The AN series
The first model of the YAMAHA AN series is AN1x. AN1x is 10-polyphonic bi-timbral synthesizer housed in the case of YAMAHA's wannabe-analog low-end XG synth, CS1x.
YAMAHA AN1x (1997)
YAMAHA CS1x (1996)
YAMAHA EX5 has various synthesis engines, and it includes 2-polyphonic AN synthesizer.
YAMAHA EX5 (1998)
Later, YAMAHA adopted the Modular Synthesis Plug-in System. Various synthesis engines are built within plug-in boards, and can be installed in MSPS platform synth/modules - YAMAHA CS6x, S30/S80, Motif and XG modules above MU100. Kenton Plugstation can also host 4 PLG boards.
PLG150-AN is the plug-in board version of AN. It's a 5-polyphonic mono-timbral version, and the one pre-installed in AN200. Some new parameters like Pitch Envelope Attack are added from this version.
YAMAHA PLG150-AN (1999)
It seems YAMAHA aimed at creating a virtual SCI Prophet-5 in producing AN - as shown in YAMAHA UK's respect for Prophet.
Indeed AN and Prophet have some important features in common - the 5-polyphony basis and the host of audio-range modulation capabilities.
While AN's multiple Sync/FM ability even exceeds Prophet-5's Poly-Modulation, it lacks Prophet's Filter-FM and PWM-FM - typical ommissions from most virtual analog synths.
Sequential Circuits Prophet-5 (1978)
The design of the keyboard version AN1x and the related model CS1x may be heavily influenced by one of the earliest famous virtual analog synth, Clavia DMI NordLead.
Clavia DMI NordLead (1995)
The Groovebox idea of AN200 may have been influenced by the success of Roland MC-303.
Roland MC-303 (1996)
And although this may not what YAMAHA intended - AN resembles not only analogs but also YAMAHA's own early FM synths. Paradoxically, low-end FM synths sounds fat in unique ways. AN's sound reminds me of the 4-operator model FB-01 and 2-operator model like Portasound PSS-390 (For sounds of FB-01, see also YAMAHA DX21 and KORG DS-8 page).
YAMAHA FB-01 (1985)
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AN200
Deep Synthesis: Home12. 29. 2003