the cheap range and most of it only has preset sounds that can't be altered. I do

have one old DX-21 but it's uni-timbral and therefore doesn't do much in the way of

adding to my otherwise bland collection of GMIDI sounds. With the XS-1, I can add up

to 4 tracks of relatively good quality, user programmed sounds. And the price is

rediculous. I bought mine in Helsinki for 490 Finnish marks. That's about 100 US

dollars. I mean, that's pocket change when you're talking about sound equipment.

are so few... Nice little thing. I mainly use it for its drumkit, which imho is quite ok.

Programming is relatively easy (the buttons suck, though); the printed table

on the top-side is a good idea.

Having owned it for a while now, I think I can offer a better review now.

The actual architecture of voices is a bit wierd.

You actually have two independant oscillator - amplifier routes for each voice.

They are then mixed together to produce the final output.

The actual waves are a mixture of PCM and short sample loops.

The process of programming sounds is a bit of a pain, as you only have a

three digit display, with the parameter number and value flashing alternately onto the display (I kid you not!)

Once you are over this shock, programming is fairly easy.

The sound quality is actually very good.

Best sounds are still in the string/choir area, although the piano sounds are also worth a crack, especially for those new age type piano/string layers.

The drums are, I suppose, OK if you have nothing better.

The multis are a nice bonus, especially as you can layer sounds to get extra lush textures (although with 10 notes to play with, you aren't going to be putting down those BIG chords.