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.

Volker - Tastronauten

March 19, 2013 @ 4:18 am

This one is a very, very, very, very nice synthesizer. It is really powerful, warm, it has nice basses but it has very special higher frequencies. They can sound as breaking glass with lots of sustain. Just listen to the Polymoog Vox Humana and you will understand, what I mean. I mostly use the AX73 for pads, but is also great to get fat solos. If I should rate within the 6-voice league of that time, the order would be 1. Juno60 2. Akai AX73, 3. Prophet600 4. Polysix 5. Bit99. Watch our Video and listen to our sounddemos on tastronauten.de

HombreE

February 5, 2013 @ 5:48 am

Sorry for the mistake.


Did any one notice that M. Cretu used it often in late 80s while composing in studio and playing live ?
Ax73 can be even seen in his vids from that area.

HombreE

February 5, 2013 @ 5:45 am

Did any one noticed that M. Cretu used it in late 80s while composing in studio and playing live ?
Ax73 can be even seen in his vids from that area.

audioxtra

February 4, 2013 @ 8:55 am

@s man , FACTORY RESET:
You need to re-load all the program data via the Tape In jack on backof synth. Use this audio/data here - http://bit.ly/Yxb6KW Connect computer audio out to AX73 Tape In, press LOAD button (bottom right) on controls, play data sounds from the web link. If the AX73 programs are not loaded, try increasing/decreasing the audio volume going to Tape In jack.
I have an AX73 for sale £295 ono http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/130845934485

Tim

January 30, 2013 @ 5:35 pm

I have one that's been on the shelf for years.
Would like to have some good Rhodes, Organ, Strings, and Analog Brass patches.
Just don't have time to try to work from scratch.
Mine came with all kinds of crappy sound effect noises on board.

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