The Yamaha AN1x Synthesizer mailing list

--- In AN1x-list@yahoogroups.com, "Jerry Aiyathurai" 
<tuskerfort@h...> wrote:
> Anyone use the An1X as a controller as well as a synth?
> 
> I'm curious about your experiences. For example, how do you 
handle 
> knob and controller asignments? How do you handle 
multi-timbrality 
> issues and mixing (volume) issues. 
> 
> Thx,
> 
> Jerry

Jerry,

I use the AN1x as a controller and tone generator along side my 
multitimbral hardware sampler (ASR-X Pro) and Plug-in 
softsynths (Emagic, NI, and some freeware) with an Opcode 
Studio 128x (multi-port MIDI Interface.)

I typically leave the AN1x set to LOCAL OFF and use 
preprogrammed patches on the Studio 128x to toggle between 
configurations. This allows be to choose between the AN1x, 
ASR-X, both, or my host computer:

Power Mac G3 -> Opcode Studio 128x
AN1x -> Opcode Studio 128x port 1
ASR-X Pro -> Opcode Studio 128x port 2

Early on in this set-up I programmed the Assign Knobs and 
Ribbon Controller using UTILITY/SETUP to transmit MIDI CC's to 
affect the ASR-X. Here's an example:

Knob 1 = 073: AEG Atk (this controls the Amplitude Env 
Generator Attack level on the ASR-X)
Knob 2 = 076: ------- (this controls the Amplitude Env Generator 
Decay level on the ASR-X)
Knob 3 = 072: AEG Rel (this controls the Amplitude Env 
Generator Release level on the ASR-X)
Knob 4 = 011: Express (this controls the Expression Controller 
on the ASR-X)
Knob 5 = 074: VCF Cut (this controls the Filter Cutoff on the 
ASR-X)
Knob 6 = 077: ------- (this controls the Filter Resonance on the 
ASR-X)
Knob 7 = 075: AEG Dcy (this controls the Normal LFO Rate on 
the ASR-X)
Knob 8 = 091: RevSend (this controls the FX Bus Select on the 
ASR-X)

If you're interested in reading more in regards to the above 
set-up see ASRXCITE at 
http://www.geocities.com/asrxcite/asrx/tips_tricks.htm 
This worked okay until I started to introduce more Plug-in synths 
and effects. I found myself frequently reprogramming the AN1x 
ASSIGN KNOBS to match whatever softsynth I was using, 
ReBirth for example. My first solution was to create individual 
SysEx dumps for the AN1x System configuration and load them 
individually to quickly reprogram the ASSIGN knobs. While it 
effectively solved the problem it was tedious to set-up and 
manage - and the number one reason I've always bemoaned the 
inability of the AN1x to accommodate multiple System 
configurations.

Once I became familiar with Environment layers in LOGIC AUDIO 
I abandoned the above in favor of customized layers in the 
Environment. I reset the AN1x controller assignments to the 
factory defaults and preprogrammed the MIDI CC assignments 
in Environment layers for my Plug-in synths. There's a terrific 
resource for Logic Environments at Swiftkick 
http://www.swiftkick.com/ I found a couple of Environments for 
some Shareware synths that I deconstructed - asked a couple 
questions online - an voila! I was up and running. 

And while we're on the subject, another missing feature on the 
AN1x - you cannot assign individual MIDI Transmit channels to 
the individual Scenes in a Voice set to SPLIT mode. It makes 
sense to me that Yamaha accommodated individual Receive 
channels but I've never understood the omission of individual 
Transmit channels.

One more thing to be aware of - the ASSIGN KNOB settings 
under UTILITY/SETUP appear at the MIDI Out port and  also 
affect the AN1x internal sounds if there is a corresponding MIDI 
CC assignment in the Ctrl Matrix. (Please see the diagram and 
explanation on p. 75 of the AN1x Owner's Manual.) This could 
cause unpredictable results *IF* you were layering sounds from 
an external tone generator on top of AN1x sounds.

I've recently begun to pay attention to other possible solutions 
but to be honest with you I've yet to find a more compelling 
solution (keyboard controller, control surface, etc.) in the same 
cost bracket. If I were to make a change it would be to *upgrade* 
to a dedicated control surface for my DAW and perhaps a 
non-synth, 76 or 88 key, keyboard controller.

Hope this helps.

Jon