XILS Labs PolyKB III Synthesizer

The Synthesizer they should have invented 40 years ago

• 3 Morphing oscillators
• 2 Creamy Multimode 0df Filters
• 3 Envelopes, 2 LFOS
• Polysequencer, arpeggiator, vintage effets
• Unmatched analog presence and feeling
• Tomorrow’s technology : Hundreds of modulation, including 2 Unique Per voice modulators, a supersized step sequencer and two Mod Matrixes

Simply the most versatile and powerful analog modelled polyphonic synthesiser ever produced

The Synthesizer they should have invented 40 years ago

• 3 Morphing oscillators
• 2 Creamy Multimode 0df Filters
• 3 Envelopes, 2 LFOS
• Polysequencer, arpeggiator, vintage effets
• Unmatched analog presence and feeling
• Tomorrow’s technology : Hundreds of modulation, including 2 Unique Per voice modulators, a supersized step sequencer and two Mod Matrixes

Simply the most versatile and powerful analog modelled polyphonic synthesiser ever produced
The PolyKB III captures the sound and spirit of the legendary RSF PolyKobol 2 polyphonic synthesiser, including its most revolutionary feature : Morphing analog Oscillators.
This set it apart from all the other common analog synth recreations, because you have instant access to hundreds of different analog modelled & free running oscillators waveforms. More than in other synthesiser, including those who propose switching between oscillators models. Icing on the cake, they can be dynamically modulated by many sources.

Let’s add : Two gorgeous, creamy multimode filters, self resonating in all modes, and Xils exclusive 0df technology. Three Analog modelled envelopes, with time multiplication, and looping capabilities. Two complex LFOs. They complete the picture to offer you this fat, warm and immediately inspiring analog sound.

Per Voice !
It wouldn’t be a XILS-lab instrument if it didn’t have innovative & exclusive features like the Per Voice modulation engines, or the giant Step Modulator, to propel it into the XXIth century.

Make each note different : The Voice XY is a Per Note Quad XY modifier. You can control in a 2D square up to 4 different parameters to create from subtle to wild variations for each coming new note.

Control your sound in 3D Space : With the Space XY module, you can place each note in a 3D True Stereo Space, and build stereo scenes that no additional external effect can achieve. Furthermore, you can make it move with chaotic functions, adding incredible life to your sounds. You have never had so much artistic control over the stereo field.
If you combine these two Per Note modifiers with the True Unison engine, you’ll soon get amazing, dense, and breath taking sounds, that will proudly take their place in a mix at once. And to operate it, you simply place and move balls, representing the voices, in a square. So easy, so immediate, so tempting, and … so powerful !

Hyper Modulations : The Polysequencer can now be used as a 128 steps, 4 lines/16 destinations giant Step Sequencer Modulator, allowing you to sculpt not only the most detailed TranceGate patterns, but also Slides or incredible rhythmic patterns. Or everything together. Or something else, completely new.

More : Dynamic control of envelope segments & levels, LFOs & single oscillators levels. Polyphonic Arpeggiator & Sequencer. Dozens of hardwired and user customisable Macros modulations. 5 monophonic & polyphonic Play Modes. Syncable LFOs with cumulative waveforms, and reset switch. Polyphonic aftertouch. Midi Cc assignations to ALL parameters. Preset manager with customisable tags and multi-criteria search engine. Vintage analog modelled Chorus, Delay, Phaser and EQ.Hundreds of presets made by the world’s best Sound Designers. And hundreds of presets available with add-on packs. Etc.

Everything is there to allow you to create fully organic and expressive presets : The final encounter between analog authenticity, and the modern age.

Features:

3 Morphing Oscillators :
Oscillators are the only possible sound sources in an analog synthesizer. With 3 Oscillators, the PolyKB III now enters the very private territory of vintage analog synths like the Minimoog. As the oscillators can morph continuously, and can also be controlled by all modulation sources rather than stay static (Triangle to Saw to Double Saw to Square to Pulse) you get endless possibilities.

A double Hard Sync algorithm is on board (osc2/1 AND osc3/2).  Finally, A 4th noise oscillator is there too, and Osc 2 & 3 can also behave like LFOs …  @ audio rate of course.

2 Multimode Filters :
Two0df Self Oscillating capable filters, with pre-post drive modules, direct Keyboard tracking, each with their own dedicated envelope for immediate tweaking. Multiple hardwired modulations. And multiple possible custom modulations as well : Total control
Each oscillator can feed Filter 1, or 2, or both. Filter can be cascaded (1 -> 2). And you can perform filter morphing with any modulation source by controlling the filter ½ balance.
The filter is an essential part of each analog synth, but you’ll have to try the demo to get the feel of these ones, as nothing we could say can fully describe its creamy and precise character.

Custom Per Voice modulation, The Voice XY Pad Modulator:
Per Voice modulator mean that each new note played will be affected by this modulator, and will sound different from the previous, and next ones. The voices are represented by red balls, that you can move, placed in a square. The vertical and horizontal position of each ball can modulate two different parameters, each with a dedicated amount knob, to choose between plethora of targets.
With this tool, you can perform an infinity of sound shaping tasks, like tayloring your own analog drift, especially suited to the track you make, or make crazy ever-changing sounds.

Custom Space XY Per Voice Modulator :
The exclusive SPACE XY Pad (Dynamic stereo Modulation XY Pad) allows you to build unique stereo scenes by allowing each new note to have a distinct position. Controlled by polyphony, this unique effect will make your analog the wideset, most intense you have ever heard.
You can also control the width of the overall stereo scene, and the position, and direction, of the mikes.
And finally, you can make the whole move with some chaotic LFO functions.

Supersized Step Modulator Sequencer:
4×128 steps of pure pleasure !
You can use PolyKB III sequencer as a giant Modulation only Step Sequencer, and write up to 4 different step sequences, up to 128 steps long.
Each sequencer line can control, via the User Matrix, up to 4 different synthesis parameters, including both filters, oscillators, but also enveloppe segments, or LFO output Levels.
Everything become possible, from the most detailed TranceGate patterns, to incredible groove parts

Polyphonic Sequencer: Vintage or futurist sequences & Phrases
The 8 part Polysequencer brings the concept of step sequencers one step beyond. You can record 8 parts in real time, or in step mode.
You can transpose sequences according to the root note with the tuned mode. It also has an incredible step play mode that you can use for live chord sequences.
Several different play modes allow you to use it as a Phrase that you can trigger on the fly, or fully controlled tracks with the Midi Cc automation of the start/stop functions recorded in your daw.
You can zoom in/out the GRID, record velocities.
Full edit capabilities of notes/parts : muting, editing, etc.
Once all this is done you can save your sequence in their own format and begin to build your own library of custom sequences
And you can even use it as a source modulation in the mod matrix to make superior sequences …. (See above to use the Sequencer to send automation data only)

True Unison (& Stereo Scene)

• The PolyKB’s gorgeous analog character can be reinforced by different features, like the custom number of Unison voices, and our very special Drift knob (Which randomly adds a more or less drastic disctinct character to each voice).
• In Addition, our exclusive DynaMYX Pad (Dynamic stereo Modulation XY Pad) allows you to build unique stereo scenes by allowing each note played to have a distinct stereo position. Controlled by polyphony, this unique effect will make your analog the wideset, most intense you have ever heard. We have given you some great presets to start with and can’t wait to hear what you come up with.
• Of course you can also control the width of the overall stereo scene, and the direction of the mikes.

Total Control : Total Control !
You can assign any Midi Cc to any synthesis parameter to fine tune some midi parts, or achieve the most precise automations. When combined with the Polyphonic Integrated Sequencer you can build anything from everchanging patterns to solid bulletproof analog sequences like in the ancient times.
You’ll also get some additional parameters that make full sense when playing music, like the possibility to control the speed of all Attack parameters with velocity ( Found in the Hardwired Matrix Modulation), or the Decay/Release of all enveloppes. This is the key to expressive Keys or Brass/Strings patches, but you can use this to design rageous expressive leads as well.
Additional parameters related to the enveloppes are the 3 different Mono Modes, with low, high or last note priority. The Poly Circular and Poly Reset play modes are tied to the Voice XY and Space XY pads described above.

3 Enveloppes & 2 LFOs :
The 3 analog modelled ADSR are hardwired to the VCA and both VCF. But you can also use them as modulations sources. And targets as well, including individual EV segments. A keyboard tracking is available for the enveloppes.
In addition, ADSR 2& 3 can loop, or can be used as a LFO to complete the 2 main LFOs and the (synced) Sample & Hold module. Enveloppes have a Time Multiply factor , to embrace all situations.
The full featured LFOs can cumulate several waveforms, like a sine + a square, or a synced noise ( Sample & Hold ) added to a Ramp Up. They have a fade in time, a delay time, and can be synced, to the host or internal clock. They also benefit from a reset/note on parameter.
Of course LFOs can be polyphonic, or monophonic, so you can get both usual tremolo, vibrato and wha effects, while preserving a second Lfo for more subtle polyphonic modulations.

Hardwired macro modulation : The Matrix
Hardwired modulations allow you to change the sound in a dynamic way by just establishing a connection (click on a switch) between different modules, then using the amount knobs.
The PolyKb III offers you more than 35 hardwired modulations, with various sources like LFOs, Enveloppes, but also oscillators or noise to perform AM & RM, or Filter FM. Not counting the VCA & VCF Enveloppe amounts, or KB Tracking amounts, which are also hardwired modulations.

Custom macro modulation : The User Matrix
With custom modulations you can freely choose the sources, targets and amounts of the modulations.
The PolyKB III offers 4 custom macro modulators matrixes. Each of the 4 sources can control simultaneously up to 4 parameters, so 16 additional freely assignable modulations are possible. Amounts can be positive, or negative. You can choose between plethora of sources, and dozens of destinations, including  filters balance for morphing between filters, enveloppe segments or output levels, LFO output levels, etc. The road for creativity is here again fully opened for all kinds of creative use.

Analog Modelled Effects
Delay, Chorus, Phaser, EQ : The PolyKB is equipped with vintage Chorus and Phaser units, and an analog type Delay & Dual EQ.
Delay time, Chorus & Phaser rate can be used a targets in the User Mod Matrix to build Solina style Ensemble processing ,or other strange effects.
These effects are simple, but have –a strong- character, and sound unique. And if you use them, it’s just impossible to replace them with any other external effects.

You might now have a better idea of why RSF synthesizers made the happy days of such renown artist as Depeche Mode, Jean-Michel Jarre, Hans Zimmer, Peter Gabriel, Vince Clark and Vangelis, and why we wanted to make a recreation of their master piece, the PolyKobol 2 (only 30 were ever built)
Then propel it in the future with so many exclusive, yet musical, features.

THE LIST, as short as possible : The PolyKB III offers

•     Three aliasing-free morphing oscillators: from triangle to pulse, through saw.
•     Two 4 poles Multimode self oscillating filter
•     Three Loopable envelope generators (ADSR)
•     two MIDI syncable LFO
•     One MIDI syncable Sample and Hold
•     One 128 steps polyphonic sequencer/TranceGate Sequencer/Phrase Player
•     One Per voice VoiceXY modulator
•     One Per voice SpaceXY Spatializer
•     One Hardwired macro modulation matrix
•     One User Macro Mododulation Matrix
•     One arpeggiator (monophonic and polyphonic)
•     Four Vintage effects effects
•     Six Mono/Unison/Poly playing mode with up to 16 voices of polyphony
•     All parameters are MIDI controllable

Specs:
Mac OSX 10.5 and later : VST, Audio Unit,  RTAS (Protools 7.0 and later),AAX (32&64 bits, native)
Windows XP, Vista and 7,8,10 ; VST,  RTAS (Protools 7.0 and later),AAX (32&64 bits, native)