The Yamaha AN1x Synthesizer mailing list

Hi there again J,

Yeah, the JP-8080 possibly does lack the sort of thickness and depth of the
AN1x. Still, the 'Super Saw' has left a number of Virus users envious. I
like the JP's synced sounds, and also the rich overtones through to metallic
effects generated through cross-modulation. Note also, the JP misses out on
the Frequency Modulation (FM) that you may appreciate in the AN1x.

I strongly urge you to try and get hold of a JP to fully grasp its
capabilities. I find the factory patches (and demos) are hardly a good
indicator of it's fullest potential. The manufacturer's are never going to
know what exactly you like. Take the AN1x for instance: it was released with
two independent banks patches. One for the USA market, and then updated for
the European release. I believe we received the European set here in
Australia.

Regarding the 'distortion' FX on the JP-8080 (N.B. not available to the
JP-8000): It's very basic. Just one type, with a drive control from nothing
to full. It's certainly useful, but as there's just one model, it's
character is limited. The AN1x benefits from all sorts of
distortion/valve/overdrive/speaker cabinet emulation parameters. There's
also no reverb on the JP, so once again the AN1x excels. I really like the
effects unit on the AN1x.

As for the JP sounding like the old Roland gear. I've never particularly
thought so. I had an HS-60 (Juno 106) for years and didn't see any immediate
similarity. I think it's more a sales push. I feel the Korg MS2000 is the
same ie. It doesn't sound to me like a MS-20. Not bad, just different.

You can probably rest easy about any Future Music conspiracy theories. They
definitely did *not* stop press on one month's issue with a review on the
the AN1x in order to protect their relationship with Roland. Sure, FM (like
any industry magazine) relies on advertising revenue to survive, but Roland
and Yamaha are BOTH big clients, so why would FM favour Roland over Yamaha
here?

As a regular contributor to Future Music myself, I can assure you that I've
never been forced to steer my view towards a particular 'favourite'
advertiser, nor have my words been censored or edited to protect certain
clients. I'll also point out that I've never received 'presents' from
manufacturers to possible sway my view towards them. Whatever product I feel
is best for the job, I recommend, and that's what goes to print. If I find
there to be some strange idiosyncrasy with a particular product, then I'll
bring it to light. If the manufacturer doesn't like what's been said, then I
hope they damn well look into getting it fixed, or at least bear it in mind
in the design of a future product. In such a limited market, manufacturers
can't be that picky about who they advertise with. They need to advertise
regardless of how their products stack up, so it's in their best interest to
make their products the best they possibly can in the first place.

I feel that people may sometimes place too strong an emphasis on magazine
reviews - as if the magazine stands as some sort of ultimate authority on
whether a particular product is good or not. Of course, reviews can be very
useful in learning about a new product, but they must be put into
perspective. There is no divine reference out there for the magazine
reviewer to look up and discover what's good and what isn't. It's up to the
reviewer with all their experience to sit down and work with the gear and
come to their own conclusions. At the end of the day, it is just an opinion,
and everyone has one.

I sound like I'm ranting. Please don't take it that way. Best of luck with
your investigation of the JP, whatever you decide. I hope I've been able to
give you some idea of the differences between the two. I admit finding the
words to truly describe a sound is kind of futile. I don't know where those
wine connoisseurs pull their abstract descriptions for a good drop from!

Anyway, please feel free to ask me any more questions you may have, and I'll
gladly offer my opinion! :-)

Oh, and there's been a few recent staff changes at FM, but when I find out
who's the new webmaster at www.futuremusic.co.uk I'll be sure to have them
add the reviews for the AN1x and JP series, and let you know they're
available.

Warmest regards,

Phil 












From: jlevat@...
Reply-To: AN1x-list@yahoogroups.com
Date: Thu, 16 Aug 2001 16:42:21 -0000
To: AN1x-list@yahoogroups.com
Subject: AN1x and Roland JP-8000/8080 (was Re: [AN1x-list] NoirDesir)



hi! you got that FM touch ! ;)
difficult to have an idea of sounds by words.I agree totally with
your say..
Would you mind comparing same kind of patches ??
never got my hands on a jp8xx..
I sample my AN1x sounds on a k2000, but due to it's *only* 24 voices
polyphony
i wonder if another synth isn't going to  join the team.  but I found
jp's demo not so good, to close from simple tweaks of init sounds all
I've heard till now lacked thickness and depth.
here's a patch I use on the an1x,

scene2mono/unison. Split.
SYNC/FM

<-nah! won't give it to you->
shall a Jp do these sounds??it can be turn to a deep
distorted/compressed bass or an acid line in a few params!
it's based on the C64patch that's on the files section.deeply
effected  thru the amp sim.
How's the jp 8080 distortion quality  compared to the AN1??
I simply trying to have feedback on the jp's ability versus the AN1x
ability. soundwise.
don't now if I make sens..
I'd be more than glad you could direct me to MP3's of the jp8080
making  those vintage roland sounds!!
particullarly the one on the FM cd!
for you didn't know, i was listening an old album, reading my old
magazines, on that too busy yesterday,
and listening to Noir Désir, french band, well worth a listen, if you
don't know them..and that song title was "the holy economic war".
check for an MP3 on the web..  for the cabal, that's just 'cause
in that so busy yesterday, I remembered that FM59 never arrived in
the shop.And now I'm convinced it was part of a marketing plan, the
team at FM never published those reviews on the site, mind you.. I'm
sure that's because they knew when they got the an1x in hands that
the JP was not so good..1% for beeing the first marketed? that's the
cabal!! Yamaha did the an200, Roland did the JP8080.
FuturMusic has a power,and yamaha did'nt advertize enough,that's all.


J.