Novation Xio Synth 49

3.5 (11)

1 Critic Review

4 Reviews

Find out who is using Novation Xio 49

1 community setup

1 wishlisted

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Page last updated May 23, 2026

Pricing and availability

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Price

Average Price: $152

Budget/Beginner

$500

$1501+

Price Tier

In the Synthesizers category, Novation Xio Synth 49 is priced in the Budget/Beginner range. This is great gear to get started with or for creators on a budget.

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Description

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Unleash your creativity with the Novation Xio Synth 49, a versatile powerhouse that combines an 8-voice polyphonic synthesizer, MIDI controller, and audio interface in one sleek package. This compact unit is perfect for musicians and producers on the go, offering a robust sound engine with 200 virtual analog patches, including contributions from renowned artists like James Zabiela and Ferry Corsten. Whether you're in the studio or on stage, the Xio Synth ensures you have everything you need at your fingertips.

The Xio Synth 49 is designed for seamless integration into your setup. Its class-compliant USB connection means no tedious driver installations—just plug and play. The synth's innovative X-Gator patch programmer allows you to create unique rhythmic patterns, automatically synchronized to MIDI clock, adding a dynamic edge to your performances. With 3 oscillators, 2 LFOs, and a suite of multi-effects, the possibilities for sound design are virtually endless.

As a MIDI controller, the Xio Synth doesn't miss a beat. It features 22 knobs and buttons (expandable to 44), a joystick, and an assignable touchpad, all pre-programmed with 16 onboard templates for instant control of popular software applications. Its ultra-low latency 2 In/2 Out audio interface, complete with phantom power, ensures high-quality recording and playback. Whether you're plugging in a microphone or a guitar, you can expect pristine sound quality.

Key Features:

49 semi-weighted keys with velocity sensitivity
8-voice polyphonic synth engine with 3 oscillators and 17 waveforms
200 onboard patches, including artist collaborations
X-Gator patch programmer for creating rhythmic patterns
Class-compliant USB for easy plug-and-play functionality
MIDI control surface with 22 knobs and buttons (expandable to 44)
Ultra-low latency 2 In/2 Out audio interface with phantom power
Assignable joystick and touchpad for expressive control
Battery operation option for standalone use

Product specs

Brand	Novation
Model	XioSynth 49 10-Voice Synthesizer
Finish	Silver
Year	2007
Categories	Digital Synthesizers, Keyboard Synths
Analog / Digital	Digital
Key Size	Full Size
Keyboard Action	Semi-Weighted
MIDI I/O	MIDI Output, USB MIDI
Number of Keys	49 Keys
Polyphony	10 Voices

FAQs

Is the Novation Xio Synth 49 suitable for live performances?: Yes, the Novation Xio Synth 49 is well-suited for live performances due to its lightweight design, semi-weighted keys, and extensive modulation capabilities, allowing for expressive and dynamic playing.
What kind of sounds can I create with the Novation Xio Synth 49?: The Novation Xio Synth 49 offers a wide range of sounds thanks to its 3 oscillators with 17 waveforms, multimode resonant filter section, and 2 LFOs with 32 waveforms, providing versatile sound design options.
Can the Novation Xio Synth 49 be used as a MIDI controller?: Yes, the Novation Xio Synth 49 can function as a MIDI controller, featuring MIDI Output and USB MIDI connectivity to integrate with your DAW or other MIDI-compatible equipment.
Does the Novation Xio Synth 49 require an external power supply?: The Novation Xio Synth 49 can operate on six AA batteries or an external 9V DC 600mA power supply, offering flexibility for both studio and mobile use.
How does the arpeggiator on the Novation Xio Synth 49 work?: The Novation Xio Synth 49 features an arpeggiator with a latch function, allowing you to create rhythmic patterns and sequences, which can be synchronized to your performance or recording setup.

Videos

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AudioPilz

Bad Gear - Novation XioSynth - Desert Island Plastic Synth???

AudioPilz

Novation Shows Off The XioSynth Synthesizer

gearwire

Tweekin My XioSynth

squeakD

NOVATION XIO-SYNTH Analog Style Pads

TheXcee

Novation XioSynth demo video, Summer NAMM 2006 - Gearwire

gearwire

Novation Xiosynth Demo

Panu M Savolainen

Reviews

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PROS

Interesting onboard effects, easy preset editing
Built-in audio interface adds versatility
Light, compact, and portable; can run on batteries
Features an XY touchpad and 3 oscillators for sound variety
Unique "X-Gator" feature for rhythmic patterns
Software patch manager simplifies sound management

CONS

Poor build quality, feels cheap and plasticky
Some features require menu diving on a tiny screen, hindering workflow
Durability concerns; reports of early failure

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Novation Xio Synth 49.

Features and functionality

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The Novation Xio Synth 49 has three separate banks of controller knobs, enhancing its versatility for live performance and studio use.
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The Xio Synth includes a unique one-shot LFO feature, providing distinct modulation options not commonly found in other synths.
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Owners appreciate the expressive XY control on all patches, unlike the X-Station which requires manual quadrant selection for CC control.
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The XioSynth 49's velocity curve issues are particularly noticeable when playing acoustic instruments, impacting its effectiveness as a MIDI controller for such sounds.
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Some owners find the XioSynth's interface challenging for rapid sound shaping due to limited knobs, suggesting it may not suit those who prioritize hands-on control.
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Comparisons

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Unlike the Novation Circuit, the Xio Synth is more akin to the early 2000s X-Station line, with a different sound and feature set.
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The X-Station is frequently recommended over the XioSynth for its superior interface with more knobs, making it easier for programming and performance.
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Software and compatibility

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Bitwig is confirmed to work well with touch input on devices like the Microsoft Surface Pro 4, offering a tailored GUI for touch control.
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User experience

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Some users report a degradation in sound quality with complex patches due to potential bit limitations, noticeable even over USB audio.
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Some users don't repair faulty keys due to the strong sound engine, preferring to use other controllers for playing, highlighting a common workaround.
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Use cases and applications

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The Xio Synth is praised for its ability to produce deep bass and gritty sounds, making it suitable for electronic and grime music styles.
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The XioSynth is noted as potentially limiting for jazz and hip-hop due to the 25-key model's constraints on playing complex chords comfortably.
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Value and pricing

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The Novation Xio Synth 49 can be found at bargain prices on platforms like Facebook Marketplace, often due to its lack of current fashionability.
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Roland Gaia and X-Station 49 are suggested as affordable alternatives for those seeking a more hands-on synthesis experience.
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Setup and maintenance

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The XioSynth 49 has seven velocity curves available, but some users experience specific keys outputting extreme velocity values, indicating potential hardware issues with the key-bed.
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Build quality

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Owners report the XioSynth series has a flimsy build, with issues like keys producing uneven velocity and mod wheel requiring frequent calibration to maintain zero.
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Critic Reviews

Novation Xiosynth

soundonsound.com

Novation’s Xiosynth 49 is a versatile, budget-friendly synth that combines a MIDI controller, synthesizer, and USB audio interface into one compact unit. Its semi-weighted keyboard and assignable controls offer excellent playability and flexibility, especially for electronic music producers. While the interface can be complex and lacks aftertouch, the synth's sound quality and creative capabilities, like the X-Gator and Arp functions, are impressive. However, the inability to process external signals through its effects is a missed opportunity. Overall, it’s a strong contender for portable setups and budget-conscious musicians.

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3.5 out of 5

Based on 4 Reviews and 11 Ratings

5 star

4 star

3 star

2 star

1 star

modulate

410

about 2 years ago

Cheap and kinda good?

It's cheap, flimsy, not very well built - whatever the opposite of robust is, this is it. It flexes, wiggles and it's generally lacking on the physical side. On the flip, it did multiple international tours and survived the abuse.

Sound wise - it's ok, but sorta thin and weedy, like an early VST...you know the ones you stopped using 15 years ago. Kinda gritty, kinda crunchy, but not quite the same grit as a K-Station. A bit nastier than a V-Station in a good way, but not much.

It's horrible to program because of the tiny screen and menus, though it does accept patches from the V-Station VST, although they don't sound 100% exact.

It was the sound of a certain era, early 2000's virtual analogue. Some things were great, some weren't. Worth picking up for silly money, like sub $100/£100, otherwise pass.

Roles:

Guitarist Keyboardist Composer

Genres:

Electronic Orchestra Stage & Screen

lost_in_reverb

1558

over 2 years ago

Great sounding, horrendous construction

This one has some really interesting features, I enjoyed it for a while but mine died in 3 months because I bought it second hand and mine had known better times, a long time ago. I love the effects and the edition of the presets is not hard at all, at least for me, the onboard audio interface is handy. The worst thing about this synth is the construction, without a doubt, it feels cheap and too much plastic-y, that added to the bad treat the synth received in the past were the absolute death.

Roles:

Guitarist Keyboardist Composer

Genres:

Ambient

finetales

199

about 9 years ago

Nice Virtual Analog

Positives: Light, compact, portable, can run on batteries, has an XY touchpad, 3 oscillators, built-in effects, easy to use software patch manager, has the "X-Gator" that I don't think any other Novation synth has, capable of a wide variety of sounds.

Negatives: Although many parameters are accesible via the 11 editing knobs, there are many more that can only be accessed with menu diving on the tiny screen which is a little tedious and slows creativity (for me anyway). Build quality is also not the greatest.

Roles:

Keyboardist Composer

Genres:

Orchestra Disco Big Band

emlynlucas

221

almost 12 years ago

Good for Basses

Cool sounds, some 90s sounding digital fun.

Artist usage

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Adam Smith

Guitarist, Keyboardist

Temples

Verified via YouTube

At 3:37 you can see clearly Smith is using the Novation.

Brian McLaughlin

Singer, Guitarist

The Rare Occasions

Verified via YouTube

Brian McLaughlin is seen using the Novation XioSynth 49 most iconically for the song Wickenden Kids off of the Demo Recordings EP. In this video it is seen being used at NAMM 2016. They were able to play this show after their song "Dysphoric" won the John Lennon Songwriting contest (2014), in the rock category. He's owned the Novation XioSynth 49 since est. 2010. It is now out of commission after physical damage (hardware still functions, keys are bad).