The Yamaha AN1x Synthesizer mailing list

I find it's helpful reviewing new synths and comparing them to the 
AN1X. If something happens to my keyboards, it's nice to know there's 
a low cost replacement out there.

I had my An1x out the other day, jamming with a friend who was 
playing Reason. While Reason is way more flexible, having a sampler 
and the Malstrom, the An1X held her own. At home, soloing the 
patches, sometimes she sounds a little digital. In a mix, either live 
or on a recording, I can't hear any difference. Dueling arpegiators 
is quite fun.

The Ion looks nice, but it has no ribbon controller. I'm spoiled. 
Can't see myself going back. 

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

--- In AN1x-list@yahoogroups.com, "spaceanimals" <alciere@m...> wrote:
> I find it's helpful reviewing new synths and comparing them to the 
> AN1X. If something happens to my keyboards, it's nice to know 
there's 
> a low cost replacement out there.
> 

2nd hand AN1x prices are down to $350 these days :-/ 

> I had my An1x out the other day, jamming with a friend who was 
> playing Reason. While Reason is way more flexible, having a sampler 
> and the Malstrom, the An1X held her own. At home, soloing the 
> patches, sometimes she sounds a little digital. In a mix, either 
live 
> or on a recording, I can't hear any difference. Dueling arpegiators 
> is quite fun.
> 

I'm amazed at the momentum Reason has been able to sustain. Having 
used ReBirth for awhile I never took to it as much as I thought I 
would. Consequently, I've never given Reason a fair shake.


> The Ion looks nice, but it has no ribbon controller. I'm spoiled. 
> Can't see myself going back. 
> 

True - no Ribbon Controller on the ION. There were some J8000 users 
in the crowd Wednesday night who spoke highly of the JP8K Ribbon 
Controller - and the JP8K UI is more similar to the ION than the 
AN1x. However, Alesis makes the Air FX series which I *think* could 
be used as a cool alternative to a Ribbon Controller assuming they 
have MIDI I/O.  But the real reason to check out an ION is the sound 
quality - you should give one a test run!

Jon