https://www.esi-audio.com/products/xsynth/

 

As for me now it is Novation Xio 25. It comes into the aeroplane backpack. It is 50cm long and very light, cheap, and very ugly… So whatever happens to this synth in transport it can only improve its look…

 

Oh man, I used to have a Novation X-Station 25, I think a predecessor to the Xio, but in the same "all in one" vein. Loved it but at one point I only used it for the synth so I gave it away.

But I digress, this Xsynth looks pretty solid for someone who needs an all in one, but for that there's one huge glaring omission: lack of transport buttons. Yeah, I know the space is at premium in a device as small as this, but still, to me that's a fairly puzzling misfire.

In saying that, something like this would make for a good traveling companion for my tablet, replacing my 2 octave Alesis. Then again, I'm not convinced this could take even a percentage of abuse the Alesis has received. That fucker just refuses to die, having lived through a lot of backpacking and questionable venues of usage.

 

It's portable, but transportation is sold separately.

Does it have an internal sequencer? Most synths without one do not have transport buttons. It's mostly a controller or workstation thing.

 

Considering they're propositioning this thing to be used with a DAW ("it operates as a standalone synthesizer or seamlessly integrates with a DAW and other hardware as a versatile controller") I'd say it is an omission even lacking a sequencer of its own.

The closest device I can think of (synth+audio/MIDI interface+controller) is the aforementioned X-Station, which did have transport buttons. Not too sure of the Xiosynth which was somewhat similar.

But again, this is something that can be worked around in several ways so that's not a big of a problem, so this is me again thinking good as the enemy of perfect.

 

great is to add drum sec and bass to complete it , that user can do Jam with it !

 

I'd love a foldable 5 octave keyboard with mod and pitch wheels......

 

There used to be little master keyboards for iPhone (4?) connection but with predecessor of lightning socket. There are nice synths for iPhone nowadays. No need for the gear synths if going really minimum.

As for Xio, yeah, it is almost all-in-one (built-in audio interface with VoiceOverUSB, line in, battery powered, but no vocoder, no sequencer) mighty solid device. If it were created today it could be half of its size I think.

 

ESI XSynth - 369 €
- 25 velocity-sensitive keys with polyphonic aftertouch
- 10-voice polyphony

 

Yeah, I know this is veering offtopic, but my Lightning devices still work fine with the Camera Connection Kit. Class compliant MIDI and audio interfaces just work. This ESI thingy would be great with Animoog Z actually, as it does poly aftertouch.

 

See my avatar. https://www.lamiaottavia.eu/en/prodotto/ottavia-copia/ OK it is not a synth.

 

Last edited: Jun 4, 2025

I get it, and usually more features are good unless they come at the expense of others. Maybe someone might use this at home with a DAW/computer; but maybe they are figuring "portability" in again and thinking a laptop, so a wireless mouse or maybe even some assignable key combination on their own product. That's the kind of stuff we only find out when actually digging into the product manual for something. Half the time there already is a workaround, and the other half it is a feature promised in the magic update that "will fix everything" which somehow never actually materializes until their next new product.

 

Absolute no brainer (the whole series of Reface keyboards actually):

 

How long have you owned one for? Some of the reviews about it from users are lackluster, like it already being outdated, prices too high for a device with no patch memory; but of course there are always people to complain about any product. Physical dimensions of Reface CS are more realistic to actually be useful, but maybe bordering on too wide for a backpack?

 

I have the original CME Xkey on which this ESI Xsynth is based. Its keys produce *VERY* loud clicky sound when pressed - in many cases it is louder than the sound of a VSTi from the monitors. For that simple reason I don't use it. If you play in headphones then it may be OK, as long as your home inmates will forgive you that annoying noise.

 

Only 4 octaves and strips instead of wheels, but maybe you'll be interested (start watching the video at 7:04):

https://carryonplaying.com/product/carry-on-folding-controller/

 

Seems pretty nice, but it looks great in appearance. Clean, flat, somewhat unique and modern, but not futuristic on purpose. No annoying, blinking unnecessary distractions on the control surface. The ribbon controllers are such a nice feature in a controller unit. The low key travel distance might not be great, but i'm not sure this is targeted at people who want to do a lot of serious playing anyway. It's worth including to any list for consideration and testing to see if you like it.

Would you call a Novation Bass Station 2 portable? It's light, smaller in width than the Yamaha Reface CS, and pretty close in price to others in the general group. It's not all-in-one, and no battery power option. I'd put it on your list at least, because none of them are going to be perfect for everybody either way.

 

Unfortunately the hinges in that folding keyboard are flimsy (it is mentioned in that YT video) - otherwise I would already had bought it.