Trend price : 300€
Digital synthesizer based on DSP synthesis Analog Physical Modeling. At first glance, the An1x looks like the previous CS1x, but it is a far more interesting machine.
Company: Yamaha Corp.
Model: AN1X
Class: Synthesizer
Keyboard : 61 keys
Weight: 8 kg
Dimensions: 986 (w) x 285 (h) x 103 (d) mm
Dates: 1997
Price: 250€
Synthesis: Virtual Analog
Oscillator: 2 digital VCO
Polyphony: 10 voices
Filter: LPF HPF BPF BEF
LFO: 2 modulators
Envelope: 2 EGs
Effects: 3 algorithms
Sync: Midi clock
Memory: 128 slots
CPU: H8/300H
OS: latest 1.04V
Demo: 1
Video:1
Review
DOWNLOAD: user manual - service manual - free sampled sounds (kontakt) - 1200 an1x free patch -
Synthesizer Overview
61 velocity keys with aftertouch
The main panel features a simple display, 28 buttons, 8 knobs and a switch selector.
Back panel terminal connectors:
-
Midi interface
-
main out
-
headphones
-
3 assignable footswitch inputs
Voice Synthesis
The analog modeling APM subtractive synthesis generates 10 voices polyphony.
A basic AN patch is composed by:
-
2 digital oscillators VCO
- 1
white noise (also digital).
Oscillator
VCO1: saw / saw + pulse / pulse / pulse +saw
VCO2: same as VCO1
VCO can be synched bidirectionally.
FM
a frequency modulation can be applied to the VCO1 to change its frequency, in which case the output of the oscillator will become the carrier. VCO1 is modulated by VCO2 following 4 different algorithms with variable FM depth:
- only FM
- sync + FM both: sync mode FM applied to master and slave oscillator
-
sync + FM master: sync mode FM applied to master oscillator
- sync + FM slave: sync mode FM applied to slave oscillator
Filter
digital resonant filter multimode -12/ 18/ 24 dB/ oct slopes: lowpass, highpass and bandpass
LFO
2 modulators (shapes: sine, square, triangle, saw and sample-hold + a mix of combinations) with variable depth and 5 destinations:
- VCO pitch
- VCF cutfoff
- VCA amplitude
- FM depth
- PWM (pulse width).
Envelope
- EG1 VCF filter: 4 segments ADSR
- EG2 VCA amplitude: 4 segments ADSR
Both EG are also assignable to other parameters like pulse width and pitch.
Performance
the AN1X can be played in 8 modes:
- standard play
- monophonic :1 voice with legato and portamento time
- unison stack all voices
- dual voices: 5 x 2 voices (assignable to 2 Midi channels)
- stack voices
- dual scenes
- split zone (assignable to 2 Midi channels)
- split unison (assignable to 2 Midi channels).
Sequencer
notes entry is directly programmed using the 8 real time knobs (switch for 1-8 or 9-16 steps) inspired from classic analog sequencers Korg SQ-10.
Arpeggiator
30 patterns Midi arpeggiators with 9 subdivide modes and 16 steps programmable sequencer with velocity - gate - swing rate and latch mode.
Sync:
Sequencer and arpeggiator can be synched to external Midi clock.
Effect
digital DSP section features 3 algorithms categories:
- FX A: 8 reverbs models e.g. hall, stage, room ....
- FX B: 5 delays with stereo panning motion
- FX C: 14 insert effects e.g distortion, pitch, 3-band EQ, phaser, autopan, rotary, wahwah ....
Memory
-
128 RAM patches.
Internal BR battery not soldered to mainboard.
An1x Review
OK: flexibile VA / sequencer / sounds good
NOT : quality built / cryptic edit / display
"One of the most original and underrated Virtual Analog synth. Highly programmable and uncommon pads or metallic sounds FM. Still going cheap.. for now! "
Text , review, special demos copyright polynominal.com / Eric Pochesci
