The Yamaha AN1x Synthesizer mailing list

Hi Jake,

Sorry for the lag time in replying. I find this a complelling idea - 
switching from desktop/hardware to a laptop/softsynth set-up. 
This is OT for AN1x-list so anybody not interested should hit the 
delete key....now....

--- In AN1x-list@y..., "Jake B" <jake@i...> wrote:
> I am debating switching from my hardware set up to a software 
based setup with reason, a laptop, and a midi keyboard or 2. 
And possibly a microkorg. 

I've takne the same idea under consideration for when I 
replace/upgrade my current G3 PowerMac w/ OS 9 and move 
onto OS X 10.x

> In my hardware set up I am using
> yamaha an1x
> korg monopoly
> roland jv 1010
> roland spd 11 drum pads
> esi 4000 turbo sampler
> small midi controller keyboard for the jv 1010 and the sampler 
> 
> I mostly use my gear for a space rock band...strings, analog 
arps from the monopoly, bell sounds from the an1x and various 
samples. 
> 
> I really don't use my gear to its full potential...and I blame that 
mostly on myself becasue I go to work on a song and have to 
much to deal with learning hardware. 
> 

Here's some idea's...

1) The AN1x wokrs well as a controller with PlugIns. You can 
either A) reprogram the physical controllers on the AN1x to 
transmit the MIDI CCs which your PlugIns respond to or B) use 
the features within your Host software (Cubase Mixer Maps, 
Logic Environments) to remap the default MIDI CCs sent from 
the AN1x to the equivalent MIDI CCs your PlugIns need to see.

2) There are a wide variety of cross platform PlugIns that can be 
had for minimal to no cost that would emulate the type of sounds 
you remarked on. I would suggest you check out TickyClav, 
CheezMachine, and Angelina from BigTick 
http://bigtick.pastnotecut.org/ and either FreeAlpha (or Alpha) 
from LinPlug http://www.linplug.com/  MUON has much to offer 
and has been contracted to provide many freeware PlugIns that 
have been distributed on the FutreMusic Shareware distribution 
CDs http://www.muon-software.com/

3) A cost effective replacment for your JV1010 you might consider 
SampleTank http://www.sampletank.com/ ST Free is available 
along with a dozen or more free sounds to preview. My 1st 
impressions of STFree were not favorable - it was difficult to 
configure and felt unsteady in LOGIC AUDIO. I downloaded an 
updated version some weeks later and spent some time 
previewing the documentation prior to installation - this time I 
met with success. IMO, the sound quality is on par with most 
budget ROMplers, i.e., JV1010. The interface is ugly but provides 
some well chosen virtual knobs applicable for tweaking the 
current sound. The built in effects are very good and go a long 
way to making ST worthwhile.

4) You might consider retaining the SPD11 if for no other reason 
it would make a great controller for your drum tracks. There's 
something inately satisfying about banging a pad as opposed to 
tapping on a keyboard for drum parts. Akai has recently released 
a mid-priced Pad type controller for this very reason - and why I'll 
likely retain my ASR-X Pro for some time too.

5) In regards to the ESI4000 I think I'd have the least about 
trouble parting with that. My 1st sampler was an Emax II and I've 
spent some quality time with the ESI series. You have SO MANY 
alternatives for a softsapler these days - EXS24 integrates tightly 
with LOGIC AUDIO, HALion is suppose to offer ease of use, 
KONTAKT reportedly excels for sound design, and then there are 
the shareware and freeware alternatives in addition to all the 
Drum Samplers like BATTERY or the Steinberg euqivalent (the 
name escapes be at the moment - someth MkII...)

> I have always been against software but...have come to the 
conclusion that it is not what you make music with but the music 
itself. 
> 
> So I am thinking of selling all my gear for a beefy laptop 
running software(Reason). With a midiman quattro or something 
similar, that can use USB or firewire. Along with a controller 
keyboard 
> 

Here's the downside: COST! You're not going to get rich off the 
sale of your gear but it will defer part of the cost. You're going to 
need A) a MIDI Interface for your laptop B) an Audio Interface and 
C) external storage if you plan on using MANY audio tracks.

From the research I've done it appears the latest generation of 
USB Audio Interfaces will provide at least a pair of stereo audio 
trakcs for recording but multitracking take too much bandwidth. A 
FIREWIRE Audio Interface cures that problem but costs 
substantially more - I've been price watching the MOTU 828 on 
eBay and prices are still in excess of $500. If you go with an USB 
Audio Interface be aware that some may not draw adequate 
power from the USB host or a USB multiport expansion box - you 
may need to use an AC Adapter to ensure sufficient power. 

USB MIDI Interfaces have had a bad rep for the past few years, 
and rightly so, but the situation seems to be improving. I know 
there are developments on WIn XP that parallel the development 
of CoreMIDI and CoreAudio services on OS X so the future is 
looking good regardless of platform. Just beaware that some 
Synths - like the AN1x - don't perform well via USB specifically in 
regards to SysEx data transfers. I'm at the point were the 
freeware apps I use with AN1x and my ASR-X are less important 
to me then in the past so I'm willing and able to give them up for 
the added benefits of upgrding to a new OS.

There are a couple of manufacturers producing kits for 
converting an IDE drive to a portable FIREWIRE capable 
enclosure - typically these run less than $100. So it's possible to 
take your data with you when you move off the desktop and onto 
the laptop. 

To summarize, the consensus for laptop use appears to be USB 
for MIDI and FIREWIRE for Audio. Of course you don't HAVE to 
follow this trend but it something to take into consideration.

> First question is what do you guys think...yes or no on the 
switch..software to hardware. 
> 

I think it's very doable but at a cost. Example, last summer Apple 
introduced new 667 and 800 Mhz with major enhancements to 
the I/O subsystem and Memory scheme - this made them every 
bit as efficient as the PowerMac minitowers. Now they've 
upgraded all the minitowers to dual processors and the PBs 
again take a back seat in regards to performance. The point 
being you have maybe 36 months from when you buy your 
current generation laptop before you start looking enviously at 
the latest performance increases and desktops will contantly 
leapfrog laptops in performance. That's just the way it is - you're 
going to pay a premium for portability.

> My main concern in switching is how will a laptop perform in a 
live situation. Will I notice much latency? Will I be able to switch 
patches with just the external keyboard, and not have to you a 
mouse to access the patch. 
> 

Latency is directly attributable to the speed of the System bus 
and the efficiency of your audio driver (ASIO, DirectX, 
SoundManager, what have you...) I achive acceptable latency on 
my desktop PowerMac with a 66 Mhz system bus using the ASIO 
driver for my Echo Gina sound card. The newer iBooks all use a 
100 Mhz system bus that smokes my desktop so I doubt you will 
have a problem if you choose wisely. Patch chnages can be 
automated but this function is specific to you Host software and 
your PlugIns. Expect to spend some time configuring your set-up 
;-)

> The one thing I like about switching is not having to carry 
around a big rack of gear and being able to take my studio 
anywhere I go. Able to compose anytime. 
> 

I like the idea of not having cables all around me and extra, noisy 
boxes sitting on my desktop - Zip drive, CDRW, a montiro that 
takes up twice as much space as necessary, etc.

> Next...if I do switch what would be a good machine to get to do 
what I need. I want to be able use it live and also plan on 
recording with it, multitrack and what not with the quattro. 
> 

I suggest you check out some mailing lists here at Yahoo! 
Groups for discussion on specific models:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/laptopmozart

An acquaintance of mine from the ASR-X started laptopmozart - 
you might check in there. He went the lpatop route at least two 
years ago.

And http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LapTopMusic which is 
LOGIC specific but you'll probably find some pointers. You 
haven't mentioned what host software you use - I would b-line for 
the forum supporting that host software and search the archives 
to see what's what...


> I was planning on a P4 2.0ghz and 512mb ram or a AMD 2000 
with 512mb but am not 100% sure yet. 
> 
> If anyone could give me some hints or a little more direction 
that would be really cool
> 

See above.

Hope this helps.

regards,

Jon