The Yamaha AN1x Synthesizer mailing list

I got a chance to really check out the software program, Reason the 
other day. Reason has a variety of synthesizers including the 
Malstrom, which sounds analog, but is some new synth technique. The 
Malstrom synth has some absolutely amzing sounds, capable of some 
very warm organic electric guitar feedback sounds. Very edgy. At 
first, the AN1X seemed prettier, less agressive(not necessarily a bad 
thing). Then I shut the effects off. Really increased the cutting 
power of the synth.I like the filters better on Reason.The filters 
sounded wetter-if that makes sense.The filters really self-oscillate 
too. However with the Reason setup I tried, there was too much 
latency (yes we messed with the computer buffers). Plus you need a 
computer and a keyboard and it's not very portable. I also found that 
with the AN1x, turning the fm amount to extreme settings (Spinal Tap 
settings) gives a nice metallic feed back sound. Real sonic 
mayhem.Also, it seemed easier to really program the AN1X. This may be 
due to unfamiliarity with the software.Having a friend play with the 
Reason synths while I played along with the AN1X was pure heaven.

So I'm impressed with technology today and if I had a home studio, 
I'd definitely put Reason on my gear lust list, especially with the 
nice analog filters on the sampler. Still, the AN1X nails the 80s 
polysynth sound, which is what I use the most anyway so I'm not too 
bummed out. Someday I'll get a Moogerfooger filter and a Metasonix 
TM1 tube wave shaper/ring modulater and then look out.

On a last tangential side note-what's with all the pattern 
sequencers? I don't get it.

Rainbow Jimmy
http://www.spaceanimals.com
http://www.mp3.com/spaceanimals