The Yamaha AN1x Synthesizer mailing list

From: <teomi@...>

> i agree with you all that this board is one of the most great
> sounding of all analog like synths...the only thing that kills me is
> that it's not really a multitimbral unit (only 2 when in dual mode)
>
> doesn't it make you angry sometimes that is doesn't have this
> capability??

Nope. After all, most 'true' analogue synths aren't polyphonic, let alone
multi-timbral. This is the instrument you bought. Nobody ever complained
about a trumpet being monophonic, eh?

> my question is , is there a yamaha unit out there that uses the same
> technology as the an1x but is at least 8 multi. ??

No Yamaha. The EX5 uses AN technology, but at one fifth of the AN1x's
capacity. The sample part sounds excellent, though.

If you want a analogue-esque synth with lots of multi-timbrality, have a
look at a Access Virus (B) or a Novation Supernova. These are excellent
sounding instruments, with better specs than the AN1x - I won't comment on
how good they sound, since that is largely a matter of personal preference -
and, consequently, at a considerably bigger price tag.

You could ask yourself if you really want that much analogue equipment,
since it limits you in the range of sounds you can create. For some or other
reason, many people seem to think that analogue synthesis - that is,
substractive synthesis with wobbly simple oscillators - is superiour to
sample-based synthesis, perhaps not knowing that the two are largely
identical.

Find an instrument that sounds good, without worrying too much about how the
sound is actually generated. Examples of the currect high-end sound
generators are the Korg Triton series, and the Roland JV/XV/XP series.
(Yamaha, after they discontinued the EX series, have no real top-end model.)
You may notice that they blow you out of the water.

> how do you guys deal with this fact when doing a whole sequence with
> overdubs etc??

I think I don't have enough the equipment, and I haven't found a way to
record audio and MIDI that I can get along with. For the rest, I intend to
buy some more pieces of equipment so that I don't have to do overdubs at
all.

- Peter