Yamaha • AN1x

Yamaha AN1x Image

The AN1x is a powerful retro-analog synth with a really cool new feature that lets you record real-time editing and filtering and be able to store it as part of the sound! A major contender in the new wave of analog-digital synths using DSP modeling of analog waveforms to recreate the coveted sounds of analog synths with modern digital specifications. It offers truly traditional yet modern methods of analog synthesizing, 10 notes of polyphony, 8 knobs for tweaking, and an arpeggiator with dozens of inspiring patterns!

Although the AN1x is not a follow-up to the CS1x (which has since been followed by the CS2x and the CS6x) it has borrowed many functions and technologies from the CS1x synth. First, it's built in an almost identical case with the same layout of buttons and knobs as the CS1x. However the function of every knob and button has been greatly expanded. The AN1x also has 2 Scene memories for instant recall of any envelope and filter settings and the mod-wheel can be used to morph between the two scenes. On-board effects and a state-of-the-art arpeggiator section also are on-board for giving your sounds life and motion.

The AN1x adds a new Ribbon controller for increased real-time control. It also includes pulse width modulation, ring modulation and oscillator syncing. The AN1x may not be the next evolution of the CS1x but it is basically a more advanced synth capable of increased sound potential and quality. It has a better feeling keyboard than the CS1x as well assuming that the AN1x is for those looking for something more professional than the CS1x. The AN1x is already being used by several artists, film and TV composers world-wide, including Nitin Sawnhey, the Faint, Igor Khoroshev, Yes, Little Tragedies and Phish.


VISITOR COMMENTS

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Man In Motion
Posted 126 days ago
The AN1x it's a big understimated synth, and I prefer it to Roland JP 8000 and many others acclamed synths. It has a great keyboard touch.......but the one thing that can take you think bad....... is that it seems just a toy........like Bontempi!
lqbe
Posted 132 days ago
I don't really have much to add to what's been said before, except:

This is some fantastic and heavily underestimated gear. At first glance it turns off, especially if you have known the CS1X: they share the same casing, but completely different organs plus a brand spanking new heart. Still build-quality is very good.

This synth's capabilities range from angry dnb basses to smooth JP-style pads. You have to take your time editing, but it's well worth it. There's an official editor available, it's dated but works well (tried on XP). Compared to other recent virtual analogs like the Blofeld Yamaha's AN synthesis has its very own sound, which is more direct. The AN1X comes with some bad-ass LP/HP filters (remember, they are digital) too.

The only downside is the 128 memory slots which is hardly enough. Especially when you're into sound programming yourself.

Very, very worth getting.
JPH
Posted 155 days ago
At first glance the AN1x looks ugly and cheap but looks can be deceiving. The AN1x is a fiendish machine. That word not only describes the (lack of) ease of programming it (two separate sets of banked controls, EWW!) and the its capability to provide overbearingly massive walls of sound and skull-drilling solo leads. It's lowpass filter is the one most awesome sounding ever to have existed in a digital machine.

It's a great performance tool and the keyboard feels just right if unweighted action is your thing. It is at home mimicking vintage gear and providing leads on stage and its capable of extremely convoluted patches but its monotimbrality greatly reduces its usability in working with contemporary electronic music.

In short, if you need a Minimoog on stage but can't afford one, get one of these. If you want a Virus in your studio but can't afford one, buy a MicroQ and a cheap midi keyboard instead.
bodhi
Posted 203 days ago
my an1x sits next to my arp 2600, moog minimoog, korg ms 20, roland cr-68 and serge modular panel. in fact it controls all of them through a kenton pro 2000.
i have been an analog junkie since the 70s and to my ears, the an1x is just a killer synth. sorry for the blasphemy but it sounds as good as my collection of analog beasts. if you have even a small understanding of analog syntheses and how to create sound on a synth, you can create amazing sounds on this instrument.
it is capable, as they say, of delivering faithful, fat, warm and punchy analog type sounds.
when i purchased this instrument, there were only 2 other brands of analog available. roland and clavia. the roland was too smooth and the nord was too harsh. i got the yamaha and never looked back.
needless to say, it won't be leaving my collection of amazing synths...
Bjag
Posted 206 days ago
Had one for 6 years. Sold it. Very logical design. On paper it has great features and does some nice tricks(which is why I bought it), BUT the sound quality is just not consistent. It is deep if you dig in. Some sounds are very good, but when compared side by side to Waldorf Microwave XT or MicroQ, Novation, Korg Z1, K5000, E-mu, FS1r the sound quality is BLATANTLY inferior on most patches - muddy. The aftertouch and action get too soft. In the end it's the sound, not the features. If you're shopping, save up and buy something w. better features AND sound. It takes time to really master a decent synth so it's just smarter to get something that will continue to be worth the time and effort of programming. You can't program your way out of bad sound quality. If you haven't heard something better you can't realize how bad it really sounds and the difference is huge.
 

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