(click to enlarge)

The AX-73 is a surprisingly good analog synthesizer that is still considered to be widely underrated and deserving of some recognition. It's a six voice analog synthesizer with an almost identical architecture to Akai's AX-60 keyboard. It also came in a rack-mount form as the VX-90. It has one oscillator (VCO) per voice and allows for 3 playing modes: Poly mode uses one VCO per voice for six voice polyphonic pads, chords and strings. Dual-VCO mode stacks 2 VCOs per voice for a thicker three-voice sound. Unison mode stacks all six VCOs onto one monophonic voice for a screamin' lead!

The AX-73 has a simple 24 dB/oct VCF filter and it has an interesting feature that allows the cutoff to be modulated by the VCO. It also has a flexible LFO with many variable waveforms, chorus, portamento, and a standard ADSR VCA envelope generator. But unlike many other analog synths, this machine is MIDI equipped for easy integration and use in today's modern studios. The sounds are quite nice and are adequate for use in any style of music production. It also had special inputs for use with Akai's S-612, S-900 and S-950 samplers, allowing you to run those samples through the AX-73's analog filters and envelopes.

22 VISITOR COMMENTS

Richard

March 9, 2012 @ 2:56 am

A sweet little VCO synth in a sturdy, confidence inspiring tank of a box with a nice keyboard. Programming isn't as much as a drag as you might think, and the VCO's have a sweetness to them that is underrated. It might not beat something like a Juno-6 or even Polysix, sonically, but for the low prices they go for it's something of a well kept secret. Solid basses, basic but sweet strings and filler pads, and dorky but fun EP's (due to the velocity sensitivity) roll out of this. You might move on from it, eventually, but it's a solid piece of gear for someone who want to actually play.

Adam

February 29, 2012 @ 4:24 am

THis is a nice synth. I've recently picked up 13 pin din cabe to connect to an s950 sampler but I cannot seem to make the connection up to allow the samples to run through the synth. Has anyone successfully done this and have any tips? (mono mode?)

Paul FitzZaland

November 3, 2011 @ 12:53 pm

I just posted the word "s u ck" but it was censored. Go figure.

Paul FitzZaland

November 3, 2011 @ 12:52 pm

I love this synth,the pads [beep] but its great for blurpy, rubbery basses and funky leads. I've programmed a couple passable 303 patches and a bunch of big balsy bass patches on this machine. Its also great for those Curtis-driven Chroma-Polaris style electro noises and sci-fi sounds.

Looking at it you'd think it would sound thin and digital (and the old factory presets do) but with a bit of programming it's a rich sounding analogue monster.

I have an AX-73 for sale in BC that would be perfect for someone in the Pacific Northwest. Paul@PaulFitzZaland.com

EofN

October 3, 2011 @ 11:53 am

With it's single slider and digital controls, this synth reminds me of my JX3P, and I would say that if I had to compare a synth, this would be the one. They both are somewhat versatile, and able to produce some funky, wet sounding basses and leads. The basses are much better than the wimpy AX80. The AX73 has a different character, of course. The strings and pads on the AX73 are rubbish, so don't plan on relying on the AX73 for everything. For those who like weird and dirty sounding analogue noises, however, this is a dream! The filter resonates like crazy and gets nice and distorted.

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