Xils-lab Le Masque delay

[cane creek]

[StoneTape]

Worst demo in a while! Jeeezzzz plus, what a lame selling point, u could do the same thing by putting a delay on the buss and then automating.

[nott]

i like it.
i never understood, why native instruments didn't support the great spectral delay?!!

[Xavier]

Originally Posted by StoneTape

Worst demo in a while! Jeeezzzz plus, what a lame selling point, u could do the same thing by putting a delay on the buss and then automating.

Hi,

In simple words : Definitely no !

Some effects you've just listened could be done with automation, but not within a second as with Le Masque. On so much can also be done with it :

1/ The LFO and envelopes who can control both filters parameters and volume of the Delay have several trigger/reset modes, including the left locator of each mask. This is impossible to emulate using both simple (on/off) nor very sophisticated automation.

2/ Even in this demo which doesn't explain all the features, the preset with the scaled masks ( ie stepsequencer emulation ) should have retained your attention. In this preset the level parameter attached to each mask controls the Cut-Off of the filter. Here again impossible to recreate with automation. Done in 2 seconds in the mask.

3/ Le Masque can have it's own internal clock and operate in Live situation, with a tap tempo and even a follow tempo function. In live situations no automation is allowed. Facts.

4/ Le Masque is equipped with multi mode zero-delay-feedback filters derived from the models used in Xils-Lab synthesizers. The filters are self oscillating in all modes. So Le Masque could be your go-to delay with this only feature : It can behave like a regular delay and it has "the sound"

5/ If you're used to work with automation you have certainly noticed, like all of us, that modifying the automation, copying parts, making changes in automation on the whole track is a real burden, is slow, is uncomfortable to visualize. With Le Masque, you can see all you do in a very accurate way, making changes is a matter of seconds, all is fast, intuitive, powerful.

6/ Le Masque can be inserted Live on a track BEFORE you record it. It will modify the way you'll play it. It can be as drastic as it can be subtle. It can become part an intimate of your composing process.

7/ Another feature is the attack Delay of the masks, which can be envelope controlled. One of the examples in the video, with delayed attacks show this. This is also impossible to recreate with automation.

We'll post some more videos and audio examples soon. The demos versions of Le Masque can be Downloaded at the following location.


mac:
32 bits : https://www.xils-lab.com/download_fi...sx32_setup.dmg
64 bits : https://www.xils-lab.com/download_fi...sx64_setup.dmg


win:
32 bits : https://www.xils-lab.com/download_fi...in32_setup.exe
64 bits : https://www.xils-lab.com/download_fi...in64_setup.exe


manual :
https://www.xils-lab.com/download_fi...ser_manual.pdf

Best regards

[Silver Sonya]

It's super-cool, Xavier!

I can hear that the filters are exciting and I like the very creative, intuitive approach. I can see how quickly you could arrive at a surprising, psychedelic result.

Definitely want it!

cheers,
c

[backplay]

Originally Posted by Xavier

Hi,

In simple words : Definitely no !

Some effects you've just listened could be done with automation, but not within a second as with Le Masque. On so much can also be done with it :

But you will still have to automate it if you have a 6 minute song and don't always want delay at the same place do you?
So does it have a linear step sequencer that goes on for 6 minutes?
I mix a lot of dub and i don't always want my delay at the same spot on drums.

Automating the send of a snare track doesn't take that long.
Just assign a fader to the send, press play, record automatisation, et voila...
6 minutes go by and everything is ready.
With this plug i would have to automate the step sequencer, would i?

To me it seems that it does the exact same thing as effectrix, sequencer wise.

[StoneTape]

Originally Posted by backplay

But you will still have to automate it if you have a 6 minute song and don't always want delay at the same place do you?
So does it have a linear step sequencer that goes on for 6 minutes?
I mix a lot of dub and i don't always want my delay at the same spot on drums.

Automating the send of a snare track doesn't take that long.
Just assign a fader to the send, press play, record automatisation, et voila...
6 minutes go by and everything is ready.
With this plug i would have to automate the step sequencer, would i?

To me it seems that it does the exact same thing as effectrix, sequencer wise.

Izotope Stut-ter Edit does it too

[sakamoto]

I like Xils-lab trying to do something different.No just another synthesizer analog emulation plugin. good work Xavier

[LotuZia]

Originally Posted by backplay

But you will still have to automate it if you have a 6 minute song and don't always want delay at the same place do you?
So does it have a linear step sequencer that goes on for 6 minutes?
I mix a lot of dub and i don't always want my delay at the same spot on drums.

Automating the send of a snare track doesn't take that long.
Just assign a fader to the send, press play, record automatisation, et voila...
6 minutes go by and everything is ready.
With this plug i would have to automate the step sequencer, would i?

To me it seems that it does the exact same thing as effectrix, sequencer wise.

Hi Backplay,

Well as you have perharps noticed on the video, Le Masque was processing a stereo premixed drumloop, not single outputs like an isolated snare.

A lot of people have thousands of loops sleeping on their HD. Usually working with them is a bit boring because its not flexible. With Le Masque people will have the ability to revive all these hidden treasures.

Does it mean that Le Masque can be only usefull while working with loops, or is a single send/not send unit ? No

The base principle is that La Masque can extract information from recorded material ( or loops ), and be inserted for Live playing ( it will change the way you play a KB funky EP, or a clubbing lead, or an ambient pad). It will become part of the composing process.

To do this Le Masque can select audio data according to time ( its place in the bars) AND/OR Frequency content .

All the modulators are then tied to this base principle : You want to modulate the filter with an LFO : The Lfo can be reset by each Mask's Left Locator ( this is impossible to do with automation ). Same with looping enveloppes on volume, filters, etc.

Each Mask has a "level" parameter ( the horizontal bar in each mask ). Here again, this "level" can modulate the LFO speed, ot Filter Resonnance, or ... both etc etc.

The Masks are globally envelope controled, so you can modify a Mask by giving him attack or release settings. Wich will give very interesting effects. You can play with this in real time, so the track will always evolve.

Want something really spectacular ? Use the Swap button wich will invert masked and unmasked zones in real time. This can be huge.

Then the Masks can be moved, modified, shorthened, quantised, in real time. You can play with all this LIVE to get unheard results.

And to answer your precise question, the Mask has also an On/Off button, wich can be automated, or controlled via midi cc just like all parameters ( Delay parameters, Modulators parameters, Gain parameters, Masks Parameters ).

So that if we would have wanted to make only an Of/On button we would have made it, but its not Le Masque.

Also Le Masque can be as drastic as an effect, as on the first video demo, that it can be subtle, to add always changing shuffle to a keyboard track for example. I'll post some other audio examples of it in action asap.

Edit note : Effectrix is a cool plug in. I bought it too. But listen to the Xils-Lab filters and compare them to Effectrix : Two different worlds. The workflow is also totally different, as are the modulation possibilities. There are a few " different delays" like AD ones or RP ones. All different. All with interesting features and unique possibilities. Here agin Le Masque is just well ... different : Its fast, intuitive, ad it has " its sound".

Ok to summarize, I think the best is that you try it. If you're used to make dub effects etc my guess is that you'll soon find out by yourself if it suits your needs or workflow, or less. Le Masque comes with many presets : Just insert it on a track, or put it on an aux bus, browse the presets wich can be seen as templates, play with the settings, and well, hopefully have fun and inspiration with it

LtZ

[cane creek]

Originally Posted by Xavier

We'll post some more videos and audio examples soon. The demos versions of Le Masque can be Downloaded at the following location.

mac:
64 bits : https://www.xils-lab.com/download_fi...sx64_setup.dmg

Downloaded 64 bit Demo from your link however can't seem to get it to work in demo mode its asking for a serial or buy it but no Demo ?

[Xavier]

Originally Posted by cane creek

Downloaded 64 bit Demo from your link however can't seem to get it to work in demo mode its asking for a serial or buy it but no Demo ?

Oops !! sorry, I copied/pasted the wrong links, so you've got the full version.

It's fixed now :



mac:
32 bits :https://www.xils-lab.com/download_fi...sx32_setup.dmg
64 bits : https://www.xils-lab.com/download_fi...sx64_setup.dmg

win:
32 bits : https://www.xils-lab.com/download_fi...in32_setup.exe
64 bits : https://www.xils-lab.com/download_fi...in64_setup.exe

Best regards

[backplay]

Originally Posted by LotuZia

Hi Backplay,

Well as you have perharps noticed on the video, Le Masque was processing a stereo premixed drumloop, not single outputs like an isolated snare.

A lot of people have thousands of loops sleeping on their HD. Usually working with them is a bit boring because its not flexible. With Le Masque people will have the ability to revive all these hidden treasures.

Does it mean that Le Masque can be only usefull while working with loops, or is a single send/not send unit ? No

The base principle is that La Masque can extract information from recorded material ( or loops ), and be inserted for Live playing ( it will change the way you play a KB funky EP, or a clubbing lead, or an ambient pad). It will become part of the composing process.

To do this Le Masque can select audio data according to time ( its place in the bars) AND/OR Frequency content .

All the modulators are then tied to this base principle : You want to modulate the filter with an LFO : The Lfo can be reset by each Mask's Left Locator ( this is impossible to do with automation ). Same with looping enveloppes on volume, filters, etc.

Each Mask has a "level" parameter ( the horizontal bar in each mask ). Here again, this "level" can modulate the LFO speed, ot Filter Resonnance, or ... both etc etc.

The Masks are globally envelope controled, so you can modify a Mask by giving him attack or release settings. Wich will give very interesting effects. You can play with this in real time, so the track will always evolve.

Want something really spectacular ? Use the Swap button wich will invert masked and unmasked zones in real time. This can be huge.

Then the Masks can be moved, modified, shorthened, quantised, in real time. You can play with all this LIVE to get unheard results.

And to answer your precise question, the Mask has also an On/Off button, wich can be automated, or controlled via midi cc just like all parameters ( Delay parameters, Modulators parameters, Gain parameters, Masks Parameters ).

So that if we would have wanted to make only an Of/On button we would have made it, but its not Le Masque.

Also Le Masque can be as drastic as an effect, as on the first video demo, that it can be subtle, to add always changing shuffle to a keyboard track for example. I'll post some other audio examples of it in action asap.

Edit note : Effectrix is a cool plug in. I bought it too. But listen to the Xils-Lab filters and compare them to Effectrix : Two different worlds. The workflow is also totally different, as are the modulation possibilities. There are a few " different delays" like AD ones or RP ones. All different. All with interesting features and unique possibilities. Here agin Le Masque is just well ... different : Its fast, intuitive, ad it has " its sound".

Ok to summarize, I think the best is that you try it. If you're used to make dub effects etc my guess is that you'll soon find out by yourself if it suits your needs or workflow, or less. Le Masque comes with many presets : Just insert it on a track, or put it on an aux bus, browse the presets wich can be seen as templates, play with the settings, and well, hopefully have fun and inspiration with it

LtZ

Thanks for the explanation LotuZia.

I think the delay sound really good!
And i wasn't comparing the sound to effectrix, but the way the sequencer works.

I was referring to what Xavier said, that this delay works faster than automation with another plugin because it has a sequencer. And IMHO it doesn't.
It has more features than a normal delay, which is good. But if i have to automate the sequencer, it doesn't work faster than the "normal" way of automation.

Will check the demo!

[Gear Geek]

Just tried briefly. I think the system is unique and flexible but that is not the real selling point. You guys are under emphasizing the fact that this is the best "sounding" delay unit for VST out there. Nomad echo's and the tape delay on Waves MPX are the only ones in this league.

Great sound.

[LotuZia]

Originally Posted by backplay

Thanks for the explanation LotuZia.

I think the delay sound really good!
And i wasn't comparing the sound to effectrix, but the way the sequencer works.

I was referring to what Xavier said, that this delay works faster than automation with another plugin because it has a sequencer. And IMHO it doesn't.
It has more features than a normal delay, which is good. But if i have to automate the sequencer, it doesn't work faster than the "normal" way of automation.

Will check the demo!

Thanks for trying it BackPlay. I hope you'll like it, and anyway I'm curious to hear what you will think of it, should you want to take a few minutes to comment it.

Feel free to ask any questions too, and we'll try to answer

Else here's an audio clip where I browse some presets on a Clubbing stereo drumloop. Here the main idea is to try to show how you can make some variations for a part of a track, with a static base material. There is no automation for this clip, only the Drumloop and Le Masque processing it

https://www.xils-lab.com/audiosample...s_LeMasque.mp3

And heres another clip where I play a kind of funky EP ( made by NI FM8 ) with a arbitray Le Masque preset inserted on the track while I play. So the idea behind this is to see how Le Mask can influence the way you'll play a part Live. Even if it looks like a simple delay you can hear that the shuffle evolves with always some subtle variations. Wich is due to the modulators wich affect the Delay effect.

https://www.xils-lab.com/audiosample...P_LeMasque.mp3

I'll post some other audio demos later + I'm struggling hard to finish some other videos

[LotuZia]

Originally Posted by Silver Sonya

It's super-cool, Xavier!

I can hear that the filters are exciting and I like the very creative, intuitive approach. I can see how quickly you could arrive at a surprising, psychedelic result.

Definitely want it!

cheers,
c

Thanks Silver Sonya,

Yes its very fast to operate, and intuitive too.

The installers will soon be live, meanwhile the demo installers are now available. The demo will time out after 10 minutes, so you'll have to re-instantiate Le Masque after this time. Other than that the demo is not time limited. It doesn't save presets.

Cheers,

LtZ

[LotuZia]

Its released : Intro price of the beauty : 39€

General info :

Le Masque Delay

Overview

Le Masque Delay Overview

Features

Le Masque Delay Features

( a lot of ) Audio demos

LeMasque Delay Audio

Demo Installers

LeMasque Delay Check out the demo

Protection : Serial Number

Demo Limitations : No preset or project saving. No bank import or export.
No automation by midi Cc. After 10 minutes, Le Masque Delay is bypassed and must be relaunched. No time limit No dongle or serial number required

[Homunculus]

i dont want to demo this because i know that im going to end up buying it!

[Homunculus]

how is it on cpu?

[kelvyn]

Aaaarrrrggghhhh!!! Man! Not even the end of January and my New Years resolution is going out the window! €39 is a steal (did I read that right...€39) and this is what I've been waiting for. I was always a big fan of Spectral Delay (still don't understand why they discontinued it) and this seems pretty quick and easy to apply the kind of delays I like to vocals without using extra tracks just for single words or phrases.

[LotuZia]

Originally Posted by Homunculus

i dont want to demo this because i know that im going to end up buying it!

I can understand that

" The only way to get rid of a temptation is to yield to it. " Oscar Wilde

Well 39 € with the introductory price is -hopefully- "rather" affordable, in case you consider its a hi-end unit with both no compromise and character sound quality.

The MSRP will be 59 € btw so should you eventually yield to it, there wont be a better time to do it

[LotuZia]

Originally Posted by Homunculus

how is it on cpu?

On my quite antique Quad Core 9650, it takes between 2/4% depending on the presets. ( Win XP 32 bits )

A beta tester reported that on an even more antique machine ( Core 2 Quad 2.4 Ghz Q6600 ) it takes between 3/6% depending on the presets settings.

I7 etc new processors should handle it better.

Its not that much, considering its -probably- the first delay to benefit of zero-delay feedback filters, wich might be seen as partly responsible of " the organic" or "lush" sound the first real users comment on their feedback.

[Loopy C]

Well, trying the demo one major problem quickly revealed itself...a digital full scale 'pop' right after inserting and pressing play in Logic 9.1.5/OSX 10.6.8.

Also, the effect has to be manually started here before any processing/sound is output (the 'play' button in plug-in itself). It does not start with Logic's transport?

Anybody else tried it yet in Logic? (watch your speakers in case it is not a unique problem here!)

[Motion]

Fantastic creative and innovative live interactive delay, lets you put things where you want them and hear what you expect.Some very cool mod features with the threshold/locator especially buzzing the filter/rez.Great to see as well that its serial and no dongle or C&R hoops.

[LotuZia]

Originally Posted by Loopy C

Well, trying the demo one major problem quickly revealed itself...a digital full scale 'pop' right after inserting and pressing play in Logic 9.1.5/OSX 10.6.8.

Also, the effect has to be manually started here before any processing/sound is output (the 'play' button in plug-in itself). It does not start with Logic's transport?

Anybody else tried it yet in Logic? (watch your speakers in case it is not a unique problem here!)

Hi Chris,

Thanks for trying it.

So in therory if the Clock selector is set to "daw" (ie its default position) Le MAsque is synced to your host via Midi CC and Spp immediatly, and it folows the host clock. You dont have to bother with the start/stop buttons in this case (unles you want it of course, but the on/off button might be easier to automate ). The start/play buttons are here to work in live situations, and togther with the tap tempo function, wich means Le Masque in this case generates its own clock.

This said, Le Masque has been tested under a lot of host/system/OS32/64 configurations, but it might be a bug as well yiou have unfortunately experienced.

It would be very usefull if you could add the following details so that we can trace the eventual bug more accurately : 32 or 64 bits, and wich version of the Mask did you install ? Full or Demo and also 32 or 64 ?

We'll then report and give feedback asap.

[Loopy C]

Thanks for reply (I did send a support email with a few more details but let me complete that here):

Logic 9.1.5 - 32 bit mode/OSX 10.6.8

LeMasque demo (32 bit version).

It would seem that the Spp is not being received in the demo? I checked my settings but seems everything is on/unfiltered unless it is something specific I missed in Logic? As I noted, their simply is no sound at all until I hit start/stop in plug-in (and it was in 'Daw' srtting per your 'Insert' bank of presets). Once I manually start it I can see the 'transport' dot move but NOT before (i.e. no movement/sound with DAW start only).

Any thoughts on the initial 'pop'? It only happens after I first insert in audio track and then press Logic 'start' the first time...maybe something to do with above lack of Spp reception and lack of actual processing thereof?? Also, maybe just the demo which may explain why it wasn't seen in beta? Maybe disabling automation in demo affected something?

I will attempt to try on my Leopard system a little later and see if it is the same problem.

Thanks again in advance, it looks to be a very unique idea and I look forward to trying it when it is 'safe' for my speakers ;-)

[Sweep1]

Originally Posted by StoneTape

Worst demo in a while! Jeeezzzz plus, what a lame selling point, u could do the same thing by putting a delay on the buss and then automating.

I'm glad it's not just me. I didn't get much from the demos either.

On the positive side I've demoed several XILS products myself,* so I'll have a go at doing something with this device and put my money where my mouth is by seeing if I can come up with something interesting. I have a lot of faith in Xavier Oudin and I feel sure this device can do something worthwhile.

(*XILS 3: Zylis, The Red Book, St Wynefrede's Well etc. PolyKB: Notre Dame. Synthix: Voldemort)

[LotuZia]

Originally Posted by Loopy C

Thanks for reply (I did send a support email with a few more details but let me complete that here):

Logic 9.1.5 - 32 bit mode/OSX 10.6.8

LeMasque demo (32 bit version).

It would seem that the Spp is not being received in the demo? I checked my settings but seems everything is on/unfiltered unless it is something specific I missed in Logic? As I noted, their simply is no sound at all until I hit start/stop in plug-in (and it was in 'Daw' srtting per your 'Insert' bank of presets). Once I manually start it I can see the 'transport' dot move but NOT before (i.e. no movement/sound with DAW start only).

Any thoughts on the initial 'pop'? It only happens after I first insert in audio track and then press Logic 'start' the first time...maybe something to do with above lack of Spp reception and lack of actual processing thereof?? Also, maybe just the demo which may explain why it wasn't seen in beta? Maybe disabling automation in demo affected something?

I will attempt to try on my Leopard system a little later and see if it is the same problem.

Thanks again in advance, it looks to be a very unique idea and I look forward to trying it when it is 'safe' for my speakers ;-)

Hi Chris,

After some investigations we found some things regarding your tools configuration and hopefully some good news asap

LtZ

[LotuZia]

Originally Posted by Sweep1

I'm glad it's not just me. I didn't get much from the demos either.

On the positive side I've demoed several XILS products myself,* so I'll have a go at doing something with this device and put my money where my mouth is by seeing if I can come up with something interesting. I have a lot of faith in Xavier Oudin and I feel sure this device can do something worthwhile.

(*XILS 3: Zylis, The Red Book, St Wynefrede's Well etc. PolyKB: Notre Dame. Synthix: Voldemort)

Hi Sweep,

Yeah I love all your demos.

I hope you'll find "something" for you in Le Masque. Just give it a try, and hopefully we will have another beautiful audio clip from you/

I wont reiterate the answer I made to the gentleman you quoted. Try it for your self and see if it can inspire you.

[Sweep1]

Originally Posted by LotuZia

Try it for your self and see if it can inspire you.

I feel sure it will. Incidentally my comment was really more related to the demos on the XILS website than the one here. But in general I think what's needed for demos is as wide a range of different musical applications as possible. I do think the demo here and the XILS site ones are potentially useful for many users, and especially people who process drum machine loops. I can see why they might not appeal to someone who doesn't, though, especially as I come into that category myself.

I always think there's room for demos relating to existing styles that many people want to work with, and also demos exploring new areas that haven't been developed yet. So I can understand someone saying "But I can already do that with such-and-such-a-device-I-already-have" when it comes to existing styles of music. That may be great for some people but a turn-off for others. So yes, I'll see if I can fill a gap by coming up with something a bit different in addition to what's already out there.

[Loopy C]

Originally Posted by LotuZia

Hi Chris,

After some investigations we found some things regarding your tools configuration and hopefully some good news asap

LtZ

Yes, thank you. Xavier has been in touch about new demo which solves 'Start/Spp' problem in Logic and hopefully having duplicated 'pop' will nail that soon also ;-)

I will say again, I think it looks to be a very nice/unique combination of gating and delay rolled into one with many possibilities via automation and modulation options, and from what I have heard also great sounding (creamy delay, smooth gating, etc)...look forward to a better demo session once 'pop' problem is nailed.

Thanks again for the prompt private response and support on this issue, these things happen and I am encouraged despite initial glitches by how the situation has been handled...in this case a 'support grade' of A++ is appropriate I think :D