2025 NAMM Show: ESI introduced the XSynth, a new synthesizer, derived from the CME XKey MIDI controller.
The ESI Xsynth is a compact polyphonic synthesizer, featuring a deep synth engine and an expressive keyboard with polyphonic aftertouch.
Here’s a video from the show floor via Bonedo Synthesizers:
Features:
- Digital synth engine with 8+ voice polyphony
- Expressive keyboard with polyphonic aftertouch
- 3 oscillators per voice
- Multimode filter
- Three LFOs
- Modulation matrix
- Arpeggiator
Pricing and Availability:
The ESI Xsynth is expected to be available by May, 2025, priced at €349. Official details are still to come at the ESI site.
Slick! I really like my original Xkey. The full-width keys make a big difference and it’s wonderfully svelte yet sturdy. One of the unsung features is the pressure-sensitive pitchbend button. Looks like this one might bend down as well as up; will check the manual. And I’m always stoked to see an audio input. In many cases, that makes gear even more portable by eliminating the need for a mixer. Looking forward to hearing this.
How is the velocity response on those?
I have the original CME XKey 25. You can generate a wide scope of velocities, but it is not easy to control it effectively. There was also an app, in which I could edit velocity curves (even for single keys – which was helpful, because some individual keys had significantly different response from the rest in default settings).
The real problem, however, is how loud the keys are. Their click sound is so intensive, that it interferes with the instrument sound from the speakers (at moderate listening levels).
thx
I have two versions of the Xkey. It’s great for what it is (portable polyphonic aftertouch keyboard that you can put in your backpack) but the key travel is low and the feel is like a chiclet keyboard. With practice you can get some nice polyphonic aftertouch expression.
The synth is the least interesting part of this to me…. I already have a huge variety of synths on various devices, in what use case do I need an onboard synth instead of one of the ones in my pocket?
Give me 8 endless encoders and some assignable buttons and I got the rest
It seems like a lot to cram into that small a package, but I’m liking it. The sound is good and the I/O is impressive. I have a couple of XKeys and they really deliver. Shortening the keys here is a slight negative, but its not a piano-minded controller. I adapted to the slight key clickiness, as the velocity sensing isn’t half bad. The poly AT is more hit or miss, but still enjoyable.
I look forward to hearing someone demo the synth presets. Its a strange little thing, but I suspect it’ll be popular with people who like Elektron and Push. Its a good fit.
https://synthanatomy.com/2025/01/superbooth-24-esi-xsynth-new-portable-synthesizer-with-polyphonic-aftertouch.html
Looks and sounds pretty good. Love the implementation of Poly Aftertouch 🙂
For $379 it’s no brainer purchase.
Sure it won’t replace my studio keyboard (NI Kontrol) but, it looks like perfect companion for my iPad Pro M4 on the go…
Xkey has proven to be a great iPad (and iPhone) companion. For example, you can use it as another polyphonic expression controller for Animoog. The flat design is easy to pack and seems relatively durable.