The AX73 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 AX60 keyboard. It also came in a rack-mount form as the VX90. 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 AX73 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 AX73's analog filters and envelopes.

LMSCP

January 24, 2013 @ 11:07 am

Crazy filters plus oscillator waveform modulation for some cool filter FM sounds - just set the keyboard follow at 73... makes sense, doesn't it? VCO and MIDI is a rare combination and what makes that synth even more special is the "sampler" input. Just find any old AKAI sampler (S612, S700, S900 or S950) to get any type of sound used as oscillators (yes, you can make it polyphonic as opposed to some false assumptions I read on the net). Fattest beast in my setup no doubt!! Underrated is an overused term but not in this case. Been using it for 2 years so keypad editing became second nature.

Robin Hunt

December 5, 2012 @ 1:38 pm

This synths is one of my favorites. I love this unit. So much warmth and fatness. Love it for bases, pads keys etc etc. It can be rave al over the place! Not a lot of controls but hey that keeps you creative :) Lately I prefer it over my virus TI, but hey totaly different synths ;)

illogicgate

November 8, 2012 @ 10:26 am

John! Y U No keep it D: I want one 8D

S Man

October 28, 2012 @ 1:18 pm

I have had mine for about 4 months and love it!!! It's a tad noisy, probably just needs a clean out. Overall it's a gem though. Classic analog synth flavor with a minimal, yet not necessarily clumsy, editing interface. The "no Sysex" thing stinks for sure. Does anyone know how to FACTORY RESET?????? No mention of it in the manual.

ady

October 20, 2012 @ 8:33 am

Wow John, you're the true player in this story. Don't spend that roll all in one place.

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