Akai AX60
As The AX60 came out in 1986 at $895.00. Features: Programable split keyboard (split can be programmed anywhere on the Keyboard), VCO's for the warm rich analog sound, Slider controls programming and editing, compare/edit recall functions, built in arpeggiator with external sync, built in stereo chorus/2 modes, and MIDI IN-OUT-THRU. Also operates as a complete editing system for the Akai S612 digital sampler, controlling filter sections, A.D.S.R.'S and stereo chorus.
Average Advertised Price:
$200 to $550
Jetboy's Humble Opinion Of Worth:
$350 would be my guess of a fair price, but don't hold me to that.
Jetboy's Review - To be honest, I am not too fimilar with the Akai AX series. Many people refer to it as a VCO equipped Juno-106, not a bad description in my book. Sold only in the US I'm told, but as a US citizen I've even had a hard time running across one, and I don't miss too many. I've heard from many owners on the AX60, and all of them give it high marks.
Paul Kondig at Pkondig@fred.net tells of sweet Akai tales: The AX60 has wonderful sounds, 2 segment LED read out and built in auto tune. This is another excellent value synth like the Poly 61 for those on a tight budget. I would recomend that if you intened to buy one make sure to hit the auto tune after turning it on and check every slider and knob to make sure everything works properly. If you do not already own a sampler I highly recomened you get the S612 sampler. Even though it holds only one sample at a time and uses special quick disks it is a good one to learn the basics of sampling on. I hope this helps. Remeber this synth was only released in the U.S. so people overseas will not find one. Current Value $200-$400. My opinon is $250.00 is reasonable to me.
Patrick Bizon at patrick_bizon@hotmail.com boldly writes where no man has written before: The AX60 is one of the most underrated synths around. I think it is better than the Juno 106, although the Juno is better for some types of sounds. My AX60 has given me no problems, and is one of the most reliable analogues I've ever encounteered. In pure sound gereration terms, it is certaintly better than the Juno. There are more programming permutations on the AX, and more capabilities. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I seem to remember the AX having more waveforms than the Juno. Also, the AX uses real VCOs and thus its sounds are much more raw and organic. The Juno has better MIDI but the AX has an arpeggiator. I like the AX60's sound better, it is more unique. Too unique, sometimes. The AX has a dirty mettalic sound in almost everything it does which might be a drawback for some. The Juno is a better all around instrument but if you play techno or industrial, the AX is a better bet. The VCO Mod is great for adding distortion to your filter sweeps. All in all, the! AX60 is one of the more unique sounding analogue polysyths available. Again, very underrated and a great value. They seem to cost from 300-400 US dollars.
neptunes at neptoons@hotmail.com shakes things up with the following report: It is probably the most durable synth of all the vintage models since it is made of metal. I bought mine for about $250 from Guitar Center. The guy who sold it to the store lived in California and it had been in the earthquake of '94. It has a Big Dent on the front panel but it works fine. NOTHING I tell you, NOTHING is wrong with it. Now I wouldn't drive over it with a Ford Bronco but who knows, it would probably survive in tact. You want fat? Get an OB-Xa. You want a pit bull? One word: AX-60. The sounds need a leash for their BAD-azzz attitude, and it's screams like a banshee in unison mode. Not for the faint at heart. End of story.
80 Cent Algorithm at Michael@Malenfant.com gives us 40 times everyone else's 2 cents worth: This synth has got character and style, a little attitude, and just the right amount of unpredictability to make it my industrial tool of choice. Not nearly as soft and warm as a 106 or the dozens of analoge emulation synths out there, this beast excels at clangs, buzzes, chainsaw, and train brake squealing type noises. A distortion pedal will help this synth get warm, but this is no 106. Get this beast if you enjoyed banging on pots and pans as a kid - or still do now but your wife insists you do it with headphones. Does not have a sub-osc like the juno 6-60-106 line, has a five mode arpeggiator instead like the 60. Four waveforms for the LFO in addition to a fairly non-random random wave. A true dual-timbral synth, the keyboard has a programmable split point with the upper half on one channel and the lower on another channel. Does not have "dynamic voice allocation" [I imagine this had not hit the sub $1000 mark in the mid 80s], instead choosing from a 0-6, 2-4, 4-2, or 0-6 split. No sysex. You can't record slider movements, and you can't dump patches. Each split side can go unison independently, while the arpeggiator will only go to the upper tone. The Chorus effect is noisy, but it adds to the character. Two independent envelope generators, hard wired to VCA and VCF. VCO modulation of VCF, and the modulation wheel can affect filter cutoff in addition to modulation amount. I paid $200 for mine, and rarely see them above $300. Good value, not too collectable or sexy, a working man's analoge.
