XILS PolyKB II & III
Simply the most versatile and powerful analog modeled polyphonic synthesizer ever produced
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The Sound Of The Past, Redesigned For The Future.
As synthesizers were introduced to popular music in the late 60’s, technology companies from all over the world began taking notice. And while certain synth models came and went, others went on to become classics, having been used on some the biggest songs in music history.
The French company RSF, named after founding brothers Ruben and Serge Fernandez, was a little late to the synthesizer marketplace, but absolutely made an impression once there. After borrowing and studying a now-classic EMS Synthi, they created their own model, the Modular Series 11 in 1976, and then founded their company in 1977. Their next model, the Kobol, was a programmable monophonic synthesizer partly inspired by the Minimoog, and released in 1978. It was a huge success, with 200 units being manufactured. Artists like Kate Bush, Jean Michel Jarre, Vince Clarke, Vangelis, and Peter Gabriel all became enamoured with RSF synthesizers, thanks to their design, sound and reliability.
The success of the Polykobol led to the creation of the Polykobol 2, an analog polyphonic synthesizer released in 1983. This 2nd generation Polykobol proved to be quite complex, and thus was known to be pretty unstable. In fact, the model was never fully developed by the time the company filed for bankruptcy. Despite these issues, the Polykobol 2 was heavily praised for its warm and powerful sound. And this is why XILS has reissued a digital version, called the PolyKB ll, with all the sonic character of the original analog unit, as well as a ton of new features and improved functionality allowing this vintage synth to be used to its full potential.
Introducing The XILS PolyKB II & III
The PolyKB III captures the sound and spirit of the legendary RSF PolyKobol 2 polyphonic synthesizer, including its most revolutionary feature : Morphing analog Oscillators. This feature gives you instant access to hundreds of different analog modelled & free running oscillators waveforms, which truly sets the PolyKB lll apart from the competition.
How Does The XILS PolyKB II & III Work?
PolyKB lll is a three-oscillator, dual filter analog-style polysynth with a ton of unique features. It has a built-in polyphonic sequencer, a matrix-driven modulation system, a wealth of effects, and an intuitive interface to ensure a fast and effective workflow. The waveforms of the oscillators continuously morph from triangle through saw, then double saw, then to a square wave that eventually narrows down to a thin pulse. This morph-control knob can also be modulated for all kinds of unique sonic possibilities. And of course, it wouldn’t be a XILS-lab instrument if it didn’t have innovative & exclusive features like the Per Voice modulation engines, or the giant Step Modulator, to propel it into the XXIth century. You also get two gorgeous, creamy multimode filters, self-resonating in all modes, three analog modeled envelopes, with time multiplication, and looping capabilities. All of this, to offer you a fat, warm and immediately inspiring analog sound.
Why The XILS PolyKB II & III Is Such A Big Deal...
- Three aliasing-free morphing oscillators: from triangle to pulse, through saw.
- Two 4 poles Multimode self oscillating filter
- Three Loopable envelope generators (ADSR)
- Two MIDI syncable LFO
- One MIDI syncable Sample and Hold
- One 128 steps polyphonic sequencer/TranceGate Sequencer/Phrase Player
- One Per voice VoiceXY modulator
- One Per voice SpaceXY Spatializer
