Sonicware Liven XFM Prototype - Demo 1 - Brass and Acid

Full Disclosure: I occasionally take on freelance work at Sonicware on an hourly rate producing synth & sample sound design, beta testing, checking English text, video manuals etc. This video wasn't paid for directly but as a result of my work with Sonicware it is marked as Paid Promotion
Brass and Acid on Soniware Liven XFM - Demo 1
Find out more about Sonicware and the XFM groovebox synthesizer via this link: sonicware.jp/
The Liven XFM Prototype in this video was supplied by Sonicware (obviously 😁)
Err.....surprise! I have a Sonicware XFM prototype in the studio. Why do I have an XFM prototype? Well, I feel very fortunate to have been hired by Sonicware to produce sounds and patterns for the XFM as well as beta testing this prototype. I've had it since January the 11th which is why my channel has been a little quiet recently, but I'm now allowed to share this first quick jam 😊
I've mainly spent that time doing sound design for the 'library' FM sounds on the unit. I'll have to be careful to not talk about too much what hasn't been announced but it has a fully editable 4 Op FM synth engine so I've been creating sounds for that, some of which is in this video. Everything you hear in this video is being produced by the XFM in real-time (apart from a limiter in Reaper to get the volume up for KZbin) with FM synthesis as the main sound source with the option to use filters, envelopes and lfos on through the pattern edit mode making it a very powerful hybrid of FM and virtual analog before we even consider what can be done with morphing. Don't pay too much attention to the text on the front panel as a few things have moved around since it was printed, a new version is on it's way to me as of this morning.
The opening brass sound is pure FM using the X-Form mode that can switch and/or morph from one FM sound to another. The acid line uses the filter and envelopes and I also manually tweak the morphing of the waveform between two different sound. You'll also hear drum sounds (my work 😎) which are pure FM apart from a little filtering used as EQ's. All in all this jam isn't very 'FM sounding'. It can do that in spades but the morphing, filters and effects etc means it capable of so much more. So much more!
There is a lot to discuss about the XFM which I'll talk about more as I upload more videos. But in short it's a really good synth with a lot of power, a lot of options and an incredibly unique tone that you'd struggle to create elsewhere. Yes obviously Sonicware are paying me, but I'd just bought this I'd be equally impressed with what it can do, honestly!
Please check out my other social media bits:
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#XFM
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#LivenXFM

[@DopamineOverload]

So, so dope. Can't wait til this comes out. Might preorder if I can afford...

[@SimpleHold]

Nice sounds! I had been looking forward to hearing a demo of this since the promo video.

[@ChrisLodyMusic]

Thanks. Yeah I feel incredibly privileged to be be able to upload this jam. The Sonicware founder Yu Endo has uploaded a few short demos to the Facebook page too so check those out. More jams here soon too

[@WhileWeWereSleeping]

Sounds like a proper big synth. Great demo.

[@ChrisLodyMusic]

Thanks. Yeah it's a serious bit of kit this 👍

[@chrisfalcus]

Sounds awesome glad I pre ordered now and thanks for the upload showing this bad boy off

[@ChrisLodyMusic]

No problem. I think you'll enjoy it, it's a ton of fun 😁

[@PaulBoos]

Really looking forward to getting this - glad I pre-ordered it based on what their other synth was like...

[@ChrisLodyMusic]

Hope you really like it, the XFM and the 8bit Warps are both great machines 👌

[@transition6559]

Never dissapointed hearing your songs!

[@ChrisLodyMusic]

Thank you 😁

[@DWatso]

That was epic. Been pre-ordered for some time, but somehow I'm now feeling a whole lot more impatient!

[@ChrisLodyMusic]

Thank you, I think you'll like it 🙂 I hope you like the second demo I've uploaded too 👍

[@DWatso]

@@ChrisLodyMusic Just about to give it a watch :) Thanks!

[@alitna]

Your sound design on the XFM is nothing short of amazing!:D

[@ChrisLodyMusic]

Thank you 😁

[@JoshIsMakingMusic]

Stellar. I'd been super interested in hearing how it sounds.

[@ChrisLodyMusic]

Thanks. It's really nice. It's capable of those classic FM tones but then so much more

[@MattGreerMusic]

Best sounding video demo of this synth going.

[@ChrisLodyMusic]

Thanks very much 😁

[@dinogoldie9716]

I've already preordered mine.

[@sss6047]

Bravo! Being a total novice you have helped show me what the depths of this wonderful instrument can do. Its well worth the time and effort to get to know this groovebox. Me and my Polyend Tracker thank you🤝.

[@ChrisLodyMusic]

You're welcome, glad to hear you're enjoying it 😁 I'd love to get my hands on a polyend tracker!

[@pmc5532]

Diggin this wee machine and your talent

[@ChrisLodyMusic]

Thank you, that's very much appreciated 😁

[@AdamTheAd-vanc3d]

Wow sounds excellent great demo.

[@ChrisLodyMusic]

Thank you :)

[@AdamTheAd-vanc3d]

@@ChrisLodyMusic I passed this on to Jamie from the Geosynth show. He played it yesterday . Hope you didn't mind.

[@ChrisLodyMusic]

That's great thank you. We've talked about reaching out to them so I'm sure that'll happen soon too 👍

[@bryantwalley]

Great demo

[@ChrisLodyMusic]

Thank you 😁

[@anthonyellis5517]

Really like those drums man

[@ChrisLodyMusic]

Thanks, I synthesized those from scratch. The particulars of its 4 Op engine mean it's really good at drum sounds

[@gelatinous6915]

This thing looks amazing! My one nitpick is the size and placement of the knobs- maybe use that empty space covered by the logo to space out the knobs some more and make the caps bigger.

[@ChrisLodyMusic]

Well I have no say in terms of the physical design specs, but I'm not sure the size of the machine comes across in the video. The unit itself is 30cm long and the knobs are full size at 10mm diameter with about 16mm clearance between them which makes them almost the same size and placement as on my Nord Lead. I've got above average hand size and I've no problems at all while programming it.

[@anthonyellis5517]

Solid sold!😋

[@ChrisLodyMusic]

Sweet, hope you like it 😁

[@joeyalgorithm5082]

fantastic!

[@ChrisLodyMusic]

Thanks 👍

[@TheBroDotTV]

Looks well dope and feature rich for the price!!!!!

[@ChrisLodyMusic]

Yeah it sure is 😁

[@abstral66]

sweet!

[@NoxBoxdy]

I love my Liven 8bit and pre-ordered this immediately day 1. And a free case. Just in time for my bday in May.. For 210 total w shipping from Japan...Yep! No brainer. :-)

[@NoxBoxdy]

Nice videos too btw. Subscribed!

[@ChrisLodyMusic]

Thank you. Yes it's a pretty powerful little box for the money. I've been really impressed working on it so far and it's not even finished yet 😄

[@NoxBoxdy]

@@ChrisLodyMusic well... Y'all have just 3 months to get it together for me... Lol ;-) jk.. Seriously though I can not wait. I am on a long trip and only brought only my 8bit as I find it inspiring in sound design and wanted to focus on that aspect of it alone. Now I am ready to get back home in the studio and add some drums to what I have done on my trip with it.

[@zenonbiesek3699]

How the fuck has this only got 181 likes? I listen to this in the car on my three-minute commute and it runs through my head for most of the day. Its funny when you're dealing with a complaint and that acid filter sweep is what dominates your thoughts!

[@ChrisLodyMusic]

😁👌 Thanks very much, glad to provide some refuge from the stress of people's complaints 😄

[@zenonbiesek3699]

Finally got one coming - I'm wet with anticipation🤪

[@ChrisLodyMusic]

Awesome, I hope you have fun

[@andyparle5494]

Everything you hear, may not be there, look inside your soul, listen to your heart, It might be mirage. Underground Resistance vibes!!!

[@ChrisLodyMusic]

Thanks, love a bit of Underground Resistance 😁

[@modulblok-e3168]

@@ChrisLodyMusic i nead it 🤚🙂👍🏼

[@Medniex]

Awesome! Although I really like how the 8bit version sounds (since I like chiptune), but I feel that with this you can do more things.

[@ChrisLodyMusic]

Yeah the 8Bit was much more versatile than I was expecting and this is very much the same as it's capable of a lot more than traditional FM offers

[@validcore]

@@ChrisLodyMusic what functions do you lose on the 8 bit compared to this? Trying to choose. Is there a definite winner?

[@ChrisLodyMusic]

Ha, difficult question to answer that. The XFM definitely has a lot more options but that also makes it more complex to use. There's a deep edit mode for the FM sounds for example but this is done using an overlay. The XFM is definitely capable of a wider sound pallete because of that. The looper is gone on the XFM and is replaced by 4 real-time tracks, but you are restricted to 6 notes of poly where you could layer up voices on the 8Bits, but only with audio. The XFM has up to 64 steps per pattern rather than 128 on the 8Bit, but obviously it's 4 tracks deep. Lots of swings and roundabouts stuff going on

[@Decoy303]

Def getting

[@ChrisLodyMusic]

Awesome 👌

[@SisterRose]

OOI does it contain waveforms other than sinusoids? like it sounds like it could be a good VA vox as you say but can you have a square wave? if so this could definitely be a DIgitone killer.

[@ChrisLodyMusic]

I'm going to have to wait until I know which specifies of the FM engine I'm allowed to discuss and get back to you

[@ChrisLodyMusic]

I've checked and I'm allowed to tell 😁 All 4 operators have positive and negative feedback so they can produce anywhere from over modulated square, square to sine to saw to over modulated saw to noise. I've worked out how to make PWM on it too. Plus they can be detuned so plenty of virtual analog potential 👌

[@martintaylor9205]

Hi Chris I ordered this last week but will not get until May shucks!!! Has it still got all same features as original Liven, I do hope so Look forward to your demos of Liven in future episodes Superb tutorial s👌👌🆒

[@ChrisLodyMusic]

Oh awesome. Yes it's got a lot of the same features from the 8Bit Warps and a lot more. They've been really clever in the way they've laid out the panel and it has an overlay for deep editing the FM sounds. There will definitely be tutorials by the way :)

[@t55a2]

Decent

[@SailfishSoundSystem]

That is dope as fuck!

[@zenonbiesek3699]

I keep rewatching this regularly - it is indeed fucking dope

[@ChrisLodyMusic]

Thank you 😁😊

[@defbones5597]

everything's done with this single little box?? Damn!

[@ChrisLodyMusic]

Yes that's right, all synthesized in real-time. It's a great little machine

[@dinogoldie9716]

Superb demo. I have a question re specs. it's advertised as having 6 note polyphony and a 4 track sequencer but does that mean (a) 4 tracks of 6 note polyphony or, (b) 6 note polyphony split across the 4 sequencer tracks?

[@ChrisLodyMusic]

Thank you. It's b, 6 notes split across the 4 tracks. But each track has Poly, Mono, Legato and ARP modes so you can quite tightly control the polyphony on a per track basis

[@nachshonrorick]

@@ChrisLodyMusic Can this sequence external gear too via the midi out?

[@ChrisLodyMusic]

Yeah it can. It's got 4 tracks that can send midi at their own midi channel. Each track can send up to 6 notes of polyphony

[@nachshonrorick]

@@ChrisLodyMusic awesome! thanks for the info. this beats my zaquencer's pattern length -- and at 4 tracks too.

[@Gainn]

@@ChrisLodyMusic It's a shame they don't make that clear in the specs. just a * by 6-note polyphony - but no indication what the * means.

[@Vyseblues]

This'll also make a great intro to music and synthesizer for anyone who wants to get into making music. You have just about everything you need in one neat package.

[@ChrisLodyMusic]

Yeah you're right. It's structured nicely too so a beginner could get an idea down quickly by poking in a few notes but advanced users can add some real depth

[@jm6734]

Ooh..nice low end! I think this could be alotta fun for many styles. I dare say more enjoyable than the Opsix. I'm serious.

[@ChrisLodyMusic]

Ooh do you think? I've not looked too closely at what that can do to be honest. The XFM can do some pretty cool things at the operator level like all the operators have positive and negative feedback and can all modulate each other and even create a feedback loop 👌

[@jm6734]

@@ChrisLodyMusic Just checked out the official Soundcloud demo’s of this thing and I’ll have to slightly moderate my initial enthusiasm :D Patches sounded very "samey" to me. Very underwhelming pads for FM. Still looks fun though and you sure sold it here.

[@ChrisLodyMusic]

Well that'll my fault if the SoundCloud demos don't sell it to you because I made all those too 😄 It is very capable of pads but most of the sound design and the SoundCloud demos are designed to show the morphing capabilities and the aspects of its engine that's different to traditional FM

[@ChrisLodyMusic]

I am planning to make my next demo video to show the more 'traditional FM' side of what it can do so I'll make sure I make some lush pads for that 👍

[@jm6734]

@@ChrisLodyMusic 😅 Brilliant! Looking forward to it. Evolving FM pads with a bit of grungy/ noise fx can be sweet. I wonder if it can shine for ambient patches in spite of its looks and initial fireball throwing marketing 🙃

[@moreno65ubuntu]

Throw the demo sonicware...use this instead

[@SailfishSoundSystem]

I'm trying to figure out your 808 beat pattern. It's great!

[@ChrisLodyMusic]

Thanks. It's based on an Electro pattern. I tried to find a good link to share but I can't, but if you listen to Planet Rock that's basically the same kick and snare pattern that I've spiced up with claps and a busy hihats

[@ringtangting]

Kick on 1, 7 and 11. Snare on 5 and 13. There's your basic electro beat, like the beat playing in this vid. You can add also add snares on 15 and 16. Extra kicks can also be done of course.

[@B6SiR]

How many oscillators does this use ?

[@ChrisLodyMusic]

It has a few tricks up it sleeve that I can't discuss yet, but it uses FM synthesis so it has operators rather than oscillators. It's has 4 of those per voice and a 6 voice polyphony in total.

[@DJ-Lazy-Lodger]

yeah how about this?

[@martintaylor9205]

Hi Chris it’s me again, I’m in uk 🇬🇧 67 yrs old , one question on Liven it has line IN can external Audio be processed in XFM ie feed from 8bit warps into XFM could be very interesting 🎶🎶🎶🆒🌈🕸⚡️🔱👽

[@ChrisLodyMusic]

No problem 😄 Yes the audio in on the XFM can be routed through the effects so it can be processed that way. It can't be routed through the synth engine or anything, but the XFM has more effects to choose from than the 8Bit Warps which includes filters

[@xisotopex]

is this still just pre order?

[@ChrisLodyMusic]

This one is yes as it was only just announced and will be released around May time. The previous model the Liven 8Bit Warps has been out for a while so is available already

[@scoobysienna]

whens this out in uk

[@ChrisLodyMusic]

It is set to launch in May currently with preorders available on the Sonicware website. They are a small company so are handling all orders and shipping directly from Japan

[@scoobysienna]

@@ChrisLodyMusic i may get both tbh sound goos..i may have to sell behringer k2..bought 1 month ago used once.i dont like it..

[@ChrisLodyMusic]

Yeah it's pretty cool what can be done with both hooked up. Once I get Demo 8 with just the XFM I'll make some demos with them both together. I'm kind of tempted by the K2 myself but it doesn't seem as aggressive as the Ms20 vintage or modern versions so I think I'd rather have one of those

[@Vossflying]

Impressive it’s the RAW recording ?

[@ChrisLodyMusic]

Yes it's just recorded straight out of the box

[@chaocrator]

your demos are so good! unlike Sonicware's own demos, that are totally meh and cheesy AF.

[@boriscat1999]

Looks easier to use for live performance than a Model:Cycles.

[@ChrisLodyMusic]

I've seen those but I've not looked too deeply at what they can do sequencer wise, so interesting to know this is easier live. I know Dr Yu Endo is very keen on making them as useable live as possible

[@zenonbiesek3699]

@@ChrisLodyMusic" In YU Endo"😉🤭

[@matvey35k]

однозначно лучше чем модель цайклс

[@ChrisLodyMusic]

Yes the Cycles seems a bit restrictive by comparison from what I've read

[@validcore]

Little inappropriate you not covering your hands.

[@ChrisLodyMusic]

😂 If I'd have known I was going to fall over in the snow and bash up my fingers I'd have done it just for consistency