Released almost the same time as JP-8000 and Nord Lead
1, by reviews AN1x was always somewhere "in the middle". Lack of
instant "knobs on" experience immediately detracted many potentional
buyers and it lowered the total score in various magazine reviews. In
this article we will just take a look of what's inside this
synth, what kind of sound it can produce and how it stands against
its two competitors.
In the image above we can see an example of osc sync. This kind of
setup is not possible on JP-8000. First, you do not need to sacrifice
VCO2 to achieve sync. When engaged, sync function creates another
oscillator inside of VCO1 called VCO1 SUB (so we get extra osc). Now
lets take a look at Sync PMOD (down right on the image). In this
example i choose pitch modulation to be applied to the Slave, but i can
choose Master instead (as on image below) or i can choose both. The
JP-8000 and many other VA synths would give us just one choice here.
Then AN1x offers me to choose the FM source (not many VA synths in that
price range offer that). It can be classic FM with VCO2 (as on image
below), VCO1, VCO1SUB (as on image above), ENV's and LFO's (yup, we are
getting into modular territory, but we are not finished yet!). Then
there is additional FM source (marked with FM SRC1) that modulates the
depth. After you choose the source, that's when fun really starts....
Now take a look at FM signal! I can apply it to Master (as it is on the
image above - that circled M-S area), or i can apply it just to Slave
(as it is on image below), or i can apply it to both. Again, you wont
find this feature on many VA's. If you want you can always switch off
sync and use classic FM modulation.
Then AN1-x got additional oscillator for noise. On JP-8000 you need to
sacrifice one of the oscillators to get the noise. And then one
important feature: Ring modulation (AM) behaves like additional
oscillator (tone source). Because in the mixer section you can mix it
with the VCO1 and VCO2 so you get 3 tone sources at the same time +
noise. Of course you can always silence both VCO's in the mixer and
only listen to AM signal (a classic way).
Then there is the free envelope generator (an additional envelope that
you can apply to modulate anything). And that is not one, but 4
envelopes you can hand-draw or use basic shape presets. The editor
(shown in image below) also features tools for smoothing, adding noise,
scaling etc. This envelope can be synced to midi or can be set to
manual length 1 - 16 seconds. With enough time, you can do anything you
imagine with this editor as it can modulate any parameter of the synth.
You can do any sound change, any modulation, all precisely edited with
this envelope. Only limit is your imagination.
Similar to JP-8000, this synth feature wave shape function. So you can
emulate raw oscillators from various analog synths. The saw waves on
Juno 60 and Prophet 5 are not the same - each synth has different wave.
On AN1x you engage the Edge function and "shape" the saw (or square)
wave. Of course, 100% real emulations are not possible, because AN1x
don't have the same filter as your favorite analog - however, edge
function is very useful to - at least get close.
Just like the JP-8000 this synth also features double mode in which
polyphony is halved, but you get two timbral sections, which can play a
different patch, or be a part of the same sound (ideal for rich pads).
Below is a screenshot from the editor that should give you some idea
about the basic signal routings and modulations inside this synth.
Editor is a must have for this synth, and you can download it here: http://www.yamahasynth.com/download/an1x/s_an1xed.htm
Sound
demos
Below
is a collection of sounds that i programmed on AN1-x. Most of them use a touch of chorus or delay, because
that is expected in most situations. There is no any additional processing except
normalization. First two are multi demos, and other are individual sounds.
About
Multi Demo1.mp3 - 03:37
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