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Yamaha AN1x

27 ratings | read 9 reviews

Yamaha AN1x, produced by Yamaha Corporation from 1997 to 1998, is a DSP-based analog modeling synthesizer (a.k.a. virtual analog synthesizer) and was marketed as an "analog physical modeling control synthesizer".

The AN1x has a maximum polyphon...

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4 Artists Use This
Above & Beyond

Seen on the twitter photo of one of the members.
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Igor Khoroshev

Igor is seen with his AN1x in his profile pic here on Equipboard.
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JayB

Seen at 0:25 in. One of JayB's favourites.
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The Sounds

Second main synthesizer of Jesper. Used since 2002 but actually, he was replaced by Roland Juno 106 (Start at 3:14)
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Description

The AN1x has a maximum polyphony of 10 notes, although the actual polyphony depends upon whether the voice is Single (monotimbral; a single Scene) or Dual (two scenes layered or split), whether it is in Mono or Poly mode, and whether the note-multiplying Unison mode is active. Dual mode halves polyphony to 5 per voice, dividing each of the two 5-note processors in the synth to one Scene respectively. In Mono or Dual modes, Unison uses five notes per key per Scene for a Single voice (1 processor x 5 notes) or two notes per key for a Dual voice (2 processors x 1 timbre per processor); thus, in Dual/Mono/Unison mode, the synthesizer is monophonic for each of the two Scenes. In Poly mode, Unison is only possible for Single voices (each key takes 2 notes, of the same timbre, one from each of the two processors).

The voice architecture is based on a twin-oscillator with multi-mode filter design. Available waveforms are: Pulse-Width Modulation, Saw, Square, Saw2 (behaves in a different way than "Saw" when used with PWM), and Saw/Square "mix". Additional waves (Inner1-3) are available for OSC1 in oscillator sync mode. Triangle and Sine are achieved by altering the Edge of Pulse Waves. The Edge tool (wave shaping), also enables extensive intermediate waves. OSC1 additionally has a tuneable 'slave' (Sub) oscillator when activated via multiple 'sync algorithms'. The AN1x has 4 FM Frequency Modulation algorithms, where OSC1 is modulated by OSC2. Finally there is ring modulation and white noise.

For each Scene, amplitude, filter, and pitch envelopes plus a 3 band equaliser affect the combined two oscillators on a per-note basis, and two LFOs, the first with more capabilities (21 waveforms), affect all notes at once (i.e. monophonic LFOs). The AN1x also offers a non-resonant high-pass filter in series as well as a multimode resonant filter, offering: LPF (-12db, -18db, -24db), HPF (-12db), BPH & BEF, which is capable of self oscillation. feedback from the VCA is routed back to the mixer of oscillators before the main filter, and frequency modulation can be used alongside oscillator sync. Finally, a digital multi-effect, reverb and delay system can process the output of the Scene(s). Effects are assigned per patch/voice.

The AN1x also features both an arpeggiator with 30 preset patterns and a step-sequencer with 16 steps. Both can output to MIDI and sync to MIDI timecode, and the arpeggiator can also be applied to incoming MIDI data. Furthermore, the notes may be fixed or transposed via the synth's own keyboard or MIDI input. The step sequencer can be used to send control data, such as filter cutoff value or notes, to the synth's own tone generator or to MIDI output. A "Free EG" allows the user to record knob movements for up to four parameters for a duration of up to 16 seconds each, or 8 bars that are tempo linked. (NOTE: If the tempo were set to 40bpm, with a 4/4 count, this would result in: 1 beat every 1.5s = 1 bar every 6 secs. 6s x8 (bars) would equate to 48 seconds of sequence). These parameter changes can then be applied to live performance.

9 reviews

k_g_b_

251

90s Silk

The perfect poly. I've owned close to 50 synthesizers in my life, including some vintage analog warmth such as the Korg Polysix, Roland Juno-60, and AKAI AX-80. The AN1x trumps all these for me, not because it sounds "warmer" or "more analog"- it obviously doesn't. It's a 100 per cent digital machine. I like it because it makes me sound different from everybody else currently occupied by the vintage analog craze. I don't mean to say there isn't merit in vintage analog- I'm saying there are other things as well. The AN1x is as analog-sounding as you want it to be- lush, warm, unstable (if programmed to be so), but it also does glossy, crystalline digital FM sounds extraordinarily well. I had a JP-8000 for a while that sounded cool, but sounded like a bucket of hot, glitchy slop if I pushed the LFOs too hard. It didn't like doing those intense, oscillator-mangling modulations that I so crave. The AN1x, on the other hand, is perfectly happy making these types of extreme, audio-rate modulations, and sounds surprisingly musical doing them, too. Also, I like the edgy nineties look it has. Very endearing.

+2

about 2 years ago
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ebowglow

1044

I Love my AN1X

Its blue and it just sounds fantastic! I might add that is PLASTIC! But when I play the AN1X I fall in love with it again and again. You can spend hours on end playing this snyth. It has a huge " fat" sound to it. It really sounds great for a digital analog synth!

+2

about 3 years ago
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rasc4l

161

Good

nice patches

+1

about 4 years ago
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grsjeremy

236

Great sounding synth!

This is one of those secret tips in my opinion. The case and the design are pretty horrible, and it is not the easiest to use, but it sounds great if you know how to get those sounds out of it!

+1

over 1 year ago
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cfeijao

248

Melhor VA que eu já toquei

Um VA com som de analógico. Adoro as teclas e o som que ele produz.

+1

18 days ago
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joelbouchillon

217

Nice PHAT AN1X !!

The best VA synth to-date! I have have enjoyed mine since I purchased it in 1999. For live situations, the AN1X is an excellent substitution for my Prophet 5 and OB-8. Though, I don't give it 5-stars due to it is little bit cumbersome to program.

+1

12 months ago
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johannes_berthold

166

Best synth I've ever owned

The An1x is probably one of the most underrated synths of the late 90s. And up to this point I haven't found a VA synth that makes it so easy to create fat analog sounds. Clean oscillators, crisp filter curves and even the effects are decent, even though sometimes limited.

+1

over 1 year ago
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beyhank

355

This synth has one of the closest sounds to The Virus TI 2.

An underrated synth, but it sounds one of the best. Amaazing features, bright and fat leads, cold pads, kick-ass basses...

+1

almost 3 years ago
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tutui

30

Still a good synth

Is not powerful or versatile like Serum or Spire, but it has that 'sweet' flavour that softsynths had lost. You can like or not. The on board effects are dated to me, but you can turn it off, FM is good but dont expect a DX7 clone. I love running in mono through my 737 preamp for bass, sounds beautiful! It can emulate DCO synths very well, almost like Diva. I dont know why, but the AN1x step sequencer appears to fit in mixes mutch better than vst sequencers. Comparing to a Nord Lead, the sound is dirty and raw, and for me, is a big plus. As i said, i like it, but is not a essential synth nowdays. Korg Minilog or even a Mininova sounds better in some cases.

+1

9 months ago
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