The Yamaha AN1x Synthesizer mailing list

Hi,
I'm new to this list and already have a question to raise. I 
searched the archives but found nothing that comes close to 
answering my question:

only recently I started to experiment with hooking up my equipment 
to a PC sequencer. The main idea is that I need some external Midi 
clock signal to trigger all of my synths plus an audible click for 
my drummer.

Since I use sequencer patterns from my AN1x in various songs I 
started with the Yamaha, but had to realise that the timing is far 
from being steady and tight: if I use a very simple pattern (one 
note every eigth) and set its tempo to "Midi" there are audible 
jumps and delays, and if I start to play around with some 
controllers (esp. the ribbon) this is getting even worse!

Since I first had used a rather antique Toshiba notebook running 
under Win98, using Cubase VST 3.7 as a triggering sequencer I 
thought that maybe I had severe CPU problems, although Cubase's 
metronom was VERY tight. So last night I tried a slightly more 
powerful PC (PII 450MHz, running Win2k; for testing purposes 
triggering comes from Midi-Ox; no other apps are running). Result: 
the same - jumps and delays.

My question:

is there a known problem within the AN1x's Midi timing when the 
machine is being triggered externally? Would this probably be much 
better using a hardware sequencer or drum box or whatever?

And while we're at it: what I really would be looking for is some 
small stand-alone machine, something like a Midi metronome that can 
deliver audible clicks plus a very tight Midi signal. Set a Midi 
clock speed in BPM, connect it to a headphone amplifier plus a Midi 
patchbay, and of it goes. Are there any machines like this around?

Feel free to answer to the group or my mail address.

Thanks for any help!

- Lothar -