Oxium

Name: Oxium
Price: 29 USD
Author: XILS-lab

by XILS-lab · Synth · Virtual analog performance synth

Not rated yet

Oxium is a virtual analog synth from XILS-lab built for performance, with up to eight oscillators per patch and two filters; it does not copy a specific hardware synth.

It adds the Le Masque modulator, an arpeggiator and unison, for €39 on sale (about $44.28).

Best for: Keys & Synths, Bass, Sound Design. Genres: Electronic & EDM, Pop, Ambient & Cinematic.

Keywords: arpeggiator, analog, modulation matrix, warm, basses, analog-sounding, leads, lush, pads, polyphonic, sequencer, virtual analog, cinematic, classic, drag-and-drop routing, live performance, modern, monophonic, randomize, sound design, subtractive.

What it does

Oxium is an analog-modeled polysynth built for playing live rather than for copying one vintage instrument. The developer pitches it as a mix of "classic pure analog sound and modern tones" with strong real-time modulation.

Oscillators: two analog-modeled oscillators that can stack several waveforms at once (triangle, PWM triangle, PWM saw, square, PWM pulse) for up to eight per patch, with PWM on all waves, cross ring modulation, hard sync, drift and per-oscillator glide.
Main filter: zero-delay feedback design with 24 and 12 dB low-pass, 6 and 12 dB band-pass and 12 dB high-pass, self-resonant in every mode, with overdrive before or after the filter.
Second filter: 12 dB low-pass, high-pass, band-pass or a formant-style filter with modulatable vowel, in serial or parallel through a double mixer.
Envelopes and LFOs: three D-ADSR envelopes with a MIDI-synced delay stage (two can loop), and three multi-wave LFOs in mono or poly mode with sync, delay and fade-in.
Modulation: six assignable matrix slots, three prewired gestures (vibrato, tremolo, auto-wah) and hardwired slots for mod wheel, pitch bend, aftertouch and breath.
Le Masque: a drawable sequencer-style modulator with 16 zones, horizontal and vertical quantize and three trigger modes.
Performance: eight play modes (five poly, three mono), a poly/mono arpeggiator with note order, gate and swing, up to eight-voice unison with spread and drift, a modulation randomizer and three interface skins.

The current version is 2.0.1. A demo can be downloaded.

Source: XILS-lab product page

When to use it

Oxium is a characterful, playable virtual analog for leads, basses and pads with lots of hands-on movement, at a low sale price. Compared with Hive 2 and Sylenth1 it puts more emphasis on modulation gestures, with prewired vibrato, tremolo and auto-wah and the drawable Le Masque sequencer, but its interface is fiddlier. It is less detailed in its analog modeling than Diva, though much lighter on the wallet. Unlike Serum 2 or Vital, it has no wavetables, so it suits classic subtractive sounds rather than complex morphing timbres.

Best for: warm analog-style leads, basses and pads with built-in movement, and arpeggiated parts.
Genres: electronic, synth-pop, dubstep and bass music, and cinematic music.
Look elsewhere if: you want wavetable sound design (Serum 2, Vital) or the most authentic analog modeling (Diva).

What producers say

Reviewers and users like its lush sound and modulation, with the fiddly interface as the main complaint.

Computer Music (MusicRadar, 2012) called it quirky, fun and lush, praising the logical layout, the presets, the modulation system and the arpeggiator, and said it "brings a smile to your face".
KVR users rate it 5 out of 5 from 1 review (2025, version 1.56), praising the warm tone and waveform blending; it "cuts through a mix" without being harsh.
Criticisms: Computer Music found the interface fiddly for a performance synth, some controls sensitive to mouse placement, and the effects "a tad cheap".

Where to buy

PluginFox: $29 (regular $79)
AudioDeluxe: $29 (regular $79)
XILS-lab: $44.28 (regular $112.41) (Listed at €39 (regular €99); converted at €1 = $1.1355 (ECB rate, 29 Sep 2026))
Best Service: $79

Tutorials and reviews

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