Yamaha AN1X Sounds - Part 2

[@SyncdAlien]

Sounds very nice, thanks for the demo!

[@ProckGnosis]

Thanks. At the risk of sounding repetitive as hell, it is definitely a great sounding synth...

[@kgbinfo]

The AN1x is a forgotten classic. The sounds are lovely, and I think the blue wedge shape looks cool as hell. I sold mine around a year and a half ago, and regretted it so much that I just bought another one. I'll never let it go this time!

[@ProckGnosis]

Yeah, that's why I didn't ever sell it...I just had this feeling I'd regret it.

[@Olemarskan]

I think this is the first synth review video I've ever watched where I skipped the intro, listened to all the sounds, then went back to the intro to hear what they had to say. I figured someone who's as viewer conscious to produce an actual synth sound demo video as this probably has something important to say, and I do not regret it. Cheers man! Great stuff on your channel!

[@ProckGnosis]

Thanks. I almost didn't post this because I thought almost an hour of AN1x (between parts 1 and 2) was just TOO much AN1x. But as good as this synth sounds, maybe you can't have too much AN1x.

[@MarcWeertsMusic]

Great demo video!

[@ProckGnosis]

Bedankt Marc. I wasn't going to make the video, and then when I went back and listened to just the audio, I thought the synth just sounded too nice not to be shared. : )

[@MIDERA]

My chief complaint with this synth is the incredibly poor filter cutoff resolution. Lots of people have “recommendations” on how to improve the resolution of a filter sweep with knobs or the MW, but at least on my unit, it’s still massively steppy. I don’t actually think it’s the resolution per se, because my korg Radias also only has 128 steps, but it doesn’t sound bad when sweeping. It sounds almost like the AN1x is updating its settings way too slowly. It’s fairly easy to get “analog” type oscillator sounds if you go into the mod matrix and set the fine pitch to be affected by pitch by about +9, sounds almost indistinguishable from my Polysix. Until you start to mess with the filter, then all bets are off.

[@ProckGnosis]

I haven't done a lot of real-time, manual filter sweeps with this, so I'm not specifically remembering problems with it. I've mostly used it for the pads, letting either the filter envelope or the Free EG control the cutoff. I admit my expectations are lower given this VA was made 20+ years ago. The digital artifacts don't bug me as much, especially given how much I like the core sound.

[@MIDERA]

ProckGnosis thats a good point. I suppose for me it’s coming from using the Virus series so extensively which did a great job of interpolating those changes and making it smooth to sweep the filter. I recently purchased a Korg Polysix and have been in love with manual filter sweeps, so moving between the two synths is a bit jarring. That said, I agree about the core sound, it’s bloody great. The filter itself is also very pleasing to the ear. I should probably come back to it with less of a “why isn’t this working like my awesome analog synth” and think about it more in terms of its own merits. Do you still own it? I know you were thinking of parting with it... have other more recent synths left your studio instead?

[@ProckGnosis]

@@MIDERA Yeah, I kept it. And hilariously part of the reason was my own video. It just sounded too good. I know what you mean about having a real analog to do filter sweeps. You just feel closer to the real thing versus a VA synth.

[@Zebselcabron]

​@MIDERA Being a first-generation virtual analog synthesizer, the AN1x's controller resolution responds by default to 128 increments from its built in controllers. Consequently, the user will sometimes hear slight but distinct stepping of the filter, especially when more pronounced resonance is used. However, there are several workarounds: The first is to press the control knobs while rotating them to access smoother increments. The second method involves the use of a MIDI controller or synthesizer, whose controllers generate higher resolution data values. The AN1x responds to this due to its mature MIDI implementation and NRPN recognition. The result being a smoothing out of the filter sweep, therefore giving a more authentic analog feel.[9] From wiki ❤ and really nice vibes on your channel always Midera

[@fjfrancois]

Dude I had this synth in the late 90's and I remember I was wishing this to be a real analog. I remember the blue paint was coming out.

[@ProckGnosis]

Yeah, I noticed the paint isn't high quality. Knowing that Yamaha used this same case design for 2 or 3 other synths, it's a shame they didn't built something that better suited the user interface and synth engine. Again, I don't think it's bad, but it could have easily been better.

[@davemaverick8438]

yeah that paint is dissolved by water only! when I tried to gently clean the surface the white cloth became blue

[@fjfrancois]

Dave Maverick exactly 😊

[@TRaddcliff]

I don't know if you've heard or played with a Hydrasynth...id like to know how you feels it compares to this. my opinion is the Hydra can't get the warm sounds that the AN1X can. the bell type sounds, and more Digi sound are really close. but the warmth....I cant find it.

[@ProckGnosis]

Haven't had a chance to play the Hydrasynth, but based on what I've heard in the videos on KZbin, I'm not that blown away with the warmth of the sound, and I would easily prefer the AN1x. If I wanted to get wild programming patches though (with lots of modulation options), I think the Hydrasynth has more a lot more capability/options than the AN1x, so it really depends on what you want, I guess.

[@TRaddcliff]

ProckGnosis thanks for your reply. I want both :( but I think if I can only have one I would prefer the AN1X. Unfortunately I just got the Hydra and it’s not hitting the spots I was hoping it would....and I can only have one. Your demos are great! Still have you AN1X? Thanks for sharing.

[@ProckGnosis]

I do still have the AN1x. That really says it all, eh?

[@FortressofSound]

One of my all time favorites. Why has it been sitting in my closet so long?!

[@ProckGnosis]

Get it out and get reacquainted! : ) It is a great sounding synth.

[@soulgoodman3008]

Is there a vst that replicate this synth? Tnx.

[@ProckGnosis]

None that I'm aware of. There is a Yamaha AN-like synth for iOS (part of the "Yamaha Synth Book" app or something like that). And that sounds great as well, but unfortunately it doesn't offer the same programming parameters.

[@vonabeats98]

@@ProckGnosis pink noise studios - ANALOG NIGHT is based on the best sounds of the famous Yamaha AN1x synthesizer.

[@theouterplanet]

How’s the pads?

[@ProckGnosis]

They rock!

[@dessiplaer]

Why would you want to sell it. It's a great sounding synth?

[@ProckGnosis]

It really is a great sounding synth. I mostly considered selling it in the past because of the space it takes up compared to the amount I was using it (kind of a "utility to space" ratio), and I found I was using other synths more that took up less space. If I'm not using something, I tend to keep asking the question, "do I really need it?" This one was answered "maybe not", but I kept it anyway!!

[@jrodohio]

If you ever decide to sell it.....

[@ProckGnosis]

Lol...I have decided to sell it...3 or 4 different times. I just always change my mind after I play with it again. BUT, if I permanently decide, I'll let you know.