The Yamaha AN1x Synthesizer mailing list

Can someone please comment the keyboard of the AN1X?
61 keys (with velocity & aftertouch)? But what's the
AN1X like as a master keyboard? Quality keys or less
quality...

I also read that the AN1X has a morphing function,
which makes it possible to morph between two different
sounds. I can imagine that this function is a source
of some really weird and nasty sounds. But how
easy/practical is this function? Is it as exciting as
it sounds?

And does anyone here know where the AN1X stands
compared to other VA-synths? Would it go well together
with, for example a Nord Modular, Access Virus B or a
Korg MS-2000, or would it be a bit like getting a
duplicate of one of the synths?

One last thing ... does the AN1X send any "ACTIVE
SENSING" messages? My DX-7 does that, which can create
a lot of confusion when it's used as a master keyboard
with Cubase.

I'm sorry for all these questions, but I won't be able
to play around with an AN1X before I buy one. So I
want to make sure of what I'm doing with some
research. Don't want to have to sell the synth after 2
weeks.

Many thanx in advance

/CJ

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> Can someone please comment the keyboard of the AN1X? 61 keys (with
velocity & aftertouch)? But what's the AN1X like as a master keyboard?
Quality keys or less quality...<

I think it makes a very nice master kbd because of the knobs on the left
side.  There are several 'groups' for the knobs, one of which can be
customized to any MIDI CC#s.  I like the feel of the keyboard,
personally ... Synth-like (not weighted or anything), but has a good
firm feel to it.    Aftertouch is pretty easy to get.  The case is
plastic, but feels pretty sturdy.  It has a far better keyboard than the
CS1X and CS2X do, although all three have about the same case shape.
 
> I also read that the AN1X has a morphing function, which makes it
possible to morph between two different sounds. I can imagine that this
function is a source of some really weird and nasty sounds. But how
easy/practical is this function? Is it as exciting as it sounds?<

It's quite simple to use - basically you can create two 'scenes' for
each sound, which can be very different from each other or nearly
identical.  Then, you set a controller to handle the scene switch (such
as the mod wheel), and can move it back & forth to morph between the
two.  So it's not exactly like the Nord Modular's morph function, but
definitely useful.  
 
> And does anyone here know where the AN1X stands compared to other
VA-synths? Would it go well together with, for example a Nord Modular,
Access Virus B or a Korg MS-2000, or would it be a bit like getting a
duplicate of one of the synths?<

One of the coolest things about the AN1X, IMO, is the arpeggiator / step
sequencer.  It is very flexible, and can be set to transmit on *any*
midi channel.  I haven't been overly impressed with the *range* of
sounds it can create compared to the Nord Modular (but then again, what
*is* as flexible as the NM??), though what it does I think it does well,
and it is *very* tweakable.  I think it complements my MS2K pretty well
from a sound perspective - it has a bit of a darker, 'wetter' sound to
me than the MS2K, especially the filter, although there are definitely a
lot of similarities in the design of the two synths.  I think the AN1X
makes a very nice master controller keyboard because of the knobs,
ribbon controller, and step sequencer, which was a main reason why I
bought it.  
 
> One last thing ... does the AN1X send any "ACTIVE SENSING" messages?<

Yes, it does.  Seems to be something that all Yamaha kbds do - my old
SY22 did it as well.  Which reminds me - if you've ever used an SY22,
the AN1X keyboard feels a lot like it to me.

Hope this helps ... 

-Steve
 sbm@...
 Sacramento, CA

Keyboard Magazine compared the AN1X with the Roland and Nord. 
Keyboard liked the sound of the Yamaha just fine, thought it was a 
great value. At the time, aftertouch and 61 keys were rare in a 
virtual synth.

My own take on the sound quality. Alone, it sometimes sounds a little 
bright, but it sits in the mix really well. Very hard live or 
recorded to tell the difference between it and an analog synth. Deep 
programming potential. I use it for a master control. My main concern 
is the knobs. Don't bump the dang thing-I can't afford a hard shell 
case. Bruce on this list has a pretty good alternative to a soft case 
that's reasonably priced. The ribbon controller is a great feature, 
and the knobs can control midi modules, giving you some nice control 
over less user friendly synths.

The AN1X has free eg, essentially a sequencer that can record 4 
different knob moves. 

The delay and reverb effects aren't bad.

The morph technique is easy. Turn the mod wheel.

It's cheap. It makes wild crazy noises. Far more versatile and more 
reliable than the old analog synths. It's light weight. It has a wall 
wart power chord, again talk to Bruce about a cheap fix for that. The 
ribbon controller is a blast. Deep programming potential. Layer two 
sounds from the AN1x together, use the MIDI to trigger another synth 
with 4 sounds layered on it, turn on the arpeggiater and you're in 
instant weird noise heaven.

My mian complaint with the AN1X is that it seems to exert some weird 
kind of time warp effect. I go down and start fiddling with the knobs 
and the next thing I know it's two or three hours later.

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

CJ,

>Can someone please comment the keyboard of the AN1X?
>61 keys (with velocity & aftertouch)? But what's the
>AN1X like as a master keyboard? Quality keys or less
>quality...

The keyboard has a very nice feel, with a smooth aftertouch.  I have used it both as a controller for my Alesis S4 and Voce V3.  The feel is a bit light for acoustic piano, but good for both organ and Clavinet.

>I also read that the AN1X has a morphing function,
>which makes it possible to morph between two different
>sounds. I can imagine that this function is a source
>of some really weird and nasty sounds. But how
>easy/practical is this function? Is it as exciting as
>it sounds?

It's very easy to use.  If you press both the Scene 1 and Scene 2 buttons, you jump into Morph Mode.  At that point, whatever controller you have set to morphing pans between the two sounds -- actually, "panning" is an oversimplification, as the parameters of the two sounds (envelopes, VCO pitch, waveforms, etc.) also change across the morph.  The default controller is the mod wheel.

>And does anyone here know where the AN1X stands
>compared to other VA-synths? Would it go well together
>with, for example a Nord Modular, Access Virus B or a
>Korg MS-2000, or would it be a bit like getting a
>duplicate of one of the synths?

Yes and no.  All of the VA synths have strengths and weaknesses, and each one sounds a little different than its brethren.  The AN1x has been described as "raw" and "edgy," as compared to a "smoother" VA like the Virus.

>One last thing ... does the AN1X send any "ACTIVE
>SENSING" messages? My DX-7 does that, which can create
>a lot of confusion when it's used as a master keyboard
>with Cubase.

Yes, it does.  :^(

Regards,

-BW

--
Bruce Wahler
Ashby Solutions\ufffd   http://music.ashbysolutions.com
CloneWheel Support Group moderator
978.386.7389  voice/fax
bruce@...