Product Spotlight: Way Out Ware KikAXXE

Product Spotlight: Way Out Ware KikAXXE

24 April, 2008 | 12.00PM

• Section: Music News Topics: Guide To Synthesis, Technology
• Written by: francispreve

I’m an analog guy.

Sure, I’ve used a ton of softsynths over the years, but ever since I picked up a Prophet 08 and dug my SH101 out of the garage, I’ve become increasingly finicky about virtual analog emulations.

So when I stumbled upon a virtual ARP softsynth made by a tiny one-man operation out of San Luis Obispo called Way Out Ware, I was intrigued.

Way Out Ware’s products are so impressive that they’ve even got the support of M-Audio behind them as their worldwide distributor.

Let’s take a look at this beastie. 

Overview

The KikAXXE is more than just an analog synth emulation, it’s also a bit of a Swiss army knife when it comes to production tools.

The main portion of the plug-in is a recreation of a rare and classic ARP monosynth called the Axxe.

Below is a picture of the original synth.

And here is a video for the original synth in action:

In addition to responding to MIDI info within a DAW, the KikAXXE includes an integrated step-sequencer for creating cyclical patterns that can then be transposed via MIDI information.

Like its namesake, the KikAXXE provides an audio input for its filter section, so you can use it as an effect in your DAW software.

As if all that weren’t enough, the Axxe also includes a drum machine offering a few features that set it apart from the pack.

Synth

The original Axxe wasn’t a particularly complex synth, but it had a unique sound, thanks to the way its features were implemented.

Pictured above is the synth section of the KikAXXE.

The signal path is classic analog, with an oscillator and noise generator, followed by a lowpass filter, followed by an amplifier controlled by a standard ADSR envelope.

In addition, there’s an LFO which can be synced to tempo and used to modulate various parameters including pitch, filter cutoff and oscillator pulse width.

The oscillator section is rather unique in that you can blend the sawtooth and square/pulse waves to create textures that are a bit different than the norm.

What’s more, the above mentioned pulse width control lets you transform the square wave into a much wider range of tones.

In fact, modulating the pulse width via the LFO or ADSR envelope can yield some really dynamic effects.

The filter is one of the best I’ve ever heard on a softsynth – and after years of reviewing software for Keyboard Magazine, I’ve used a lot of softsynths.

With the resonance up, the filter is downright juicy and can even self-oscillate, which means it’s amazing for funky, zappy sounds.

Note: Self-oscillation also means that when tuned to the keyboard via the Kbd CV (keyboard tracking) control, you can use the resonance as a second sine wave oscillator.

Using more conventional settings, the filter oozes warmth, making it perfect for sculpting big, round bass riffs.

Another nifty feature is the “easy” mode (pictured above), which simplifies the interface so that novices can edit or create new sounds without having to master the intricacies of synthesizer programming.

But the proof is in the realism.

Going head to head with my analog rig, the KikAXXE was surprisingly capable with nice, beefy lows.

And of special note to Beatporters… When the LFO and envelope are applied to pitch, it’s possible to generate some incredibly modern textures like wiggly Deadmau5 basses and swooping Acquaviva leads.

In fact, as I was demoing it for some buddies, I absentmindedly created the main sound from Mescal Kid’s “Magic”.

This synth is a knockout.

Sequencer

In addition to the tone generation engine described above, the KikAXXE includes a step sequencer for creating old school synth loops with a character that’s unlike the usual MIDI piano roll type editor and more like a TB303.

If you’ve ever used the Matrix sequencer in Propellerhead Reason, you’ll immediately be familiar with the functionality.

As seen in the above image, a set of sixteen sliders allows you to set the pitch for each step in a one-measure sequence and play them back synchronized to your sequencer’s tempo.

You can easily set the sequencer to skip steps — which creates a rest — or have a cycle that’s shorter than sixteen steps, which is great for creating loops with exotic rhythms.

Another feature that has a big impact on the sequencer’s usefulness is the easily overlooked length control.

This governs the duration of all steps, with higher values holding notes for longer periods.

Its uses may not seem that significant at first glance, but the length control is really handy for creating loops that grow and evolve over the course of a track, especially when automated in your arrangement.

At this point, it’s worth mentioning that nearly every parameter in KikAXXE can be automated within your DAW.

I used it in Ableton Live and was blown away by the fact that all available parameters were neatly labeled and ready to be automated within Live… Even via Live’s Clip Envelopes!

The attention to detail is remarkable.

Drums

On top of the synth functionality, the KikAXXE includes a capable little drum machine.

In the above image of the drum section, there’s a TR-style interface that allows you to quickly program custom grooves, but the clincher is the fact that every drum has its own filter and associated LFO.

Using these, you can modify the character of each drum individually, which allows for some interesting customizations of the included bank of six kits.

The only downside is that there’s no option for loading your own drum sounds.

Since pretty much every DAW includes its own sampling drum machine these days, it’s really not a deal breaker, but I must admit it would have been nice.

Effects

As if all of this wasn’t enough, the KikAXXE can also be used as an insert effect, allowing audio tracks to be sent through its filter and integrated tape delay emulation.

Considering how good the filter sounds, this is the perfect cherry for an already delicious sundae.

Conclusions

In case you haven’t guessed, Way Out Ware’s KikAXXE is a total winner from start to finish.

And I’m not the only one who thinks so.

I turned Josh Gabriel on to it last week and he called me the next day saying, “Wow. The KikAXXE is definitely the softsynth on my computer with the most soul.”

As someone with his own formidable collection of vintage analog gear, that’s really saying something.

So… At this point, I’m going to drop a major bomb.

The KikAXXE has an MSRP of $69.99.

I also want to take a moment to get on my soapbox here.

KikAXXE is the creation of a single programmer, Jim Heintz, working out of his office.

KikAXXE is priced so low because Jim wanted to get a great analog softsynth into as many hands as possible at a price that made piracy seem ridiculous.

So check out the 30-day trial demo and if you’re as blown away as we are, then buy it.

Or, if you’d prefer a boxed version with paper documentation, you can head over to M-Audio’s website and purchase it there.

Just don’t steal it.

Supporting independent grass-roots projects like this is what our community is all about.

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