Xils lab StiX User manual

StiX by Xils
User Manual
www.xils-lab.com
1

Table des matières
StiX by Xils.................................................................................................................................................................................................3
Installing StiX.................................................................................................................................................................................. 4
eLicenser drivers..............................................................................................................................................................................4
iLok drivers .....................................................................................................................................................................................4
Windows (XP, VIS A, Windows 7)................................................................................................................................................ 4
Mac (OSX 10.5 and later)................................................................................................................................................................5
Getting Started with StiX.................................................................................................................................................................6
StiX Overview................................................................................................................................................................................ 8
he Drum Pads & Drum Kit area.................................................................................................................................................. 10
Drumkits............................................................................................................................................................................. 10
Managing Drumkits............................................................................................................................................................10
DrumPads Area...................................................................................................................................................................11
Editing Drum Sounds.....................................................................................................................................................................11
he Easy Edit Synthesis Page............................................................................................................................................ 11
he Drum Pad Name Zone and Display (8) :......................................................................................................... 13
he Advanced Edit Page................................................................................................................................................................15
he 3 Envelopes : VCA, VCF, and Pitch EV (1)............................................................................................................... 15
he Filter Section (6)..........................................................................................................................................................17
he Oscillators Section (4).................................................................................................................................................17
Samples management......................................................................................................................................................... 18
LFO Section........................................................................................................................................................................19
he Modulation Matrix Area..............................................................................................................................................19
he Macro Modulation Matrix Area.................................................................................................................................. 20
Pattern Management...................................................................................................................................................................... 20
he ime Signature : Number of beats per bar (4)................................................................................................. 21
he Song Panel.............................................................................................................................................................................. 22
he Sequencer : Creating and editing Patterns..............................................................................................................................23
he XoX MultiLine Sequencer Editor............................................................................................................................... 23
he ime Division Parameter (6)............................................................................................................................23
he Sequencer Single Lane Editor..................................................................................................................................... 24
he Position Parameter (1) : You can shift, and adjust in a very precise way, the position ( temporal position) of each step
of any sequencer line in StiX. You can therefore apply both swing and/or micro shifts to any sequencer line....24
he Velocity Parameter (2) You can specify a different velocity for each step of the sequencer lane...................24
Gate ime Parameter (3)......................................................................................................................................... 24
he Step Matrix Modulation 1 & 2 Lines (4)......................................................................................................... 25
he Gang Mode (5) :...............................................................................................................................................25
he Mixer Area ............................................................................................................................................................................. 26
he FX Mixer Area........................................................................................................................................................................27
Crusher/Distortion...................................................................................................................................................27
he Effect Area..............................................................................................................................................................................27
Reverb Unit ( Stereo )............................................................................................................................................. 27
Delay Unit............................................................................................................................................................... 28
Phaser : StiX Phaser emulates generic Stereo Analog Phasers models................................................................. 28
he ransport Area........................................................................................................................................................................ 29
Play Modes : Song and Pattern Modes...............................................................................................................................29
he ransport & MIDI OU Buttons. he Live Keyboard Control Zone.........................................................................29
Options...........................................................................................................................................................................................30
Automation with Midi Controllers..................................................................................................................................... 30
Display options...................................................................................................................................................................30
Credits :..........................................................................................................................................................................................31
2

StiX by Xils
StiX is a virtual analog and multisynthesis Drum Machine coupled with a sophisticated Drum Sequencer, and incredibly deep control.
For each of its ten Drumpad StiX combines an Easy Synthesis Page populated with Macro Controls, making it fast and intuitive to
operate, with an Advanced Synthesis Page, where you can have total control on the drumpad synthesis options.
In the same spirit, the XoX Sequencer offers two separate pattern grids, one to build quickly grooves, and the other to control each
step of each drumpad with plethora of options.
Synthesis : StiX combines pristine Virtual Analog sounds with Sample Sounds, giving you the very best of both worlds. FM @ audio
rate is possible between all oscillators. You can switch each analog oscillator to a sine + wave shaping type. CroSS Synthesis is also
on board ( Intermodulation between samples and all synthesis parameters @ audio rate )
Sequencing : StiX offers you a next level XoX Drum Pattern edit and a Per DrumPad sequencer line edit with an incredible number of
per step options : Step time Division MicroPlacement, Gate ime, Velocity, Modulation Matrix
3

Installing StiX
XILS-lab offers you the choice of using eLicenser, iLok and Soft Ilok. his first section describes the process for authorization for
eLicenser. ¨Please note that the Soft Ilok Option doesn’t require a physical dongle
eLicenser drivers
StiX uses an eLicenser dongle. You must have this dongle connected to a USB port on your computer to run StiX work.
Important : Please take care of your dongle: you need it to run the StiX and it carries your license!
Important Note: Even if you have already installed the eLicenser drivers for a previous product, please update your eLicenser License
Control to the latest version.
o download the latest eLicenser Control Center (eLC), please go to:
http://www.elicenser.net/en/latest_downloads.html
You’ll need a StiX Activation Code to load your license onto the dongle ( his Activation code has been sent to you in the email confirmation
of your purchase)
First, plug your dongle into a USB port of your computer. hen launch the License Control Center.
Select “Enter authorization code” and Enter your Activation Code in the reserved field, and press Next.
Wait for the license to be downloaded and then check to see if the license is correctly loaded on the dongle in the main section of the
License Control Center.
iLok drivers
With the iLok version of the StiX, you need to plug an iLok USB key into your computer or use the Soft-iLok (computer based
protection)
After you have downloaded and installed the latest PACE drivers, justLaunch the iLok License manager, login, and select “redeem
iLok code” to create your license.
hen drag your license to the location you want (iLok USB key or computer).
o download the latest PACE drivers, please go to:
https://www.ilok.com/#!license-manager
Windows (XP, VISTA, Windows 7)
o install the StiX on Windows XP, Vista or Windows 7, launch the StiX installer file downloaded from the XILS-lab website. ( Please make
sure you install the latest version)
http://www.xils-lab.com/pages/StiXbyXils_Download-Installer.html
Once you have accepted the license agreement, you will be asked to select the installation directory. A destination directory is provided as a
default. Presets and various files, like this manual, used by the StiX will be stored in this directory. Please note that this location is different
from the VS install directory, which you will need to specify in the next step of the installer.
Once the installation directory is specified, you will be asked to select the VS plug-in directory, with a suggested default location. Keep this
default directory if you do not use the VS version.
4

Important notice for Vista or indows 7: be sure to use a folder write enable and owned by the user (do not use “c:/program files” for
instance). Otherwise you will have to run your music application with “administrator rights”.
he R AS plug-in and its table control management Pro- ools are directly copied into the following directory: C:\Program
Files\Common Files\Digidesign\DAE\Plug-Ins
Mac (OSX 10. and later)
o install the StiX on a computer equipped with Mac OSX 10.5 or later, download the latest version of either the iLok or eLicenser versions
from the XILS-lab website to make sure you have the latest version of the software.
http://www.xils-lab.com/pages/StiXbyXils_Download.html
hen launch the install program, StiX by Xils.pkg, and follow the instructions.
Warning: the install program will ask you for your system password.
he various files of the StiX will be copied into the following directories:
Library/Application Support/Digidesign/Plug-Ins
Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/Components
Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/VS
Library/Application Support/Documentation/XILS-lab/StiX
..users/username/Library/Preferences/XILS-lab/StiX
5

Getting Started with StiX
he best way to become familiar with StiX is probably to watch the overview video & tutorials, then to try different Global Presets,
then experiment, but before don’t forget one thing :
AL AYS insert a LIMITER on your Master Audio outputs. StiX is capable of violent audio modulations. A clipper is inserted on
each Drum Channel to prevent the most extreme distortion, but you will still experience overloads during the process of creating your
own sounds, or when you randomize a drumkit for example . Protect your ears, and gear !
StiX overview : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VyFHPU L4X4
StiX R-Claps Envelopes : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C2toH0SimEk
StiX Wave Alchemy Drumkits : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d0BED-MpM3I
A GLOBAL PRESE includes ALL StiX elements : Sequencer Pattern(s) or Song, all Drumpads, a Drumkit, All Mixer and effects
settings. Global Presets can be browsed, and changed using the Preset Bar located at the top of StiX GUI. (A)
By default, Global Presets are sorted by EMPO RANGE, then by GENRE. So, go straight to the tempo and /or genre you have in
mind and try a few Global presets; until you find one you want to experiment with.
he drumpads you hear when you play the first pattern of a global preset are the ones whose Sequencer Lines are populated. In StiX,
each of the 10 drumpads has its own sequencer line.
While the sequence is playing, click on the Solo Diode ( Located under each drumpad Mixer Channel) to hear each drumpad in
isolation. o cancel the solo mode, just click on any active Solo Diode again. Now you know what does what in your pattern.
Let’s Change the sounds of the drums
First, you must select which sound you want to edit. Click on a Drum pad in the Drumpads area, OR on its name label in the
Sequencer area or the Mixer area to select it. he selected Drumpad will become highlighted in blue.
Now turn each of the following knobs, and listen to the changes in the sound : Stretch, Cut-Off, Global Pitch, Rez, and Macro1&2.
You should hear interesting changes in the sound. With StiX, it’s very easy to make from subtle to amazing changes to one drum
sound with only the knobs of the Eazy Synthesis page.
Macro 1 and Macro 2 are different for each Drumpad, and were programmed by our Sound Designers. You can program your own
Macros in the Advanced Synthesis Sound Page for each Drumpad you will create.
Repeat this process for each Drumpad, to get a feel of how you can change the sound of the other drumpads.
Note : At any moment, if you wish to revert to the original sounds of the Global preset, just reload it.
If you have moved a lot all these Macro Knobs, chances are that your rhythm now sounds vastly different from the original one.
Macro Knobs might be all you’ll need to manipulate when editing or writing rhythms, and you can interact with sounds in a more
powerful and interesting way than most vintage Drum Machines could. Yet, they are only the emerged side of the iceberg.
In StiX, each Drumpad is actually a whole complex synthesizer. o have a glimpse at this synthesizer, just click on the Advanced
Synthesis oggle Button, labelled Eazy : It’s all there ( Just one click away)
Let’s change all the sounds – ith One Click-
Sometimes you’ll want the machine to really surprise you, and the two following functions just do that. Click on the Intelligent
Random button to generate a new Drumkit. StiX will try to replace all drumpads sounds with equivalent Most of the time, this
function will not bring you 100% satisfaction. So you can click again to get better results, keep the drumpads you like and change the
other ones, or revert to the original sounds. It’s also a good way to create completely new drumkits. If you want the galactic type
6

surprise, just click on the Random button. his time, StiX will change all drumkits with total random : A snare can become a kick, or
an FX, or anything else. his can lead to total chaos, or less.
The XoX sequencer.
Changing the rhythm of a sequencer line is very easy. Just click in an empty slot in any sequencer line to make a hit, and click again
on it to delete it. It’s as simple as that.
Experiment a bit with the different sequencer lines to change the rhythms played by each Drumpad. You can change, or create, a
rhythm in a minute with StiX
Some actions can be performed faster : Left Click on the Fill Button located at the left of each sequencer line will fill the entire line
wih hits. his can be handy for HH patterns for example. Right Click on this button to completely erase a sequencer line.
Randomize a sequence line : Click on the Random Diode, located at the right of each sequencer Line to generate a naw sequence line.
You can also Copy/Paste sequencer lines. his is useful for example to layer two or more sounds.
Let’s Play with StiX ( Live and Daw use )
In the pattern area, at the top right of StiX GUI, click on the copy button. Click on the Pattern B. Pattern B is now playing. Whether it
is empty, or already populated, click on the Paste Button to copy the content of Pattern A in Pattern B.
Now experiment a bit ( Change rhythm, erase some sequencer lines, fill some others, make holes in the filled lines etc) so that you
now have two different patterns. Repeat the process by copying Pattern B to C, and make another variation, or build a break, or a roll
etc. You now have three patterns.
You can switch patterns live by pressing the keys of your midi Keyboard in the C2-B2 range while stix is running : C is pattern A, B
is pattern B, aso. You can record pattern changes in your Daw, and build entire tracks very quickly.
No need to make another pattern just to add a few drum hits : Just play them live while StiX is running ! You can trigger the 10 Drum
Sounds by playing them on your Midi keyboard in the C1-B1 range. C1 should be the Bass Drum, or the sound in the Bass Drum slot.
D2 the Snare, aso.
So far you have learned that you can control StiX with the two first octaves. he third Octave is used to mute, and unmute drumpads.
Press C3, and you’ll mute the Bass Drum, D3 the Snare. he sound will be muted as long as you hold the different keys pressed, and
will come back as soon as a note off event message is received. Another way to make great variations, and build entire intros or outros
out of a single pattern.
Effects : When you select a Drumpad, you can use its FX sends or FX insert buttons. So you can add Reverb, Delay, Phaser on any
drumpad. And insert a Crusher with different settings for every drumsound if you wish.
7

StiX Overview
StiX UI is divided into 7 logical areas.
1/ The Global Preset bar : Where you can load, save, browse and sort Global Presets
2/ The Drumpads Area : Used to select the Drumpad to edit. Manage & randomize Drumkits Presets.
3/ Eazy and Advanced Synthesis area : Where you can load, save and edit the Drums Sounds using Synthesis parameters
4/ The Patterns & Song Area : Where you manage Patterns, SuperPatterns, and Song arrangement
5/ The Sequencer area : Where you create rhythms in the multiview or single line view editors
6/ Mixer & Fx : Where you mix your drums, and add effects
7/ Transport and Live Play area : You can change patterns, play drum sounds, or mute them via the virtual keyboard
All sections except the synthesis and sequencer pages are always visible. You can switch between two views to edit sequences and
sounds.
You can edit drum sounds in two ways : In the Eazy Edit Page (as in the picture above –(3) with enough Macro Controls to fully
change the sound, or in the Advanced Synthesis Page, with complete Synthesizer with plethora of parameters. (Image Below)
8

StiX Advanced Synthesis Page
o go back to the Eazy Synthesis page, just click on the Advanced Button at the right of the pane (1)
You can edit Sequences in two ways : In the MultiLine XoX editor, where all 10 sequences lines are visible, or in the Single Lane
Editor, where you can customize controls for each Step of ONE sequence line
o go back to the MultiLine Editor, just click on the oggle Sequencer Editors button (1)
With StiX, you’re never more than one click away from the task you wish to perform.
Now let’s detail the different parts of the instrument
9

The Drum Pads & Drum Kit area
Drumkits
A drum kit is comprised of 10 drum pads, and each drum pad can of course have a different sound. You can save load, create, save,
rename, randomize drumkits. Drumkits have their own dedicated Preset file format.
Play drumkits : Right click on a drumpad (1)
Load Kit : Load a DrumKit (3)
Save Kit : Save your Kit and allows you to give it a name and a category (3)
Intelligent Random Kit : Will replace current Drum Pads sounds with similar sounds ( Kicks will remain Kicks, Snare will remain
kits etc ) (4)
Total Random Kit : Will replace all drumkits with random sounds ( A kick might be replaced by a percussion, etc ) Will give you
very surprising results. (4)
Managing Drumkits
If you left click on the DrumKit name zone, the following dropdown menu will appear.
Load Drumkit : A list will appear with all available DrumKits (1) Select one drumkit in this list will load it. he DrumKit list will be
sorted according to the criteria chosen with the ‘Sort By’ Option. (6)
Save (2) : Will save the current DrumKit with its current settings. ( It will erase the previous version )
Save As (3) : Will save the current drumkit with a new name. Previous version will remain unchanged.
Delete (4) : Will delete the current DrumKit ( Data is not lost until you select another drumkit )
Open Info (5) : Will allow you to edit DrumKit criteria ( Name, Synthesis, feeling etc )
Sort Drumkits (6) : You can filter the list of drumkits presets according to various criterias (Synthesis, Genre, Author etc)
10

Export Kit (7) : Will export the current drumkit as a file. You can specify a name for this file, and it will open your OS browser to let
you choose the location on your HDs
Import Kit (7) : Will open a dialog box allowing you to browse your HDs and load a previously saved DrumKit.
Please note that StiX Drumkits have their own file format. hey are very useful to port DrumKits between systems running under
different OS on different computers, or for Workgroups to exchange data.
DrumPads Area
here are 10 drumpads, with familiar names, though you can create or load any sound in any pad if you wish so.
( So you can load a second snare drum sound in the Low om slot for example )
he 10 Drumpads are located at the top of StiX GUI, and are always visible. (1)
Select ing Drumpads : Left Click on a pad : When you left click on a drumpad, you select it, and therefore can edit it’s settings in
the Eazy or Advanced synthesis pages. he selected Drumpad will also be the one edited in the Advanced Sequencer ab
Playing Drumpads : Right Click on a drumpad : By Right Clicking on the pads you’ll trigger the drum sounds associated to each
drum pad. You can also play the drumpads on your Midi Keyboard ( C1 Octave range ), or by clicking on the virtual keyboard located
at the bottom left of StiX GUI.
Copy Drumpad : Will copy the drum sound currently loaded in the selected DrumPad (2)
Paste Drumpad : Will paste the previously copied drum sound in the selected DrumPad. (2)
Editing Drum Sounds
Each Drum Pad has its own synthesis engine, and you can save and recall any Drum Pad as a preset
Drumpads can be edited in two ways : he Easy Page, and the Advanced Synthesis Page.
o select the drumpad you want to edit, just click on it in the Drumpad area. he Easy or Advanced synthesis editor will immediately
reflect the synthesis parameters for this drumpad.
Note : Alternative methods to select a drumpad for edition : Click on its name in the Sequencer
The Easy Edit Synthesis Page
he Easy Page is populated with a few Magic Buttons (Macro Commands) that let you edit your drum sounds in a very fast,
convenient and efficient way :
11

Stretch (1) : Will stretch all envelopes ( VCA, VCF, PI CH-AUX) to make your sound shorter or longer. urn the knob clockwise to
increase the length of the sound, and anti clockwise to reduce it
If the modulation is positive ( Longer. o the right ) :
VCA Attack  Identical
VCA Decay  + Vstretch
VCA Sustain  + Vstretch
VCA Release  + V/2Stretch
Same for EV-Vcf and EV3 values.
IF the modulation is negative ( Shorter. o the left )
VCA Attack  Identical
VCA Decay  - Vstretch
VCA Sustain  - Vstretch
VCA Release  - V/2Stretch
Same for EV-Vcf and EV3 values.
Global Pitch (2) : Will increase or decrease the pitch of all oscillators in a relative way and allow you to tune your sound very easily
•Linear : Increase or decrease pitch of all 3 oscillators in a linear way
•Convergent : Pitch of the oscillators will converge until they are identical
•Divergent : he pitch of the oscillators will diverge more and more
Cut Off (11) : Changes the filter’s cut-Off (Offset)
Reso (11) : Changes the filter resonance (Offset)
Macro 1 and 2 (3) : Will change the sound according to the macro modulations controls defined in the Drumpad Advanced Synthesis
page
Level (10) : Set the output level of the sound
Freeze Eazy Page Settings (4) : Once you have reached a point where you’re satisfied of your edits in the Easy Page, you can freeze
the parameters of the Easy Page, so that their value in the advanced Synthesis Page reflects your edits. his is done by clicking on the
Freeze button. Please note than until you have clicked this button, parameter’s values on the Advanced Synthesis page will NO
reflect their true values if you have edited them in the easy page. he following controls will be frozen: Stretch, Cut Off, Res, Global
Pitch.
Note : It’s not a bad idea to save your Drumpad as a new preset with a new name after you have frozen the Easy Pad settings and are
satisfied with your edits.
Reset Eazy Page Settings (4) : Will reset the Macro Buttons to their default –neutral- position, in case you’re not happy with your
edits, and wish to revert to the original sound
Velocity Modulations (5) : When playing drums, velocity driven modulations can be important, to help make a groove being more
alive, natural, or interesting, especially if you want to get away from the familiar robotic sound of the early vintage machines, where
most often the only velocity parameter was the possibility to add an accent on a step.
StiX offers you 4 hardwired modulations responding to velocity per pad
•Velocity to VCA : Will tie Velocity to the output volume of the Pad.
•Velocity to Filter : Will tie Velocity to the Filter Cut-Off Value
•Velocity to Decay : Will ie velocity to the Decay of the Amp Envelope
•Velocity to Release : Will tie Velocity to the Release of the Amp Envelope.
Please note that : he last two parameters will help you to approach the way real drums act in the real world : he harder you hit a
real tom, and the longer the Decay and Release of the sound will be.
12

Of course anti-natural behavior is sometimes desired. his is why all Velocity controls are bipolar, and can influence the sound with a
positive or negative increase of their tied parameters.
More velocity driven modulations : Please note that you can further alter the character of the sound regarding velocity by using the
Macros Controllers : By selecting Sequencer Velocity as a source in the Macro Matrix Modulation, and assigning it to modulate LFO
parameters, or Oscillators Pitch, you can achieve a wide array of affects. ( Please consult the Advanced Synthesis/Macro part of this
manual for more details about this subject )
Step Modulators (6) : Here you can define wich parameters will be modulated by the two Macro 1 & 2 controls in the Advanced
Sequencer Single Line editor. In other words, you can change the drum sound for EACH step of a sequencer line according to these
parameters. he modulation amount can be positive, or negative, and is set using each of the amount knobs.
You can choose two parameters for the Macro 1 line, and one for the Macro 2 line.
ip : Common targets for these parameters can be the filter, or the envelope segments ( Decay or Release are especially recommended
to try ) You can use this feature for example to make an HH closed or open, depending of the value of these modulators, for each step.
The PolyStep Modulator (7) : he PolyMix modulator will add a touch of automatic dynamic variations to your sound. You can add
automatic variations to 4 parameters.
Balls : You can add up to 8 balls in the PolyStep Area
(1), and each new ball will be be triggered by a step of
the sequencer in a circular way : he first step of the
sequence will always trigger the first ball, then each
new step will trigger the next ball, until the last ball is
triggered, and the cycle begins again from the
beginning.
o add/remove balls, just click on the + and – controls
(2)
Balls action : Up to 4 parameters can be defined (3) that will be affected by the Polystep : If a ball is centered, then no effect will be
heard, if a ball is not centered, it will generate some modulations according to the 4 destinations parameters defined, following these
rules : A ball located at the left of the center will generate inverse ( negative ) modulation to each of the two parameters choosen as
Horz11/2 –Horizontal- destinations, while a ball centered at the right will generate positive modulations of these parameters. he
same apply for the vertical axis : Balls located above the center will generate positive ( increase) modulations of the 2 parameters
linked to the V1/V2 modulations, while balls located under the center position will generate negative (inverse/decrease) modulations
of these parameters. he amount of each modulation is fixed by the 4 Amount knobs (4)
Polymod Dynamic modulations : Is that all ? No. By clicking on the LOCK Button (6), you’ll add an automatic chaotic MO ION to
the balls. So the location of the balls will actually vary over time according to the initial option you have defined. o disengage
motion, click again on the button ( MOVE )
Note : The PolyStep Modulator is an extremely powerfull tool to add automatic variations to a beat. You can achieve spectacular
electronic effects with it. Or be as subtle as desired. It’s one of the sequencing/synthesis tools available on StiX that CAN’T be
emulated within your regular DAW, and it will add a unique touch to your tracks
The Drum Pad Name Zone and Display (8) :
Here you can see which Drum Sound is currently assigned to the selected Drum Pad.
Browse presets with the +- Arrows : You can browse the different drum sounds of the current category by clicking on the two
arrows located at the right of the Name Zone ( Please note that if you have previously made some edits on the sound and have NOT
saved it all your edits will be lost as soon as another Drum Sound is selected and loaded to replace the current edited preset ) he
Down arrows will select the next preset, and the Down arrows the previous one.
13

Changing the Drumpad preset : Left Click in the LCD name zone : A two criterias dropdown menu Will Display a list of all the
Drum sounds included in your libraries, sorted by category ( Snares, Kicks, HH, etc) . You can replace the current sound by another
one by selecting it in the list.
Save your Drum Sound with a different name : Left Click in the LCD name zone : Select the ‘Save As’ menu item. A dialogue Box
will open. From top to Bottom
New name : Click in the name zone, write a new name for your drumpad preset. Click again to validate this name.( Or click ‘enter’ )
Additionally you’ll find the following functions in the drop down menu thats is displayed when you Left Click on the Drumpad Name
area :
Save : Will overwrite the current incarnation of your preset ( please note that factory presets can’t be overwritten, so choose the Save
As function oif you want to save an edited factory preset )
Delete : Will delete the current preset ( Factory presets can’t be deleted )
Sort By : You can choose a second criteria to filter and refine the list of the drumpads. By default the first display criteria of a
Drumpad is it’s category ( BD, Snare, etc) , and it can’t be changed. he criteria available to filter the list are :
•Bank : Will filter the drumpads by Category, then by Soundbank
•Author : Will filter the drumpads by Category, then by Author
•Recommended Gate Time : Will filter the drumpads by Category, then by Recommended Gate ime
•SubCategory : Will filter the drumpads by Category, then by SubCategory ( Example If Cymbal is the category, Ride and
Crashes will be subcategories. IF Snare is the Category, Rimshots and claps will appear in the SubCategories etc )
•Synthesis : Will filter the drumpads by Category, then by Synthesis ( Synthesis can be Virtual Analog, Samples, Virtual Analog +
Sample, FM + Analog etc )
•All : No second criteria is chosen. he list will only be sorted using the Category criteria.
Example 1 : You want to display only the Snares made with virtual Analog Synthesis : Choose Synthesis in the ‘Sort By’ menu, then
the ‘Analog’ Kicks in the list
Example 2 : You wish to choose only the drumpads created by Sound Designer J.Doe or yourself : Choose Author in the ‘sort by’
menu, and J.Doe, or yourself, in the list.
Please note that now browsing the list with the +- arrows will cycle thru a sublist of the drumpads restricted by the WO criteria you
have chosen
Export Drums : his function will exported all the drumpads included in the current list in a single file. Current list means all
drumpads sorted with the main and secondary criteria. So for example if you have filtered your list with your Sound Designer name
( Author field) the exported file will include all the drumpads for this category (Like the snares) that you have created.
Import Drums : Will import a file exported with the above function
Import/Export function : Please note that the FAC ORY drumpads are automatically excluded from the Drumpads export/import
function, as you don’t need to export them, as they are always present in StiX.
Return to the Eazy Edit Page (9) : Click on the Eazy toggle control, located at the right of the Advanced Synthesis tab.
14

The Advanced Edit Page
In this page you have total control over the selected drum sound synthesis parameters.
In StiX, each drum sound is made with a complete and complex modeled analog synthesizer, which can also make use of samples in a
primitive, but efficient way, and of FM synthesis. he Advanced Edit Page is a bit crowded, but the reward is an incredible flexibility
to create your sounds.
herefore you’ll find on the Advanced Pad Edit a lot of controls that some of you might be familiar with if you’re used to work with
hardware analog synthesizers and samplers, or their virtual counterparts.
The 3 Envelopes : VCA, VC , and Pitch EV (1)
StiX provides two different envelope types : A traditional ADSR one, and our exclusive R-CLAP envelope model, where R stands for
both ‘Rhythm’ and ‘Repeats’.
he traditional ADSR envelope emulates the analog behavior of the RSF Kobol vintage analog synthesizers, that was famous for its
fast and snappy envelopes. he R-CLAP envelope is inspired by the Clap sound of a legendary vintage analog Drum Machine, that
we took to the next level, to make it much more versatile, and the source of many rhythmic effects.
Whatever the Envelope type you choose :
•VCA Envelope : controls the volume of the sound over time.
•VCF Envelope : controls the Filter’s Cut-Off Point over time
•Pitch Envelope will control the Pitch of the Oscillators over time (1 & 1B)
Additionally :
•he VCA Envelope always control the overall volume of the drum sound
•he action of the Filter Envelope depends of the EV/VCF amount knob, located in the Filter area
•he action of the Pitch Envelope on each of the three oscillators depends on the amount of modulation set buy the three PEV
knobs, located at the right of the Envelope Area.
Tip : Please note that each envelope can be used as a modulation source to control any destination parameters in the various
modulation engines (Mod Matrix Macro Matrix etc)
The Traditional ADSR envelope : It has 4 knobs.
A : Set the attack of the envelope ( he time to reach maximal volume)
D : Set the decay of the envelope ( ime to go to the sustain level)
S : Set the Sustain Level
R : Set the release of the envelope ( ime to go from the sustain Level to zero)
15

Time Multipliers (2) : Synthesizers Standard ADSR are well suited for certain drum sounds, and less for others. Due to their nature,
Drum Sounds mostly require very fast and punchy envelopes. o ensure the maximum versatility, you can multiply the global length
of each envelope (ie all its segments ) by a certain factor, that is specified in the Multiply Display Box. Please note : You can specify a
different Multiply factor setting for each of the three envelopes
The R-CLAP Envelope :
his exclusive envelope has been created to make a wide range of percussives sounds including Claps, ruffs, ras, rolls etc.
o switch between the ADSR and R-CLAP envelopes, click on the Envelope Waveform Button, located at the left of each of the 3
envelopes.
When R-CLAP is selected :
he ADSR Factor knob becomes a REPEA knob. he REPEA parameter set the number of alternate Attack-Decay stages the
envelope will execute before it reaches the Release segment. For example, setting the Repeat number to 3 will result in an ADADAR
envelope (in the last iteration the decay becomes the release parameter ). he number of repeats can be set to : 2,3,4 or 5
A : Set the Attack of the envelope
D : Set the Decay of the envelope
S : Set the Global Slope of the envelope (i.e relative maximum level of the different repeats)
R : Set the release of the envelope
‘Sustain’ in R-CLAP envelope : If S= 1, all the peaks will have the same value, if S= 0.5, level will increase from 0,5 to 1, if S=0, the
level will go from 0 to 1 ( he first AD repeat will not be heard)
More info : Watch our video tutorial about StiX R-Claps Envelopes : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C2toH0SimEk
The Global Envelope Shaper selector (4) :
Set the relative rate of the ALL envelopes, whether ADSR or R-CLAP envelopes are selected.
his selector has 3 positions :
16

1/ Left : Slower attack, Faster Decay and Release
2/ Center : Faster attack, Slower Decay and Release
3/ Right : Slower Attack, Decay and Release
Important note on the envelopes : Their behavior is heavily related and tied to the GATE TIME parameter specified in the Sequencer
line. In a traditional ADSR envelope the release parameter is only heard when the sustain level is not set to zero. Keep this in mind
and please read the chapter of this manual on the Sequencer Gate Time parameter where this relationship is explained in detail.
The ilter Section (6)
Deep in the heart of all analog synthesizer are filters. StiX filters make use of the famous Xils-Lab modeled
analog filters, with their unique 0df and non linear algorithms.
Filter Type : he first knob let you specify the filter type, which is simultaneously displayed in the Filter
Display box. he choices are :
1/ LP 24 DB Cem334 Filter ( also used in PolyKB II Xils-Lab Synthesizer and units like RSF
Kobol/Polykobol )
2/ LP 12 DB XXY22 Filter ( Also Used in the Syn’x 2/Minisyn’X synthesizer and Elka Synthex )
3/ BP 6 DB ……. (Also Used in the Syn’x 2/Minisyn’X synthesizer and Elka Synthex )
4/ BP 12 DB …….. (Also Used in the Syn’x 2/Minisyn’X synthesizer and Elka Synthex )
5/ HP 12 DB …….. (Also Used in the Syn’x 2/Minisyn’X synthesizer and Elka Synthex )
6/ CMBF : Comb Filter with finite impulse response
7/ CMBI : Comb Filter with infinite impulse response
Cut-Off : Specifies the cut-off point of the selected filter.
Resonance : Set the resonance factor of the filter. ( Resonance adds emphasis to frequencies that are around the
Cut-Off point )
EV-VCF : Sets the amount of modulation of the VCF envelope to the cut off point.
Drive : Applies pre or post filter drive to the signal. ( Click on the label to toggle between pre and post drive
action )
The Oscillators Section (4)
You can combine up to 3 oscillators to sculpt each drum sound.
he first two oscillators are modeled analog morphing oscillators. Morphing
means that you can morph in a continuous way between waveforms, going
from riangle (Wave knob full left) to a Pulse (Wave Knob Full Right ) . You
can switch any of these two oscillators to a Sine by clicking on the Oscillator
Label (1) (It will become « Sine » ) In this case the Waveform Button (3) will
perform WaveShaping on the Sine signal, instead of Wave Morphing.
he last Oscillator let you choose between Noise (White) and a Sample (5).
You can load this sample from StiX Factory content, or choose any Sample of
your collections. ( In this case, please note that the Sample length is limited to
2 seconds, and that it will be converted into a mono file if it’s stereo)
Oscillator 1 & 2 Pitch (FREQ) (2) : Let you specify the pitch of the Oscillator
Oscillator 1 & 2 aveForm ( AVE) (3) : Set the waveform of the oscillators ( From riangle to Pulse, center position is a
Sawtooth ) If the Oscillator is set to Sine, the WaveForm button allows to perform WaveShaping on the Sine Waveform.
17

Tip : Waveform Dynamic control : Please note that you can dynamically control the WaveForm of the 2 analog Oscillators by
assigning Waveform as a modulation target in either the Modulation Matrix or Macro pages. It’s very easy to assign an LFO or an
envelope to control the waveform of any or both oscillators in these pages.
Sine Oscillator (1) : If you click on either Osc 1 or Osc 2 label, you’ll switch them to a Sine oscillator. In this case the associated
Waveform control performs as a waveshaper, instead of WaveMorphing. o revert to the standard riangle to Pulse Morphing
oscillator, just click on this control again
Tip : When the Sine oscillator is choosen modulating it by itself (FM) using a Macro Modulation Slot can give birth to a large
variety of ‘Noise’ oscillators.
R, Reset oscillators (6) : When engaged, this switch allows to reset the oscillator phase, each time it is activated. hree positions are
available, Green, Red and Grey. When Green is chosen, the frequency of the oscillator is also not drifted, ensuring both oscillators to
be stable in time. When Grey is chosen, the oscillators are free running, like in an analog synthesizers.
Noise & Sample oscillator (5) : Let you specify if Noise or a Sample used as the 3rd Oscillator, and its volume. You can click on the
Noise 3/SMP 3 Label to switch between Noise and Sample oscillator
Samples management
Samples : If you click on the Sample name zone (5), a drop-down list (1) will display all the available Samples of StiX internal
sample libraries, sorted by category ( BD, Snare etc), including the banks you have created. You can change the sort order by selecting
other criteria with the ‘Sort By’ option (3)
Additionally you’ll be given the opportunity to load any
sample of your sample collection present on your HDs to
load it into the current sample slot. o load a custom
Sample, choose ‘Import Wave File’ (2), then follow your
OS browser method ( You can play the samples to hear
them while browsing )
You can export a Sample Bank, or Import it (4)
In this picture the sounds were sorted by ‘SubType’to show the different subtypes of percussions
Once a Sample is loaded you can use the browse arrows located at the right of the sample name to browse all the samples in the
selected category. No need to display the whole list anymore !
Please note that if a Sample is loaded, the Noise oscillator is deactivated, and the loaded sample will replace it. o switch back to the
Noise oscillator, just select it again in the dropdown list.
03 Tune : Set the pitch of the sample loaded in the sample slot (see above ). Please note that when ‘Noise’ is selected, and that there is
no sample loaded in the Sample Slot, this control is greyed and deactivated.
Important Note : When you have imported custom samples, it's important that you back up the internal sample pool on a storage
device. by exporting it (select “export bank” in the wave menu). In that way, in case of crashdisk or computer change, you can always
recover your sounds and projects
Note : All samples in StiX are exclusive material. he Wave Alchemy Drumkits were build by courtesy of our partner WA. hey were
derived from their 1st class Sample Collections, and we have added a lot of control to each of the Drum Sounds, so they’ll never sound
identical imported in other samplers or drum machines than combined in StiX.
You can hear these Drumkits in this tutorial video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d0BED-MpM3I
18

L O Section
StiX LFO section includes two polyphonic LFOs that can be midi synced. Each LFO has the
same properties, and you can cumulate waveforms. You can specify if the LFO will be free
running, or reset on each note On event.
he 6 (Six) LFO waveforms are : Sine, Ramp Down & Up, Sawtooth, Square and Sample &
Hold
In this picture, LFO 1 is selected, with 3 waveforms. (Cumulative waveforms), and the Sync
Diode is activated, while the rig Reset Diode is deactivated.
Rate (2) : Set the rate (speed) of the LFO.
Delay (2) : Set the Delay ime before the LFO will begin its action.( Note : Too long Delay times might make the LFO action not
being triggered and it’s action not being heard depending on the Tempo of the track)
aveforms (4) : You can select several waveforms simultaneously by clicking on their respective labels ( Highlighted = On ) If no
waveform is selected, then the LFO is disabled.
The Midi Sync Diode (Label Sync) (3) : Syncs the LFO to the Host Midi Clock. When this diode is ON the LFO values will be
displayed in musical values.
The LFO Trig Diode (Rst Label) (3) : When this diode is on the LFO will be triggered by each note on ( drum hit) and reset to the
beginning of the waveform.
Tip : Please note that you can use the LFOs parameters as modulation sources to control any parameter in the Mod Matrix area. If
no modulation for the LFOs are set in these pages it can be a good idea not to select a lot of waveforms in the LFO module to save
CPU
Tip : When the Trig diode is activated you can use the LFO as an additional envelope
The Modulation Matrix Area
StiX offers different modulations options, some (the most usual) are
hardwired in the Modulation Matrix, to save you the time it would need to
connect the sources and destination in the Macro Modulation Matrix.
he Modulation Matrix allows you to modulate up to 5 fixed destination
parameters with the 3 following fixed sources : Lfo1, Lfo/Noise, Oscillator
2.
he destination parameters are :
1/ Pitch of Oscillator 1
2/ Pitch of Oscillator 2
3/ Oscillator 1 Waveform
4/ Oscillator 2 Waveform
5/ Filter Cut Off
When Oscillator 2 is the source, it can’t control its own pitch, and its own
waveform.
19

Amount Knobs : he amount of modulation is set by these three knobs located just above each source label. Please note that these
knobs are unipolar.
Activating Modulations (3) : Clicking on each modulation node will activate the modulation set by the amount knob(s). Modulations
can be positive, negative or deactivated. A green diode indicates a positive modulation. A red diode a negative modulation. When the
node is greyed, no modulation is engaged. Clicking on the controls follows the following cycle : Positive mod activated Negative
mod activated  Neutral state (no modulation)  Positive modulation activated aso.
The Macro Modulation Matrix Area
he Macro Area works in a very similar way to the Matrix Area, except that, this
time, the modulations sources and targets are not fixed, and that you can freely define
them by selecting up to 2 sources (1) , and 8 targets (4) among more than one
hundred parameters.
he Macro Modulations knobs are also replicated in the Eazy Page, so its a good way
for sound designers to build some more/less crazy modulations that less advanced
users can benefit of when playing the drumkits (or just to program your own macros
and have quick access to them in the Eazy Synthesis Page)
o program a Macro :
1/ Just select the source parameter ( named Modulator ) by clicking in the Source Name Control located under the amount knob. (1)
2/ Select up to 4 targets ( Destinations ) in the drop-down list displayed when you click in one of the 4 target zone names.(4)
3/ Once the source and at least one destination have been selected, don't forget to specificity the intensity of the modulation with the
amount knob (2) .
4/ Activate the modulation by clicking on the Activation Diodes (3) . A green diode indicates positive modulation, and a red diode
negative modulation. A grey diode indicates that the modulation is not active. You can cycle thru the 3 states of the Activation Diode
(Positive, Negative, deactivated) by repeatedly clicking on it.
List of Modulation Sources : he 3 Envelopes, the 2 LFOs, Fixed, Sequencer line parameters (Velocity etc), the three oscillators
( Whatever they status )
List of Modulation Targets : Oscillators ( Frequency, level, waveform), Envelopes levels and Segments values (ADSR), LFOs :
(Rate, waveforms, Level) Filter ( Cut-Off, Resonance, Drive ), Some effects parameters
Note : LFO Waveform refers to the symettry of the waveform ( similar to PWM in case of the Pulse wf) Please note that modulating
the LFO width has no effect when the Sine Waveform is selected.
FM synthesis : he Macro Modulation Matrix is the place where you can perform FM synthesis between all oscillators. Just select
one oscillator as a source, and up to 3 oscillators as destination(s).
Tip : Midi Automation : Please note that most parameters can also be assigned to a Midi Controller to be automatized. To know more
about this please consult the Midi Cc assignation part of this manual.
Pattern Management
StiX offers 12 ( welve) Patterns where you can store different sequences & rhythms. hese Patterns can be organized and combined
in the Song Mode (Next Chapter of this manual) to build complex, sophisticated drum tracks. hey can also be chained Live by
triggering them via your Midi Keyboard or device.
20