The Yamaha AN1x Synthesizer mailing list

From: "Andrea TONI" <Andrea.Toni@...>

> I always wanted to have an ex5 but don't want to pay a fortune for it
> I found the an1x cheap so I am happy for the moment but ...

Ah, you should have got one in the sales. Maybe they'll go away cheap now,
now that they've also been officially discontinued in the US.

> can any ex5 owner comment on how different is sonically
> the an1x part on the ex5 ?

Archictecture-wise, they are completely identical. It goes as far as that
the AN part has its own filters, different from the filters on the AWM part
of the EX5.

I would imagine that the EX5 has quieter outputs, although both are quite
good when I listen through my (digital) mixer and studio headphones. The
effect section in the EX5 is notably better equiped than its counterpart in
the AN1x.

Many of the AN1x factory voices can be found in the EX5. If I compare one of
my favourites (Earth Lead) it sounds *almost* completely the same. I think
the difference lies in the effect section.

> a lot ? some ? not at all ? same synthesis parameter ?
> I know it is only 5 voice poly but is that the only difference?

As a matter of fact, the EX5 AN part is only either duophonic with a single
voice, or monophonic with layered voices. If you're looking for a VA synth,
don't buy the EX5. It's as simple as that.

> for example playing with soundiver ex5 module it looks like lfo2
> on the an1x part has 2 waveform rather then 1

I haven't gone that far, but as far as I can tell, they're identical. It
could be that there are minute differences, like the cross-modulation found
in the later Yamaha AN synths (PLG150AN, AN200) but I've never heard of
those.

Having said that, the EX5 is a wonderful synth, and complements the AN1x
really well. (I've got both an AN1x and a silver EX5.) The sound of the EX5
is really, really good. I mean, we're talking seriously good here. It also
has a very good keyboard (far better than the one of the AN1x, which isn't
too bad to start with), more controllers, wheels, and an easier reachable
ribbon controller.

The EX5, however, is let down by a couple of irritating bugs and design
flaws. This makes it very suitable as a supersynth, but if you want to use
it as a workstation, you might want to look at a Motif instead.

Bottom line: I'd rather sell my car than either the EX5 or the AN1x.

- Peter