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Average rating:
4.7 out of 5
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Question.... What looks like a cheap plastic toy to sit next to your portasound but is really an affordable practical alternative to an Oberheim Matrix 12?.
Answer...... The AN1x. If you want reeeeeel analog polypower get a Memory Moog a JP8 or an Oberheim OB-Xa cos the AN1x, JP8000, or Nord ain`t got the balls, but like the aforementioned Matrix 12 (an actual Analog poly also lacking in reeel welly) the AN1x has an incredibly complicated architecture that`ll have you discovering new sounds for ages. oh. its got an aftertouch keyboard too and 5 octaves unlike the overpriced inferior alternative Modellers (no the Z1 don`t cut it either).. I sold My Xpander whilst I could still get silly money for it and haven`t looked back. now where`s that secondhand Lintronix Memory Moog Ad?.
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Duane`s right, except that I doubt that it`d beat the Matrix-12 really. It DOES look like a cheapo budget alternative to the JP and Nord but the sound!, oh that sound. I`m a big fan of Analog synths and have had quite a few polys in my time I wasn`t ready to see the cheapest Modelling Analog one slay some of the old classics. No it doesn`t have the organic liquidity of the CS80/60, the punch, Power and "Liveness" of the MemoryMoog or the punch and class of the OB-X/ Xa /M12 but it takes machines of this class to give the AN a good kicking. Lesser machines lie in it`s wake and I can`t see any reason (other than pride of ownership, ease of use or status) to hang on to expensive Prophets, Jupiter-6`s, Tridents, Synthex`s etc.. I sold my Jupiter-6 within days of getting the AN1x and haven`t missed it at all (the MKS80 would be out of the door too if the AN was more Polyphonic/ Multitimbral) , Sorry Gil and friends but reality hits hard. I`ve compared the AN to the JP8000 (which to me sounds like a DX7 through a filter bank and I still don`t like it) and the Korg Z1. I really wanted to like the Z1 but as far as Analog sounds are concerned that blue Yamaha toy sonically nailed it, the Z1 sounded fake in the same way that the Prophecy does next to a VL series machine. of course the Z1 does a lot more than Analog models but that wasn`t an issue in my case. The Nord2 is a great machine also but very limited, expensive and the keyboard is awful, I actually preferred the AN`s sound to that too. As far as Monosynth emulations go, there is something missing from the Modelling synths that make you want to use Real Analogs and the AN is in the same boat, they just don`t pull it off, but with a healthy S/H monosynth market and new "realogs" like the SE1, Pulse, Doepfer etc, who cares. The AN actually does excellent distorted TB303 sounds as well as rebirth if you program it properly. There are Niggles.. only 8 Knobs, very limited multitimbrality, outboard Power supply and a crap readout but it at least has a proper vel/aftertouch sensitive keyboard and a full blown FX processor unlike the JP and nord, does far more than either and costs significantly less.. Yamaha have shot themselves in the foot with this one, I would have passed it up totally if I hadn`t had a call from a mate ranting on about how good it was (I mean it CAN`T be any good at 600-odd quid can it!). I bet that if they`d put it in a poncey case with wood endcheeks, 32 knobs, big readout and disk drive it`d clean up at �1650 a grand more than the AN shop price. Summary:- the AN1x excells at huge pads and the multimode filter is superb for those complex JP6/Synthex Jarreisms, it "303`s" better than the pulse or Bass station, as good as rebirth but not as good as the VL7, TEEBEE or Freebass. Mono leads are great but its bettered by those Arps, Moogs, the Mono/poly, SE1, Pulse and Doepfer. the Arpeggiator is awesome and programmable, instant Jarre, Vangelis etc, all 8 knobs & controllers send (fully configurable) MIDI info so you can tweak your MKS80 with it if you haven`t sold it that is. Buy one, Trust me!
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Well what can I say ...I'm actually embarrassed to admit it but this little synth is awesome...my collection of analogs in the corner are looking decidedly nervous !!! At the moment this is THE synth to buy ..I tested all the available "virtual" polys and had the cash in my pocket to buy any of them and I 3 hours later I walked out the door with the AN1x....forget the horrible plastic case and cheap readout - its got it where it matters...THE SOUND DEPT... Marty summed it up perfectly (alright dude?)...
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It's very powerful in programming,you can control everything in realtime.The price is very good if you consider the cousin jp-8000(an1x is better!).BUT the sound...IT'S NOT ANALOG. I have a juno2 and I note the difference... Anyway if you want absolut analog it's not perfect,probably only good...But if you have other analog equipment this become a real best!SURE.
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This thing is really AMAZING!!! Ok, there are others on the market that get more credits like the Nord2, the JP8000 and so on, but this synth is definately THE BEST FOR THE BUCK! I bought mine NEW at the price of 1900 DM and I must say that I�m a very happy person! I didn�t the least expect this from Yamaha but it seems they are getting dangerously good. Just go to the following page, check out the realaudio file and drewl! www.keyboards.de/news/0197/2201k01.htm Together with an MCx0x or a QM309 (about to buy one!) you can create everything!
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