The Yamaha AN1x Synthesizer mailing list

From: "Gerry Bolda" <tam_ger@...>

> Hello all,
> new to the list:

Glad you could make it!

> currently i use a MC505 and and an old roland W30 (as my controller)
> everything is usually sequenced through cakewalk.   The W30 is
> getting old, and i am going to replace it.  I have read many good
> things about the AN1x.  Can anyone tell me if i would be wasting my
> money here, since i allready have a synth/drum machine in the 505.
> My goal is to use it as a midi controller, and use all the phat
> sounds that the 505 can't produce.

The AN1x is a quite nice MIDI controller. I used it to control my EX5r,
until I replaced the EX5r with an EX5. Keyboards like the EX5 and Korg Z1
are better than the AN1x, but in its price class, nothing much is better.

As a controller, it's nothing fancy, but it does the job and I would imagine
that the W30 isn't anything fancy either.

All in all, I think it would be a good choice for you, certainly as a
controller.

In regards to the sounds, you do have limited polyphony and multitimbrality,
but any virtual analogue (virtualogue?) has that, unless you shell out major
mullah for a Supernova. Whether you like the sound is a matter of personal
preference (and in the case of this list, highly subjective opinion :) ),
but I think you won't be disappointed.

> Oh yea, i have my eye on one thats going for $600 (canadian)

Sounds like a reasonable price to me. Perhaps even a good price. Be sure to
check out the status of the keyboard, the ribbon controller, the knobs (both
turning *and* pressing), and check if there's a crackle when you start the
machine in Split mode (meaning that you switched it off in Split mode).

- Peter