Pricing and availability

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Plugin Boutique
4.7 (2976)
$149.00 $89.00 $60.00 · All time low
Sweetwater
5.0 (10)
$148.00
Thomann
4.8 (31)
$133.00 $132.00 $1.00 · All time low

Average Price: $129

Standard/Professional

$79

$200+

Price Tier

Budget

Standard

High-end

Price History

Based on price data from 4 merchants for "XLN Audio XO". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.

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Description

Embrace a new era of beat-making with the XLN Audio XO, a revolutionary plugin that redefines how you explore and create drum tracks. Designed for musicians who crave a dynamic yet intuitive interface, XO transforms the mundane task of organizing your one-shot drum samples into an exciting visual journey. With its spectral explorer, XO groups your sounds by similarity, allowing you to seamlessly traverse your collection and uncover hidden gems that invigorate your creativity.

XO's powerful sequencer and onboard sampler offer a playful approach to crafting beats. Its drag-and-drop functionality ensures a smooth integration into your existing workflow, whether you're using it as a standalone tool or within your favorite DAW. With over 8,000 meticulously curated samples and 200+ presets, XO provides an extensive palette to fuel your musical projects, from lo-fi grooves to high-energy breakbeats.

Explore endless sonic possibilities with XO's array of effects, including reverb, delay, and distortion, tailored to color and fine-tune your sound. Whether you're remixing an old classic or crafting a cutting-edge track, XO's intuitive interface and creative modifiers ensure that your beats are not only memorable but groundbreaking.

Key Features:

  • Visual sample exploration with spectral mapping
  • Over 8,000 drum samples and 200+ presets
  • Intuitive sequencer with drag-and-drop support
  • Built-in effects: reverb, delay, pitch, filter, and distortion
  • Support for diverse file formats, including .wav, .flac, .mp3, .ogg, and .wma
  • Compatible with major DAWs and available as a standalone application

Product specs

Software Type Drum Plug-in
Platform Mac, PC
Upgrade/Full Full
Download/Boxed Download
Bit Depth 64-bit
Format Standalone, AAX, VST, AU
Hardware Requirements - Mac Intel Multi-core Processor, 4GB RAM or more recommended
Hardware Requirements - PC Intel Multi-core Processor, 4GB RAM or more recommended
OS Requirements - Mac OS X 10.9 or later
OS Requirements - PC Windows 7 SP1 or later

FAQs

What platforms is XLN Audio XO compatible with?

XLN Audio XO is compatible with both Mac and PC platforms. It requires OS X 10.9 or later for Mac and Windows 7 SP1 or later for PC.

What are the system requirements for running XLN Audio XO?

XLN Audio XO requires an Intel Multi-core Processor and at least 4GB of RAM on both Mac and PC systems.

What formats does XLN Audio XO support?

XLN Audio XO supports standalone, AAX, VST, and AU formats, making it versatile for integration with various DAWs.

Can XLN Audio XO be used as a standalone application?

Yes, XLN Audio XO can be used as a standalone application, allowing you to explore and organize drum samples independently of a DAW.

What makes XLN Audio XO unique compared to other drum plugins?

XLN Audio XO uniquely organizes and visualizes your drum samples by similarity, offering a seamless exploration experience in the XO Space, which sets it apart from traditional drum plugins.

Plugin Boutique

Plugin Boutique

XO by XLN Audio | Next Level Drum Sequencer | Tutorial & Review of Main Features

Video thumbnail for XO by XLN Audio | Next Level Drum Sequencer | Tutorial & Review of Main Features by Plugin Boutique

XO by XLN Audio | Next Level Drum Sequencer | Tutorial & Review of Main Features

Plugin Boutique

Plugin Boutique

Video thumbnail for The Best Drum Sequencer | XO by XLN Audio Review by Al Be

The Best Drum Sequencer | XO by XLN Audio Review

Al Be

Al Be

Video thumbnail for Should I Buy it? - XLN Audio XO | Beat Lab by Beat Lab

Should I Buy it? - XLN Audio XO | Beat Lab

Beat Lab

Beat Lab

Video thumbnail for XLN Audio XO Review 🌌  VST Plugin Review by This Is Onesto

XLN Audio XO Review 🌌 VST Plugin Review

This Is Onesto

This Is Onesto

Reviews

PROS

  • Innovative "XO Space" visualizes samples like a colorful galaxy, enhancing creativity

  • Seamless integration with personal sample libraries without altering original files

  • Excellent stock sounds and loops provide a wide range of drum options

  • Easy MIDI export to DAW simplifies workflow

  • Intuitive, user-friendly interface makes learning and using the plugin effortless

  • Intelligent sample sorting groups similar sounds for easy navigation

  • Low CPU usage ensures stable performance

  • Versatile sequencer with in-depth rhythm customization

  • Quick access to favorite sounds and effects adjustments

CONS

  • Basic sample editing and no layering/round robin options

  • Unable to adjust preview loudness independently, affecting workflow

  • Limited modulation and parameter sequencing options

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about XLN Audio XO.

Use cases and applications

  • Many users bypass XO's sequencer, opting to export samples into DAWs like Ableton for more detailed drum sequencing.

    Source
  • Dragging MIDI or WAV patterns from XO into a DAW timeline enhances workflow flexibility, allowing for further arrangement and manipulation.

    Source
  • XO is favored for quickly sketching out beats and organizing drum samples efficiently.

    Source

Software and compatibility

  • Users report effectively using XO alongside Groove Agent, leveraging XO for rapid beat prototyping and Groove Agent for specific tasks like pitch envelope adjustments.

    Source
  • XO can be integrated into Ableton's Drum Rack, allowing triggering of XO samples via controllers like Ableton Push.

    Source
  • Sononym is highlighted as a complementary tool to XO for finding and matching similar drum sounds across large libraries.

    Source
  • XO's sequencer supports short loops, but samples can be triggered via MIDI for extended flexibility.

    Source

User experience

  • Some users prefer using pad controllers for beat creation, finding mouse-clicking to create patterns less intuitive.

    Source
  • Some users find the interface ergonomically challenging on 4K screens due to tiny controls.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • XO's pixel-based sample selection process dramatically speeds up choosing audio samples compared to traditional text lists.

    Source
  • XO allows global swing adjustments and individual sound nudging, ideal for styles like J Dilla's swing.

    Source
  • Users desire additional slots and a longer sequencer to accommodate more complex MIDI drum loops, as current 8-slot limitation can hinder workflow.

    Source
  • XO supports editing of transients, pitch, EQ, and more on individual samples, enhancing sound customization.

    Source
  • Users find XO's search function effective for narrowing down specific drum sounds from large sample libraries.

    Source

Value and pricing

  • Atlas 2 often has sales reducing its price to $49.99, making it a cost-effective alternative to XO for budget-conscious buyers.

    Source

Comparisons

  • Atlas is preferred by some for its periodic feature updates, while XO is noted for its wider availability across multiple platforms.

    Source
  • Atlas 2 is praised for better workflow scalability, friendly support, and intuitive controls compared to XO.

    Source

Critic Reviews

XLN Audio XO review | MusicRadar

musicradar.com

XLN Audio's XO is a game changer in the realm of drum machines, boasting a stunning user interface and a treasure trove of over 8,000 samples that makes sound selection a breeze. Its innovative XO Space invites creativity, while the sequencer offers robust functionality for crafting beats. However, it’s not without flaws; the fixed sequencer lane lengths and a lackluster beginner's guide may hinder some users. Despite minor performance hiccups during extensive searches, the overall experience is engaging and rewarding. For those seeking a unique and versatile drum machine, XO delivers a fantastic blend of fun and sound quality.

positive

XLN Audio XO | Sinesquares Review - More than a sample management plugin! — SINESQUARES

sinesquares.net

XLN Audio's XO transcends mere sample management, delivering a dynamic drum machine experience that breathes life into your sound library. With over 8,000 high-quality samples and an intuitive interface, it encourages creativity through its unique random sample swapping feature. However, the plugin's limited sequencing variations could frustrate those seeking more complexity. While it excels in ease of use and inspiration, some users might desire additional depth in its sequencing capabilities. Overall, XO is a powerful tool that can elevate your drum programming, making it a worthy addition for producers looking to revitalize their sample collection.

positive

5.0 out of 5

Based on 1 Review and 8 Ratings

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158

The Super Computer of Drums

The amount of variety and versatility in this plugin is overwhelming but can be very beneficial when searching for new ideas and new sounds in your drums or percussion sequences.

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Andrew Huang uses XLN Audio XO

Andrew Huang

Singer, Guitarist

First Of October

...
Verified via YouTube

Featured in the project breakdown of "Sparkle Mountain" at 0:43.

See how Neon Vines uses XLN Audio XO

Neon Vines

Singer, Music Producer

...
Verified via YouTube

(@8:45) "starting with XO by XLN Audio which is this galaxy-looking plug-in up here"

See how Ahrix uses XLN Audio XO

Ahrix

Composer, Music Producer

...
Verified via Photo

On September 23, 2021, Ahrix shared a photo gallery on Facebook showing his setup, where XLN Audio XO can be seen open on one of the monitors of his PC.

See how Hardt Antoine uses XLN Audio XO

Hardt Antoine

Music Producer

...
Verified via YouTube

At 25:19 in the YouTube video titled "I don't like process": Hardt Antoine track building masterclass – in the studio," Hardt Antoine demonstrates the use of the XLN Audio XO plugin.

Album Usage

The XLN Audio XO has been featured on the following albums:

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use XLN Audio XO, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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