AN1x

Back in 1997, this synth pioneered analog modeling with a wild X-Z ribbon controller that lets you twist and swipe for expressive sweeps no other keyboard matched at the time.

It packs two oscillators per voice—saw, variable pulse, square, plus sub osc, ring mod, FM, noise, and sync—into 10-voice polyphony, split across two scenes for morphing via mod wheel. A multimode resonant filter (12/24dB low/band/hi-pass) pairs with dual ADSR envelopes for VCF/VCA, two LFOs, and a deep 16-source mod matrix feeding 96 destinations. Hands-on control comes from 10 knobs, 34 buttons, pitch/mod wheels, aftertouch on its 61 velocity-sensitive keys, and that ribbon, all in a sleek blue 986x285x103mm frame weighing 8kg. Arpeggiator offers 30 patterns or 16-step sequencer with recordable knob motions, plus three simultaneous effects like reverb, delay, distortion, and more.

Players love its fat basses, metallic FM bells, and brass tones that rival pricier analogs, with the real-time morphing and arp sparking endless jams—though some wish for more voices, its quirky depth keeps it a cult favorite today.