The Yamaha AN1x Synthesizer mailing list

All,

I think it's a given that the lack of knobs is a sticking point when programming -- I'd be ripping my hair out without AN1xEdit.  During performance, though, there's something to be said for "less is more."  I do use the knobs a bit, but I find that I tend to group similar functions under the same knobs; i.e., Knob 1 always modifies the attack of a sound, whether it be VCF, VCA, PEG, etc.; Knob 6 always adjusts the "treble-ness" of the sound, though VCF, pulse width, HPF, or whatever; Knob 8 always adds in more delay and/or more reverb; and so on.  That way, when I reach for a knob, there may be a surprise, but it's usually not a BIG surprise!

At 08:58 PM 9/5/2002 +0000, you wrote:
>> I've read reivews on the AN1x where the lack of knobs was 
>considered 
>> a sticking point. I find, when fronting a band, between singing and 
>> all the other madness that the ribbon controller and the mod wheels 
>> are more than enough to keep track of and using the knobs at all 
>gets 
>> hairy. More practice I guess.
>
>
>I think it's partly a question of pre-arranged variation (where you 
>know beforehand which parameters you are going to tweak) versus 
>exploration (where you really are on a fishing expedition). I think 
>that if you know what timbral change you are going for it's actually 
>beneficial to have the type of programmable knob the AN1X has, where 
>you can be changing two or more things with the twist of one knob.
>
>I'd love to hear what owners of 1 knob per function synths (nord 
>lead, JP8000) think of this issue.

Regards,

-BW

--
Bruce Wahler
Design Consultant
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