XILS-lab KaoX €179 PC MAC

FM synthesis is associated with certain typical sounds, but maybe this new synth can expand that palette. Will you order some Kaox?

KaoX (VST, AU, AAX) is a hybrid synth that’s based on Yamaha’s rare early 80s FM synth, the GS1. Very few GS1s were made, and most lacked the external programmer so were pretty limited from an editing perspective. KaoX takes this 8-operator FM concept, makes it easy to edit and then beefs it up with two analogue oscillators, two chaotic oscillators, two analogue filters, two LFOs, two chaotic modulators, two envelopes, two output VCAs with individual output panning, four effects, arpeggiator and step sequencer. Phew! Significantly, it then duplicates the whole thing into a dual-layer (Lower and Upper) architecture. Powerful stuff.

KaoX’s default state is a simple view, inspired by the wooden design of the GS1. Here you can set overall performance aspects such as Tune, Glide and Pitchbend and activate the four effects (Chorus, Delay, Phaser and Reverb). You can also choose single or dual-layer playback and load one of the more than 500 presets.