> Free software

This month we have an all-new update for the CM Suite – the excellent XILS 3.2 CM gets a 2022 revamp

> XILS 3.2 CM (AU, VST, VST3) is the latest incarnation of XILS Lab’s excellent VCS 3 emulation, a fun and creative modular synth.

The EMS (Electronic Music Studios) VCS 3 is an absolute classic and a great example of an early (1969) affordable monosynth. It’s also very portable, and despite its compact size is modular and includes three oscillators plus a noise generator. Rather than patch cords, which look impressive but tend to get in the way, the VCS 3 uses a rather novel plugboard Matrix combined with conductive pins to create the desired connections. Further features include a patchable XY joystick for modulation, plus spring reverb, ring modulator and low‐pass filter.

XILS Lab created a full on emulation of this classic design coupled with an emulation of the EMS 256 Sequencer and then added numerous software enhancements and features such as effects, an extra matrix, polyphony, MIDI CC assignment, portamento and more. This latest fully featured version is now available to buy as XILS 4. Our special CM version grabs the core aspects of this design, presenting them in a simplified layout.

In this tutorial we’ll start by looking at how you can grab your free copy, then run through the various aspects of the synth. As mentioned, XILS 3.2 CM is a modular design with minimal hardwired connections, so once we’ve shown you the layout we’ll move on to how you use the matrix to connect things up. We’ll then take a look at further features and some of the sounds you can make with this highly creative soft synth. If all this whets your appetite and you fancy taking a look at the latest full version, head over to www.xils-lab.comwhere you’ll also find many other instruments and effects.