Conversations with the XW Series Development Team Leaders

The most remarkable feature of the XW sound is its miraculous sound pressure impression.

The sound source we call HPSS (Hybrid Processing Sound Source) incorporated in the XW Series integrates an LSI sound source with a CPU and DSP (digital signal processor) to realize unique new tones. The proprietary sound pressure impression resulting from the use of the various source waveforms and oscillators is an especially notable feature of our XW synthesizers. These sounds, which involve so much more than just turning up the volume, provide true satisfaction. My personal favorites are the Solo Synth tones that are synchronized with the beginnings of the Oscillator tone numbers. The Step Sequencer also offers the really cool ability to use a cut-off knob after activating the DSP. Listening to the User Tones installed in the XW-G1 can also open up new directions for music creation.

The tonal development tools were adjusted repeatedly to achieve convincing sound creation.

At the start, our tonal development tools were so awkward that we found it difficult to create the tones we heard in our heads. Motivated by our repeated requests for improvement, our engineers gradually succeeded in making the tools so smart that we could create the tones we had in mind with ease. All the work that went into developing tools like these was an essential part of the new XW synthesizer development process.

We want to convey the joy of the playing a musical instrument to all kinds of people.

The greatness of XW Series synths lies in the ease with which users can create sounds that never existed before and achieve skillful performance levels. Our aim was to develop an instrument that could communicate the pleasure of playing a musical instrument to people across the full range from professional performers to people who were playing an instrument for the first time and to assure them all an enjoyable musical experience. The result is a fascinating instrument. I urge everyone to try playing an XW synth and enjoy its universal appeal and functionality.

Naoaki Ito - Head of Tonal Development