The Yamaha AN1x Synthesizer mailing list

From: "Thomas" <tomfinegan@...>

> --- In AN1x-list@y..., "Peter Korsten" <peterk@i...> wrote:
> > That's the trouble with Yamaha: all their synths complement each
> other so
> > wonderfully, and before you know you end up with only Yamaha. :)
> lol...true and the ones you named have each of them alone excellent
> and unique sound. But together, geeez...

Apart from their stock synths, once in a while Yamaha comes out with these
completely over-the-top and impossibly expensive synths. And I'm not talking
about the DX1 or the VL1 here. Examples are the GX1 (660 kilos of organ and
speakers), the FX1 (the same thing but with FM synthesis) and the VP1 (16
voice polyphonic VL synth).

For instance, the GX1 has keys that you can wiggle sideways for extra
expression. And it has a knee controller.

> Well, i am waiting for a FS1000, or something like that, another FM-
> keyboard synth. So far i am fine with my NordMM, AN1x, RS7000 and
> Xbase. Still i miss those FS sounds...Relaxxx is indeed a really nice
> one...

I got the impression that Yamaha is concentrating on AWM synths, while
providing their 'special' synthesis methods as PLG cards.

Then again, the PLG150AN and PLG150DX boards have been put in a desktop
module, the AN200 and DX200.

Still I don't have a clue what they have up their sleeve... The Motif is
clearly a very capable workstation, but in some aspects it's inferior to the
EX5, for instance in regards to polyphony. And an instrument like the FS1r
seems like a one-off - at least for now.

What I really wouldn't mind is an update to their AN technology: while
maintaining the distinctive Yamaha sound, they could increase the number of
oscillators, for instance, or add extra filters. And I *really* wouldn't
mind a 30 voice, eight part multitimbral AN keyboard or rack, with an mLAN
option and optionally PLG slots. Then again, they canned the AN1r (rack
version).

> The EX5 'Relax'.. is this something different than the AN1x 'Relaxx'?
> Or did they used the AN-part of the EX?

No, it's actually a performance with the two pad sounds 'OberWeich' and
'Clear Bell' (the latter with an arpeggiator). It sounds like it uses the
FDSP 'water' effect, but it actually doesn't. Very nice sound, very smooth
and evolving.

- Peter