I got a chance to really check out the software program, Reason the
other day. Reason has a variety of synthesizers including the
Malstrom, which sounds analog, but is some new synth technique. The
Malstrom synth has some absolutely amzing sounds, capable of some
very warm organic electric guitar feedback sounds. Very edgy. At
first, the AN1X seemed prettier, less agressive(not necessarily a bad
thing). Then I shut the effects off. Really increased the cutting
power of the synth.I like the filters better on Reason.The filters
sounded wetter-if that makes sense.The filters really self-oscillate
too. However with the Reason setup I tried, there was too much
latency (yes we messed with the computer buffers). Plus you need a
computer and a keyboard and it's not very portable. I also found that
with the AN1x, turning the fm amount to extreme settings (Spinal Tap
settings) gives a nice metallic feed back sound. Real sonic
mayhem.Also, it seemed easier to really program the AN1X. This may be
due to unfamiliarity with the software.Having a friend play with the
Reason synths while I played along with the AN1X was pure heaven.
So I'm impressed with technology today and if I had a home studio,
I'd definitely put Reason on my gear lust list, especially with the
nice analog filters on the sampler. Still, the AN1X nails the 80s
polysynth sound, which is what I use the most anyway so I'm not too
bummed out. Someday I'll get a Moogerfooger filter and a Metasonix
TM1 tube wave shaper/ring modulater and then look out.
On a last tangential side note-what's with all the pattern
sequencers? I don't get it.
Rainbow Jimmy
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