The Yamaha AN1x Synthesizer mailing list

Yamaha GX1 sounds like this :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AFiNVBEIQE8&feature=related

Similar to an CS80 but even more dirty and vocal . Inredibel. Best machine
to emulate CS80 is AN1x. And also best machine to emulate GS1x. But its
impossible to emulate the charakter of an GX1 in all details. BTW In the 80
i was taking part at the Yamaha electone contest and could play an GX1. This
instrument is like a dream.

cheers

I saw Eddie Jobson playing his real CS80 in 2010. What a beast of a machine! And an amazing performer.

I appreciate your programming detail and knowledge of the AN1x synth engine. It was designed by some great engineers and is an amazing musical instrument. Over the years I’ve had a lot of people think it’s sort of a toy due to the blue plastic and design… then they hear it and start to ask more about it. One of my favorite tricks is to assign one of the foot controllers to Scene Morph. The factory default is set for the Mod Wheel to Scene Morph but I thought that was wasting the versatility of the thumb wheel control. With an FC-7 (and compatible scenes – for instance using the same octave so the “morph” stays in tune) you can press down and set the pedal anywhere between the two sounds. Then the wheel can do LFO (a traditional setting) and of course there’s the ribbons and all the knobs. This thing still kicks ass 13 years since I bought it new.

_____

From: AN1x-list@yahoogroups.com [mailto:AN1x-list@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of richardon
Sent: Thursday, February 23, 2012 6:44 PM
To: AN1x-list@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [AN1x] Yamaha GX1


Yamaha GX1 sounds like this :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AFiNVBEIQE8 <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AFiNVBEIQE8&feature=related> &feature=related

Similar to an CS80 but even more dirty and vocal . Inredibel. Best machine
to emulate CS80 is AN1x. And also best machine to emulate GS1x. But its
impossible to emulate the charakter of an GX1 in all details. BTW In the 80
i was taking part at the Yamaha electone contest and could play an GX1. This
instrument is like a dream.

cheers

_____

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No virus found in this message.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
Version: 2012.0.1913 / Virus Database: 2114/4827 - Release Date: 02/23/12


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Hi Ed !

> It was designed by some great engineers and is an amazing musical
> instrument. Over the years I’ve had a lot of people think it’s sort of
> a toy due to the blue plastic and design… then they hear it and start
> to ask more about it.

+ 1 !
One nice consequence : it's cheap second hand and has not turned into a
collector's item....
I'm amazed too by the sounds it can produce. Unfortunately Yamaha never
issued an "AN2x" with more polyphony, let's say 20 notes, 2 or 3 parts...
Forza AN1x !!
Thanks Richie for your "complete AN1x course", i've tried your tricks
with the waveforms , OK, you get a more than decent Moog or Jupiter 8
emulation at will.
@+
J.F.


Ed Edwards a écrit :

>
> I saw Eddie Jobson playing his real CS80 in 2010. What a beast of a
> machine! And an amazing performer.
>
> I appreciate your programming detail and knowledge of the AN1x synth
> engine. It was designed by some great engineers and is an amazing
> musical instrument. Over the years I’ve had a lot of people think it’s
> sort of a toy due to the blue plastic and design… then they hear it
> and start to ask more about it. One of my favorite tricks is to assign
> one of the foot controllers to Scene Morph. The factory default is set
> for the Mod Wheel to Scene Morph but I thought that was wasting the
> versatility of the thumb wheel control. With an FC-7 (and compatible
> scenes – for instance using the same octave so the “morph” stays in
> tune) you can press down and set the pedal anywhere between the two
> sounds. Then the wheel can do LFO (a traditional setting) and of
> course there’s the ribbons and all the knobs. This thing still kicks
> ass 13 years since I bought it new.
>
> _____
>
> From: AN1x-list@yahoogroups.com <mailto:AN1x-list%40yahoogroups.com>
> [mailto:AN1x-list@yahoogroups.com
> <mailto:AN1x-list%40yahoogroups.com>] On Behalf Of richardon
> Sent: Thursday, February 23, 2012 6:44 PM
> To: AN1x-list@yahoogroups.com <mailto:AN1x-list%40yahoogroups.com>
> Subject: Re: [AN1x] Yamaha GX1
>
>
> Yamaha GX1 sounds like this :
> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AFiNVBEIQE8
> <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AFiNVBEIQE8&feature=related
> <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AFiNVBEIQE8&feature=related>>
> &feature=related
>
> Similar to an CS80 but even more dirty and vocal . Inredibel. Best
> machine
> to emulate CS80 is AN1x. And also best machine to emulate GS1x. But its
> impossible to emulate the charakter of an GX1 in all details. BTW In
> the 80
> i was taking part at the Yamaha electone contest and could play an
> GX1. This
> instrument is like a dream.
>
> cheers
>
> _____
>
> size=1 width="100%" noshade color="#a0a0a0" align=center>
> No virus found in this message.
> Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
> Version: 2012.0.1913 / Virus Database: 2114/4827 - Release Date: 02/23/12
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>

Hi

> Desinged by some great engineers ...

Yes i agree :-) And i think there was some confusion between engineers and factory preset programmers. Ok, some presets are great, but they could not show the full power of this synth.
Perhaps there was not time enough or some disinformation concernig the feedback parameter.
And without PC editor it was impossible to use the full power of An1x. It was a synth for the future.
BTW : On CS80 you can mix a Sub Sinus to the sounds. Thats similar to increase feedback.
And AN1x is also using same Hipass Lowpass architecture as CS80. (CS80=12dB/Oct)
There is some interesting information concerning CS80 GX1 at WIKI germany :
"Die im GX-1 diskret aufgebauten Schaltungen wurden zunächst in IC-Form im CS-50 erprobt und später im CS-80 perfektioniert"
It means :
The circuits in GX-1 were first bulid up without any IC. (Only Transistors). In CS50 they used integrated versions (IC) of GX1 as a testing platform. To make it perfect with CS80.
But in my opinion there was nothing to optimize of GX1 :-)
Its similar to Jupiter 8. Jupiter 6, Juno60 and JX3P using Jupiter 8 Filter but integrated in (same) Chips.

> An2x ....

Isnt this CS6 an improved An1x with expansions ? Or does it only contain this half version. PLG150AN ? Thats not the real thing. I am shure An1x will come back because Yamaha (Roland too) has to find an answer to the Korg Kronos. (A very cold machine.cold not cool ) I hope there will be an answer containing a compatibel AN1x version.

> Electone Organ

I think that can be easily implemented. Electone sounds like a clean Hammond with 4,6 drawbars.
The new CX3 sound in my collectin could be a good template.
You ll have to remove leakage.
Thats Scene 2 in this sound. So use Single mode instead dual.
You ll have to remove key click.
Key click is also removed if you turn Scene 2 off
Electones are Spinett Organs. Therefore tune OS2 from -12 to 0
Electone has pure resonance. Choose Resonce=20 and filter between 0 and 60
Increase Vibrato (PMOD) from 6 to 9 for both OSC
Decrease Pulswide OSC1 from 100% to hear more 2 2/3 for yor taste (85%)
Turn Pulsewide Mod from 15 to -15 to preserve percussion
Decrease Lesie Effect. Using MW youll get your combo Organ. Hmm i like Combo organs.
I should optimize this :-)

>Sequences

Any ideas what famous sequenze should be preserved on An1x ?
I started to emulate some Triton Drum Sequences.
Example : (C6 is a good Syx loader)
http://home.arcor.de/richardon/2012/le_dark.syx
Using MW, PB up/down, Ribbon you have a more flexible drum loop as the original Triton template !
This machine is soooo crazy :-)

Forza An1x !!
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> > An2x ....
> Isnt this CS6 an improved An1x with expansions ? Or does it only contain this half version. PLG150AN ? Thats not the real thing. I am shure An1x will come back because Yamaha (Roland too) has to find an answer to the Korg Kronos. (A very cold machine.cold not cool ) I hope there will be an answer containing a compatibel AN1x version.

Hi,

No, there is still no replacement for the AN1x. I have AN in 3 forms: EX5 and its mono/duo AN model, PLG150AN in my Motif Rack ES and of course the AN1x. They are all different and the AN1x is still king in terms of the capabilities it has that the others don't. I wrote an AN1x to EX5 converter, so got quite an insight into the differences. The basic engines were the same, but the effects architectures and scenes/morphing were quite different.

The CS6x is an AWM engine with PLG cards, so cannot be an AN2x. It allows you to use a PLG card which at best can be considered to be half an AN1x: Nice sounds of course, but only one scene in effect. And PLG was a failure really due to the workflow of creating voices without effects on the AN card, and then having to create a voice with the effects on the host that then used the AN voice. All a bit fiddly IMHO.

I personally think that Yamaha have lost their innovative edge over the years, probably because innovation doesn't sell synths to the unwashed masses who don't edit and want instant sounds (i.e. the majority of people couldn't give a hoot about architecture and the depth of them).

I have the EX5, AN1x, SY77 and FS1R and I believe that they represent the pinnacle of Yamaha's innovation. Of course there is the DX7 (but the SY kicks its ass) and the CS/GX/GS series as well, but these four (EX5, AN1x, SY77 and FS1R ) are my personal picks. I am still dreaming of the day that Yamaha take all of the features of those four to make a dream uber synth, and I'm hoping that the Kronos is the competition that makes Yamaha wake up from the nice sounding but uninspiring Motif series.

All the recent talk of the AN1x and the synths of yesteryear is all quite interesting. Keep it up! The An1x will always have a place in my studio.

the kronos is just a oasys in a new case nothing more nothing less is been put in a cheaper plastic case with very minor updates

which could have been done in os software for the oasys but there was no money in that so they dropped support for oasys and made the kronos with a smaller price tag

yamaha own korg so it does not matter if they bring out anything better as it all belongs to them anyway

i own an sy99 sy85 and ex5r and an an1x sy35 tx16w tx81z

and these synths are the most interesting of all yams i have owned the sy99 being the best of all for me with its rcm fm

and i like the implimentation of pitch vector modulation of the sy35 that you can get very wierd etheral sounds becuase of it

what i like about the an1x is its a pure synth like the analogs of old with true fm not pd like the dx7 and its ranges

the fm on these is like on modular systems and its modulatable in real time unlike the dx7

its a fat synth and of the va synths its the best

i own a nord1/2

jp8000

and i prefer the sound of the an1x more going under the hood you get an extra osc when in sync mode so you have more to play with

and polyphony is perfect as we only have ten fingers for playing

i have the z1 which is also a beast of a machine but to use fm you use an osc so its not as good as doing those types of sounds as an1x due to loosing a analog type waveform in the mix

----- Original Message -----
From: derek192603
To: AN1x-list@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Saturday, February 25, 2012 8:37 AM
Subject: [AN1x] Re: Yamaha GX1




> > An2x ....
> Isnt this CS6 an improved An1x with expansions ? Or does it only contain this half version. PLG150AN ? Thats not the real thing. I am shure An1x will come back because Yamaha (Roland too) has to find an answer to the Korg Kronos. (A very cold machine.cold not cool ) I hope there will be an answer containing a compatibel AN1x version.

Hi,

No, there is still no replacement for the AN1x. I have AN in 3 forms: EX5 and its mono/duo AN model, PLG150AN in my Motif Rack ES and of course the AN1x. They are all different and the AN1x is still king in terms of the capabilities it has that the others don't. I wrote an AN1x to EX5 converter, so got quite an insight into the differences. The basic engines were the same, but the effects architectures and scenes/morphing were quite different.

The CS6x is an AWM engine with PLG cards, so cannot be an AN2x. It allows you to use a PLG card which at best can be considered to be half an AN1x: Nice sounds of course, but only one scene in effect. And PLG was a failure really due to the workflow of creating voices without effects on the AN card, and then having to create a voice with the effects on the host that then used the AN voice. All a bit fiddly IMHO.

I personally think that Yamaha have lost their innovative edge over the years, probably because innovation doesn't sell synths to the unwashed masses who don't edit and want instant sounds (i.e. the majority of people couldn't give a hoot about architecture and the depth of them).

I have the EX5, AN1x, SY77 and FS1R and I believe that they represent the pinnacle of Yamaha's innovation. Of course there is the DX7 (but the SY kicks its ass) and the CS/GX/GS series as well, but these four (EX5, AN1x, SY77 and FS1R ) are my personal picks. I am still dreaming of the day that Yamaha take all of the features of those four to make a dream uber synth, and I'm hoping that the Kronos is the competition that makes Yamaha wake up from the nice sounding but uninspiring Motif series.

All the recent talk of the AN1x and the synths of yesteryear is all quite interesting. Keep it up! The An1x will always have a place in my studio.





[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Op 25-2-2012 9:37, derek192603 schreef:

> I personally think that Yamaha have lost their innovative edge over the years, probably because innovation doesn't sell synths to the unwashed masses who don't edit and want instant sounds (i.e. the majority of people couldn't give a hoot about architecture and the depth of them).

Presumably, Yamaha have to pay the bills as well. And I think the bigger
problem is software synths. The niches, which probably didn't any profit
at al for Yamaha to begin with, are now filled by software synths.

The workstation concept is something that has worked well for the last
10, 15 years, so that's what they're selling.

> I have the EX5, AN1x, SY77 and FS1R and I believe that they represent the pinnacle of Yamaha's innovation. Of course there is the DX7 (but the SY kicks its ass) and the CS/GX/GS series as well, but these four (EX5, AN1x, SY77 and FS1R ) are my personal picks. I am still dreaming of the day that Yamaha take all of the features of those four to make a dream uber synth, and I'm hoping that the Kronos is the competition that makes Yamaha wake up from the nice sounding but uninspiring Motif series.

Don't forget the VL-1/VL-7/VL-1m and the VP-1, which is about as common
as Bigfoot is. Some of that ended up in your EX5 as well.

As for an über-synth... wasn't that what the EX5 was supposed to be?
Although the EX5 never really knew what it wanted to be, or what the
different departments within Yamaha wanted it to be. If you take a look
at the schematics, you realise how utterly unsuited the thing is for the
workstation role (one that involves samples and loading those from sort
of media).

I'd rather that Yamaha would come out with a relatively simple basic
design, with a 4 or 5 octave keyboard of AN1x quality (yes, the EX5/EX7
keyboard is much nicer, but also more expensive) and space for knobs
and/or sliders. They could reuse the same case for the different synths,
muck about a bit with the layout of the knobs, and have a distinct
colour for each synth.

And then, each synth would excel at one particular kind of synthesis:
analogue modelling, physical modelling, FM, whatever. And it would be
affordable, so definitely less than €1000.

Would it sell? It's hard to say, and given that we haven't seen anything
like it, that probably means that they did their research and concluded
that they wouldn't make any money from it.

But it would mean a fresh new wind through the hardware synth business.
After all, how many reincarnations of the same Virus, Clavia, Elektron
or miniature Korg can we stomach?

- Peter

Op 25-2-2012 13:25, jammie schreef:

> yamaha own korg so it does not matter if they bring out anything better as it all belongs to them anyway

They had a controlling interest between 1987 and 1993, and they probably
still own a sizeable portion of Korg stock. But they don't own Korg itself.

- Peter

Hi Peter and you all happy AN1x players !
What deserved our beloved keyboard ? It does not look "analog" (read =
full of knobs) and the package looked like any entry level keyboard to
keep a (relatively) low price tag. Most of the people don't go inside
the programs, just listen at some factory presets. Tweaking a lot in the
parameters can be time consuming (right, Ritchie ?)... So an old
fashionned look and some Moog or Prophet like presets and that's all the
average customer needs. Maybe a remain of the DX7 and other FM engines
where programming was awfully complex and quite impossible without
computer.
OK, the AN1x is not perfect, mostly because of the multi function knobs
and the cryptic programmation matrix, you have to take care of the
plastic case, but the keyboard is nice to play and it can sound awesome.
Cheers.
J.F.

Peter Korsten a écrit :

>
> Op 25-2-2012 9:37, derek192603 schreef:
>
> > I personally think that Yamaha have lost their innovative edge over
> the years, probably because innovation doesn't sell synths to the
> unwashed masses who don't edit and want instant sounds (i.e. the
> majority of people couldn't give a hoot about architecture and the
> depth of them).
>
> Presumably, Yamaha have to pay the bills as well. And I think the bigger
> problem is software synths. The niches, which probably didn't any profit
> at al for Yamaha to begin with, are now filled by software synths.
>
> The workstation concept is something that has worked well for the last
> 10, 15 years, so that's what they're selling.
>
> > I have the EX5, AN1x, SY77 and FS1R and I believe that they
> represent the pinnacle of Yamaha's innovation. Of course there is the
> DX7 (but the SY kicks its ass) and the CS/GX/GS series as well, but
> these four (EX5, AN1x, SY77 and FS1R ) are my personal picks. I am
> still dreaming of the day that Yamaha take all of the features of
> those four to make a dream uber synth, and I'm hoping that the Kronos
> is the competition that makes Yamaha wake up from the nice sounding
> but uninspiring Motif series.
>
> Don't forget the VL-1/VL-7/VL-1m and the VP-1, which is about as common
> as Bigfoot is. Some of that ended up in your EX5 as well.
>
> As for an über-synth... wasn't that what the EX5 was supposed to be?
> Although the EX5 never really knew what it wanted to be, or what the
> different departments within Yamaha wanted it to be. If you take a look
> at the schematics, you realise how utterly unsuited the thing is for the
> workstation role (one that involves samples and loading those from sort
> of media).
>
> I'd rather that Yamaha would come out with a relatively simple basic
> design, with a 4 or 5 octave keyboard of AN1x quality (yes, the EX5/EX7
> keyboard is much nicer, but also more expensive) and space for knobs
> and/or sliders. They could reuse the same case for the different synths,
> muck about a bit with the layout of the knobs, and have a distinct
> colour for each synth.
>
> And then, each synth would excel at one particular kind of synthesis:
> analogue modelling, physical modelling, FM, whatever. And it would be
> affordable, so definitely less than €1000.
>
> Would it sell? It's hard to say, and given that we haven't seen anything
> like it, that probably means that they did their research and concluded
> that they wouldn't make any money from it.
>
> But it would mean a fresh new wind through the hardware synth business.
> After all, how many reincarnations of the same Virus, Clavia, Elektron
> or miniature Korg can we stomach?
>
> - Peter
>
>

FWIW, I think that there is a need for a back-to-basics synth like the old analogue synths with a good selection of knobs / sliders, two or three (assignable) control wheels and a good sized (assignable) ribbon controller like on the CS 80.

Case in point, Casio just introduced a new synth at this years NAMM show, the XW P1 which looks like it'll fill the need for those looking for something to make music on and be able to tweak.

Virtual synths have their place bit there's nothing like having the ability to grab a knob, slider or controller and have at it.

And, yes, it would be great if Yamaha made an updated AN1x with a new case, etc.

Oh yea, while on the wish list, wouldn't it be nice to be able to buy a master keyboard controller with a ton of knobs, nice sized LCD display, the aforementioned controllers that was able to be software loaded so the user would be able to design & download the functions to fit the persons needs and wants. Get tired of the sounds, just upload some different ones...Total open archecture and totally self-contained, no outboard computer needed, only to make the sound changes.

----- Original Message -----
From: Peter Korsten
To: AN1x-list@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Saturday, February 25, 2012 7:27 AM
Subject: Re: [AN1x] Re: Yamaha GX1



Op 25-2-2012 9:37, derek192603 schreef:

> I personally think that Yamaha have lost their innovative edge over the years, probably because innovation doesn't sell synths to the unwashed masses who don't edit and want instant sounds (i.e. the majority of people couldn't give a hoot about architecture and the depth of them).

Presumably, Yamaha have to pay the bills as well. And I think the bigger
problem is software synths. The niches, which probably didn't any profit
at al for Yamaha to begin with, are now filled by software synths.

The workstation concept is something that has worked well for the last
10, 15 years, so that's what they're selling.

> I have the EX5, AN1x, SY77 and FS1R and I believe that they represent the pinnacle of Yamaha's innovation. Of course there is the DX7 (but the SY kicks its ass) and the CS/GX/GS series as well, but these four (EX5, AN1x, SY77 and FS1R ) are my personal picks. I am still dreaming of the day that Yamaha take all of the features of those four to make a dream uber synth, and I'm hoping that the Kronos is the competition that makes Yamaha wake up from the nice sounding but uninspiring Motif series.

Don't forget the VL-1/VL-7/VL-1m and the VP-1, which is about as common
as Bigfoot is. Some of that ended up in your EX5 as well.

As for an über-synth... wasn't that what the EX5 was supposed to be?
Although the EX5 never really knew what it wanted to be, or what the
different departments within Yamaha wanted it to be. If you take a look
at the schematics, you realise how utterly unsuited the thing is for the
workstation role (one that involves samples and loading those from sort
of media).

I'd rather that Yamaha would come out with a relatively simple basic
design, with a 4 or 5 octave keyboard of AN1x quality (yes, the EX5/EX7
keyboard is much nicer, but also more expensive) and space for knobs
and/or sliders. They could reuse the same case for the different synths,
muck about a bit with the layout of the knobs, and have a distinct
colour for each synth.

And then, each synth would excel at one particular kind of synthesis:
analogue modelling, physical modelling, FM, whatever. And it would be
affordable, so definitely less than €1000.

Would it sell? It's hard to say, and given that we haven't seen anything
like it, that probably means that they did their research and concluded
that they wouldn't make any money from it.

But it would mean a fresh new wind through the hardware synth business.
After all, how many reincarnations of the same Virus, Clavia, Elektron
or miniature Korg can we stomach?

- Peter




[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Hi Guys, this is a really interesting discussion, if slightly academic
– I don't suppose Yamaha are goingto base their product
development on our advice.

However some great points have been made about what makes a good
hardware synth. Yes, a lot of people do just want a `look'and a
bunch of great presets. For those who like to get into editing, I think
a direction has been indicated by Roland, with their GAIA SH01 keyboard
– very direct access, pretty much one control per function. However
it took a retro step too far for me - no display or patch names, only
bank and patch numbers. I haven't heard one but the reviews are
enthusiastic
http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/aug10/articles/roland-gaia-sh01.htm
<http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/aug10/articles/roland-gaia-sh01.htm>

For this reason, I recently bought a Korg MS2000BR (rack) on ebay –
very knobular, including a sixteen-step"analogue-style" step
sequencer. Not perfect, but nice if you like hands-on access.
http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/may00/articles/korg.htm
<http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/may00/articles/korg.htm>

Arturia have also just set the cat amongst the pigeons with their mono
analog Minibrute – maybe there will be a poly Maxibrute – but it
has to have patch memory.

Even though the AN1x sounds great and the facilities of the keyboard as
a whole are excellent (wheels, X-strip), I have never been able to
comprehend the knob matrix. I tried making an alternative background
legend for it, but it never got anywhere close to intuitive. I
considered getting a Yamaha AN200, as a more accessible (knobby) version
of the AN1x. Then I realised that if I got a Behringer BCR2000 midi
controller, I would have 32-knob / 16-switch access to the AN1x
parameters, for about half the price of an AN200. Got the BCR2000, just
need to set it up, which is probably a few day's labour of love. I
will certainly share the syx template if I get the job done, but
don't hold your breath.

So yes, I would like to seean AN2x. You would think that Yamaha would
appreciate - all that development work they did 15 years ago is still
worth something. I would settle for the same basic VA architecture,
maybe a little more modulation (eg: res and lfo speed as destinations)
plus another envelope plus direct USB connection to PC. The front panel
should be simply divided into clearly labelled areas (like GAIA).
Ideally, the knobs would be rotary encoders with LED rings (like
Behringer BCR) and Osc/LFO waveform selection would be shown by LEDs
(like GAIA / MS2000), so that when you call up a preset, you can see how
it is made, just as you can with a soft-synth on a computer screen.
That kind of understanding of patch design is a real incentive to get
stuck in and make your own sounds. Also the light show would be amazing
[;;)]



Best regards to all


Bill

--- In AN1x-list@yahoogroups.com, Jeff <jf.serviere@...> wrote:
>
> Hi Peter and you all happy AN1x players !
> What deserved our beloved keyboard ? It does not look "analog" (read =
> full of knobs) and the package looked like any entry level keyboard to
> keep a (relatively) low price tag. Most of the people don't go inside
> the programs, just listen at some factory presets. Tweaking a lot in
the
> parameters can be time consuming (right, Ritchie ?)... So an old
> fashionned look and some Moog or Prophet like presets and that's all
the
> average customer needs. Maybe a remain of the DX7 and other FM engines
> where programming was awfully complex and quite impossible without
> computer.
> OK, the AN1x is not perfect, mostly because of the multi function
knobs
> and the cryptic programmation matrix, you have to take care of the
> plastic case, but the keyboard is nice to play and it can sound
awesome.
> Cheers.
> J.F.
>
> Peter Korsten a écrit :
> >
> > Op 25-2-2012 9:37, derek192603 schreef:
> >
> > > I personally think that Yamaha have lost their innovative edge
over
> > the years, probably because innovation doesn't sell synths to the
> > unwashed masses who don't edit and want instant sounds (i.e. the
> > majority of people couldn't give a hoot about architecture and the
> > depth of them).
> >
> > Presumably, Yamaha have to pay the bills as well. And I think the
bigger
> > problem is software synths. The niches, which probably didn't any
profit
> > at al for Yamaha to begin with, are now filled by software synths.
> >
> > The workstation concept is something that has worked well for the
last
> > 10, 15 years, so that's what they're selling.
> >
> > > I have the EX5, AN1x, SY77 and FS1R and I believe that they
> > represent the pinnacle of Yamaha's innovation. Of course there is
the
> > DX7 (but the SY kicks its ass) and the CS/GX/GS series as well, but
> > these four (EX5, AN1x, SY77 and FS1R ) are my personal picks. I am
> > still dreaming of the day that Yamaha take all of the features of
> > those four to make a dream uber synth, and I'm hoping that the
Kronos
> > is the competition that makes Yamaha wake up from the nice sounding
> > but uninspiring Motif series.
> >
> > Don't forget the VL-1/VL-7/VL-1m and the VP-1, which is about as
common
> > as Bigfoot is. Some of that ended up in your EX5 as well.
> >
> > As for an über-synth... wasn't that what the EX5 was supposed to
be?
> > Although the EX5 never really knew what it wanted to be, or what the
> > different departments within Yamaha wanted it to be. If you take a
look
> > at the schematics, you realise how utterly unsuited the thing is for
the
> > workstation role (one that involves samples and loading those from
sort
> > of media).
> >
> > I'd rather that Yamaha would come out with a relatively simple basic
> > design, with a 4 or 5 octave keyboard of AN1x quality (yes, the
EX5/EX7
> > keyboard is much nicer, but also more expensive) and space for knobs
> > and/or sliders. They could reuse the same case for the different
synths,
> > muck about a bit with the layout of the knobs, and have a distinct
> > colour for each synth.
> >
> > And then, each synth would excel at one particular kind of
synthesis:
> > analogue modelling, physical modelling, FM, whatever. And it would
be
> > affordable, so definitely less than €1000.
> >
> > Would it sell? It's hard to say, and given that we haven't seen
anything
> > like it, that probably means that they did their research and
concluded
> > that they wouldn't make any money from it.
> >
> > But it would mean a fresh new wind through the hardware synth
business.
> > After all, how many reincarnations of the same Virus, Clavia,
Elektron
> > or miniature Korg can we stomach?
> >
> > - Peter
> >
> >
>



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Op 25-2-2012 16:05, Conn-Man schreef:

> Oh yea, while on the wish list, wouldn't it be nice to be able to buy a master keyboard controller with a ton of knobs, nice sized LCD display, the aforementioned controllers that was able to be software loaded so the user would be able to design& download the functions to fit the persons needs and wants. Get tired of the sounds, just upload some different ones...Total open archecture and totally self-contained, no outboard computer needed, only to make the sound changes.

You mean like the Korg Oasys?

- Peter

Open labs tried to do this and everyone realized it's just a Pc and a MIDI
controller. So for the price of a PC and a MIDI controller, why produce a
proprietary instrument?

And- as far as synths losing value over time if you actually play that
strat it'll lose it's value so much faster than a synth module that can
always be played with MIDI or an analog with replaceable parts. It's rare
digital synths with irreplaceable technology that really screws us over.
Thankfully there's enough an1x for all of us:)

Now if only I had the time to give it what it deserves I'd be in good
shape.....

Nate

On Feb 25, 2012 5:06 PM, "Conn-Man" <conn-man@...> wrote:

> **
>
>
> FWIW, I think that there is a need for a back-to-basics synth like the old
> analogue synths with a good selection of knobs / sliders, two or three
> (assignable) control wheels and a good sized (assignable) ribbon controller
> like on the CS 80.
>
> Case in point, Casio just introduced a new synth at this years NAMM show,
> the XW P1 which looks like it'll fill the need for those looking for
> something to make music on and be able to tweak.
>
> Virtual synths have their place bit there's nothing like having the
> ability to grab a knob, slider or controller and have at it.
>
> And, yes, it would be great if Yamaha made an updated AN1x with a new
> case, etc.
>
> Oh yea, while on the wish list, wouldn't it be nice to be able to buy a
> master keyboard controller with a ton of knobs, nice sized LCD display, the
> aforementioned controllers that was able to be software loaded so the user
> would be able to design & download the functions to fit the persons needs
> and wants. Get tired of the sounds, just upload some different ones...Total
> open archecture and totally self-contained, no outboard computer needed,
> only to make the sound changes.
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Peter Korsten
> To: AN1x-list@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Saturday, February 25, 2012 7:27 AM
> Subject: Re: [AN1x] Re: Yamaha GX1
>
> Op 25-2-2012 9:37, derek192603 schreef:
>
> > I personally think that Yamaha have lost their innovative edge over the
> years, probably because innovation doesn't sell synths to the unwashed
> masses who don't edit and want instant sounds (i.e. the majority of people
> couldn't give a hoot about architecture and the depth of them).
>
> Presumably, Yamaha have to pay the bills as well. And I think the bigger
> problem is software synths. The niches, which probably didn't any profit
> at al for Yamaha to begin with, are now filled by software synths.
>
> The workstation concept is something that has worked well for the last
> 10, 15 years, so that's what they're selling.
>
> > I have the EX5, AN1x, SY77 and FS1R and I believe that they represent
> the pinnacle of Yamaha's innovation. Of course there is the DX7 (but the SY
> kicks its ass) and the CS/GX/GS series as well, but these four (EX5, AN1x,
> SY77 and FS1R ) are my personal picks. I am still dreaming of the day that
> Yamaha take all of the features of those four to make a dream uber synth,
> and I'm hoping that the Kronos is the competition that makes Yamaha wake up
> from the nice sounding but uninspiring Motif series.
>
> Don't forget the VL-1/VL-7/VL-1m and the VP-1, which is about as common
> as Bigfoot is. Some of that ended up in your EX5 as well.
>
> As for an �ber-synth... wasn't that what the EX5 was supposed to be?
> Although the EX5 never really knew what it wanted to be, or what the
> different departments within Yamaha wanted it to be. If you take a look
> at the schematics, you realise how utterly unsuited the thing is for the
> workstation role (one that involves samples and loading those from sort
> of media).
>
> I'd rather that Yamaha would come out with a relatively simple basic
> design, with a 4 or 5 octave keyboard of AN1x quality (yes, the EX5/EX7
> keyboard is much nicer, but also more expensive) and space for knobs
> and/or sliders. They could reuse the same case for the different synths,
> muck about a bit with the layout of the knobs, and have a distinct
> colour for each synth.
>
> And then, each synth would excel at one particular kind of synthesis:
> analogue modelling, physical modelling, FM, whatever. And it would be
> affordable, so definitely less than �1000.
>
> Would it sell? It's hard to say, and given that we haven't seen anything
> like it, that probably means that they did their research and concluded
> that they wouldn't make any money from it.
>
> But it would mean a fresh new wind through the hardware synth business.
> After all, how many reincarnations of the same Virus, Clavia, Elektron
> or miniature Korg can we stomach?
>
> - Peter
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
>


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Look, Bill –

When you start off any response, written/spoken/anything, with the word “academic” in the first clause, you have asserted yourself as some sort of intellectual expert and/or snob.

Bill, how much experience - live or in a studio do you have with this unit? Please consider some thoughts about the AN1x……..

One) It’s 15 years old.
Two) It was not offered as an expensive instrument to competing with older and new instruments. It was marketed as a good VA keyboard.
Three) (My bared neck, so you or anyone can cut it as you think appropriate ----)
Electronic musical synthesizers were/are/will be marketed very much like cars, having a predetermined sales life span by the upper level management. They sit around and decide how much power the unit will have, how much money they expect to make from it and how long they will distribute it for profit. They also predetermine when they will replace it with something “better” (designed to make them more money).

As musicians, we are often faced with some ugly and bad choices when it is time to buy new gear. This AN1x is not a classic violin or piano or automobile. It is supposed to be a musical instrument which we expect to use for live and/or studio performance and creation of art. The ugly part of our spending money is that the marketing departments of these huge corporations are not usually interested in musical creativity of the buyer. They usually build them for the purpose of making money. They decide in advance how long they think it will be profitable and then they decide what date to abandon it after their predetermined time of sale without apology. This ideology is meant to force us (the players) to go and buy replacement units (that will make more money for the corporation) because the synth they composed their songs on is no longer manufactured.

Some companies have the integrity to build equipment that will have a lifetime of “usability” that is not determined by some mathematical formula in their distribution and sales division. That type of morality and motivation is hard to find and is extremely arguable as to who is perusing that kind of product.

So here’s the point of my “rant”: This Yahoo group is best served by people who provide the members ideas, tricks, shortcuts & references to the manual and other bits of knowledge that will help us improve our use of the AN1x as a musical instrument. Otherwise, criticism that is not accompanied with technical references that will help our group make this unit a better instrument for expression of the art of Musicianship is just egotistical junk - not worthy of the time necessary to read the negative opinions. Stated shortly: If you don’t like the AN1x, fine. Find another you do like, buy it and then go post your tips and information that will assist the people who subscribe to that Yahoo group. Or maybe you might try being helpful: pointing out shortcomings and then providing methods of working around the weaknesses of the instrument. Over the 15 years I’ve been with this group I have generally found it to be a source of great knowledge, friendship and useful information. High headed condemnation without useful assistance is --- um, is sort of… well, useless.

Barney Edmonson (Ed²)

author of the patch list:

http://f1.grp.yahoofs.com/v1/ULxJT0LtPu7VtCY22xIwj_HnmHH7peSAIEYiK_MQdVWgo1nyZ937JPQhnEuUietjWme7Sru00m_O-gcz45iEsVEfl6ZBIo8B3fnS/AN1x%20Voices/AN1x%20Patch%20Names.zip%c2%ad%c2%ad


_____






Hi Guys, this is a really interesting discussion, if slightly academic




[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Op 26-2-2012 7:26, Ed Edwards schreef:

> Three) (My bared neck, so you or anyone can cut it as you think appropriate ----)
> Electronic musical synthesizers were/are/will be marketed very much like cars, having a predetermined sales life span by the upper level management. They sit around and decide how much power the unit will have, how much money they expect to make from it and how long they will distribute it for profit. They also predetermine when they will replace it with something “better” (designed to make them more money).

The one flaw in your argument: synths are not cars.

You'll need a new car because the old one becomes too expensive to
maintain (I live on an island, so after ten years, I'm approaching that
stage with my car), or because it has some desirable feature such as
better safety, better fuel economy, or whatever. Crash a 1990 Volvo 960
(Volvo's are safe, right?) into a 2004 Renault Modus, and see what
difference 15 years in engineering make.

With computers, it's even worse. When I got my Athlon64 3500+ and Nvidia
6800 GT, they were the bees knees. (Well, there were slightly faster
versions, but they were twice as expensive.) Nowadays, a low power Intel
Atom CPU is faster than that Athlon. And you can't play anything recent
(meaning, less than 7 years old) on that combination.

You don't have that with synths. Sure, there will be synths with more
features, but that doesn't make your 15 year old AN1x useless all of a
sudden. And when it comes to age, let's have a look at the synthesis
engine used in all Motifs, including the latest ones: AWM2. Do you know
when it came available: in the TG55 from 1989. That's a whopping 23
years ago. Apparently, Yamaha don't think that it's old hat, so why
should they think the same of the VA algorithm of the AN1x?

Mind, I see where you're coming from, and for sure, manufacturers market
and sell these units for a limited time, but they whole idea of upgrade
cycles when it comes to synths is greatly exaggerated.


- Peter

Hi all,

I have been following this thread and I just wanted to say thanks for all
the tips and tricks that were posted recently. The historical comparisons
with other synths architectures were really interesting and the recent
patches that were posted are amazing. the mellotron patch as in Strawberry
Fields sound identical, this is amazing!

I own 7 synths and I subscribed to all the existing groups and forums for
my gear. Not only this group is the most active, it is also the one with
the most serious users and the most valuable information being shared. Even
thought I don't have much to contribute, I pay great attention to
everything I read here since I still have a lot more to learn about this
great machine.

The AN1x was my second synthesizer and the first good quality keyboard I
ever got. As soon as I heard its warm sound I understood the previous
machine I bought and struggled countless hours with, to only create a very
few decent sounds (SH-201), was a toy compared to it. I had paid 500 euros
for this thing and I could have destroyed it so much I hated it after I got
the AN1x for half of the price. I will never forgive Roland, even thought I
love their previous expander, the SH-32, that sounds quite good but that
still stands far from the AN1x architecture.

When going through all the features, I quickly realized the AN1x is a
professional instrument. I was very pleased by the sound, the feel of the
keyboard and the built quality. As it was said earlier, I also had the
impression it was designed with love by very smart people who understood
what players need.

I have only got into the synthesizers world for about 4 years, and I must
admit I still feel like I have a lot more to learn about the AN1x. This
machine is really advanced in terms of sound creation and even thought I
was able to create some good patches, I know I still need to gain much more
knowledge before to really go through what it can deliver.

As I now live oversea and I am limited with the gear I can keep with me I
recently brought back my AN1x as a treasure to keep it safe. I now have
lots of fun with an ESQ-1, an SH-32 and a Mopho but in the meantime, I
carefully sort all the valuable tips I read here and I can't wait to play
the AN1x again and try the patches that were posted...

Thanks again and keep it up!

--

On Sun, Feb 26, 2012 at 11:43 AM, Peter Korsten <peter@...>wrote:

> **
>
>
> Op 26-2-2012 7:26, Ed Edwards schreef:
>
>
> > Three) (My bared neck, so you or anyone can cut it as you think
> appropriate ----)
> > Electronic musical synthesizers were/are/will be marketed very much like
> cars, having a predetermined sales life span by the upper level management.
> They sit around and decide how much power the unit will have, how much
> money they expect to make from it and how long they will distribute it for
> profit. They also predetermine when they will replace it with something
> �better� (designed to make them more money).
>
> The one flaw in your argument: synths are not cars.
>
> You'll need a new car because the old one becomes too expensive to
> maintain (I live on an island, so after ten years, I'm approaching that
> stage with my car), or because it has some desirable feature such as
> better safety, better fuel economy, or whatever. Crash a 1990 Volvo 960
> (Volvo's are safe, right?) into a 2004 Renault Modus, and see what
> difference 15 years in engineering make.
>
> With computers, it's even worse. When I got my Athlon64 3500+ and Nvidia
> 6800 GT, they were the bees knees. (Well, there were slightly faster
> versions, but they were twice as expensive.) Nowadays, a low power Intel
> Atom CPU is faster than that Athlon. And you can't play anything recent
> (meaning, less than 7 years old) on that combination.
>
> You don't have that with synths. Sure, there will be synths with more
> features, but that doesn't make your 15 year old AN1x useless all of a
> sudden. And when it comes to age, let's have a look at the synthesis
> engine used in all Motifs, including the latest ones: AWM2. Do you know
> when it came available: in the TG55 from 1989. That's a whopping 23
> years ago. Apparently, Yamaha don't think that it's old hat, so why
> should they think the same of the VA algorithm of the AN1x?
>
> Mind, I see where you're coming from, and for sure, manufacturers market
> and sell these units for a limited time, but they whole idea of upgrade
> cycles when it comes to synths is greatly exaggerated.
>
> - Peter
>
>



--
J�r�me St-Pierre


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Hi !
Some answers or comments in your text :

Conn-Man a écrit :

>
> FWIW, I think that there is a need for a back-to-basics synth like the
> old analogue synths with a good selection of knobs / sliders, two or
> three (assignable) control wheels and a good sized (assignable) ribbon
> controller like on the CS 80.
>
> Case in point, Casio just introduced a new synth at this years NAMM
> show, the XW P1 which looks like it'll fill the need for those looking
> for something to make music on and be able to tweak.
>

Nice ! I own an old Casio CZ synth, one of the first 100% digital
synths, it is much more user friendly than its Yamaha or Korg
counterparts. The news is very interesting, because Casio ended to make
synthesizers in the 90's.

>
>
> Virtual synths have their place bit there's nothing like having the
> ability to grab a knob, slider or controller and have at it.
>
> And, yes, it would be great if Yamaha made an updated AN1x with a new
> case, etc.
>
> Oh yea, while on the wish list, wouldn't it be nice to be able to buy
> a master keyboard controller with a ton of knobs, nice sized LCD
> display, the aforementioned controllers that was able to be software
> loaded so the user would be able to design & download the functions to
> fit the persons needs and wants. Get tired of the sounds, just upload
> some different ones...Total open archecture and totally
> self-contained, no outboard computer needed, only to make the sound
> changes.
>

A french (?) company called Arturia sells VST based synths but they are
expensive, i was told not totally reliable (i don't have any personnal
experience) and not totally "self contained". As far as i know they
still need an outboard computer for deep programming and of course to
load the VST plugins.
Less user friendly but even more flexible you have the Clavia Nord
Modular and Micro Modular, but they lack of knobs and they need an
intensive computer work before playing, because you "design your own
synth" and load it (if the DSP is powerful enough..) in a "blank" sound
module. I ignore if they are still in production but you can find some
second hand.
Cheers.
J.F.

>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Peter Korsten
> To: AN1x-list@yahoogroups.com <mailto:AN1x-list%40yahoogroups.com>
> Sent: Saturday, February 25, 2012 7:27 AM
> Subject: Re: [AN1x] Re: Yamaha GX1
>
> Op 25-2-2012 9:37, derek192603 schreef:
>
> > I personally think that Yamaha have lost their innovative edge over
> the years, probably because innovation doesn't sell synths to the
> unwashed masses who don't edit and want instant sounds (i.e. the
> majority of people couldn't give a hoot about architecture and the
> depth of them).
>
> Presumably, Yamaha have to pay the bills as well. And I think the bigger
> problem is software synths. The niches, which probably didn't any profit
> at al for Yamaha to begin with, are now filled by software synths.
>
> The workstation concept is something that has worked well for the last
> 10, 15 years, so that's what they're selling.
>
> > I have the EX5, AN1x, SY77 and FS1R and I believe that they
> represent the pinnacle of Yamaha's innovation. Of course there is the
> DX7 (but the SY kicks its ass) and the CS/GX/GS series as well, but
> these four (EX5, AN1x, SY77 and FS1R ) are my personal picks. I am
> still dreaming of the day that Yamaha take all of the features of
> those four to make a dream uber synth, and I'm hoping that the Kronos
> is the competition that makes Yamaha wake up from the nice sounding
> but uninspiring Motif series.
>
> Don't forget the VL-1/VL-7/VL-1m and the VP-1, which is about as common
> as Bigfoot is. Some of that ended up in your EX5 as well.
>
> As for an über-synth... wasn't that what the EX5 was supposed to be?
> Although the EX5 never really knew what it wanted to be, or what the
> different departments within Yamaha wanted it to be. If you take a look
> at the schematics, you realise how utterly unsuited the thing is for the
> workstation role (one that involves samples and loading those from sort
> of media).
>
> I'd rather that Yamaha would come out with a relatively simple basic
> design, with a 4 or 5 octave keyboard of AN1x quality (yes, the EX5/EX7
> keyboard is much nicer, but also more expensive) and space for knobs
> and/or sliders. They could reuse the same case for the different synths,
> muck about a bit with the layout of the knobs, and have a distinct
> colour for each synth.
>
> And then, each synth would excel at one particular kind of synthesis:
> analogue modelling, physical modelling, FM, whatever. And it would be
> affordable, so definitely less than €1000.
>
> Would it sell? It's hard to say, and given that we haven't seen anything
> like it, that probably means that they did their research and concluded
> that they wouldn't make any money from it.
>
> But it would mean a fresh new wind through the hardware synth business.
> After all, how many reincarnations of the same Virus, Clavia, Elektron
> or miniature Korg can we stomach?
>
> - Peter
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>

twobeelandscape a écrit :

> – I don't suppose Yamaha are goingto base their product
> development on our advice.

Who knows ? ;-)
OK, Xmas time is behind us and Santa Claus is on strike... More
seriously i suppose that marketing departments are sometimes looking at
owners websites and "web fanzines", just as they read reviews on magazines.
I suppose too that a beefed up version of the AN1x with today's DSPs and
µ controllers should not be worth of a Nobel prize. At best some papers
in specialized reviews like IEEE or JAES ... But marketing and money rule...
Best regards to you all...
J.F.

twobeelandscape a écrit :

> GAIA SH01 keyboard
> – very direct access, pretty much one control per function. However
> it took a retro step too far for me - no display or patch names, only
> bank and patch numbers. I haven't heard one but the reviews are
> enthusiastic

I missed one...
The GAIA sounds very nice, "Roland style" (think JP 8000, SH32 ...) of
course. But IMHO the keyboard is too "short" for normal polyphonic
keyboard play, let's say the standard "chords at left hand and soloing
with the right hand". Very strange indeed, because the GAIA can play up
to 64 notes(!). I guess it's some marketing trick, make a little white
box with a little keyboard and a handful of knobs, and ...yes ! it's the
reincarnation of the mono SH of old ...
If you need an external decent MIDI keyboard to use it as a sound module
it is not so cheap.
Cheers.
J.F.

Wow, Barney, I never expected the Spanish Inquisition! (Yes, that's
a cue....)

I'm really surprised by your interpretation of my posting, which was
intended as a continuation of the discussion as to what makes the AN1x
(still) a great synth, and what would be nice to see in a new product
which improved on its best aspects (sound/architecture/control). It
wasn't meant to be expert, snobby or high-handed condemnation - but
I got the impression that airing a personal opinion was allowed on this
forum.

Electronic music is my hobby, not my livelihood, I just love the sound
of synths and have been playing with them since 1978 (Korg MS10). I have
owned and recorded with (in an amateur capacity) various products, and
along the years have acquired a CZ101, SQ80, AN1x, Novation Nova and now
the MS2000BR. I had put my synths in a cupboard and drifted towards
VSTis for sheer convenience, but I found myself wanting to get back to
hardware, with hands-on access. Thus the Behringer (principally for the
AN1x) and MS2000.

Sorry if I gave the impression that I didn't like the AN1x. The
opposite is true - it is the best- sounding of all of my synths and I
intend to continue to explore it - Richy's recent patches and posts
on detailed patch editing have been especially welcome. An issue with
the AN1x, noted by others on this thread, is that the knob matrix is not
the most intuitive route into that lovely sound engine.

For that reason I hope to create a template for the Behringer BCR2000,
which would potentially be an asset for this group. For just over
£100, you can get 32 knobs and 16 switches (and four switchable
layouts per preset = 128 knobs and 64 switches). Obviously it can also
be used to control other hard and soft synths - see the BC2000 Yahoo
Group. I will share when I get my head around the technical issues,
sysex etc, and hope it will be useful in due course and will help to
`work around the weaknesses of the instrument'. In the
meantime, I hope that my very small contribution below may be useful to
someone.

Jeff - it would be nice to think that Yamaha might be watching, and that
our views would be more than just enthusiastic exchanges between users
of a 15-year-old synth. As Jerome posted, we feel the AN1x `was
designed with love by very smart people who understood what players
need' - it may happen again!

In friendship, Bill

author of a pretty coloured version of the AN1x signal flow diagram

http://f1.grp.yahoofs.com/v1/YKtKT1scpME8nfzItNiHD_Kg2pTegX29kDbnpiOGmom\
B9lWnoeyNKqhwBqfFdomvdiaaqO72Mt168eY2uxylqWiYvKMipvL7lpbp4Q/Manuals%20%2\
6%20Guides/AN1X-flow-diagram-colour.pdf

--- In AN1x-list@yahoogroups.com, Jeff <jf.serviere@...> wrote:

>
> But IMHO the keyboard is too "short" for normal polyphonic
> keyboard play

Jeff - agreed. If you watch the GAIA demos on Youtube, the players look like they are very constrained by the keyboard - you can almost see that they want to play higher and lower.

Sorry. Bill.

Bill, I’ve been very quiet on this list for a few years and not playing and composing as much as I’d like (nor performing) helped my mental gas bubble to burst on you. I re-read your post and I think my attack was based on your high level of intelligence. It contained some of my generalized rants at Yamaha, Korg, Roland and other companies that have the money to release new music synthesizer models on a regular basis.

I was an electronics test engineer during the 90s. My expertise was in Electromagnetic Interference Compliance. Korg needed to get a certain keyboard approved for sales in the US and came to our small, yet efficient company. I met Stoney Stockell, a pioneer in synthesizer design. He recommended the Korg 01/W and I bought one and am still a devoted fan. It is a ROMpler, and one of the best produced ever. It’s short run of 1992-95 betrays it as a MUSICAL INSTRUMENT. So does the short run of the AN1x. The corporate design concepts which are intended to force keyboard musicians to throw out their gear for new stuff every 4 years or so is sinful and that is why I exploded on you. Korg and Yamaha were somewhat affiliated at the time and Mr. Stockell gave me such a crash course on the history of musical synthesis and synthesizer design that I will never forget it.

I saw Glass Hammer performing with a Yamaha CS6x in 2005. He had the AN200 board installed as well as other amazing functions. Besides being a virtuoso performer, he also was a genius programmer/technician. It is amazing what musicians can do when they are blessed with skills from both halves of the brain.
http://www.vintagesynth.com/yamaha/cs6x.php

In spite of corporate profit-based design, the production and support of musical electronics, in spite of poor motives now and then produce amazing classics instruments of enduring power and expression: the AN1x being a prime example.

Please forgive my explosion. Jon, our moderator who has personally met with me (and other members of the list) will vouch for my sincerity. He can also confirm the weak regulator valves in my steam engines.

Ed Edwards
www.ezekielswheel.com <http://www.ezekielswheel.com/>
www.untiedmusic.com/ezekiel


_____

From: AN1x-list@yahoogroups.com [mailto:AN1x-list@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of twobeelandscape
Sent: Sunday, February 26, 2012 6:33 PM
To: AN1x-list@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [AN1x] Re: Yamaha GX1


Wow, Barney, I never expected the Spanish Inquisition! (Yes, that's
a cue....)

I'm really surprised by your interpretation of my posting, which was
intended as a continuation of the discussion as to what makes the AN1x
(still) a great synth, and what would be nice to see in a new product
which improved on its best aspects (sound/architecture/control). It
wasn't meant to be expert, snobby or high-handed condemnation - but
I got the impression that airing a personal opinion was allowed on this
forum.

Electronic music is my hobby, not my livelihood, I just love the sound
of synths and have been playing with them since 1978 (Korg MS10). I have
owned and recorded with (in an amateur capacity) various products, and
along the years have acquired a CZ101, SQ80, AN1x, Novation Nova and now
the MS2000BR. I had put my synths in a cupboard and drifted towards
VSTis for sheer convenience, but I found myself wanting to get back to
hardware, with hands-on access. Thus the Behringer (principally for the
AN1x) and MS2000.

Sorry if I gave the impression that I didn't like the AN1x. The
opposite is true - it is the best- sounding of all of my synths and I
intend to continue to explore it - Richy's recent patches and posts
on detailed patch editing have been especially welcome. An issue with
the AN1x, noted by others on this thread, is that the knob matrix is not
the most intuitive route into that lovely sound engine.

For that reason I hope to create a template for the Behringer BCR2000,
which would potentially be an asset for this group. For just over
£100, you can get 32 knobs and 16 switches (and four switchable
layouts per preset = 128 knobs and 64 switches). Obviously it can also
be used to control other hard and soft synths - see the BC2000 Yahoo
Group. I will share when I get my head around the technical issues,
sysex etc, and hope it will be useful in due course and will help to
`work around the weaknesses of the instrument'. In the
meantime, I hope that my very small contribution below may be useful to
someone.

Jeff - it would be nice to think that Yamaha might be watching, and that
our views would be more than just enthusiastic exchanges between users
of a 15-year-old synth. As Jerome posted, we feel the AN1x `was
designed with love by very smart people who understood what players
need' - it may happen again!

In friendship, Bill

author of a pretty coloured version of the AN1x signal flow diagram

http://f1.grp.yahoofs.com/v1/YKtKT1scpME8nfzItNiHD_Kg2pTegX29kDbnpiOGmom\ <http://f1.grp.yahoofs.com/v1/YKtKT1scpME8nfzItNiHD_Kg2pTegX29kDbnpiOGmomB9lWnoeyNKqhwBqfFdomvdiaaqO72Mt168eY2uxylqWiYvKMipvL7lpbp4Q/Manuals%20%26%20Guides/AN1X-flow-diagram-colour.pdf>
B9lWnoeyNKqhwBqfFdomvdiaaqO72Mt168eY2uxylqWiYvKMipvL7lpbp4Q/Manuals%20%2\
6%20Guides/AN1X-flow-diagram-colour.pdf

_____

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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Ed (Barney?) - no problem at all. I appreciate your frustrations.

> Sorry. Bill.
> I think my attack was based on your high level of intelligence.

I get that all the time ;-)

Thanks to you and all for this excellent group. One of the greatest gifts of the internet is that specialist enthusiasts (/nerds) are not alone. Viva AN1x!