12 XT, it really does get you much closer to that feel and sound.
More Information
The Lofi-12 XT will begin life on Kickstarter, much like the SmplTrek. Two designs will be on offer. The standard version will be in black and initially limited to 1500 units. Super Early Bird price is expected to be under $379 USD, limited to 100 units. Early Bird prices of under $399 will ast for 5 days. After that, the special Kickstarter price will be under $429. The MSRP will be $499 USD.
A very limited Retro Colour version will also be available. The full MSRP will be $559 USD and limited to 500 units. Super Early Birds will expect to pay around $399, and regular Early Birds have 5 days to snap one up at under $429. The USD prices are calculated as of October 17, 2023. The prices are subject to change depending on the USD-JPY exchange rate.
The Kickstarter is live now!
- Lofi-12 XT Kickstarter Page
- SONICWARE Website
- More from Sonicware
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- SONICWARE Lofi-12 XT: Sonicware
- SONICWARE Lofi-12 XT: Sonicware
- SONICWARE Lofi-12 XT: Sonicware
- SONICWARE Lofi-12 XT Retro: Sonicware
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One response to “SONICWARE Lofi-12 XT Groovebox Sampler – XTra Crunch”
This one has Game Boy colors and everything, so you’re allowed to use the Game Boy reference this time 🤣🤣
Don’t let our comments pressure you lol
We will never be happy!