MS2000 vs AN1X?

[Jaxamillian]

So, I am trying to decide which way to go here.

MS2000

-I really like the sound of the MicroKorg. The interface was intuitive to me, and I imagine it will only be moreso with greater knob functionality of the MS2000.

-Simple and easy to get decent sounds for me.


AN1X

-Heard nothing but great things about this synth, though I've never played one.

- Interface looks a bit frustrating.

Wondering what you guys would think when considering getting one of these synths over the other?

[visceralvoids]

MS2000 is real short on polyphony... A two-timbre patch will only have two (!) notes of polyphony. So you won't be able to play pads like you could on an AN1x. AN1x has 61 keys vs MS2000's 44...

[ryryoftokyo]

Although the feature sets look similar, this goes to the AN1x hands down.

You'll lose a lot of knobs in comparison to the MS2000 and a vocoder, but when it's a question of the sound coming out of the synth that matters, there is simply no comparison. The AN1x is beyond capable when it comes to reproducing the old analog sounds, but thanks to the free EG you can sculpt some patches that sound like they're ripped from the Korg Wavestation. There's FM on board for creating some weird FX and for reproducing metallic FM leads and basses.

Like the MS2000, you can assign anything to do everything. 8 knobs are assignable, then there's the mod and pitch wheel, and on top of that you have a touch AND pressure sensitive strip on the side that can be assigned mutiple parameters. I know 8 knobs doesn't seem like a lot, but let's be real...if you're playing the thing, there's only so many parameters you can adjust in one song. If you need more than what you can assign, it's a simple button press. Easy.

I love Yamaha's blue monstrosity most because it has so much bottom end. Most sound guys hate me at the end of the night because of that thing.

[oneofthegooddays]

MS2000 has lots of knobs on it but they are very tiny. I was always afraid I was going to break something. Shame because the metal chassis is really sleek.

Both synths have cool ways of manipulating sounds. MS step sequencer is easier to program. On AN1x you can morph between sounds which is tres cool. I hope there were more synths with this feature.

Overall AN1X has a wider sound palette.

[Yekuku]

it is really hard to pick just one, both are winners for what they worth.
The ms2k has an audio input, vocoder, knob per function interface, mod sequencer and a good look
On the other side the an1x has a ribbon,more polyphony and programming depth, decent effects, 5 octaves keys with aftertouch, free envelope generator, morphing feature , AN1XEdit editor etc
Sonically both are capable of reproducing classic analog sounds and they have an interesting sonic character.
In certain circumstances parameter stepping is audible on both units, but it is not much of problem unless you are an analog enthusiast junkie.
If I had to pick one out of the two , i would have picked both

[stephen]

I used to own an1x and microkorg together. In the end I offloaded the microkorg (I also let go of a novation nova desktop). I still have the an1x, plenty of mileage in the sound engine, and the user interface isn't *that* bad.

I'd really dig a nice analogue monosynth to go with it (used to have sh09, currently a x0xbox which is somewhat limited unless you like *that* sound!!)

[Jabberwalky]

I recently bought an An1x (my 2nd time). I didn't regret selling my old one right away, but nothing ever filled the gaping hole it left in both sound, editing, and expression.

I also owned 3 Microkorgs. They were ok, but just incredibly boring to me. The sound just wasn't there. I'm akin to learning and mastering even the most archaic editing systems (I used an Ensoniq Mirage for years along with a Dx9). The An1x is dead easy. You press the color coded button, see the color next to the knob, and that's what you're changing. I don't see the confusion.

The An1x has the ability to:

give you very punchy bass sounds
layer two copies of a patch to get 2 parallel multimode filters
use the free eg to tweak the fine tune very slightly on each OSC and get a really convincing analog emulation
LFO's go really fast for metallic sounds, layered with a ringmod and some FM, you get the idea.
Analog style 16 step sequencer is really cool for quick ideas, or happy accidents.
and on and on

Beats out every other VA I've owned. Microkorg, Ion/Micron, and even a Virus killer imo. The hype is justified, but the price is going a bit crazy.

[Jaxamillian]

Hmm i guess I realy need to play an AN1x. Heard nothing but good things. I'm still leaning towards an MS2000 right now there, just on a hunch..

[ryryoftokyo]

Somebody please make a good demo of the AN1x? My computer is garbage for recording. I don't quite think all the praise in the world can really sum up what a beast this thing is.

[Mino]

Not mine, but it will give the idea...

[groy]

for the sake of discussion, can someone compare the two sequencers?

[ryryoftokyo]

I liked that demo a lot, but again, I feel like it doesn't show the full potential. I might have to suck it up and finally record something.

As for the sequencers, I would say they're about the same, but when you add in some the AN1x's additional sequencing capabilities (free EG) you end up with a bit more.

[samuraipizzacat29]

it is really hard to pick just one, both are winners for what they worth.

This is the only thing in this thread I disagree with for what the ms2000 goes for, they're very vanilla sounding. The only time I'd recommend is if someone is looking for instant access to that basic trance sound. But in terms of value, the $500 or so that an ms2000 goes for as opposed to the $400ish an an1x goes for - the an1x is worth way more because the sound designing is unique. That's what you pay for in a digital synth-unique sound design. An1x has it (a la scene morphing, edge function, free egs, complex splits and sequences) , but the ms2000 is a vst in a box.

Plus the an1x yahoo group is the biz and you could spend forever just going through the available patches on there.

[Jabberwalky]

I'll have to make one soon . I agree that there's something missing in most of the demos I check out.

[elmosexwhistle]

http://m.matrixsynth.com/2007/08/yamaha ... istle.html

i did this demo a while back, it's a bit of a cult classic by now!

these patches push the boundaries of what the an1x can do, achieving what seems like 3 or 4 voice multi-timbrality out of a bitimbral synth, and shows you how varied it can be. Jexus's demo on youtube is pretty wicked too