NOVATION X-STATION 61 USB MIDI CONTROLLER/SYNTHESIZER

Novation stands for innovative sound and music production tools. The X-Station combines a Novation-class synthesiser, an audio solution, MIDI remote controller, MIDI interface and a multi-effects processor. All in one - complete with USB* or battery power for extended total mobility!

* The USB bus must be able to supply the required amount of current in order to power the X-Station. Please verify that your computer provides enough power.

SUPERB KEYBOARD IN THREE SIZES
The keyboard employs a premium-class mechanism with semi-weighted keys and aftertouch. Even if you're not a trained piano player you will instantly feel the difference! Aftertouch, a joystick and the assignable X/Y touch pad controller provide you with extra dimensions of expression for your performances. What's more, X-STATION comes in three sizes: 25, 49 and 61 keys - your choice of ultimately portable or plenty of keys! All models may be run off batteries, power supply or USB*.

AUDIO AND MIDI SOLUTION
X-STATION includes a fully featured audio interface with two phantom-powered, hi-quality converters, two Neutrik™ combined XLR and jack sockets, digital S/PDIF out, and much more. Dedicated headphone and monitoring connections with separate controls even allow you to work without a mixer. What's more, the onboard DSP effects processor provides instant, zero-latency multi-effects for monitoring or recording applications. Each audio channel has its own effects chain. You can even record audio with effects on one channel - and use the synthesizer on the second at the same time! On top of that, X-STATION has a built in MIDI Interface on board, allowing you to integrate external MIDI Gear as well.

HARDWARE SYNTHESIZER
A fully featured NOVATION-class hardware synthesizer also runs on the unique X-STATION hardware thanks to its powerful DSP processor! The 3-oscillator virtual analog synthesizer is based on the renowned Novation KS-series and is 8-voice polyphonic. The extensive control interface provides instant access to all key parameters, making it ideal for live performances. And forget cables - the synthesizer is fully integrated: The stereo audio output is sent straight through the USB cable onto the track in your sequencer via ASIO!

DSP EFFECTS
X-STATION provides two channels of onboard multi-effects! Up to six effects may be used simultaneously on each channel. The palette includes Chorus, Delay, Reverb Distortion, EQ and even a Compressor. The effects can be routed for monitoring only (like giving the singer some Reverb while recording) or for recording as well (e.g. recording a guitar with Chorus). Thanks to the unique design, synthesizer and effects for incoming audio can even be used at the same time!

DIRECT REMOTE
Want a first class remote control for sequencer functions? Need a hardware surface for your VST-Instruments? Would you like to remote control other hardware from one surface? Here's your solution - no matter if you want to remote control your Access Virus™ or Propellerhead Reason™. X-Station offers a total of 55 assignable physical controls, including 3 Encoders, 16 pots, 9 sliders and 22 buttons. And that doesn't include the dedicated controls in the Audio section. A template can have up to a massive 150 virtual controls in total using the shift functions!

TIRED OF WIRES?
X-STATION only needs one for everything - the USB cable. That's it. Even power is provided via USB* or batteries whenever desired! So if you really want to make your recordings on the beach - take your laptop, X-STATION and enjoy the sun as inspiration. But don't say we didn't warn you about the sun-burn and the sand all over your gear!

SPECIFICATIONS:

Keyboard Mechanism
Keys: 25, 49 or 61
Type: Semi-weighted
Aftertouch: Yes

Pitch and Mod Wheel Mechanism
Pitch wheel lever: Rubberised - spring loaded, centre return left to right motion
Mod/control lever: Rubberised - spring loaded, front to back motion or free running forward and backwards

X/Y Touchpad
Touchpad: Pressure sensitive
Parameters: 2 assignable in X direction; 2 assignable in Y direction

LCD Display
LCD: 2 x 16 character silver. Blue LED backlit

Audio
Audio inputs: 2 x combined 1/4” jack / XLR sockets
Phantom power: On/Off 48 Volts
Gain control: -60dB - +10dB signal range
A to D converters: 2 x 24 bit Delta Sigma
Audio outputs: 2 x 1/4” jack sockets
Digital output: S/PDIF - phono

MIDI and Audio Interfacing
MIDI ports: 1 x MIDI In; 2 x MIDI Out
USB: 1x combined MIDI and audio I/O

Effects Processors
Effects: 2 x multi-effects processors
Type: Delay/Reverb/Chorus-Phaser/Compressor/Distortion/EQ (Bass-Mid-Treble)

Controls
Rotary potentiometers: 20 - rotation 0 to 270 degrees
Rotary encoders: 4 - rotation 360 degrees continuous
Sliders: 9 - 30mm length
Transport controls: Rewind/Fast Forward/Stop/Start/Record
General Operation: Play/Template Common/Template Edit/Write/Global/Snapshot/Panic
Cursor/page control: Bank - page up/down; Program - cursor up/down; Inst Channel - cursor left/right
Keyboard control: Octave up/down

Synth Architecture
Voices: 8
Modes: Program (monotimbral)
Memories: 200 memory locations programmed with the KS factory presets

Synth Oscillators 1, 2 and 3
Waveforms: Square/Saw/Variable Pulse/Tri/Sine/Double Saw/Double Tri/Double Sine/9 complex cycle waveforms
Noise Sources: White/Crack/Metal 1/Metal 2
Octave Range: Shift -1/0/+1/+2
Mod Env Depth: -64 to +63
LFO1 Depth: -64 to +63
PWM Source: Mod Env/Manual/LFO2
Ring Mod: 1 * 2
FM: 2 * 3
2 * 3 FM Level: 0-127
2 * 3 FM Mod Level: 0-127
FM Env Attack Rate: 250uS-20S
FM Env Decay Rate: 1mS-20S
Comprehensive aftertouch, breath and pitch/mod wheel control of both static pitch and modulation of pitch

Synth Mixer
Osc 1 Static Level: 0-127
Osc 1 Mod Level/LFO1: -64 to +63
Osc 1 Mod Level/LFO2: -64 to +63
Osc 2 Static Level: 0-127
Osc 2 Mod Level/LFO2: -64 to +63
Osc 3 Static Level: 0-127
Osc 3 Mod Level/AD Env: -64 to +63
Noise Static Level: 0-127
Noise Mod Level/LFO1: -64 to +63
FM Static Level: 0-127
FM Mod Level/AD Env: -64 to +63

Synth Filters
Frequency: 0-127
Slope: 12dB/24dB
Modes: Low Pass, High Pass, Band Pass
Resonance: 0 to self-oscillation (24dB mode)
Mod Env Depth: -64 to +63
LFO 2 Depth: -64 to +63
Keyboard Tracking: 0-127
Velocity: 0-127
Overdrive: 0-127
Q normalise: 0-127
Comprehensive aftertouch, breath and pitch/mod wheel control of both static filter freq and modulation of filter freq

Synth Amplifier & Modulation Envelopes
Velocity: -64 to +63
Attack: 250uS-20S
Decay: 1mS-20S
Sustain: 0-127
Release: 1mS-20S
Delay (Mod Env): 1mS-20S

Synth LFO1 - LFO2
Modes: Cyclic/One-shot
Waveforms: Sine/Tri/Saw/Squ/Sample & Hold/Sample & Hold/Quantize/Random 24 Intricate Wavetables
Speed: 0 Hz-1kHz
Delay Fade In: 0-5S

Synth Effects
Reverb: Level/Echo Chamber, Small Room, Large Room, Small Hall, Large Hall, Grand hall/Decay/Wheel Level
Chorus - Phaser: Level/Rate/Type/Feedback/Mod Depth/Centre/Initial Position/Wheel Level
Distortion: Drive/Compensation/Wheel Level
Panning: Position/Mod Depth/Speed/Initial Position
Delay: Depth/Time/Feedback/Stereo Width/Ratio/Wheel Level

General
Battery operation: 6 x standard ‘C’ size 1.5 Volt dry cells or rechargeable cells
External power supply: Standard ‘centre positive’ 9V DC 600mA (not supplied)
Size: Width = 468mm; height = 68mm; depth = 278mm (25-key version)
Size: Width = 798mm; height = 68mm; depth = 278mm (49-key version)
Size: Width = 963mm; height = 68mm; depth = 278mm (61-key version)
Weight: 2.5Kg (25-key version)

REVIEWS:

“The Novation X-Station 25 is a truly revolutionary product that combines several aspects of the studio into one integrated device: MIDI keyboard, MIDI control surface, eight-voice polyphonic synthesizer and a high-quality audio interface with built-in effects processors… What’s more, all of this can be run through a USB cable. Now that’s what I call portable and flexible.”

“It’s obvious that Novation has put a lot of time and effort into making the X-Station a musical instrument, not just another computer peripheral.”

“One of the X-Station’s strongest roles is that of a MIDI control surface... Novation was even thoughtful enough to include five preprinted physical templates that fit perfectly over the control panel... What a delight it is to be able to control virtually all of the parameters of Trilogy, for example, right from the X-Station! Want to fiddle with the ADSR for the amp and filter envelopes? No problem. Need to switch between layers or adjust the filter frequency and cutoff? Easy.”

“Novation states that the X-Station is in a class by itself, and I have to agree. There’s nothing else on the market that combines a MIDI keyboard, a MIDI control surface and interface, quality two-channel audio I/O with phantom power, a full-featured synthesizer and built-in effects — all in a streamlined, compact design that is not only highly functional and intuitive but also great-sounding. Aspiring producers and remixers often ask me questions about how to get started building their own project studio. I usually have some basic recommendations, but it always ends with the notion that because there are so many ways of going about it these days, there is no right or wrong answer. It’s generally a personal preference about which computer platform to use and what sequencer to get. Now, after being exposed to the Novation X-Station 25, I can clearly say that anyone looking to get their start in the studio should take a serious look at the X-Station series. Except for a computer and a sequencer, it contains practically everything someone needs to get started and at a price that isn’t intimidating.”

“Pros: Massive bang for the buck. All-in-one solution for MIDI, audio... Integrated audio and MIDI through USB. Semiweighted, velocity- and aftertouch-sensitive keys.”

Robert Olyesyck, Remix Mag, December 2004

“Operation is as simple as selecting a template, assigning the X-25's MIDI port to the destination synth and twiddling away. Marvellous stuff. Since the template selector is a dedicated knob, it's quick and easy to switch between controlling one synth and another.”

“The quality of the preamps and 24-bit A-D converters is very good, taking into account the price of the unit. I got good levels with both phantom powered condensers, dynamics and even plugging in my Stratocaster produced good results.”

“The bonus, however, is that the X-25 provides a rack of insert effects on each input channel. The effects' path can be bypassed, used only when monitoring or sent for recording. This makes adding a touch of reverb for a vocalist a snap and, frankly, provided me with enormous amounts of fun experimenting with different sounds. Ease of use counts for a lot when messing about... erm, being seriously creative, I mean.”

“While not lightweight (this is a well-built, solidly constructed unit) the portability of the X-25 is a boon, especially if you have, say, a PC and a laptop. The one-cable connectivity makes life as simple as it gets. The X-25 is a joy to use. Once you're used to its operation then it all makes perfect sense. Just plug it in and start playing, recording and controlling.”

“Frankly, any VSTi or plug-in that you can grab by the knobs will have you smirking with pleasure. Control of Pro-52, Ableton Live and impOSCar worked right out of the box and distracted me for hours. I was delighted to find a template provided for the Novation Supernova, which I have in a rack. Having what amounted to a dedicated controller for the Supernova suddenly turned it from a preset engine into a revitalised and flexible sound source.”

“No complaints about the synth, or quality of the audio inputs and outputs. The X-25 does its thing with aplomb.”

“It's no surprise to hear that I loved the X-25. It's an excellent piece of well-conceived design brought to life with excellent engineering based on a wealth of experience. The whole package oozes quality and imagination.”

“Rather than building a computer into a piece of gear, rather than relying on some dodgy proprietary solution, Novation has embraced the best that has gone before, the standards we already have, and made life a whole lot easier and a lot more fun for the majority.”

“Each individual component is a class act of its own. And the combination, packaged into such a tiny package, is remarkable. The X-25 is a clear step forward. I anticipate that the sincerest form of flattery will be bestowed upon it from Novation's competitors. And right now, I'm looking forward to Novation's next step.”

Marc Cooper, Future Music, September 2004

“Long live the Novation K-Station. When it arrived on the scene in 2002, it went right after the big (or little) keyboards competing in the hot market for virtual analog synths... And now, Novation has made a new offering to the two-octave crowd, but this is not just another synth. With the X-Station, Novation has carved a new niche in the synth world, and may change what we come to expect from a keyboard instrument.”

“Every piece of real estate on the 25 is taken; the panel’s packed with goodies.”

(About the 'selectably' sprung modulation wheel) “Kudos to Novation for making this a customizable feature.”

“The fact that Novation gives you, the player, these kinds of options is one indication that they were committed to making the X-Station a top-quality performance instrument. What’s more, all three X-Station models are outfitted with keyboards that transmit velocity andaftertouch. It seems more and more manufacturers are ditching aftertouch to trim costs. Not only is Novation continuing to implement this inspiring feature, but I believe that the X-Station 25 is the first two-octave synth with aftertouch. Thank you!”

“The sound engine in the X-Station is based on that found in the KS-series, and it sounds great... Gone are the KS-series drum sounds and multitimbral mode, but I’m not complaining. The added oscillator and LFO waveforms, dual effects with compression, and additional arpeggiator parameters make it a healthy upgrade from the K-Station.”

“Also nice to see on the front panel are dedicated transport controls: Rew, Fwd, Stop, Play, and Record. Combined with the nine sliders and 19 knobs surrounding them, you’ve got a complete control surface for most audio/MIDI sequencers. And how many control surfaces offer this kind of control, along with audio interface and synthesis capability? Add dual MIDI outs with built-in merging, and the value index moves northward rapidly.”

(About the audio interface) “Not an afterthought at all, but mean and lean nonetheless... And by the way, the synth audio travels directly to your computer via USB. Very clean! Also noteworthy is the X-Station’s audio monitoring scheme. Want to hear your input directly with no latency? No problem. Want to hear some reverb while you record a vocal track, but not record the reverb? It can do that too, as well as record the effects if you so desire. This is intelligent, inspired design.”

“The semi-weighted keyboard has the best feel I’ve played on a two-octave synth, and, if this is the same action found on the four- and five- octave models, you’re bound to enjoy it. It’s a fast action with just the right amount of “substance,”and the addition of aftertouch seals the deal. It’s a pleasure to play.”

“Setup of drivers from the included CD-ROM was easy and painless. I recorded with MOTU DP4, which recognized the X-Station without any input from me. The audio sounded clean and full, as did the synth.”

“Novation boasts that there is currently no other instrument like the X-Station, and I’m inclined to agree. Seeing all of the X-Station’s features so seamlessly integrated, it reminds me of when “workstation”first became a buzzword in these pages 15 years ago. Is this the model for the next-generation workstation? I’d like to think so. The difference this time around is that instead of trying to create one box on which an entire track can be produced, Novation instead chose to make a very good-sounding instrument that is also an excellent gateway to the more powerful recording and virtual synth software that MIDIots like myself have shied away from thus far. We’re pleased to call the X-Station 25 a Key Buy.”

Tom Brislin, Keyboard, September 2004

“What the X-Station does share with the ReMOTE 25 is its build quality - as soon as you get hold of it and hit a few keys, you get the feeling you're dealing with a different class of device to the super-budget MIDI controllers out there. The unit is quite light but feels solid and substantial - more an instrument than a computer peripheral. The two-octave keyboard is semi-weighted and there are smooth 'clicky' dials, a nice blue backlit LCD and lots of lights. Lights is good...”

“In fact, there's a very neat extra when it comes to power: the unit can be run from batteries and if you use rechargables, they will be charged while the unit is plugged in.”

“The X-Station is absolutely bristling with controls.”

“Some buttons, or groups of buttons, can be programmed to step through different pages, with corresponding LED feedback: a classy addition.”

“A bonus on the audio side of the package is the inclusion of built-in effects on the input path... The implementation of this feature has been thought out well, allowing flexible use. Each input's effects routing can be switched to choose whether the signal is recorded with or without effects. This is really useful, as you can, say, record dry vocals, using zero-latency monitoring, and still hear reverb and delay to help your performance. The distortion effect is of the guitar overdrive pedal variety, giving you the same luxury when plugging your guitar directly into the interface.”

“It's a pretty decent analogue-modelling synth, and by no means a toy or gimmick.”

“An extremely cool feature is that the audio from the synth can be routed directly into your host software via the USB software, because it's effectively behaving the same as an instrument connected to input 2.”

"The X-Station is almost too good to be true. You get a really nice controller keyboard with semi-weighted, aftertouch-generating keys which feels a class above the competition. You also get an unusually large number of varied hardware controllers. You get a USB audio and MIDI interface, with mic/instrument inputs and a built-in multi-effects unit. And it's also a hardware synth! All this makes the X-Station the perfect choice for use as a live controller. The main reason I say this is that in addition to handling the audio, MIDI and controller tasks for your laptop live rig, it's perfect in an emergency. For a start, you get the best of both worlds in terms of power supply. For the most part you'll get your power from the USB connection, but if your computer packs up, you can revert to the rechargable batteries. Then the built-in synth means that you will still be able to make some kind of noise, instead of just standing there staring at the boot screen. Other that this, the X-Station must be a seriously tempting option for anyone looking for an integrated desktop-music system (although my ardour has been slightly dampened by the withdrawal of the software bundle promised with the ReMOTE Audio Xtreme). In any case, it's ahead of the competition in the small-format controller-with-keyboard market.”

Simon Price, Sound On Sound, September 2004

“Having built up a solid reputation in the controller world with the ReMOTE 25, Novation have greatly upped the ante with the X-Station…”

“…let’s focus on the fact that the X-Station is a damn fine controller, utilising many of the same controls as the ReMOTE 25 but with a slightly refined layout.”

“In terms of knobs and sliders, the X-Station takes some beating, offering a ton of hands-on control…most impressively, an assignable Touchpad, which is superb for playing with effects.”

“When you’re up and running, using the X-Station is a joy.”

“The X-Station is a real winner and is certainly right up there with the best of them for the sheer amount of functionality it provides.”

5 out of 5 stars

Computer Music, Summer 2005

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

1) What is the difference between the X-Station, the ReMOTE Audio and the ReMOTE Audio Xtreme?
Since the introduction of the synthesiser section into the ReMOTE Audio, this product has now been rebranded as the X-Station. This powerful product is a synthesiser, MIDI controller keyboard, audio interface, dual mic preamp with phantom power and a stereo effects processor. Functionally there are no differences between the ReMOTE Audio and the X-Station. The ReMOTE Audio Xtreme was a ReMOTE Audio bundled with the limited edition Xtreme software pack. This software pack comprised Steinberg Cubase SE, Novation Live and the Novation V-Station.

2) Where are the latest drivers, templates and operating system on the website?
These are in the Downloads section - just click on the Downloads link above.

3) What templates are provided with the X-Station
The X-Station is loaded with templates for the following software and hardware:
Novation A-Station/K-Station/V-Station, Bass Station, Supernova/Nova
Propellerheads Reason Subtractor, Maelstrom, Sampler (NN19, Dr:Rex, NN:XT), Redrum, Mixer
Native Instruments Reactor, Absynth, FM7, B4, Pro53, Kontakt
Propeller Heads Rebirth RB338
Roland JP8000/JP8080, SH-32, General MIDI 2
Clavia Nord Lead 3
Korg MS2000
Access Virus A, B & C
Steinberg , Cubase SX, Cubase SX2, Model E, Groove Agent, Halion, Virtual Guitarist
Waldorf PPG Wave 2.2
GMedia Oddity, ImpOscar
Emagic Logic Platinum 5, Logic Platinum 6
LinPlug Albino
Spectrasonics Trilogy/Atmosphere, Stylus
Ableton Live
Cakewalk Sonar

4) Are there any more templates to download?
More templates will be available for download here in the near future. If you would also like additional or replacement template labels, these can be ordered direct from novation by contacting sales@novationmusic.com

5) What computer operating systems can the X-Station work with?
The X-Station is shipped with a driver CD for Windows XP and Mac OSX 10.2 or greater. The OSX driver will work with Jaguar, Panther and Tiger operating systems. There is no Mac OS9 support. There is no support for Windows versions other than Windows XP.

6) How is the X-Station powered?
The X-Station can be powered from USB, from batteries or from the supplied 9V DC power supply. If rechargable batteries are fitted, these can be recharged either by the USB power supply or by connecting to the 9V DC power supply. The X-Station needs to be turned on for the battery charger to work.

7) The unit crashes/freezes up or just does strange things after a short period of time.
The latest operating system for the X-Station is version 2.3.03. To find out the full version of operating system installed in an X-Station, hold down the input button in the audio section and turn the unit on. The installed OS will be displayed on screen for a brief period of time. The OS files and an OS install utility can be downloaded from the Downloads page of the website. If the X-Station is being used with a USB hub it will be necessary to power the USB hub so that enough current can be supplied to the X-Station. If the X-Station is used with an unpowered USB hub this may cause improper operation of the X-Station and/or the computer it is connected to.

8) Response to notes slows down after a short period of time when using the synth mode on the X-station and the unit is connected via USB to a Mac.
This only occured in the OS version 2.0.1.0. When a note is pressed on a conventional MIDI keyboard, a MIDI message is immediately transmitted out of the MIDI out port. This is not the case with a USB MIDI interface. Instead of a message being sent as soon as the message is triggered, the message is queued in memory called a MIDI buffer within the X-Station and the computer collects the message when it is ready. This is done by making use of the USB MIDI driver.

A Windows PC loads the USB MIDI driver ready for use as soon as the USB MIDI interface is connected. Mac OSX on the other hand only loads a USB MIDI driver ready for use when an application that could potentially use the driver is opened!

Consequently when the X-Station is powered by USB from an OSX Mac, if a music application is not in use, the MIDI driver will not be loaded. Since the X-Station is connected via USB, generated MIDI data is sent to the MIDI buffer but this is not serviced by the USB MIDI driver. The MIDI buffer is of a large, but finite size and when this is full the X-Station will respond to new MIDI events very slowly.

There are three solutions: 1) update the OS of the X-Station. 2) Open a music application or even Audio MIDI Setup (AMS) that can be found under applications/utilities. This is enough to load the MIDI driver and normal operation will resume. 3) from the template common menu, stop the X-Station from transmitting data to USB when the USB connection is only used as a power supply.

9) What is the latest Windows driver version for the X-Station?
The latest latest ASIO driver is 2.5.5 and the latest MIDI driver is version 3.0.1.0 for Windows XP. This can be checked by connecting the X-Station via USB to a computer, turning on and then checking the properties of the control panel sytsem/device manager/sound, video and games controllers X-Station icon. The latest OSX driver version is 1.1. The latest drivers can be downloaded from the Downloads page.

10) How can the X-Station be reinitialised?
The X-Station needs to be reloaded with the original template data. It is not possible to restore this from the unit directly. The original template data can be found on the resource page.

11) When used with Cubase SE, SX or SX2 any VSTi instruments can be played perfectly well in real time, but playing back a recording made with the X-Station results in notes playing out of time.
This is related to the way that the X-Station has been assigned within the Cubase Device Setup when the generic surface file found on the X-Station driver and resource CD has been imported.

12) Can the X-Station transport buttons be used with Reason?
Reason has a fixed MIDI implementation for most functions but the transport bar and the mixer controls do not have fixed MIDI functions. The controls for transport and mixer functions need to be 'learnt' into Reason in order for these to work. See the Tips & Tricks page in the User Area to learn how to do this.

13) What type of footswitch can be used with the X-Station ReMOTE Audio?
The footswitch control is specified within each template for the X-Station and can be assigned to any MIDI function. Either a normally open or a normally closed footswitch can be used with the X-Station.

To set the footswitch to control sustain within a particular template, press the template edit mode button. Press the footswitch to make this the control active for editing. Set the control type to CC, the CC number to 064 (MIDI sustain), and the button type to toggle. For a normally open footswitch, set the high value to 127 and the low value to 000. For a normally closed footswitch, set the high value to 000 and the low value to 127. Write the template to memory to save the changes.

14)There is no output from the synth section of the X-Station.
The X-station must be in synth mode. The 'PLAY /Synth' button above the LCD screen is used to toggle between template mode and synth mode. The synth mode will show "synth prog" in the LCD screen of the X-station. In synth mode, the output of the synth is effectively patched into X-Station inputs if the X-Station is in stereo mode or just into input 2 if the X-Station is in dual mono mode. This means that the monitor knob has to be turned fully anticlockwise to hear the synth only. By putting the monitor knob in the mid postion both input and output will be heard simultaneously.

15) Input 2 does not appear to be working
The X-Station is in synth mode and the unit has been set to dual mono operation. Try using the X-Station in template mode. The 'PLAY /Synth' button above the LCD screen is used to toggle between template mode and synth mode.
When the X-Station is in synth mode, the synthesiser output is connected to both inputs 1+2 (if the unit is in stereo mode) or the synthesiser is connected to input 2 only (if the X-Station is in dual mono mode). When the X-Station is in synth mode and dual mono mode, only input 1 is free for use with an external input.