The Yamaha AN1x Synthesizer mailing list

--- In AN1x-list@yahoogroups.com, "billxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx" 
<pbest@w...> wrote:
> jon and sayer:
> i don't mean to hi-jack your conversation, but i have a little input.

You're not hijacking at all :-) and Sayer and I are simply being too lazy to pick up the 
phone and call each other ;-)

> sayer, i hope you don't mind i posted a link to your sound 
> comparisons of the nord leads at some forums where people were 
> curious about it.  some can hear more difference than myself.
> 
> you probably were wondering at the nord group how i knew you were 
> going to sell the an1x - well, i just recieved my an1x today and have 
> been lurking over there (and here) for a while. 
> i like the an1x so far and don't miss the nord quite so much now.
> 

In '97 when the AN1x was released I a/b'ed the NL2 and AN1x and settled on the 
AN1x. I was in the process of downsizing my set-up to a synth & sampler in 
combination with an Audio/MIDI Sequencer - VisionDSP back then. I really liked the 
NL2 sound and UI - still do - but felt the AN1x would serve me better as a controller 
AND synth - particularly for the cost difference at the time (I paid $800 for the AN1x 
prior to the Sam Ash blowout sale and the NL2 was still going for $1200+ back then.) 
This scenario has pretty much played out as I expected but now I find most of my 
sample manipulation is done on the Mac and I use my HW sampler less often and 
there are some quality softsynths to be had low cost that just aren't practical 
purchases as hardware :-/


> jon: i recently traded a nord lead 2 and a micro-q in towards a virus 
> c keyboard.  absolutely fantastic board, if a little pricey.

I've tried the Micro-Q a few times and even found a deal on the keybaord version but 
I just haven't been able to fall for it - I much preferred the MW II/XT to the Micro-Q. 
Sold my MW II when money was tight :-( during the layoff year before last.

> don't know what else you've got for boards, but if you can swing it, 
> i'd try for the board over the tabletop or rack model.
> it's quickly becoming my favorite board. i had a tabletop b model for 
> a while, but much prefer the board.  if you just want the 'sound', 
> the rack XL is a better deal at N*M than the tabletop (assuming you 
> have a good controller for it).

Don't want the rack XL - I prefer the tabletop module which would be used with my 
AN1x. However, the KC is so nice I just might have to do it instead of the module. 
You're the 2nd person to urge me towards the KC.

> 
> about the only thing left on my 'to get' list is a nord 3 (unless 
> they come out with something irresistable next week at the Messe).
> i don't like having to program hardware with a computer - softsynths 
> are a different story.
> 

I've been reading up on some of the low cost hardware controller such as the 
Evolution model's and it seems there is some developing aftermarket user support for 
these things - specifically, custom Logic Environments support Logic's automation 
(apparently this is not covered by the Evolution supplied environments.)

> i ramble - didn't mean to butt in.
> BTW - a few of us sent in some AN sounds for the ex5 and ex7 over at 
> ex5tech.  they are being organized now and should be posted over 
> there soon.  don't know if they can be translated into an1x format, 
> but that might be kind of cool.

That's great for EX users!

regards,

Jon