Erica Synths Xenodrive

Only the tough get into the garden

The Xenodrive from Erica Synths was developed in collaboration with the Dutch software company 112dB.com. It combines live-oriented operation with the innovative features and high-quality algorithms of 112dB. The desktop device focuses entirely on distortion, Overdrive and waveshaping. In short, the perfect tool for sound design from nuanced, harmonic enhancement to total destruction. With the 12 parameters and a few more in the menu, the effect can be adjusted extensively.

The signal path starts with the input stage with up to 24db gain. This alone can amplify pretty much any sound source to the point of distortion. This is followed by a compressor that smoothes out the heaviest level peaks. The third stage is a successful germanium diode distortion emulation with Drive and Tone controls. The distortion orgy reaches its climax with the waveshaper. This Waveshaper is wavetable-based and consists of two superimposed Wavetables with 16 waveforms each, which act as a cutting pattern for the audio signal. It sounds simply incredible, and above all really powerful. With the shaper mix control, the Waveshaper can be mixed or bypassed, so that the original sound still has a chance of being recognized as such. Is that enough? Of course not. The Waveshaper respectively Overdrive is followed by a 2-band EQ with adjustable center frequency and switchable resonance (Scream). or this gives the signal its final character or makes the end result a little heavier, it's up to you. Finally, there is a noise gate in the signal path that can be used to effectively suppress noise and background noise between the level peaks.

With 100 presets, there are enough memory locations to record the coolest creations. The first 40 presets are assigned factory programs ex works, while a further 60 are freely available. Hidden in the menu is the Magic Mode, which is basically a parameter randomizer and provides unexpected results, which can of course be saved. Instead of an abrupt preset change, the Xenodrive offers preset morphing. Starting from the current Preset, you can set how quickly the change is carried out until the next Preset is fully "loaded". The options for this range from 0.1 to 10 seconds. Thanks to the full MIDI implementation, it is also possible to control individual parameters via the DAW or a master sequencer. Scream mode can be activated manually or via a pedal. The signal path is designed for stereo, but mono is also accepted at the audio input. Anyone looking for the latest algorithms with fresh ideas and an accessible user interface should take a closer look at the Xenodrive.