The Yamaha AN1x Synthesizer mailing list

> The AN1x parts are *very* obvious (oh well :-)

Pardon if my retardrugation is showing, but I could only identify the AN
specifically in a few places.  (Forgive me for not memorizing how factory
patches sound, or any others for that matter.)

I liked the piece.  I also think any keyboard action would be superior to the
Yamaha XXXx series, so for that reason alone I also vote for the OB-12 without
having even ever heard it.

Ed Edwards
Leader: Ezekiel's Wheel      \ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffdRetro-Progressive Rock\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd
http://www.untiedmusic.com/ezekiel
http://artists.mp3s.com/artists/227/ezekiels_wheel.html
\ufffd\ufffd.\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd.\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd.\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd.\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd.\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd.\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd.\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd.\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd.\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd.\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd.\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd.\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd.\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd.\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd.\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd.\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd.\ufffd\ufffd


----- Original Message -----
From: "Sayer" <Sayer@...>
To: <AN1x-list@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Monday, June 17, 2002 8:51 AM
Subject: [AN1x] Obvious AN1x use


> I actually messed around with the AN1x yesterday.... It's been a long time.
I'm definitely keeping it and letting go of the CS1x to make room for the OB-12.
>
> Here's a 5 minute excerpt if anyone is interested:
>
> http://www.sayersweb.com/studio/mp3/precursor_legacy.mp3
>
>
> Also used:
>
> Roland - MKS-7 (does the rolling bassline)
> Access - Virus b
> Novation - Nova
> Quasimidi - 309
> Roland - JP-8080
>
> Not the greatest track, but I've had such a dry spell, it's fun to at least do
something.....

>
> Sayer
>
> --
> Sayer's music:
> http://mp3.com/sayer (Electronica, Trance & Techno)
> http://mp3.com/dreamquest ("Classic" Electronic Music)
>
> Sayer's studio:
> http://www.sayersweb.com
>
> --
>
>
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>

Ed,

>I liked the piece.  I also think any keyboard action would be superior to the
>Yamaha XXXx series, so for that reason alone I also vote for the OB-12 without
>having even ever heard it.

I've heard complaints on the list about the AN1x keyboard many times.  Specifically, what don't you like about it?  Personally, it's one of my favorite keyboards for leads and such; I like it way more than the one on my old D-50.  I've been using it as a master keyboard for several years -- by choice, rather than necessity.  Granted, it's not weighted, or even semi-weighted, but neither was that of most Moogs and ARPs.

Regards,

-BW

--
Bruce Wahler
Design Consultant
Ashby Solutions\ufffd   http://consult.ashbysolutions.com
CloneWheel Support Group and HiNote moderator
978.386.7389  voice/fax
bruce@...

From: "Bruce Wahler" <bruce@...>

> Ed,
>
> >I liked the piece.  I also think any keyboard action would be superior to
the
> >Yamaha XXXx series, so for that reason alone I also vote for the OB-12
without
> >having even ever heard it.
>
> I've heard complaints on the list about the AN1x keyboard many times.
> Specifically, what don't you like about it?  Personally, it's one of my
> favorite keyboards for leads and such; I like it way more than the one on
> my old D-50.  I've been using it as a master keyboard for several years --
> by choice, rather than necessity.  Granted, it's not weighted, or even
> semi-weighted, but neither was that of most Moogs and ARPs.

And I wouldn't want to catch the CS1x and AN1x in the same group. The
keyboard of the AN1x is way better than that of it's little brother.

- Peter

In a message dated 19/6/02 12:16:39 pm, bruce@... writes:

> I've been using it as a master keyboard for several years -- by choice,
>rather than necessity.  Granted, it's not weighted, or even semi-weighted,
>but neither was that of most Moogs and ARPs.

Bruce,

I think you missed the point- It's not about weighted action, but the fact 
that it DOES feel like a moog or arp of yesteryear- ie dull and too light- 
maybe yamaha carried the 'vintage' idea too far?- The AN replaced my Casio 
VZ1- which had a wonderful action- (not unlike the original DX7 I may add). 
Anyway I thought this thread was long dead and buried?

Tom

Tom,

>> I've been using it as a master keyboard for several years -- by choice,
>>rather than necessity.  Granted, it's not weighted, or even semi-weighted,
>>but neither was that of most Moogs and ARPs.
>
>Bruce,
>
>I think you missed the point- It's not about weighted action, but the fact 
>that it DOES feel like a moog or arp of yesteryear- ie dull and too light- 
>maybe yamaha carried the 'vintage' idea too far?

OK, one man's junk is another man's treasure.  I've always liked the feel of the Minimoog keyboard ...

>- The AN replaced my Casio 
>VZ1- which had a wonderful action- (not unlike the original DX7 I may add).

... and hated the feel of the DX7.  Go figure.

>Anyway I thought this thread was long dead and buried?

I joined this list in February of 2001.  If the thread was "long dead and buried," it happened before that.  All I've ever seen is a non-specific comments about the "lousy AN1x keyboard," etc., but never any specific info about what makes it so.  I happen to disagree.

Besides, is there something wrong with re-asking a question that has been visited in recent memory?  I moderate another keyboard list, and I would say that we have 10-15 questions that make the rounds every few months.  It's the price to pay for adding members to the list.  And guess what?  Every once in a while, the newbies shed some light on an aspect that never came up before.

Regards,

-BW

--
Bruce Wahler
Design Consultant
Ashby Solutions\ufffd   http://consult.ashbysolutions.com
CloneWheel Support Group and HiNote moderator
978.386.7389  voice/fax
bruce@...

--- In AN1x-list@y..., Bruce Wahler <bruce@a...> wrote:
> Besides, is there something wrong with re-asking a question that 
has been visited in recent memory?  I moderate another keyboard list, 
and I would say that we have 10-15 questions that make the rounds 
every few months.  It's the price to pay for adding members to the 
list.  And guess what?  Every once in a while, the newbies shed some 
light on an aspect that never came up before.

Bruce, you forgot the value of giving the crusty curmudgeons of 
computerdom the opportunity to say, "That's all been discussed 
before.  Read the archives you stupid newbie!"

Charlie

Hi Charlie,

>Bruce, you forgot the value of giving the crusty curmudgeons of 
>computerdom the opportunity to say, "That's all been discussed 
>before.  Read the archives you stupid newbie!"

Probably so, but:  a) I'm not a newbie, not to this list (1+ years) or to keyboards (40+ years); and b) I do scan the archives to a degree, but I have things to do beside read past threads on a list that's going on four years' old.  I figure that if a topic hasn't been discussed in a year, it's probably fair game, particularly when the obvious answer isn't so obvious to me.

Sorry for the rant, but we've hit on a pet peeve of mine.  "It's already been discussed" and RTFAQ have their place, but they're also overused, IMHO.

Regards,

-BW

--
Bruce Wahler
Design Consultant
Ashby Solutions\ufffd   http://consult.ashbysolutions.com
CloneWheel Support Group and HiNote moderator
978.386.7389  voice/fax
bruce@...

--- In AN1x-list@y..., Bruce Wahler <bruce@a...> wrote:
> Sorry for the rant, but we've hit on a pet peeve of mine.

I was poking fun at the crusty curmugeons, Bruce, and I know that 
you're not one of them.  It's a pet peeve of mine, too.

Next they'll be telling us how to snip prior posts in a thread.  ;^)

Charlie

--- In AN1x-list@y..., Bruce Wahler <bruce@a...> wrote:
> Ed,
> 
> >I liked the piece.  I also think any keyboard action would be 
superior to the
> >Yamaha XXXx series, so for that reason alone I also vote for 
the OB-12 without
> >having even ever heard it.
> 
> I've heard complaints on the list about the AN1x keyboard many 
times.  Specifically, what don't you like about it?  

Speculation on my part, but perhaps its the width of the keys? 

Having now met Ed in person I can attest he has very large 
hands - the width of the AN1x keys is narrow compared to other 
keyboards. I have small hands with narrow fingers and find the 
touch of the AN1x very nice - but I prefer the weight of the keys on 
the old Korgs (Wavestation to be specific.)

>Personally, it's one of my favorite keyboards for leads and such; 
I like it way more than the one on my old D-50.  

The D50 had a real organ like feel, IMO. The D10 and D20 had 
even worse keyboards if memory serves.

Jon

Bruce,

In a message dated 19/6/02 2:48:43 pm, bruce@... writes:

>OK, one man's junk is another man's treasure.  I've always liked the feel
>of the Minimoog keyboard ...

The only Moog I've ever owned is a Rogue. I can't comment on the Mini because 
it's always been well out of my price range (although I was offered one for 
100UKP about 10 years ago- and alas had no money at that time- bummer!)

>... and hated the feel of the DX7.  Go figure.

Fair play


>I joined this list in February of 2001.  If the thread was "long dead and
>buried," it happened before that.  All I've ever seen is a non-specific
>comments about the "lousy AN1x keyboard," etc., but never any specific
>info about what makes it so.  I happen to disagree.
>
>Besides, is there something wrong with re-asking a question that has been
>visited in recent memory?  I moderate another keyboard list, and I would
>say that we have 10-15 questions that make the rounds every few months.
> It's the price to pay for adding members to the list.  And guess what?
> Every once in a while, the newbies shed some light on an aspect that never
>came up before.

HAHAHAHA! You have obviously concocted the recipie of your own downfall!- 
Surely if you don't want another fight about what suits who, then don't start 
one! LOL!- As for lists, as you undoubtably know the same old questions 
always come round and round again- that's just human nature. What confuses me 
is why did you start off with this one again?- we're all converts to the 
Annie, and buying an OB12 would to me be like choosing another brush to 
complete a canvas- although it is OT if I were to waffle on about one brush 
only- I would soon become a very lonely man!

best regards,

Tom

--- In AN1x-list@y..., Bruce Wahler <bruce@a...> wrote:
> Hi Charlie,
> 
> >Bruce, you forgot the value of giving the crusty curmudgeons 
of 
> >computerdom the opportunity to say, "That's all been 
discussed 
> >before.  Read the archives you stupid newbie!"
> 
> Probably so, but:  a) I'm not a newbie, not to this list (1+ years) 
or to keyboards (40+ years); and b) I do scan the archives to a 
degree, but I have things to do beside read past threads on a list 
that's going on four years' old.  I figure that if a topic hasn't been 
discussed in a year, it's probably fair game, particularly when the 
obvious answer isn't so obvious to me.
> 
> Sorry for the rant, but we've hit on a pet peeve of mine.  "It's 
already been discussed" and RTFAQ have their place, but they're 
also overused, IMHO.
> 

True, but on some lists they can't be used enough. ;-) ha ha ha 
that's a joke...kind of...I think it really depends on the list 
membership. This list has a mixed subscriber base of attitudes 
and experience and (with the occasional exception - myself 
included) we're reasonably tolerant of each other. 

However, list memberships evolve over time. Many of the 
experienced list members on another list on which I'm active 
seldom participate. The current list membership for that group is 
now predominantly 'newbie' (I dislike that term - it sounds 
derrogatory) and *frequently* repeat questions asked and 
answered within VERY short timespans. Much of this information 
can be found in 1. list archives 2. the manual (available as a free 
download from the manufactuer) and 3. 3rd party web sites with 
FAQs or Tips posted. Unfortunately, 'newbies' (there's that word 
again!) - in a very broad and general sense - typically don't think 
to make use of these reources until dircted towards them. And it 
takes time before they develop insight into their recently acquired 
tool and stop repeating FAQs and contribute towards more 
meaningful exchanges.

I'm not quite certain how we got here from 'Ed, what specifically 
don't you like about the AN1x keyboard?' so that's enough of my 
rant reply to your rant :-)

Jon

(Sheesh - ya go to the ocean for one day and a miss a completly good rant
thread....)
> I've heard complaints on the list about the AN1x keyboard many times.
Specifically, what don't you like about it?

I read through all the responses before I poked back in.  I think it's the
"touch" I'm referring to.  I just did an experiment before responding here so I
could be clear about what I mean.  I went to our new Young Chang piano and did a
trill, then tried it on my KT-76 (Ensoniq - weighted Fatar action), my 01/W
(leaf spring action), then the AN1x.  It's not the width of my fingers so much
as the thrust of them that I've got a problem with - basically I've got a heavy
touch.  I'm not a trained pianist, and I play a bunch of different instruments,
so I think I lack the precision on a light touch keyboard to enjoy one.  The
01/W has a unique action that has a "break point" during the downstroke that
feels more like a B3.

...aha!  I think I've found it.  Two issues - the 01/W has a shorter key stroke
than the AN1x (I used a peice of paper between the keys, drew a line at the top
level and then the bottom level when pressed).  But even more significant is
that the 01/W triggers sooner in the keypress.  You don't have to push the key
down as far to get a sound out.  So, somehow this works better for my fingers
than for Bruce's.  To each his own preference...

On a side note - I just got a Joystick-MIDI converter and now the AN1x Edit
software works.  I think I know why.  My Gadget Labs Wave 8/24 probably has some
MIDI buffering system in it due to being a 24 bit audio system at heart.  I read
in this month's Keyboard magazine how difficult it is to get MIDI timing correct
with these DAW systems and got suspicious.  So I got the joystick converter and
now there's no problem with the editor.  **Fascinating, Mr. Spock***

Ed Edwards
Leader: Ezekiel's Wheel      \ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffdRetro-Progressive Rock\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd
http://www.untiedmusic.com/ezekiel
http://artists.mp3s.com/artists/227/ezekiels_wheel.html
\ufffd\ufffd.\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd.\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd.\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd.\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd.\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd.\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd.\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd.\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd.\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd.\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd.\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd.\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd.\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd.\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd.\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd.\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd.\ufffd\ufffd

From: "jondl_2000" <jondl_2000@...>

> --- In AN1x-list@y..., Bruce Wahler <bruce@a...> wrote:
> >
> > I've heard complaints on the list about the AN1x keyboard many
> times.  Specifically, what don't you like about it?
>
> Speculation on my part, but perhaps its the width of the keys?
>
> Having now met Ed in person I can attest he has very large
> hands - the width of the AN1x keys is narrow compared to other
> keyboards. I have small hands with narrow fingers and find the
> touch of the AN1x very nice - but I prefer the weight of the keys on
> the old Korgs (Wavestation to be specific.)

Funny. My two keyboards (AN1x, EX5) are aligned exactly, and by the looks of
it they are the same with.

I can easily cover 16 half notes on either keyboard (an octave and a
quarter, so to say) with thumb and little finger. But I don't have problems
of pressing two keys at the same time; at least, not because of the width of
the keys. :)

- Peter

From: "Ed Edwards" <edward.edwards@...>

> (Sheesh - ya go to the ocean for one day and a miss a completly good rant
> thread....)

Just for one day? Then you didn't even have time to get jet lag. :)

> > I've heard complaints on the list about the AN1x keyboard many times.
> Specifically, what don't you like about it?
>
> I read through all the responses before I poked back in.  I think it's the
> "touch" I'm referring to.  I just did an experiment before responding here
so I
> could be clear about what I mean.  I went to our new Young Chang piano and
did a
> trill, then tried it on my KT-76 (Ensoniq - weighted Fatar action), my
01/W
> (leaf spring action), then the AN1x.  It's not the width of my fingers so
much
> as the thrust of them that I've got a problem with - basically I've got a
heavy
> touch.  I'm not a trained pianist, and I play a bunch of different
instruments,
> so I think I lack the precision on a light touch keyboard to enjoy one.
The
> 01/W has a unique action that has a "break point" during the downstroke
that
> feels more like a B3.

Without wanting to flog a dead horse, I try to look at the price of the unit
in relation to the quality of the keyboard. The AN1x doesn't have the best
keyboard around, but for its price class, it's quite good.

(My apologies, by the way, to the PLG-150AN and AN200 users, who probably
feel a tad left out.)

One of the most wonderful keyboards I ever played on, was a Yamaha C3 grand
piano. As grand pianos go, it doesn't measure up to the top class, like
Steinway (http://www.steinway.com) or Boesendorfer
(http://www.boesendorfer.com/), but it costs more than I paid for my car.
(And it's actually quite a nice and spacious car, not one of those Korean
supermarket trolleys with a roof and a lawn mower engine.)

I wonder what that 97 key, 570 kilo Boesendorfer would cost.

- Peter

In a message dated 19/6/02 6:56:27 pm, peterk@... writes:

>Funny. My two keyboards (AN1x, EX5) are aligned exactly, and by the looks
>of
>it they are the same with.

One of my ALLTIME favourite pieces of kit is my beloved Yamaha RY30- anybody 
using/used one of these beauties?

still wishing I was on that beach....

Tom