A Review of The Sonicware Liven XFM Synthesizer / Groovebox

My review of the Sonicware Liven XFM Synthesiser / Groovebox. Some of my thoughts, opinions and examples on using this device.
If you're looking for a full tutorial, check out this channel. It helped me immensely:
• How to Use the SONICWA...
If you just want to hear me jam on it, check this one out.
• Sonicware Liven XFM - ...
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- Matty G
00:00 Intro
00:59 Sound Demonstration
01:23 Front Panel
02:30 Preset Sounds
03:57 The Sequencer
08:57 Getting to Edit Mode
09:51 Synth Edit Mode
19:53 Back to Sequencer Mode
20:14 Some Complaints
21:40 Final Thoughts

[@microyetigus]

Very helpful video. Most of the other ones went WAY over my head. I felt like I had missed a few meetings. Thanks for making things simpler.

[@ramseydoon8277]

I'd love to see you demonstrate your process for sound design using the edit mode. :)

[@MrTomb789]

The best explanation of this aspect of the synth, love it !

[@helixrider]

This was very helpful - I am using parameter- and sound-locking heavily, but I didn‘t think of locking note length, yet! Always worked around with LFO locking etc. 😊 Will chevknit out later. Thanks, great review!

[@ChrisLodyMusic]

Hey Matt, nice to see what you thought of this. Thanks for the shout out too 🤜🤛

[@dr.yuendo]

Wow!!! Thank you so much!!!🙏🙏🙏

[@kumarjavvaji]

I've struggled to understand parameter locking. Can you do a video on how to set up a single drum pattern with multiple instruments. Thanks and great job

[@felipefs106]

I'm thinking about getting a Digitone, but this one looks very interesting too!. Which one do you prefer?

[@inthefade]

I would say it partly depends on the rest of your rig. I would not choose this as the heart of my setup, imo it's more of a character synth to add to an existing setup. That is unless maybe you're specifically into a lofi chiptune-ish aesthetic as your primary sound. I just got it a couple days ago and when combined with a zoom multi-effects it is an absolute game changer for me; So many strange textures and inspiring ideas I would never have come up with otherwise.

[@dgamusic4706]

Liked purely on the intro. Stuck around for the review and exploration…

[@MattGreerMusic]

Thanks for the like and thanks for watching.

[@modulblok-e3168]

Thank you 🤓🤓🤓🤓

[@agustinviada2318]

Hi Matt. When I try to record a chord is recorded as separates notes instead of a continuous sound. What could it be the problem?

[@MattGreerMusic]

Make sure the "tie" function (above step 15) is enabled. That got me the other day.

[@kentaccordionist]

I’m having issues syncing the xfm to other gear. It doesn’t seem to recognise a sync signal from my keysteps sequencer. And when I tried using midi the keystep will make the play light on the xfm go green, but no sound is output. Has anyone any ideas where I’m going wrong.

[@inthefade]

I don't know what kind of signal the keystep uses for sync, but there are different approaches to it. Sonicware seems to use the Korg Volca sync style. As for MIDI, they may be sending and receiving on different MIDI channels. Look up how to configure that on both devices.

[@juberberry]

So my son has been wanting a sampler/mixer since he was 10. He is 16 this year and I was wondering whether this might be good to get started with.

[@MattGreerMusic]

Well this is a synth/groovebox rather than a sampler/mixer so if they're interested in sampling this wouldn't be the one but that being said, I also feel compelled to point out that it's not the most user friendly machine either. As a guy that's been into this stuff a long time, I struggled getting used to the workflow of this one. To me, this is one to add later as a supplement. For a budget friendly sampler that's great for beginners, check out the Novation Circuit Rhythm. I have a bunch of videos about it as well.

[@juberberry]

@@MattGreerMusic Thanks so much. :)

[@inthefade]

@@juberberry sonicware did come out with samplers recently

[@lbarnett748]

The random mode really comes to life. Nothing repeats. And slower notes values makes for strings and pads Stretched out longer. So it’s really good for the money. And 1 effect as oppose to 3 with elektrons but a 3rd to 4th of the price. Aha

[@MattGreerMusic]

It's a heck of a bargain. That's for sure.

[@lbarnett748]

@@MattGreerMusic agreed

[@darrengordon-hill]

Intro is strike one. Love me to carefree fun but that a tad heavy - might make sense with further context

[@MattGreerMusic]

LOL. What's the second strike?

[@dinogoldie9716]

I love both the Sonicware Liven grooveboxes thus far (8bit Warps and XFM). I'm really looking forward to receiving the new, wavetable-based, Liven Bass & Beats some time this Spring. There's nothing like them on the market at thrice the price, let alone for two hundred bukcs. I only have two criticisms of the Liven range so far: 1) You can't go off-grid with the sequencer. 2) The Arpeggiator is tempo-locked and not free-running.

[@ElianaDAngelo]

I hope you end up liking it! I got to work on some of the patches, sequences, and wavetables for it. If you ever used Serum the Bass synth engine is very similar to it. Very powerful synth for the price!

[@MattGreerMusic]

I've got one on the way myself. Can't wait to get my hands on it. Not too concerned with the drum sounds to be honest but I'm all in for the wavetable synth.

[@dinogoldie9716]

4:48 Point of order: It's STEPS; not BEATS. Patterns can be 1-64 STEPS long. 16 steps are usually 4 beats.

[@MattGreerMusic]

In popular use, beat can refer to a variety of related concepts, including pulse, tempo, meter, specific rhythms, and groove.

[@bongjamesbong00420]

What's the difference between this and the 8bit warps?

[@MattGreerMusic]

Quite a lot different. They look the same but provide very different workflows and synthesis.

[@bongjamesbong00420]

@@MattGreerMusic I'm a beginner and not sure which one to go with

[@MattGreerMusic]

The 8bit Warps is a little easier to learn IMO.

[@System-1541]

Usually "TP" means toilet paper.

[@MattGreerMusic]

Haha. Well, that's what I thought of too. I mean, it can make pretty good fart sounds if I need it to.

[@djangofett4879]

the overlay isnt vinyl. its very thin cardstock which is very thinly laminated. its by far the most disappointing thing about this series of machines.

[@saitobishop2520]

Bla bla bla…

[@MattGreerMusic]

What an insightful and intelligent comment. Would you like a refund?