The Yamaha AN1x Synthesizer mailing list

Love to hear what people are doing with the ribbon controller.I like
filter cutoff for the x axis, resonance and/or release for the Z.
Will try some of the suggestions.

How about some free eg tips? Probably this is old hat but I hear a
lot of people complaining about the "sterile" sound of digital synths-
nothing sounds as good as real analog.

To get a more realistic sound, I set the Free eg to modulate the fine
tuning of the oscillators, to get a very slight drift (2-3 cents) in
the tuning. Keyboard tracking can do this as well. Pitch modualtion
can be set differently for each oscillator for a fatter sound.

For pads-set up a pad sound, then use free eg to modulate the volume
of the second oscillator (tune to 7 semi tones above osc 1)-bring the
harmonics in and out. Also set up a dual voicing, use free eg to
modulate the volume of the scene 2 oscillators(set 12 and 19
semitones above)-now 3 sets of harmonics weaving in and out-cool!

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

> How about some free eg tips?

Jimmy:

I am going to try out your tips on the Free EGs. They sound very cool.

I have one that I have been using recently. You know how analog
synths don't have an attack like romplers do for leads. With a
rompler you can add some short waveform (bell, piano, guitar) so you
have a real bite on the attack. The nearest thing on most analog
synths is a quick pitch envelope attack.

Well I found that you can do sharp attacks for leads using the EG's
on the AN1x.

I typically modulate FM depth, or sync pitch, or sync pitch depth.
The wave I draw on the EG, is a descending slope from a modulated
position back to zero modulation. And it needs to be very quick not
to damage the sustain portion of the sound. FM modulation provides a
pretty good approximation of the 'bruppp' sounds of horns, the sync
stuff is best for clear sharp leads ( the ones that sound like FM).
The trick is to keep it very short. I sometimes vary the VCA attack
time by velocity, because the ear can tire of the same attack sound
on every note.

Hope this helps. I look forward to reading the next cool tip.

Cheers,

Jerry