FAQs

The Special Xylosynth has 7 jack inputs, 4 of which can be used for expression pedals/drum pads. The Standard has 5 jack inputs which are on/off type only.
The Special has more programming power and can send all MIDI cc messages (such as pitch bend).
Only the Special has the new feature where you can assign any note number (pitch) to any key so you don’t have to play chromatically. For example, you can create a Timpani set up at the bottom of the keyboard.
The Special allows you to adjust the dynamics to suit your playing and types of mallets.
The Special can store 25 song lists (useful for performances), the Standard can store one song list.
The Special has 200 configurable patches, the Standard has 128.

You can download all of the manuals for the 2, 3, folding 4 & 5-octave Xylosynth directly from our website:

• XS7s-3 Octave Special Birch and Bubinga Manual
• XS7-3 Octave Standard Birch and Bubinga Manual
• XS7-4 Octave Birch and Bubinga Manual
• XS7s-4 Octave Special Birch and Bubinga Manual
• XS7s-5 Octave Special Birch and Bubinga Manual
• XS7-5 Octave Standard Birch and Bubinga Manual
• German XS7s-4 Octave Special Birch and Bubinga Manual
• German XS7-4 Octave Standard Birch and Bubinga Manual

Each key is individual and can be sent back for repair so if you have time to send the key for repair (we can repair and dispatch same day) then this is the cheapest option. If people are depending on you then  a spare key might be good just in case. Although if time is tight you can always move a less used key into position. The keys are very robust so this may never be an issue. However, all parts and labour are guaranteed for 2 years including keys.

We try to dispatch within 4 weeks of date of order. Transit time varies according to where you are in the world, from next day (UK) up to 5 days. We always try to do our best!

We require payment on order (unless a long lead time has been quoted). The usual method is bank transfer. We use the foreign exchange specialist Wise so you can normally pay into an account in your own currency with no or minimal bank charges. We also accept cheques but they take longer to clear. We can take credit card payment through Paypal but it may incur an additional charge.

The sustain pedal is just a ‘normally open’ (on/off type) pedal. When depressed the notes sustain, when the pedal is released the notes stop sustaining. Our sustain pedal is very good quality, 14″ long and easy to find on the floor. However, you don’t have to buy our pedals, any ‘normally open’ or ‘normally closed’ pedal will work with the Mk7 Xylosynth.

All our Xylosynths now come with internal sounds.  They consist of the usual 128 General MIDI sounds (see manuals above for a list of sounds) plus a percussion set in MIDI channel 10. They are of average quality but inexpensive and very easy to use and they do not stop you from accessing external sounds at any time (via the 5 Pin Din ‘MIDI out’ socket to devices with a ‘midi in’ such as a sound module or via the USB communication socket for easy connection to laptop/mac/ipad/etc based sounds).

The solid hardwood Bubinga keys are similar in appearance to traditional Rosewood. Slightly denser than the Birch they have a certain ‘gravitas’ when struck, although the difference is slight. Like any solid wood keys they should not be left next to radiators or left out to suffer large changes in temperature or humidity. Cover at night if left in large auditoria or theatres. The Birch/Stained Birch keys are a laminated hardwood and slightly more sensitive when struck although the difference is slight.  The Birch keys are easier to make and are accordingly less expensive. They are polyeurathane coated and not so temperature and humidity sensitive so you can rest easy about day to day care. The Stained birch are a less expensive option for a traditional look.