The Yamaha AN1x Synthesizer mailing list

Wim.,

Thanks for noticing us. :)

Yeah, this "problem" seems to be widely known, you'll see every other 
user complaining about "stepping filters" in the reviews (not 
suprising, given that the majority of the world is bent on the idea 
that cranking up the resonance and "tweaking the filter knobs in 
realtime" is what synthesis is all about - that combined with the 
fact that low pass filter is the most common application for the 
ribbon on the AN1x). Yet, I haven't seen anyone notice notice 
the "real problem", so I figured I'd shine some light on it as it had 
me frustrated in the middle of a project as well. :)

Can't remember if I already mentioned this and too lazy to look back, 
but I wanted to add another detail: the controller discontinuity 
seems to be worse when recording the parts in midi and playing them 
back (local off scenario) than when playing the keyboard as a 
standalone instrument (local on). Leave it to those japanese 
designers to get skimpy with midi bandwidth and this is what 
happens. :)

But, don't get too discouraged! I bought the board for the same 
reasons - primary as a synth and controller for other stuff as a 
bonus. The board sounds _fantastic_ and plays equally well (actually 
my favorite unweighted keyboard action to date, and I've gone through 
a few). And as far as skippy controllers: well... I think part of it 
is the ribbon itself. For most live work it probably won't matter 
anyway as it shouldn't be too noticeable, and in the studio you can 
always redraw the controllers. If you really do depend on your 
controllers being continuous and extra smooth - use mod wheel 
instead. It too will skip values when moved fast, but doesn't seem to 
have the timing problem like the ribbon does. Finally, if you're 
really pressed, midi controllers are abundant and not that expensive 
nowadays. :) A fader/knob box and an add-on ribbon (like those made 
by Kurzweil - nice, huge and with multiple zones) may be all you need 
(great for expanding the "tweakability" and impressing friends and 
audience as well).

Hope that was helpful.

Cheers,
Alex

--- In AN1x-list@yahoogroups.com, "Joe Smooth" <nervemeister@h...> 
wrote:
> Hey there,
> 
> being new to the list (have an Ebayed AN1x on the way, should reach 
me 
> soonish) I'd like to thank Alex and Mike for bringing this problem 
(and its 
> explanation) to my attention. While it does disappoint me slightly 
(I bought 
> the AN1x both as a soundsource AND a controller keyboard for 
softsynths), 
> it's good to know I better check those controller lines in Cubase ;-
)
> 
> B-bye,
> 
> Wim.