The Yamaha AN1x Synthesizer mailing list

nick ring wrote:
> 
>         Hi all,
> 
>         I'm in the midst of the transaction for buying my an1x ($400 off Harmony
> Central, if you're interested).  I've wanted one for quite a while because
> I dig that analogue sound (this'll be close enough for me, I imagine), I
> want a decent controller synth (been using my esq-1: no knobs!), and the
> price:performance ratio seemed pretty damn good!

You're right on the money with that summary.  The AN1x is a GREAT value.
 Too bad no one realized it until it was discontinued :-P  It'll make a
dandy controller for your rig.


>         My musical direction tends to be live looping improv using a few digitech
> 8 and 2 second delays plus effects.  I'm starting to get into more
> structured sequenced stuff, but I like the immediacy and surprises of the
> live improv.
>         I've started a web site for my music (learning as I go), but you're
> welcome to check it out at:
> 
>         http://www.simons-rock.edu/~nick

Nick, I love the site title "Stars of Silent Radio"  It's very
Cocteau'esque.  You're not into Bill Nelson by any chance?  The Real
Audio you posted is fun - perhaps some live improv over the top to
propel the pieces along - or introduce some random elements over top. 
Perhaps some looped percussion ala Bill Laswell? They definitely evoke a
mood as they stand.

> 
> I also highly recommend Jon's site (address in all his emails)..useful for
> both the asr-x and the an1x.
> 
Thanks for the plug!  I'll reciprocate in kind.  Finally updated my
signature file again, too.  Doh.

>         While this post is a bit gear oriented, I don't think what you have is
> nearly so important as your creativity and enthusiasm.  Gear is only
> expression-aiding tools...what you can do with a couple of sticks or even a
> blade of grass!

I agree with the sentiment but that's a hard lesson for some of us to
learn.  Took me *years* to overcome my insatiable gear lust and get back
to basics.

Welcome to the list, Nick.

Regards,
Jon

-- 
http://www.jdlx-musique.com/

Featuring support for the Ensoniq ASR-X Pro Sampler and Yamaha AN1x Synthesizer

At 12:15 PM 5/1/00 -0400, jondl wrote:
>Nick, I love the site title "Stars of Silent Radio"  It's very
>Cocteau'esque.  You're not into Bill Nelson by any chance?  The Real
>Audio you posted is fun - perhaps some live improv over the top to
>propel the pieces along - or introduce some random elements over top.
>Perhaps some looped percussion ala Bill Laswell? They definitely evoke a
>mood as they stand.

Oddly enough, I don't think the sounds I have up are actually 
representative of my sound, rather they're some odd pieces I've thrown 
up.  I've been putting my tapes on the computer in a rather reverse 
order.  Soon I hope to get to more recent and representative samples.

I've heard the name Bill Nelson, but I don't think I've ever heard any.  A 
looper, I assume? Sound mangler?  A la David Torn, Eno, others...?  I'm 
into Laswell, but long ago discovered to be choosy in what I bought, though 
his work as a whole is quite impressive.  Just can't keep up with him.

>I agree with the sentiment but that's a hard lesson for some of us to
>learn.  Took me *years* to overcome my insatiable gear lust and get back
>to basics.

I certainly understand gear lust...heck I bought this keyboard when I still 
have outstanding bills.
I figure though, there's plenty to explore with what I've got.  In some 
ways I think gear is a bottomless hole.  The more you know about your gear 
the more you can use those tools to express yourself.  While new stuff 
provides the instant inspiration, in-depth knowledge is another... It's 
amazing what I could do with one delay; do I _really_ need 
another?  Meanwhile though, I continue to drool over the ads in the mags.

                                         -nick

Nick wrote.....
> I've heard the name Bill Nelson, but I don't think I've ever heard any.  A
> looper, I assume? Sound mangler?  A la David Torn, Eno, others...?

Jondl's right- check out Bill Nelson's work - I suggest "The Love that
Whirls" album.

Todd

http://users.ev1.net/~xpander/smcchome.html