The Yamaha AN1x Synthesizer mailing list

Hi,

    I just joined this group. I have skimmed through the archives in order to minimize
my newbie questions. 

    I am an American living in Norway. I'm 44 now, and been playing guitar since I was
15. As of a couple years ago, I started building up a home studio with my limited funds. 
In my sig is the links to my first attempt at a CD (the whole thing is in MP3 on the list)
and some more recent stuff at the other link in the sig.

    I just last Saturday bought a used AN1x. I paid about $780 for it (I know...I know, but..)
and the reason is I live here in Norway, and had trouble even finding one to buy! Prices are
higher here...I could have shopped around and gotten one sent maybe, but I actually played this one so...

    This is the first Synth I have ever owned. I studied electronics and got an AS degree, so I understand theoretically the main components...it is very much like what I am used to working with, EXCEPT in practice..I am having a hard time. :-) I haven't quite got the whole picture yet with the different ways of configuring the FM into the VCO, etc..

    One other thing...rightnow my AN1x is being used stand alone..no MIDI, no PC hookup. I probably will have to keep it this way for a good while. I don't mind, but I am sure it will make my life a little harder.

Often end up twisting knobs and make no change in the sound...either a parameter that isn't even in the picture because something else is closed down or a module that isn't hooked up maybe..?
    
Anyway, I have more questions certainly later but for right now...mainly..(keeping in mind I have no PC hookup...so I can't use the nice interface programs)

1) Is there an easy way to find out what different parameters are assigned to controllers?
    So far it seems I can go to the parameters, and see a "set" and then find out which controller is set to it...but if I, for example want to see what the Mod Wheel is assigned to, is there a way to do that?

2) I noticed mail on "popping on power up" and I have experienced this. Only when it is cold. If I have it warmed up and turn it off and on again it doesn't pop/click. But from cold startup it does it intermittently for about a minute or two. Is this a problem? Is there any damage that can come from it or is it normal?

3) Do I understand correctly that you cannot save "common" matrix settings in a scene?

4) I am still a little confused about saving...if I tweak scene 1 for patch 025, adn make changes. Does it save if I just hit save while also hittin scene 1? OR do I also have to hit save twice to save the whole patch?

5) Any resource that goes a little more in depth (I would prefer verbose!) in operation, theory,
tips and tricks on the AN1x? (again..I can't at the moment download patches...)

6) How many folks here are like me and don't have a PC/sequencer/etc hooked up but are using
the aN1x standalone ?  Hello ? helllloooo?  Or am I alone?


Thanks in advance for answering any or all these questions...I love this unit and the possibilities. Even though I don't really do synth music yet (you can hear it at my web sites) but for spice... All keyboards on my site so far are done only with my Roland E-28 keyboard...no synth yet. Last night I recorded something I like a lot..made me glad  I bought this!

Thanks all ,

Jim



                   James R. Acker
     jacker@... listen to my music at.....
==============================================================
My first CD "Tabasco Road" can be heard at http://www.connectpoint.com/acker
    (With thanks to Mike Jones for hosting it)
My current songs can be now heard at my site: http://home.sol.no/~jacker/

J Acker wrote:

> 1) Is there an easy way to find out what different parameters are
> assigned to controllers?
>     So far it seems I can go to the parameters, and see a "set" and
> then find out which controller is set to it...but if I, for example
> want to see what the Mod Wheel is assigned to, is there a way to do
> that?

Unfortunately there is no easy way to do that directly on the AN1x.
Under "Ctrl matrix" you hit the "Set No" to select the set you want to
edit ( there is 16 sets, pitch bend up, Pitch bend down, and 2
commons.), when you have done that you can see which midi controller
(For example the modulation wheel) there is used by pressing the
"Source" Button once.

> 2) I noticed mail on "popping on power up" and I have experienced
> this. Only when it is cold. If I have it warmed up and turn it off and
> on again it doesn't pop/click. But from cold startup it does it
> intermittently for about a minute or two. Is this a problem? Is there
> any damage that can come from it or is it normal?

Unfortunately i Don't know, since my AN1x always is on. My guess...
Properly noting is wrong with that.

> 3) Do I understand correctly that you cannot save "common" matrix
> settings in a scene?

Scenes are not saved separately in the AN1x they are saved in a program
together with the "common" matrix settings.

> 4) I am still a little confused about saving...if I tweak scene 1 for
> patch 025, adn make changes. Does it save if I just hit save while
> also hittin scene 1? OR do I also have to hit save twice to save the
> whole patch?

No you just hit the save button, and select the preset were you want to
save.

> 5) Any resource that goes a little more in depth (I would prefer
> verbose!) in operation, theory,
> tips and tricks on the AN1x? (again..I can't at the moment download
> patches...)

The AN1x is an emulation of a analog synthesizer, the theory is
explained pretty well in Nord Modular manual:
http://www.clavia.se/clavia/manual.htm#modular and download the "Nord
Modular and Micro Modular User Manual V3.0, 2nd edition" then go to the
"Synthesis basics" chapter, it explains all the synthesizer techniques
found in the AN1x, read this and try tweaking around. If you want other
tricks for example how to make a sound you haven't figured out how to
make just ask on the mailing list:-)

> 6) How many folks here are like me and don't have a PC/sequencer/etc
> hooked up but are using
> the aN1x standalone ?  Hello ? helllloooo?  Or am I alone?

I like your sense of humor :-) But I actually used my AN1x without a
computer for the first year I had it.

> Thanks in advance for answering any or all these questions...I love
> this unit and the possibilities. Even though I don't really do synth
> music yet (you can hear it at my web sites) but for spice... All
> keyboards on my site so far are done only with my Roland E-28
> keyboard...no synth yet. Last night I recorded something I like a
> lot..made me glad  I bought this!
>
> Thanks all ,
>
> Jim

Good luck with the AN1x

Joergen Traun



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

--- In AN1x-list@y..., traun@m... wrote:
> J Acker wrote:
> 
> > 1) Is there an easy way to find out what different parameters are
> > assigned to controllers?
> >     So far it seems I can go to the parameters, and see a "set" and
> > then find out which controller is set to it...but if I, for example
> > want to see what the Mod Wheel is assigned to, is there a way to do
> > that?
> 
> Unfortunately there is no easy way to do that directly on the AN1x.
> Under "Ctrl matrix" you hit the "Set No" to select the set you want to
> edit ( there is 16 sets, pitch bend up, Pitch bend down, and 2
> commons.), when you have done that you can see which midi controller
> (For example the modulation wheel) there is used by pressing the
> "Source" Button once.

...but it get easier as you become more familiar with the AN1x. If you 
REALLY want to see all the routings simultaneously then you'll want to 
use AN1xEdit which is an excellent cross platform, freeware Editor/
Librarian for the AN1x and PLG150AN, et al.

> 
> > 2) I noticed mail on "popping on power up" and I have experienced
> > this. Only when it is cold. If I have it warmed up and turn it off and
> > on again it doesn't pop/click. But from cold startup it does it
> > intermittently for about a minute or two. Is this a problem? Is there
> > any damage that can come from it or is it normal?
> 
> Unfortunately i Don't know, since my AN1x always is on. My guess...
> Properly noting is wrong with that.

This is a known defect from a few years ago that Yamaha openly 
acknowledged. I had the repair completed while under warranty about two 
years ago. Unfortunately it requires sending the AN1x back to a Yamaha 
Service Center/Factory. For details of my experience see:
http://www.jdlx-musique.com/support/an1x/tt_factmod.htm

The problem doesn't appear to result in any further degradation but 
don't quote me on that.

(FWIW - there are a number of updates to the Tips & Tricks which are 
ready but not have been posted yet. Stay tuned - change is coming!)


> 
> > 3) Do I understand correctly that you cannot save "common" matrix
> > settings in a scene?
> 
> Scenes are not saved separately in the AN1x they are saved in a program
> together with the "common" matrix settings.
> 
> > 4) I am still a little confused about saving...if I tweak scene 1 for
> > patch 025, adn make changes. Does it save if I just hit save while
> > also hittin scene 1? OR do I also have to hit save twice to save the
> > whole patch?
> 
> No you just hit the save button, and select the preset were you want to
> save.

TIP - when you use the ASSIGN knobs to alter the sound and you go to 
hit save you might be surprised to find later that your edit did not 
save. Make certain you are in edit mode, i.e., any of the knob 
parameter groups are active, when you make changes you intend to save. 
The ASSIGN knobs are intended for quick, real time changes.

> 
> > 5) Any resource that goes a little more in depth (I would prefer
> > verbose!) in operation, theory,
> > tips and tricks on the AN1x? (again..I can't at the moment download
> > patches...)
> 
> The AN1x is an emulation of a analog synthesizer, the theory is
> explained pretty well in Nord Modular manual:
> http://www.clavia.se/clavia/manual.htm#modular and download the "Nord
> Modular and Micro Modular User Manual V3.0, 2nd edition" then go to the
> "Synthesis basics" chapter, it explains all the synthesizer techniques
> found in the AN1x, read this and try tweaking around. If you want other
> tricks for example how to make a sound you haven't figured out how to
> make just ask on the mailing list:-)

Make use of the links section here at Yahoo!Groups and the Files 
section:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AN1x-list/links
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AN1x-list/files

You'll find many resources and documents along these lines. BTW - 
that's a pretty trick recommendation to use the Clavia Mod manuals. I 
have to check those out!

> 
> > 6) How many folks here are like me and don't have a PC/sequencer/etc
> > hooked up but are using
> > the aN1x standalone ?  Hello ? helllloooo?  Or am I alone?

Good question?! And no, you're not alone ;-)

> 
> I like your sense of humor :-) But I actually used my AN1x without a
> computer for the first year I had it.
> 

I use a simple Synth and Sampler combo, a variety of Digital Audio sw 
programs, some freeware Ed/Libs and my sequencer of choice these days 
is Logic Audio Gold for Mac.

> > Thanks in advance for answering any or all these questions...I love
> > this unit and the possibilities. Even though I don't really do synth
> > music yet (you can hear it at my web sites) but for spice... All
> > keyboards on my site so far are done only with my Roland E-28
> > keyboard...no synth yet. Last night I recorded something I like a
> > lot..made me glad  I bought this!
> >

The AN1x is a fine synth to own! I hope you'll be happy with your 
purchase for some time to come.

regards,
Jon

> > Thanks all ,
> >
> > Jim
> 
> Good luck with the AN1x
> 
> Joergen Traun
> 
> 
> 
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

J Acker wrote:

  > 1) Is there an easy way to find out what different parameters are
  > assigned to controllers?

  Have you tried "double clicking" the knobs, this brings up the parameter for the knob!
  Cheers
  Steve
  Shortcut URL to this page:
    http://www.onelist.com/community/AN1x-list 

  Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service. 



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

From: "J Acker" <jacker@...>

> 2) I noticed mail on "popping on power up" and I have experienced this.
> Only when it is cold. If I have it warmed up and turn it off and on again
> it doesn't pop/click. But from cold startup it does it intermittently for
> about a minute or two. Is this a problem? Is there any damage that can
> come from it or is it normal?

This is a known hardware problem. There is a fix for it, but unfortunately
Yamaha charges you if it's out of the warrantee period.

> 6) How many folks here are like me and don't have a PC/sequencer/etc
> hooked up but are using the aN1x standalone ?  Hello ? helllloooo?  Or am
> I alone?

I've got it hooked up to a non-working PC, which is basically the same.
Still haven't found time to fix it.

- Peter