Akai AX73
Released: 1986
MSRP: $1199
Synopsis:
Swaps the AX60 dedicated controls for single parameter based editing. Swaps arpeggiator for more keys (keeps unison mode). Loses AX60 bitimbral mode, but can split keyboard MIDI output Architecture Class: Conventional (subtractive).
Ebay Description:
The Akai AX-73 is a 73 key (velocity sensitive), 6 voice analog synthesizer, featuring resonant low (24dB CEM) and high pass filters, dual envelopes, LFO, chorus, portamento, and MIDI.
Physical
| Form Factor | Dimensions | Weight | Audio Input | Audio Output | Communication Port | Control Input | Control Output | Switch Input | Power |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 73 keys | W:1152mm H:110mm D:364mm | 15kg | VCF:13P DIN (S612) | stereo | MIDI: IN OUT THRU Tape: IN OUT | no | no | sustain program increment | wired |
Interface
| Compatibility | Multitimbral Memory | Program Memory | External Storage | External Programming | UI Input | UI Output |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| none | no | 100 | tape | no | menu driven | LED display |
Architecture
| Multitimbral | Polyphony | Unison | Architecture |
|---|---|---|---|
| no | 6 | yes | VCO->VCF->HPF->VCA |
Output
| Effects | Pan Modulator | Volume Modulator | Headphone |
|---|---|---|---|
| chorus | no | EG1|2 LFO MIDI-CC7 Velocity | yes |
Control
| Arpeggiator | Arpeggiator External | Sequencer | Sequencer Memory | Sequencer External | Continuous | Program Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| no | no | no | N/A | N/A | MIDI-CC1 MIDI-CC7 Pitch-Wheel Mod-Wheel | increment pedal MIDI |
Keyboard
| Key Pressure | Chord Memory | External Control | External Sustain | Key Scaling | Velocity Curves |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| no | no | MIDI | yes MIDI | 1 | 1 |
Source
| Name | Signal Class | Waveform | Octave Range | Amplitude Modulator | Harmonics Modulator | Pitch Modulator | Wave Assign Modulator |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VCO | analog | pulse saw triangle | 2-16′ | no | PWM:LFO (dedicated) | EG1|2 LFO Pitch-Wheel Portamento | no |
| Noise | analog | pink noise | - | no | no | no | no |
| External | analog | external | - | no | no | no | no |
Filter
| Name | Signal Class | IC | Resonant | Shape | Frequency Modulator | Resonance Modulator | Shape Modulator |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VCF | analog | CEM3394 | yes | 24dB low pass | EG1|2 Key LFO Velocity | no | no |
| HPF | analog | CEM3394 | no | high pass | no | no | no |
Envelope
| Name | Level | Rate | Loop | Polarity | Trigger | Level Modulator | Rate Modulator |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EG1 | sustain | attack decay release | no | VCF | key | no | no |
| EG2 | sustain | attack decay release | no | no | key | no | no |
LFO
| Name | Waveform | Delay | Polarity | Sync | Delay Modulator | Level Modulator | Rate Modulator |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LFO | Up Saw Down Saw Square Triangle Random | yes | no | no | no | Mod-Wheel MIDI-CC1 | no |
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