Hi !
Some answers or comments in your text :
Conn-Man a écrit :
>
> FWIW, I think that there is a need for a back-to-basics synth like the
> old analogue synths with a good selection of knobs / sliders, two or
> three (assignable) control wheels and a good sized (assignable) ribbon
> controller like on the CS 80.
>
> Case in point, Casio just introduced a new synth at this years NAMM
> show, the XW P1 which looks like it'll fill the need for those looking
> for something to make music on and be able to tweak.
>
Nice ! I own an old Casio CZ synth, one of the first 100% digital
synths, it is much more user friendly than its Yamaha or Korg
counterparts. The news is very interesting, because Casio ended to make
synthesizers in the 90's.
>
>
> Virtual synths have their place bit there's nothing like having the
> ability to grab a knob, slider or controller and have at it.
>
> And, yes, it would be great if Yamaha made an updated AN1x with a new
> case, etc.
>
> Oh yea, while on the wish list, wouldn't it be nice to be able to buy
> a master keyboard controller with a ton of knobs, nice sized LCD
> display, the aforementioned controllers that was able to be software
> loaded so the user would be able to design & download the functions to
> fit the persons needs and wants. Get tired of the sounds, just upload
> some different ones...Total open archecture and totally
> self-contained, no outboard computer needed, only to make the sound
> changes.
>
A french (?) company called Arturia sells VST based synths but they are
expensive, i was told not totally reliable (i don't have any personnal
experience) and not totally "self contained". As far as i know they
still need an outboard computer for deep programming and of course to
load the VST plugins.
Less user friendly but even more flexible you have the Clavia Nord
Modular and Micro Modular, but they lack of knobs and they need an
intensive computer work before playing, because you "design your own
synth" and load it (if the DSP is powerful enough..) in a "blank" sound
module. I ignore if they are still in production but you can find some
second hand.
Cheers.
J.F.
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Peter Korsten
> To: AN1x-list@yahoogroups.com <mailto:AN1x-list%40yahoogroups.com>
> Sent: Saturday, February 25, 2012 7:27 AM
> Subject: Re: [AN1x] Re: Yamaha GX1
>
> Op 25-2-2012 9:37, derek192603 schreef:
>
> > I personally think that Yamaha have lost their innovative edge over
> the years, probably because innovation doesn't sell synths to the
> unwashed masses who don't edit and want instant sounds (i.e. the
> majority of people couldn't give a hoot about architecture and the
> depth of them).
>
> Presumably, Yamaha have to pay the bills as well. And I think the bigger
> problem is software synths. The niches, which probably didn't any profit
> at al for Yamaha to begin with, are now filled by software synths.
>
> The workstation concept is something that has worked well for the last
> 10, 15 years, so that's what they're selling.
>
> > I have the EX5, AN1x, SY77 and FS1R and I believe that they
> represent the pinnacle of Yamaha's innovation. Of course there is the
> DX7 (but the SY kicks its ass) and the CS/GX/GS series as well, but
> these four (EX5, AN1x, SY77 and FS1R ) are my personal picks. I am
> still dreaming of the day that Yamaha take all of the features of
> those four to make a dream uber synth, and I'm hoping that the Kronos
> is the competition that makes Yamaha wake up from the nice sounding
> but uninspiring Motif series.
>
> Don't forget the VL-1/VL-7/VL-1m and the VP-1, which is about as common
> as Bigfoot is. Some of that ended up in your EX5 as well.
>
> As for an über-synth... wasn't that what the EX5 was supposed to be?
> Although the EX5 never really knew what it wanted to be, or what the
> different departments within Yamaha wanted it to be. If you take a look
> at the schematics, you realise how utterly unsuited the thing is for the
> workstation role (one that involves samples and loading those from sort
> of media).
>
> I'd rather that Yamaha would come out with a relatively simple basic
> design, with a 4 or 5 octave keyboard of AN1x quality (yes, the EX5/EX7
> keyboard is much nicer, but also more expensive) and space for knobs
> and/or sliders. They could reuse the same case for the different synths,
> muck about a bit with the layout of the knobs, and have a distinct
> colour for each synth.
>
> And then, each synth would excel at one particular kind of synthesis:
> analogue modelling, physical modelling, FM, whatever. And it would be
> affordable, so definitely less than €1000.
>
> Would it sell? It's hard to say, and given that we haven't seen anything
> like it, that probably means that they did their research and concluded
> that they wouldn't make any money from it.
>
> But it would mean a fresh new wind through the hardware synth business.
> After all, how many reincarnations of the same Virus, Clavia, Elektron
> or miniature Korg can we stomach?
>
> - Peter
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>