A two-in-one license for XILS-lab’s XILS 5000 and XILS 201 vocoders, offering detailed emulations of classic analog hardware for creative voice and sound processing.
Purpose and Heritage
The Analog Vocoders Bundle delivers two distinct vocoder emulations in a single license. The XILS 5000 draws inspiration from the EMS 5000, a 1976 flagship, while the XILS 201 models an ultra-rare hardware unit renowned for its exceptional intelligibility. Both aim to capture the organic character and clarity of their analog counterparts.
These vocoders are designed for musicians and sound designers seeking authentic analog coloration. They excel at processing voice through carrier signals, creating the robotic or choral effects heard in productions by Kraftwerk, Herbie Hancock, and Daft Punk’s Random Access Memories, per the publisher.
XILS 5000 Capabilities
The XILS 5000 offers a matrix patch area (22×22 or 20×20), two synthesizer cores with dual VCS3-modeled oscillators each, plus noise, two LFOs, and a VCA-ADSR per core. It includes both 22-band and 20-band filter vocoders, with stereo analysis and synthesis for richer spectral processing.
Additional tools include a side chain for external carrier audio, an analog-like pitch tracker, an input gate for noise reduction, a voice/unvoice detector, a full output mixer, and a frequency shifter effect. A virtual keyboard saves with presets, and all parameters accept MIDI control.
XILS 201 Features
The XILS 201 provides two 20-band filter banks, each processing incoming signals (like voice, drums, or synths) or an internal carrier. Its internal analog synthesizer generates a characteristic carrier tone, while an external carrier input allows using your own sounds. Each carrier has its own oscillator and noise generator.
A distinctive feature is “Silence Bridging,” a multiband frequency-dependent envelope follower that shapes gain based on harmonic content, adding contour to percussive material. It also includes four effects—reverb, delay, chorus, phaser—each with complete input routing, automatic input gain control, and an analog-like pitch tracker.
Workflow and Applications
Both vocoders feature a standard single-panel interface for easy access, with a logo center panel revealing advanced parameter views for deep experimentation. Beginners can start with included presets, while veterans explore dozens of tweakable settings. All parameters are MIDI-controllable, simplifying automation in a DAW.
Common workflows include routing vocals through the vocoder with a synth carrier for classic effects, or applying Silence Bridging to rhythmic tracks to enhance dynamics. Use the external carrier input to process drum loops or other instruments, expanding beyond typical voice applications.
Key features
- XILS 5000 includes 22-band and 20-band vocoders with stereo analysis
- XILS 5000 has two VCS3-modeled oscillator cores with LFOs and ADSR
- XILS 201 features two 20-band filter banks with single-band bypass
- Silence Bridging multiband envelope follower for percussive material
- Four effects (reverb, delay, chorus, phaser) in XILS 201
- All parameters are MIDI controllable in both vocoders
- Presets and virtual keyboard for XILS 5000
Best for
Ideal for electronic music producers, film scorers, and sound designers who need versatile analog-style vocoding. It suits users wanting both the detailed matrix-based XILS 5000 and the simpler, intelligible XILS 201 for voice effects, and offers creative processing of drums and external synths.