xpander wrote:
>First off- I'll apologize for baiting Mike with such short comparisons
>(& sweeping omissions/generalizations ).
>I have a tendency to try and put things in a nutshell as my Qwerty
>keystrokes are more "hunt & peck "(slower) than my 12 tone work
>(arpeggiated riffs..etc..).
>- I'll continue to generalize a little though......
Oh, I don't mind. I've had far worse.
>I've had my Xpander for a little over a decade (if we're keeping count).
Hah! Youngster. :)
> >> Xpander/M12: warmer low end (VCOs)
>>
>> I think that the overall sound quality of the Xpander goes way beyond
>> "warmer
>> low end" in comparison to the AN1x. The filters are smoother and
>> richer, the
>> FM has a lot more character, the modulation capabilities beat the AN1x
>> in
>> several areas
>
>Agreed- the Xpander's Phase filter was one of a kind- and a force to be
>reckoned with (#1 in the Smooth & Rich analog filter hall of fame).
>I'd say the FM tracks better on a Matrix 1000/6R (I don't like my
>Xpander tuned tight to track FM well anyway).
>Also I like to say the FM on the Xpander is more "organic" and the AN1X
>is more sterile (but nice on high frequency content).
>Although I'll admit I won't be feeling the modulation capability
>difference in the way I program (as I have yet to feel limited when
>looking for a modulation on the AN1x).
I have worked with the Matrix-6 a bit, but could never get past the
DCOs. The AN1x represents a very nice way to get that type of sound
with more control and modulation; once you step away from the
all-analog audio path, models do better in comparison to hybrid
machines.
> > I would have liked more contrast, yes, but the Oberheim is actually
>> very hard
>> to read under low light conditions. Fortunately everything is done
>> with VFDs
>> and soft knobs, so once you've memorized where the Page buttons are
>> you can do
>> almost everything by feel.
>
>Let's see how that feels....
>
>AN1X: Smooth knob rotation
>Xpander: (Stepped) click click click click click click click
>click..........
>
>Sorry- couldn't resist that one.
It blew up in your face, man. When you're trying to hit an exact
parameter value, counting clicks is way better than trying to figure
out by feel how many millimeters to move a smooth potentiometer. :)
>When (make that IF ) Yamaha produces an AN2X or some such successor -
>I'll bet Access and Novation will be playing "catch-up".
I don't think it will happen, I'm afraid. The AN1x, the PL card, and
the AN200 did okay up to a point, but I don't think they generated
enough sales to warrant a lot more work on Yamaha's part. Analog
modeling seems to be more the province of the small eggsnatching
companies than the big hulking behemoths. All the more reasons to
treasure the AN1x as the watershed machine it is.
> > The AN1x deserves its props, to be sure, but let's see where it is
>> when it's
>> almost old enough to buy beer.
>
>HAHahaha !!- excellent point. I'll have to meet you for a Pint at that
>stage (although I think a ten year AN1X anniversary should suffice-
>say...2007 ? ).
I'll see where I am at that point. Hopefully still making music...
>Very glad to have you on this list Mike..
Thank you kindly. It's nice to be here.
Kind of funny how it all works out; on the cover of the November 1997
RECORDING Magazine, we had a shot of the Korg Z1, the Kawai K5000S,
the Roland JP-8000, and the Yamaha AN1x floating in space (a real
photo, not Photoshop, and an amazing setup job it was too!). I
reviewed all four keyboards for the magazine. The Roland was the
famous one that everyone was yakking about at the time, but I now
find myself owning a K5000S and an AN1x and have access to two Z1s in
my neighborhood when I need them, which isn't often thanks to my
Prophecy. I never missed the JP again after it left the studio.
mike
--
"You sank my Jenga ship!" "Jenga ship? We're playing CONNECT FOUR!"
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Mike Metlay ∗ ATOMIC CITY ∗ PO Box 17083 ∗ Boulder CO 80308-0083 USA
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