Not sure if Pioneer DJ was contractually prevented from naming this in a way that would reveal its heritage, because "AS-1" is a terrible name that lulls potential buyers to sleep. Sad too, because this thing sounds amazing. The manual controls are all performance-oriented, so unless you want to download a separate app to do sound design, you'll be sticking to the presets (or going insane from menu diving I suppose). Still, there's a ton of diversity in the presets and you can get a ton out of it without making new patches. I wasn't thinking I would get a Prophet (since I already own its cousin the OB-6) but a monosynth with a Prophet voice is a perfect way to have my cake and eat it too! Read more
The sequencer is hard to work with. The "record" button is misleading since you can't actually record real time, you have to type in the notes one at a time and there is no way to add swing or groove. It takes up 2 pads on the Toraiz Sp-16 and there really aren't any special features that you get when combining the two. The sounds aren't bad but the effects are lame and they require a little bit of menu diving. I can't figure out how to program the touch strip on the side to do other things like pitch bend. Doesn't come with a good computer sound editor, you have to buy a third party's editor. Pioneer is slow to update the firmware. Read more
I can play with this synth for days and days. Considering how small it it for what it packs in is amazing. Buy them while you can. Read more
The AS-1 is an instant classic. It’s one complete voice of the Dave Smith Prophet 6. The cuircuit architecture is composed of discreet components which give it the sound of a classic VCO synth. In fact, it sounds remarkably like the Sequential Circuits Pro One. This makes it in incredible value. I’ve owned a Minibrute, Mother-32, 0-Coast, Electribe2+2S, Gaia, JU-06,JP08, JX-03 ,Reon Drift Box, Circuit, Circuit Mono Station, Reface CS+DX, System-1, Micromonsta, TB-3, Modor NF1-Mand the JDXi. These are all in the same price range, and the AS-1 sounds the best by far. Programming is straight forward. There is a simgle programmimg menu that follows the traditional subtractive synthesis signal path. You can skip through sections with the shift key. I’ve delt with tedious menus. This is very accessible, not to mention there is also a free computer editior available. The FX sound great, and can be linked to touch strip. Dave Smith partnering with a giant like Pioneer allows the AS-1 to be so insanely cheap. I highly recommend this synth. Read more
I bought this synth to be portable and DJ with a Roland SP-404 MK2. But as a standalone device it is a chore to enter sequences into it. Patterns have to entered manually by this primitive method of step - note/rest/hold - step - note/rest/hold. THERE IS NO REAL TIME RECORDING into the sequencer. This is absurd especially when I consider both the Pioneer Toraiz SP-16 and Pioneer Toraiz Squid can real time record! There is a software editor but it is not made by Pioneer and you have to purchase the "pro" version in order to transfer sequences. Just on principle I am not even going to consider it. $40 to enter sequences because Pioneer are too lazy to release a firmware update?! My only choice now is to make patterns on the Squid, WRITE DOWN ON A PIECE OF PAPER what needs to be entered and then enter it into the AS-1. There is absolutely no chance of a firmware update in 2024 from Pioneer, I can report from experience that this is the most arrogant and haughty customer service I have experienced ever. No other company comes close! Read more
