> By "compare" do you mean sonically, in terms of that
> elusive quality that says "analog"? If so, then I'd better stop
here, as I'd
> rather my first lengthy post on this list have some positive
content. :)
MIke:
Thanks for both your posts on the subject. As a list-member who has
heard about the expander/matrix synths, but not had access to them it
is very helpful. I hope you will continue to be as frank.
I've had the AN1X for about 3 years. I loved to tweak it and play it.
It's been my favorite mode of expression, surpassing even my steinway
in the amount of time consumed. I started trying to emulate
the "famous" analog power sounds: Rick Wakeman's minimoog, Lyle May's
8 voice and expander, Geddy Lee's minimoog sweeps, some of the Phil
Collins and Peter Gabriel Prophet 5 pads, even some CS80 horns and
strings that Vangelis did. There was always the ability to get very
close, but a difference in power and liquidity. Then I turned the
corner.
The patches are now my favorites are not analogish at all. They are
probably more like FM/physical modelling type sound that aren't very
warm but are still full of character. And in this space, I find the
AN1X doing very sweet, expressive and controllable things. To me it
seems to be very effective when not attempting to be powerful.
Will, I still want to upgrade someday? Of course. I played a v-synth
a voyager and an andromeda the other day. And it struck me that
andromeda provided a lovely compromise between analog sound and
digital control. But I'll probably keep this and buy an additional
AN1X on ebay so as not to lose some of these sounds. Also I don't
want to re-learn the controllers.
Regards,
Jerry