The Yamaha AN1x Synthesizer mailing list

> By "compare" do you mean sonically, in terms of that
> elusive quality that says "analog"? If so, then I'd better stop 
here, as I'd
> rather my first lengthy post on this list have some positive 
content. :)

MIke:

Thanks for both your posts on the subject. As a list-member who has 
heard about the expander/matrix synths, but not had access to them it 
is very helpful. I hope you will continue to be as frank.

I've had the AN1X for about 3 years. I loved to tweak it and play it. 
It's been my favorite mode of expression, surpassing even my steinway 
in the amount of time consumed. I started trying to emulate 
the "famous" analog power sounds: Rick Wakeman's minimoog, Lyle May's 
8 voice and expander, Geddy Lee's minimoog sweeps, some of the Phil 
Collins and Peter Gabriel Prophet 5 pads, even some CS80 horns and 
strings that Vangelis did. There was always the ability to get very 
close, but a difference in power and liquidity. Then I turned the 
corner.

The patches are now my favorites are not analogish at all. They are 
probably more like FM/physical modelling type sound that aren't very 
warm but are still full of character. And in this space, I find the 
AN1X doing very sweet, expressive and controllable things. To me it 
seems to be very effective when not attempting to be powerful.

Will, I still want to upgrade someday? Of course. I played a v-synth 
a voyager and an andromeda the other day. And it struck me that 
andromeda provided a lovely compromise between analog sound and 
digital control. But I'll probably keep this and buy an additional 
AN1X on ebay so as not to lose some of these sounds. Also I don't 
want to re-learn the controllers.

Regards,

Jerry