1. P6 Virtual Analog Synthesizer Online
2. P6 Virtual Analog Synthesizer Free
3. P6 Virtual Analog Synthesizer Download

Jun 13, 2015  Audiothingies Updates P6 Polysynth. Audiothingies has released a new firmware version for its P6 – a DIY polyphonic synth kit. The P6 offers 2 oscillators, 1 sub-oscillator, an 8-mode resonant filter, 3 envelopes and 3 LFOs per voice. Performance options include an integrated chorder and arp pattern sequencer. June 14, 2015 at 5.

1. Inorganic1 is a virtual synthesizer based on subtractive synthesis. This method used in analog synthesizers makes Inorganic1 able to create an extra waveform within one oscillator and brings the same effect like PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) or oscillator sync.
2. Nov 29, 2017  Review of the Prophet-6 analog synthesizer from Sequential. Plus, the waveform of Oscillator 1 can be modulated by Oscillator 2 in the Poly-Mod section (more on this later), putting this continuous variation on musically useful auto-pilot.
3. Mar 15, 2015 My first 120 patches, programmed from scratch, showing the variety of sound which this synthesizer is capable of. Built in effects only, no compression or EQ applied, recorded to a Zoom H2n.
4. Click to access the login or register cheese. We are temporarily suspending shipments to help fight COVID-19. Orders cannot be placed anymore Send us an email if you want a notification when the situation is back to normal DismissDismiss.
5. Apr 23, 2014  The Audiothingies P6 is a polyphonic DIY virtual analog synth. In this video, I use a patch with the chorder set to C Major, with notes added being 1 octave below, the 3rd below and the fifth above.

The Yamaha AN1x is a DSP-based analog modeling synthesizer^[2] (a.k.a. virtual analog synthesizer), produced by Yamaha Corporation from 1997 to 1998, and was marketed as an 'analog physical modelling control synthesizer'.^[3]

Development[edit]

The AN1x is a first-generation virtual analogue physical modelling synthesizer. After Clavia released the original Nord Lead in 1995, Roland followed suit in 1996 with the JP-8000. Yamaha, having already been working on physical modelling synthesis for a number of years, released the AN1x in mid-1997.

Whilst the AN1x has a similar chassis to other Yamaha synthesizers, such as the CS1x and particularly the CS2x, this is where the similarity ends. The latter use pre-loaded sample-based synthesis to generate sound, thus categorising them as romplers. The AN1x on the other hand is a fully fledged synthesizer. Yamaha's proprietary 'virtual analog' technology, models the components that traditionally occupy the signal path of an analog subtractive synthesizer. The VCOs, VCAs, VCFs, and LFOs etc., are all digitally modelled and rendered using DSPVLSI processor(s).

It has been noted^[4] that the firmware of the AN1x contains simulated characteristics of Sequential Circuits'Prophet 5 and particularly the Prophet 10 synthesizers, as well as Yamaha's own CS range of polyphonic analog synthesisers. Yamaha purchased the rights to Sequential Circuits in 1987, following the dissolution of the company. Sequential's founder, Dave Smith subsequently became President of DSD Inc., a research and development division of Yamaha. During his time at Yamaha, in addition to his work on vector and wavetable synthesis, which culminated in the SY22 and TG33, Smith also worked on physical modelling synthesis and software synthesizer concepts. Research that laid the foundations for the development of the AN1x.^[5]

Scenes and voice architecture[edit]

The AN1x is a duo-timbral synthesizer, having two individual sets of voice parameters, called Scenes, for each of the 128 voice patches. Within each voice, each scene can be programmed to be similar sounding variations of each other, two identical copies of the same sound, or even two completely different sounding timbres.^[6]

The user can either quickly switch between the two Scenes, or morph between them, which interpolates individual parameters, rather than simply crossfading. The result being complex new timbres being heard whilst morphing. It is also possible to save a snapshot of the timbre at any point during a morph, to become a new baseline timbre for one of the Scenes. Additionally, Scene data can be copied from, or saved to a different voice patch entirely. When the AN1x's Layer mode is set to either Split/Split Unison or Dual/Dual Unison, dual timbrality is possible, whereby Scenes can be set to receive MIDI data on two separate channels. Each Scene will have five notes of polyphony. The AN1x has a maximum polyphony of ten notes, although the actual polyphony depends upon the playing mode the synthesizer is set to. These being either a single monotimbral Scene, two Scenes layered or split, monophonic or polyphonic, and whether the note-multiplying Unison mode is active. Dual mode halves polyphony to five notes per voice, dividing each of the two internal 5-note DSP processors between both Scenes separately; dual timbral. In mono or dual modes, Unison uses five notes per key per Scene for a single voice (1 processor × 5 notes), or two notes per key for a dual voice (2 processors × 1 timbre per processor); thus, in Dual, Mono or Unison mode, the synthesizer is monophonic for each of the two Scenes. In polyphonic mode, Unison is only possible for single voices, each key takes two notes, of the same timbre, one from each of the two processors.^[6]

Waveform oscillators[edit]

The voice architecture is based on a dual oscillator design with multi-mode filter. Available waveforms are: Pulse-width modulation (PWM), Saw, Square, Saw2, Saw/Pulse Wave mix, and Saw/Square mix. Additional waves, Inner 1-3 are available for the first oscillator (OSC1) in oscillator sync mode. Triangle and sine waves are possible by altering the shape of pulse waves. The AN1x has a wave shapingEdge tool, which can facilitate 128 intermediate waves. The first oscillator can be split to have a master, main and a tuneable slave sub-oscillator, when activated via three oscillator sync algorithms. The master and/or slave oscillator within OSC1 can be modulated by the first low-frequency oscillator (LFO1), either jointly or individually. The AN1x has twin operator frequency modulation (FM), comprising four algorithms, where the first oscillator is modulated by the second. Finally there is ring modulation and white noise. When set to Unison mode, the AN1x layers five oscillators for each Scene timbre. Whilst this reduces polyphony, Unison thickens up the sound considerably. Additionally, stereo separation can be set for panning, as well as the tuning of the five layered oscillators. The overall effect is not too dissimilar from the Roland JP-8000supersawwaveform,^{[citation needed]} except that Unison can be applied to waveforms other than the sawtooth wave.

Filters, envelopes, low frequency oscillators and control matrix[edit]

Each of the two scenes that make up a single voice is composed of an amplitude envelope, a filter envelope, a pitch envelope, and a three-band equaliser. These affect the combined two oscillators on a per-note basis. The AN1x has two LFOs. LFO1 comprises 21 waveforms: 5× sine variations, 5× triangle variations, 3× square variations, 4× saw variations and 4× sample and hold variations. LFO2 consists of a triangle wave only. These affect all notes at once, i.e. monophonic LFOs. The LFOs are fast, up to the audible note range. The AN1x has a non-resonanthigh-pass filter, which is situated in series with a multimode resonant filter, the latter offering a low-pass filter (LPF), high-pass filter (HPF), band-pass filter (BPF) and band elimination filter (BEF). The multimode filter is capable of resonant self oscillation. Additionally, feedback from the voltage controlled amplifier (VCA) is routed back to the oscillator mixer before the main filter, and frequency modulation can be used alongside oscillator sync. The AN1x has a comprehensive modulation matrix, comprising 16 sources and 96 destinations.^[6]

Sequencing capabilities[edit]

The AN1x features an arpeggiator with 30 preset patterns,^[7] a step sequencer with 16 steps, 256 total sequence patterns, 128 voice patterns 'one per voice' + 128 user patterns. All 256 patterns can be overwritten for use, and a 'Free Envelope Generator' '128 user patterns, one per voice'. The arpeggiator and sequencer can both output to MIDI and sync to MIDI timecode, and the arpeggiator can also be applied to incoming MIDI data. Furthermore, the notes may be fixed or transposed via the synthesizer's keyboard or MIDI input. The step sequencer can be used to send control data, such as filter cutoff values or notes to the synthesizer's tone generator or to MIDI output. Both the arpeggiator and step sequencer have several looping modes. The 'Free Envelope Generator' (Free EG) is a powerful motion control feature that allows the user to record controller movements for up to four parameters, '4 tracks, 1 parameter per track' for a duration of up to 16 seconds each, or 8 bars that are tempo linked.^[6]

Note: If the tempo is set to 40bpm, with a 4/4 count, this would result in 48 seconds of recording time per track. When applied to a voice, the Free EG becomes an intrinsic component of the voice whilst it is played, allowing for complex and evolving organic movement of sound. The way in which the Free EG loops can also be set in various ways, as well as the keyboard tracking and triggering.

Multi effects[edit]

The effects section contains three different sets of programmable effects,^[2] as well as a programmable 3-band equaliser (EQ). The 14 variation effect types are: Chorus, '2 types', flanger, symphonic, phaser, auto pan, rotary speaker, pitch change, aural exciter, compressor, wah, distortion, overdrive and amp simulator. The five delay effect types are: Delay left-centre-right (LCR), delay left-right (LR), echo, cross delay and tempo delay, which automatically matches the delay time to the current tempo setting. The eight reverb effect types include three types of hall reverb, two types each of room and stage reverb, and a plate reverb.^[6]

The voice signal initially passes through the variation and EQ sections in series, then on to the delay and reverb sections. The delay and reverb sections can be configured to operate in either series or parallel. Individual effects sections (variation, delay, reverb) or all effects, excluding the EQ, can be bypassed at will. Additionally, realtime controllers can be designated to control specific effect parameters.^[6]

Control synthesizer[edit]

As well as promoting its 'Analog Physical Modelling', Yamaha referred to the AN1x as a 'control synthesizer', in a similar vein to the CS1x and CS2x. This is due to each voice patch in the AN1x having 20 'control sets', which utilise assignments of the user-adjustable controls and MIDI control change messages to a number of numerical parameters within the sound engine.^[8]

The user controls include: Keyboard pitch, velocity and channel aftertouch, a modulation wheel, a pressure-sensitive (X-axis,Z-axis) ribbon controller, two expression pedal input sockets, a footswitch input socket, and eight assignable parameter control knobs. The underlying philosophy of this arrangement is that the user doesn't have to alter the actual sound editing parameters whilst playing, instead using the assignable real-time controls mentioned above.

The physical keyboard action includes velocity, aftertouch, and portamento. The X-Z ribbon controller, responds to horizontal sweeps and pressure. The eight realtime control knobs can also be pressed to display their current parameter values. Each knob and controller can have multiple parameters assigned to them.

Controller resolution[edit]

Being a first-generation virtual analog synthesizer, the AN1x's controller resolution responds by default to 128 increments from its built in controllers. Consequently, the user will sometimes hear slight but distinct stepping of the filter, especially when more pronounced resonance is used. However, there are several workarounds: The first is to press the control knobs while rotating them to access smoother increments. The second method involves the use of a MIDI controller or synthesizer, whose controllers generate higher resolution data values. The AN1x responds to this due to its mature MIDI implementation and NRPN recognition. The result being a smoothing out of the filter sweep, therefore giving a more authentic analog feel.^[9]

Physical characteristics[edit]

The keyboard's main housing is made of ABS plastic, and the chassis base is metal. Dimensions: 986 mm (38.8 in) (W) × 285 mm (11.2 in) (D) × 103 mm (4.1 in) (H). Weight: 7.5 kg (17 lb).

Reception and usage[edit]

Though containing more features than its contemporaries, the control interface of the AN1x initially proved frustrating for some users, due to its programming being matrix-based rather than one control per parameter like the Roland JP-8000.^[7] To counter these early misgivings, a sound set was released by Yamaha UK, called the London sound set, which contained clones of some of the JP-8000 presets. This helped to demonstrate the sound capabilities of the AN1x. That being said, as with learning any new workflow, programming the AN1x becomes fairly intuitive and straight forward once mastered.

In 2000, Yamaha used the AN1x synthesis architecture to produce the PLG150-AN plugin board for the CS6x.^[10] The following year, Yamaha followed the AN1x with the AN200, a groovebox-type desktop sound module.^[11]

No related blog entries found. Rane serato scratch live download.

The AN1x has been used by numerous artists, including: Jean Michel Jarre, Psyclon Nine, History Of Guns, Velvet Acid Christ, Nine Inch Nails, Nitin Sawhney,^[12]Phish,^[12]Igor Khoroshev of YES,^[12]Steve Hillier of Dubstar, Jacob Thiele of The Faint,^[12]808 State, Antti Pouta of Pariisin Kevät, Above & Beyond,^[12] Jesper Anderberg of The Sounds.

References[edit]

1. ^'Yamaha AN1x Virtual Analog Synthesizer'. Encyclotronic. Retrieved 2018-07-09.
2. ^ ^ab'Yamaha AN1X'. www.polynominal.com. Retrieved 2018-07-09.
3. ^Inc., Equipboard. 'Yamaha AN1x'. Equipboard. Retrieved 2018-07-09.
4. ^'Yamaha PLG150AN & PLG150PF'. Sound on Sound. Archived from the original on 18 June 2015.
5. ^'About Sequential'. Sequential.
6. ^ ^abcdefYamaha AN1x Owner's Manual. pp. 4–5.
7. ^ ^ab'Yamaha AN1X'. Sound On Sound. August 1997. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016.
8. ^Yamaha AN1x Preset List. pp. 8–9.
9. ^Yamaha AN1x Owner's Manual. pp. 6–7.
10. ^Metts, Allan (1 November 2000). 'Yamaha PLG Series'. Electronic Musician. Retrieved 18 July 2019.
11. ^Rovito, Markkus (1 August 2001). 'Yamaha AN200 and DX200'. Electronic Musician. Retrieved 17 July 2019.
12. ^ ^abcde'Yamaha AN1x'. Vintage Synth. Retrieved 15 June 2018.

Further reading[edit]

• 'Yamaha AN1x preview'. Sound on Sound. April 1997. ISSN0951-6816. OCLC795937427. Archived from the original on 6 June 2015.
• 'Cover Feature: Synth head-to-head'. Future Music. No. 59. Future Publishing. August 1997. p. 20. ISSN0967-0378. OCLC1032779031.
• 'Yamaha AN1x'. Making Music. No. 141. December 1997. p. 37. ISSN0269-2651. OCLC499235180.
• 'Yamaha AN1x review'. Electronic Musician. Vol. 14 no. 1. January 1998. ISSN0884-4720. OCLC832435772.
• 'Yamaha AN1x'. Keyboard. Vol. 23 no. 11. California. 1997. pp. 65–72. 200030855.

External links[edit]

• 'AN1X'. Yamaha. Archived from the original on 21 September 1999.
• 'AN1x Owner's Manual'(PDF). Yamaha.
• 'AN1x Data List'(PDF). Yamaha.

on Jan 08, 2017 in Synths & Sound Design 4 comments

Any top-10 (OK, top-7) list of virtual synthesizers will, ultimately, be pretty subjective—everyone has their own idea of what constitutes the coolest toys when it comes to making and mangling sounds for creative musical ends. Even so, a list of the most impressive soft synths will certainly end up including some models that would be on anyone’s wish list, along with a few more personal choices—and this collection pretty much fits that bill.

I tried to limit this list in a few ways, to make it more manageable.. I omitted instruments that are primarily samplers—even though many of the models here utilize samples as source material, they don’t mainly present them as realistic simulations, but as raw material for heavy processing. I stuck to synths that are—at least to me—geared to playability, and not primarily sound design or scoring effects. And I selected synths that are not emulations of specific classic hardware models, but stand on their own merits.

So without further ado, here are a few of my choices for the slickest soft synths around.

1. Spectrasonics Omnisphere 2

Omnisphere is one of those synths that would probably turn up on just about everyone’s lists. Like many of the synths on this list, Omnisphere (currently Omnisphere 2) combines a number of synthesis techniques, including both oscillators and sample-based source material (including user waves), wavetable synthesis, granular synthesis, and even FM. Combining a huge factory library with comprehensive programming options, the emphasis is on heavily processed sounds of all kinds, from traditional synth tones to dense swirling pads to arpeggios to shifting, chugging, twinkling soundscapes and musical noises that defy easy description. Playability includes nice touches like the Orb, a real-time joystick-type controller that can simultaneously vary many parameters. Omnisphere has been around for quite a while, and has certainly earned its place on a list of soft synths that hardware synths really can’t touch.

Web:https://www.spectrasonics.net/products/omnisphere/index.php

Review: https://ask.audio/articles/review-spectrasonics-omnisphere-2

Courses:https://ask.audio/academy?nleloc=application/omnisphere

2. NI Massive

Native Instrument’s Massive is another synth that’s been around for years, and its popularity and sound pretty much guarantee it a place of honor. Massive follows a traditional subtractive synthesis models, with oscillators (three, plus noise) filters (two), amplifier, modulation (LFO), and effects. But there’s much more to it than that simple description suggests.

Massive’s oscillators are more than just simple analog waves (like sine, square, sawtooth, pulse, etc.)—they’re Wavetables, which, besides those basic, traditional shapes, also include a large collection of richer and more complex wavetables to use as raw material, making for a much wider range of possible sounds. The overall subtractive architecture is familiar enough to be accessible to most synthesists, yet it offers extra levels of flexibility, accessed from the various programming tabs in its center panel, like the Routing panel, where you can view and tweak the signal flow of the various modules that make up a patch, and the drag-and-drop icons that make quick work of building up modulation patching. All in all, Massive’s combination of accessibility and flexibility have made it a perennial favorite among synthesists of all stripes.

Web:https://www.native-instruments.com/en/products/komplete/synths/massive/

Courses:https://ask.audio/academy?nleloc=application/massive

3. NI Reaktor

Another entry from Native Instruments, Reaktor (currently Reaktor 6) is not really a synthesizer per se—it’s potentially every synthesizer you could imagine. Reaktor is an object-oriented programming environment for building your own synthesizers, and it’s one of the most powerful tools available for those who want ultimate control over their instruments. But you don’t have to have a degree in computer programming or DSP to use Reaktor—while it does contain a daunting set of under-the-hood tools and building blocks, it also comes with a large collection of finished synthesizer designs—called Ensembles—and there are many more available from third-parties as well. Some of these are available as separate, stand-alone synths, like NI’s own Razor (an additive synthesis design), Prism (a physical modeling instrument), and Monark (a well-regarded take on the venerable Minimoog).

But the real power of Reaktor comes when you go behind the front panel, and delve into the nuts & bolts of synthesizer architecture. Taking full advantage of everything the programming environment has to offer may require a significant investment in time and energy, but for inveterate tweakers it’s well worth the effort, going well beyond even the possibilities available from assembling your own modular synth in the real world.

Web:https://www.native-instruments.com/en/products/komplete/synths/reaktor-6/

Review: https://ask.audio/articles/review-native-instruments-reaktor-6

Courses:https://ask.audio/academy?nleloc=application/reaktor

4. Rob Papen Blue II

Rob Papen offers a number of popular synths (like Predator, Blade, and others, including the now-discontinued Albino), but Blue (currently Blue II) is probably the flagship of the line. Utilizing when Papen has dubbed “Cross-Fusion Synthesis”, Blue II combines FM, Phase Distortion, Waveshaping, and Subtractive synthesis, to create one highly flexible and great-sounding instrument. No less than six (!) oscillators freely combine all the different methods of sound generation in a single patch, and the graphic display makes routing and processing relatively easy for a synth with so many options. The helpful graphic displays include features like a straightforward FM matrix and graphic envelopes, along with sequencer and arpeggiator pages, and make Blue II’s programming power readily accessible, making it easy and efficient to tweak sounds—far easier than twiddling hardware knobs blindly.

5. LennarDigital Sylenth

LennarDigital’s Sylenth has become a very popular synth of late. Unlike many of the other entries in this list, it’s not a be-all, do-all, end-all design. Sylenth is designed to do one thing—emulate classic analog synthesis—but do it exceptionally well. It’s a dual-layered design, with 4 traditional analog-style oscillators, and a classic subtractive synthesis architecture. All the virtual analog components were carefully designed to offer the rich sound of their real analog counterparts, with alias-free oscillators, and filters that include nonlinear saturation and self-oscillation options.

A comprehensive set of envelopes, modulators, and an arpeggiator is rounded off with a full array of audio effects—everything needed to achieve classic analog synth sounds with the warmth and edge of traditional hardware synths is included. A faux LCD panel helps simplify programing the more tweaky features, and flexible routing allows for the two oscillator layers to cross-feed the filters, making for an especially nice bit of analog character in the digital world.

P6 Virtual Analog Synthesizer Online

Web:https://www.lennardigital.com/sylenth1/

P6 Virtual Analog Synthesizer Free

Course:https://ask.audio/academy?nleloc=topic/sylenth

6. U-he Diva & Zebra 2 & Repro 1

U-he is not a synth, it’s a company—actually it’s software developer Urs Heckmann (plus a small staff), who’s come up with many excellent and characterful synth designs (and effects plug-ins) over the years, many available as freeware (like the popular Zoyd synth, and the unique Triple Cheese, which uses comb filters to generate/process its sounds). The U-he line includes several synths, but I want to focus on two of the most popular, Zebra 2 and Diva.

Urs describes Zebra 2 as a “wireless modular synthesizer”—it incorporates many types of synthesis, including subtractive, additive, and FM, along with an equally versatile array of sound-modifying tools like comb-filtering (physical modeling), all freely patchable. Only modules used in a particular patch are displayed, reducing front-panel clutter, and making for a more streamlined interface. The centrally-located modulation grid offers an easy way to connect modules, and helps visualize signal flow in complex patches. And for performance, Zebra 2 offers a “Perform” panel, with no less than four (!) programmable and assignable X/Y pads.

Diva, on the other hand, is a more dedicated analog-style synth—it models the sounds of various classic analog synth modules. But two things set it apart from other analog modelers. The first is that you can mix and match components/modules inspired by different synths, creating hybrid designs. The other is Diva’s cutting-edge approach to modeling analog circuits, which promises to achieve the next level in emulating the nuance of real analog instruments. This faithfulness to real analog sound brings with it a bit of a CPU hit, but users have embraced it, so this Diva may be worth her high-maintenance ways.

Web:https://www.u-he.com

Review: https://ask.audio/articles/review-uhe-repro1

Course:https://ask.audio/academy?nleloc=application/uhe

P6 Virtual Analog Synthesizer Download

7. AAS Modeling Collection

As I said earlier, lists like this typically combine entries that are on everyone’s top-10 with choices of a more personal nature—this last entry probably reflects my interest in physical modeling techniques. Protection error 6 virtual dj. AAS—Applied Acoustic Systems—makes a variety of virtual instruments and “sound banks”—their instruments are based on physical modeling, which, as you may know, is a method of creating a sound by emulating the physical way that sound is created in the real world. So instead of traditional oscillators, filters, and envelopes, you’ll typically find exciters, disturbers, and resonators—simulations of different vibrating materials, striking, plucking, bowing, and blowing techniques, and complex resonances and timbral responses.

AAS’s modeling collection includes instruments that put these kinds of tools to use emulating strings, guitars, electric pianos, and even analog synth circuitry, but the two I want to mention are Tassman, a general-purpose physical-modeling synth, and their latest, Chromaphone, which is dedicated to modeling all manner of percussive sounds. Both of these instruments let the user synthesize highly realistic sounds, thanks to the physical modeling of acoustic sound-generation, but those sounds don’t necessarily have to emulate actual instruments—for more creative applications, the modeling tools can be used to create very acoustic-sounding instruments that don’t—maybe couldn’t—actually exist in the real world, but sound (and play) like they do! Physical modeling technology is widely used nowadays for processing—component modeling is routinely employed to simulate the circuit path of classic analog hardware, including synth components like oscillators and filters—and it’s gradually being applied more to instrument design.

Wrap-up

Like with any list, there are plenty more great synths I could have included but didn’t, for one reason or another (I decided to limit my choices to separate plug-ins, eliminating obvious possibilities like Alchemy and Sculpture, which are exclusively built-in to Logic). I also didn't include any audio examples—how can you boil the characteristic sound of synths that each offer so much variety into a few seconds of one or two patches? There are plenty of audio demos available online, along with trial versions of most, if not all, of the synths I mentioned, and I think the best approach for anyone who wants to get to know what particular models are capable of is to go ahead and try ‘em out yourself—a little homework that, for once, should actually be a lot of fun!