The Yamaha AN1x Synthesizer mailing list

From: "Thomas" <tomfinegan@...>

> I had a FS1r and i sold it. If you are not into complicated
> programming, forget the FS1r and rather get a DX200, if you want FM.
>
> [tons of reasons to buy a DX200 instead of an FS1r]
>
> But still the soundquality of the 1200+ preset voices are
> outstanding, and you can feed it with DX7 presets.

Ah, there you go: I prefer the FS1r. :) (It has over 1500 presets, by the
way.)

I was *very* impressed with the sound of the FS1r, but unfortunately it is
let down by poor software support, like another Yamaha that I won't mention.
But that is has so many presets *and* can use all the DX7 patches out there
makes it very attractive.

An interesting note: the EX5 has a preset called 'Relax', the AN1x has one
called 'Relaxx', and on the FS1r it's 'Relaxxx'. In a way, they are similar,
but the one on the FS1r is just amazing: it uses its semi-vocal
capabilities.

That's the trouble with Yamaha: all their synths complement each other so
wonderfully, and before you know you end up with only Yamaha. :)

- Peter

--- In AN1x-list@y..., "Peter Korsten" <peterk@i...> wrote:

> That's the trouble with Yamaha: all their synths complement each

other so

From: "Thomas" <tomfinegan@...>

> --- In AN1x-list@y..., "Peter Korsten" <peterk@i...> wrote:
> > That's the trouble with Yamaha: all their synths complement each
> other so
> > wonderfully, and before you know you end up with only Yamaha. :)
> lol...true and the ones you named have each of them alone excellent
> and unique sound. But together, geeez...

Apart from their stock synths, once in a while Yamaha comes out with these
completely over-the-top and impossibly expensive synths. And I'm not talking
about the DX1 or the VL1 here. Examples are the GX1 (660 kilos of organ and
speakers), the FX1 (the same thing but with FM synthesis) and the VP1 (16
voice polyphonic VL synth).

For instance, the GX1 has keys that you can wiggle sideways for extra
expression. And it has a knee controller.

> Well, i am waiting for a FS1000, or something like that, another FM-
> keyboard synth. So far i am fine with my NordMM, AN1x, RS7000 and
> Xbase. Still i miss those FS sounds...Relaxxx is indeed a really nice
> one...

I got the impression that Yamaha is concentrating on AWM synths, while
providing their 'special' synthesis methods as PLG cards.

Then again, the PLG150AN and PLG150DX boards have been put in a desktop
module, the AN200 and DX200.

Still I don't have a clue what they have up their sleeve... The Motif is
clearly a very capable workstation, but in some aspects it's inferior to the
EX5, for instance in regards to polyphony. And an instrument like the FS1r
seems like a one-off - at least for now.

What I really wouldn't mind is an update to their AN technology: while
maintaining the distinctive Yamaha sound, they could increase the number of
oscillators, for instance, or add extra filters. And I *really* wouldn't
mind a 30 voice, eight part multitimbral AN keyboard or rack, with an mLAN
option and optionally PLG slots. Then again, they canned the AN1r (rack
version).

--- In AN1x-list@y..., "Peter Korsten" <peterk@i...> wrote:

> Examples are the GX1 (660 kilos of organ and
> speakers), the FX1 (the same thing but with FM synthesis) and the

VP1 (16

> voice polyphonic VL synth).

Or the 100 Kilo of the marvellous CS80...unreachable it´s sound.
Listen to Vangelis Bladerunner Soundtrack and you understand what i
mean.

> I got the impression that Yamaha is concentrating on AWM synths,

while

> providing their 'special' synthesis methods as PLG cards.

I don´t mind as long as they make a FS-PLG...:D

>
> Then again, the PLG150AN and PLG150DX boards have been put in a

desktop

> module, the AN200 and DX200.

True.

> Still I don't have a clue what they have up their sleeve...

Yeah, it´s like there are a two bunch of peoples fighting over the
power in Yamaha. The ones that want good music instruments, the other
ones that wants good money. Unfortunately the last ones won over,
when they released the FS1r...otherwise i would have thought there
would be also a FS1 Keyboard...

> What I really wouldn't mind is an update to their AN technology:

while

> maintaining the distinctive Yamaha sound, they could increase the

number of

> oscillators, for instance, or add extra filters. And I *really*

wouldn't

> mind a 30 voice, eight part multitimbral AN keyboard or rack, with

an mLAN

> option and optionally PLG slots.

Oh most definately THAT would be nice, maybe a new AN that is coming
sonically closer again to the formentioned CS80. AND mLAN AND PLG-
slots (AND a FS-PLG), that would make my day (and my bankaccount too)

Then again, they canned the AN1r (rack

From: "Thomas" <tomfinegan@...>

> --- In AN1x-list@y..., "Peter Korsten" <peterk@i...> wrote:
> > Examples are the GX1 (660 kilos of organ and
> > speakers), the FX1 (the same thing but with FM synthesis) and the
> VP1 (16
> > voice polyphonic VL synth).
> Or the 100 Kilo of the marvellous CS80...unreachable it´s sound.
> Listen to Vangelis Bladerunner Soundtrack and you understand what i
> mean.

I know the CS80, but it doesn't come close to the exclusiveness of the GX1,
FX1 (of which I hadn't even heard before last month) and the VP1. For
instance, the VL1 was bloody expensive, but the VP1 was SIX TIMES as
expensive. Paying 20,000 sterling for a synth is no joke. And these are
prices are of six years ago.

Of the GX1, only seven or so were built. It was actually the machine out of
which the CS80 was developed. It has been described as a 23rd century
Hammond organ, or the helm control of the Enterprise. It has two normal size
keyboards, a mini keyboard, a knee controller, those things you play with
your feet, and, since this is an Electone organ, a rythm section with Rumba
and Bossanova.

Then there's the GS1, the first Yamaha FM synth that looked like a baby
grand piano. The FX1, of which I've never seen a picture, supposedly looks
the same as the GX1 and EX1, but works on FM as well - EIGHT operator FM,
that is. The DX1, with more lights than a Las Vegas casino, is just the nice
looking version of the DX5, which is basically a double DX7. It's exclusive,
but not *elusive* as these really, really high-end products.

You've got to love Yamaha.

> > Still I don't have a clue what they have up their sleeve...
> Yeah, it´s like there are a two bunch of peoples fighting over the
> power in Yamaha. The ones that want good music instruments, the other
> ones that wants good money. Unfortunately the last ones won over,
> when they released the FS1r...otherwise i would have thought there
> would be also a FS1 Keyboard...

Keep in mind that the economic crisis has hit Japan hard, and things aren't
over yet. Yamaha was no exception to this decline. If you have the choice
between creating something esthitically beautiful and making money to
survive, I suppose you can always create that beautiful synth in a few
years.

> > What I really wouldn't mind is an update to their AN technology:
> while
> > maintaining the distinctive Yamaha sound, they could increase the
> number of
> > oscillators, for instance, or add extra filters. And I *really*
> wouldn't
> > mind a 30 voice, eight part multitimbral AN keyboard or rack, with
> an mLAN
> > option and optionally PLG slots.
> Oh most definately THAT would be nice, maybe a new AN that is coming
> sonically closer again to the formentioned CS80. AND mLAN AND PLG-
> slots (AND a FS-PLG), that would make my day (and my bankaccount too)

No, it would *break* your bank account. :)

As for CS80 sound, I think it's pretty difficult to get there. And don't
overestimate these 'real' analogue synths. The CS80 may sound good, but you
have to lock it up in a laboratory to reach that sound. It's notoriously
unreliable and suspectible to temperature changes. A friend of mine has a
CS60 (basically, half a CS80) and it sounds good for five notes or so - and
then it becomes completely unplayable.