Yamaha AN1x

Not the easiest synth to get around on but very convienient in a way too. All the knobs are good and easy but the other features are a bit tricky depending on what you are trying to do.

Plent of good features for a VA. The only thing I wish it had that it doesnt is a vocoder but that's not a concern at the price of this synth.

Excellent!!! I love this synth and it keeps suprising me all the time. After owning it for a couple of months and doing some light editing, I finally started to download some patch files from the Phat and Blue website. I was blown away by some of the sounds that other people were making. Those patches made for some great places for me to start making more of my own sounds and really helped me learn more about the synth. If you cant make an analog sound from your favorite 70's or 80's albums with this synth.....well, it's not the synths fault. I've been in and out of a few rock bands with this board and have had no problems with replicating sounds from Van Halen's 1984, Jump, Rush's Tom Sawyer, Simple Mind's Dont Forget About Me, Billy Idol's Rebel Yell, and countless others. It also works great for Linkin Park and Nine inch Nails. It's not the only board I gig with but it serves it's purpose well and more importantly does all the things that my sample-playback synths just cant do.

I've gigged it heavily. I cant afford a back-up so that answers that. Something came loose inside it once that killed all of my A's and E flats but it was a simple fix ( no tools, just reconnect ) and that was just a fluke thing. I cant hold that one incident against it.

Never used them.

If it was lost or stolen I would cry. I love this synth. I've been playin to some degree or another for about twenty years. I've got a few other synths like a Roland U-20 and XP-30, Korg N1R, E-mu Virtuoso, and an Akai S3000. I also run Cubase SX with Halion and the included soft synths. I love everything about it pretty much. The only thing that I dont like is the action but it's not horrible. Just plain and springy. My Rolands have sort of a cam action to them. Hard to explain but I like it. I chose it cause they were so cheap on ebay and everyone seems to like it on this sight. It also got a good review by Jim Aikin in Keyboard magazine. I just started writing a song in Cubase SX that uses several sounds from the AN1x. Definitly helps the process of writing.

The An1x is a pretty complicated synth to program at a first glance, however when you dig more deep into the controls, alot of things start to make sense. However it is much easier using the An1xEd program, which by the way is one of the best editors i've seen for a synth, no doubt about that. This Ed makes editing presets or your own patches a breeze...
The manual is absolutely fab. Nicely written with lots of tips here and there which is really good. Alot of useful reading.

I bought this synth primarily for the keyboard, which I think is really nice for the price you can find these synths for. The built in effects sound nice, but not the best ones i've heard, but they do the job.
10 notes of polyphony. This could have been increased, perhaps through some kind of upgrade, but it still has more than double the Korg Ms2000, and it really sounds just as fat and beefy as that one.
The keyboard action is very nice indeed. You can do extreme fast lead solos or bassline solos, and using modulation wheel and the ribbon controller for solos, just makes life more fun! It's really a fun(ky) synth. Midi wise, it's got in, out and through, and you just use those for storing patches externally to this very nice An1xEd editor.

This is where this synth shines above all. Again for this price, this synth just blows away the competition, even today some 6 years after yamaha released it. It can sound really beefy and bad, if you know how to program it. I've been using synths now for over 5 years and I must say that this is one of my secret weapons in the studio, and overall i'm really picky with sounds since one of my big hobbies is programming sounds. When people hear sounds in my productions and they ask from what synth it came from, 99% can't really believe it came from the An1x....it's that good. It's not NI Absynth, but it does have it's own character and the sonic range is limited if you compare it to the infinitely evolving sounds you for instance can make with NI Absynth. I use it primarily for fat basses and soft/harsh leads...
I've been using alot of softsynths and becoming more and more picky about sounds, but I was very surprised with the An1x, doing sounds that really "stand out" from the rest. Very nice sound indeed.
Someone told me the An1x have a bad DAC, but seriously I can't hear that at all. I just can't take people seriously when they complain about these subtle quality aspects anyway today. People really don't take the time to learn from what these synths have to offer, and I think that's a shame. You really can't make a judgement from standing in the music shop scrolling through crappy presets.
Try it, buy it and love it!

This is not an area i've had to much experience of since i've only had it for like two weeks now, but it hasn't crashed during the time i've used it. Therefore it seems reliable, but I can't really tell from this short time of use...

No experience in this field either...

I hope this synth will stay with me for a very, very long time. I have no intentions whatsoever to sell it. This must have been one of my best buys ever, and I fell in love with it right away. If I have to wish for something the synth could have had, (but for this price you really have no right to complain), that would be more multitimbrality and double the voices. If it had that it would really be one of the best, and most underrated(?), synths of all time. I'm that convinced...

This is my second review since 2000. I have owned it for over 4 years now so I have quite much experience. I thought to sell it for couple of times but that was over 3 years ago. After 1998 I bought it many synths has came and gone but AN1x has stayed. After I started to make my own sounds I noticed that It suited very well for my needs. Presets are crap except Megadrone which is cool one. I have found some cool patches from the net but I haven't made as many own sounds for any other synth as for AN1x. But more of the sounds later. Editing is very easy and fast in my opinion since you edit with knobs. Editing the CS1x style matrix without dedicated data-wheel/slider it's much slower. For example set delay time from 0 to 700 you have to wait for while since it's there. But when editing filters, oscs etc you have 8 knobs to work with. Every knob has 7+user parameters which is total 64 parameters in 8 groups. There is "groups" like Sync/FM, LFO, VCO1, VCO2, filters, mix, VCA and user. Well I don't remember every group right when I have no AN1x front of me now but something like that anyway. For computer lovers there is awesome free editor but I prefer more to edit straight from the synth. I have used manuals to check the CC#'s and some other stuff but not much.

You know all the features if you have read all the reviews. Keyboard is very light and I definitely like it. Very fast to play solos. I like the features and there is enough stuff for very long time. Only thing I miss is LFO sync to MIDI...as other 90's Yamaha synths are lacking it (EX5, FS1r...).

It can do electronic pianos and organs like quite many other VA's/analogs and ring modulator is big help. I have made sweepy synths, pads and effects but also some TB-type squelchy sounds, mid-range basses, deep basses, leads, strings and many other so I have used it in every song since 1998. There is quite amazing sounding string-patch called "Sibelius". I really like it. Since it has only 10-voice polyphony and "Sibelius" is 4-osc(dual layered) sound, you can't make fat chords with 5-voices. It's enough in theory but when you have long release time it cuts the voices when you change the chord. Effects are ok. Reverb can be muddy (what you expected?) but I have used heavy reverbs for some pads. Delays are the best and I like tempo-delay the most. Variation has choruses, overdrives, phasers etc and they are typical yamaha multieffects: good symphonic effect for strings, tremolo for e-pianos, eq/comp for basses, nasty overdrive for aggressive tb-sounds, flangers for spacey pads etc. I reactso to velocity, aftertouch and so on as good as you have programmed. Very good modulation matrix for sounds, I like it lot. You can make very complex sounds with it. Since I use other synths for sounds they do better. 10 for awesome pads and what I can do with it. Perhaps I'll share my patches later if I find them all...

Locked couple of times. Case is made of hard plastic and it's very light. Once dropped but everything is working fine. Knobs and keyboard feels a bit unreliable for gigging but never had problems

Never used

I would buy it again. I thought to get second one but one is enough for now. I bought it couple of weeks used with all the original stuff. I have playing for 14 years(more or less) and made over 10 years of my own music. I have owned 40-50 synths after I found my own bits: Roland Juno 106, Roland Jupiter 6, Roland XV-3080, Yamaha AN1x, Yamaha FS1r, Kawai K5000R, Novation Nova, Elektron Sidstation, Elektron Machinedrum, Waldorf Microwave XT, Waldorf Pulse. AN1x is NOT for preset-dudes but since there is many kind of musicians out there somebody could like of the presets too. If you are lazy to program there is many banks in the net. Remember that there is no much really crap synths, they just don't fit your needs/style/etc. Since I have owned Nord Lead, Micro Q, Nova, Prophecy etc, I can say that they all are very different sounding and you should'n compare them. AN1x can do many sounds you couldn't ever get from those and so on. Buy AN1x or what ever and learn to program it.

Yamaha has this matrix to access functions, in theory this is very nice but in practice it works awfully. Editing the sound is pretty easy, though, despite the multifunction knobs.

The keyboard is excellent and it can send arpeggiator through MIDI making it a neat master keyboard. It even has aftertouch. It has limited built in sequencing that can be used to enhance live performances.

The sound is average and the effects are _bad_. It is not very realistic as a Virtual Analog but can do a lot of sounds analogs has trouble doing (like aliasing >:) ).

It has an external powersupply with a poorly built power inlet. Otherwise it is rather well built.

It is not the worst virtual analog out there (hello Roland) but cannot really compete with the best either. It looks too much like the CS1x, which makes it embarrasing to be seen with.

Takes awhile to learn how to use it.
Good interface.
Manual is good, but not great.
Doesn't require a patch editor.

Polyphony = 10 note.
Plenty of built-in effects.
Not expandable, and doesn't need to be.
All functions are MIDI supported.
On-board step sequencer (quite difficult to use).

It's a physical modelling analogue board. In that respect it's dead-on.
On-board effects are very good.
Reacts well to a variety of playing types (variable velocity and aftertouch).

Very dependable.
I do use it without a backup. No problems.

Yamaha U.K. was very helpful.
Yamaha Canada was not helpful.

I'd absolutely buy it again if lost or stolen (heaven forbid).
I've been playing for over ten years. Other gear includes a Jupiter 8 and a Korg M1.
Compares quite well to the Virus (although the Virus has more voices).
It's very complete.

To my knowledge, Yamaha haven't upgraded the software for this synth since first releasing it. Nevertheless, it's still possible to get some highly original results out of the AN1x. Factory are shite, but you don't buy a board like this for it's presets! If you read articles about artists who own one of these, they see to consistently slate it for it's user friendliness, and in my opinion this just doesn't wash. For a start any one of 64 parameters (EGs, filters, LFO settings etc) can be tweaked (with a knob) with just one button-push. This is a highly logical interface which could only pose any difficulty to novices. Sound-wise the AN1x can come frighteningly close to a Prophet 5, often through smoothing waveforms using the Edge parameter. Another rarely found feature is the ability to reroute audio from the Amp output back into the Filter section, and if used with care (and resonance) this can create fine effects.

Polyphony is 10 notes (halved using Unison). FX are useable if not the best in the world. Keyboard action is light and responsive (much lighter than Virus kb) although aftertouch is quite 'hard'. On board step sequencer is a nice touch (though I usually turn to Cubase). Unison feature gives excellent results.

Creates Prohpet 5 sounds very convincingly.

Only problem I've had was the (external) power unit. Yamaha say this is a common problem and that these units have a relatively short lifespan. Due to limited polyphony it would be hard to get by in a live situation with this as your only synth.

Yamaha very helpful when I contacted them re above.

This board is invaluable in my setup but if it broke I may now consider an AN200 module (however used AN1x prices do not reflect their sonic potential and because of this they are a bargain). It complements both my Virus kb and my Nord Micromodular very well.

the presets are CRAP!! They are set for instant trance. If you have a drum machine you could easily write a trance song by turning it on and twisting a few knobs.

The manuals eems liek it was written for the web and would work better as a website. The information is all spread out. If there wasnt a glossary, i would have been lost.

Editing patches is very simple once you get used to the layout. its a bit harder to save yoru morphed and tweaked sound though.

There is a patch editor online at the yamaha site, Ive downloaded but havent used it.

The keyboard action is noce, velocity and after toucha nd you can assign how hard or soft youw ant the velocity and aftertouch to be.

It has no expansion possibilites. It does have an onboard sequencer and you can save sounds or make bassliens inthe step sequencer and morph them. Its a pretty xcool little feature and probably the high-light of this synth. BUT, if you have a sampler, that fearture is kidna worthless, IMHO.

This synth is very good at immitating other synths. I found myself creating all kindsa sounds from 303/acidy basslines to Oberheim strings. Its very good for electronica and I woudl reccomend this if you were hungting for one analouge keybaord with many features.

The onboard effects are very good and the 3-band EQ is WIKKED!

The sounds arent as fat and chunky as i would like them to be and the filters, to me, dont have a very good slope.

It looks like its made out of plastic. one of the kbons fell off during shipping. If defnitley woudlt gig with it.

Never dealt with Cusotmer service ont he phone. But Yamha's website is probably the best synthsizer manufacturer site. There is laods of information, sounds and free software for almost all their range of insturments, past and present. no other manufacturer offers that.

If it was lost, i wouldnt be at lost. it has soem neat features, but My Roland Alpha-Juno and Juno-106 almost outperm it editing wise and in thickness and fatness.

I have had the synth for about a week. Most synths, i get out of the box, start playign wit them and get inspired. This synth doesnt inspire me. You can create sounds forms cratch and coem up with soem wikked sounds, but like I said, this thing doesnt come close to my alpha-juno1.

I went with this synth against the Korg Z1 and the Access Virus B. I decided I am going to save a little more money, sell this and get a Krog Z1.

I would reccomend this synth to soemone who doesnt have any analouge gear and needs soem analouge sounds or wants to emulate a small range of older synths. It is expressive, but limited as you have to go through menus to reach all its capabilites. I liek the synth, but I find myself more using it as a controller for my sampler than i do using the sounds out of it.

I have an Oberhiem matrix-6, Alpha-Juno1 and a Juno-106. All of these just kill this thing soundwise. But feature wise, the An1x has them beat.

HEY - YOU WANT AN EXCELLENT ANALOG, CHEAP? This review is short and to the point.
This is an Easy unit. VERY easy. And if you can't find a factory sound that's right for you - don't worry.

10 note polyphony. Key action is very "light touch".
Effects --- reverb/delay, EQ and full DSP quality chorus, phaser, leslie, etc. Don't pay attention to losers who can't program this baby. It sings.
Aftertouch-yes, ribbon controller with pressure, 2 external pedals, 8 real-time knobs. What else do you think you need?
TB303 sequencer is good. Arpeggiator is very good. A QUAD "FREE ENVELOPE GENERATOR" IS EXCELLENT. Use it's power to mangle your sound in 4 different ways - even synched to the LFO or arpeggiator.

ANALOG.
NOT A PIANO - LOOPER - SEQUENCER. Don't be stupid. If you need analog that kills old (huge) gear, and has a 5 octave keyboard...

An artist will find amazing ways to use this keyboard. A looper/hack/sample-playback-of-someone-else shouldn't own one.

Crashes easily if sent MIDI data it doesn't like... but doesn't lock up. Just re-select the sound.
Gig? Always use it without problems.

Factory was excellent in replacing a bad wall wart under warranty.

Like I said - NEED ANALOG? Go here. Quickly. The editor software is EXCELLENT, and is for PC or MAC. LOTS of sounds out there for free. Learn to program it. You won't be dissappointed.

the manual is terrible, but this synth is simple enough to puzzle through that it is not really necessary. editing patches is not difficult at all, but the editor is nice nonetheless.

polyphony:
10 voices (5 in unison mode)

multitimbral:
2...kinda.
there are 2 scenes/program. each scene can respond to a separate midi channel or on the same channel (mixed or on a split keyboard) but the two scenes are not 100% independent as specified below...

keyboard:
standard (unweighted) keyboard action.
velocity sensitive.
aftertouch.

knobs:
all programming is done with 8 multi-function knobs (in conjunction with menu selection buttons).
the knobs can also be assigned to control a customized set (1 set/scene) of midi functions in performance mode.

effects:
one multi-effects module
one reverb
one delay.
the effects are all quite good, unfortunately, the effects are a 'program' feature, so the same effects settings must be used on both scenes of a given voice.

midi:
each scene can be set to respond to a different midi channel.

sequencer:
16 step classic analog-style sequencer. you assign the note, gate time (aka 'note length') and velocity via knobs. there is also a terrible arpeggiator none of whose patterns is especially useful.

free eg:
this allows you to draw and save envelopes for any 4 parameters (lfo speed, pulse width, vco pitch, whatever) and save it as part of the patch. a great feature to make sure your sounds don't get stagnant.

realism:
bad

types of music:
many claim that the an1x is good only for dance/techno music. i disagree. works great anytime you need some pleasant analog-type sounds. not too much capability for 'gritty' analog sounds (like the nord gives you) but excellent for more atmospheric sounds and basses with with a lot of character (just nothing too cutting). unfortunately, i have not been able to get too wide a range of sounds out of this synth.

effects:
really bring your programs alive, but not in that overbearing korg kinda way.

i gig with it without a backup. i've dropped and bumped it a couple of times. it looks pretty flimsy and the paint chips off with very little provocation, but it holds up better than you'd guess...

occasionally it gets funny when i first turn it on:
there is a weird 'blip' noise that plays intermittently over every patch. rebooting gets rid of this glitch.

at $425, this was an excellent buy. if stolen, i would proabably replace it at the same price. i opine, contrary to other reviewers, that the an1x is NO SUBSITITUTE for the nord lead. the an1x simply does not have the balls of a nord, or even the jp8000 for that matter. everything that comes out of the an1x is a little bit soft around the edges. no good for anything like powernoise or very aggressive ebm. this softness, however, works fabulously in tandem with my kawai k5 or yamaha tx802: their striking digital sounds play well against the an1x's lush analog character...

pro:
rich pads, strings and some nice synthetic basses
good effects
con:
only 2 parts multitimbral.
not much versatility in sound

Had to buy it after listening to Preset 1.
Presets are good, but AN1x is offering much more, nearly everything.
Editing of Synthesizer section is easy. Editing of controller matrix
section very complex. Manual is bad. Switching between sound bad.

Its 10 polyphone. Seems to be enough. But I bought it as working horse. Also using double sounds. Then its 5 polyphone, thats to few.
Effects are best quality. Its providing the complete set of controller functions. Realized in the controller Matrix. But not easy
to use all possibilities.

The most expessional synthy I know ! ( and i know a lot of )
Overtones of SAW waveform can be adjusted. So almost every traditional
synthy can be emulated. FM SYNC and PWM are provided. Its the best digital clone to emulate Mini Moog, ARP, Jupiter and so on, but also having an own very lovely charakter. So its good for Rock music.
But I bought it to make dance music ! AN1x can even do that, emulating acoustic music instruments. But you need the expirience of
analog synthy programming to create such sounds on the An1x.
If you can emulate an Instrument anolog, you have the advantage of
having more controle over the sound. What can you basicly controle
on a fixed sample ? Its similar to the D50 LA sythesis.
Dance music sounds I emulated on AN1X better than XP60 samples:

Flute ( Breath realized with FM or sync )
Pan Flute ( Breath realized with FM or sync )
Clarinet
Vibraphone (Akai S612 Sample )
Marimba (Akai S612 Sample )
DX7 Rhodes
DX7 Rhodes + Analog Strings
Pianet
Clavinet
Brass Section ( Emulated from D50 )
D50 Sound Number 61 (Heaven)
D50 Sound Number 21 (Native)
D50 Sound Number 25
D50 Sound Number 11 (Fantasy)
D50 Sound Number 14 (Strings with Attack)
JX 3P all Sounds
Mini Mood Lead Sound
ARP Odysse Sync Sound
DX7 Male voice
Hammond Jazz Organ ( including Breath of Leslie )
Hammond Rock Organ ( including Breath of Leslie )
....

My AN1X has a bug. If it gets to warm, he produces a terrible noise
if both channels are avtive.
Extarnal power supply was already damaged.

A great instrument. Looks harmless, but has a lot of power.
Perhaps can be compared with Roland JP 8000. The Roland looks more
expensive and solid. But concerning the sound I prefer the AN1x.
A very special instrument.