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Fredglass « Alesis Micron I love you »
Published on 08/19/13 at 14:19Alesis has achieved the feat of creating an ultra compact synth three octaves (so still playable with both hands and not a hand + a finger as keyboards two octaves) and bypassing the heresy of the mini-keys (which can play on it?), all for a machine than a mere 2 cms his great "rival", the microKORG.
I do not use that hardware, I do Micron links to anything other than my fingers (not another synth or a computer) so I can not say what its performance via a Mac utility / PC.
Full connectivity on the back of the machine.
The compact size of this synth is that it has a special operation, personally I love it! But given some reports, many synth players were somewhat confused. For example and talk controllers, there three (named XYZ) to which you can assign any function. So if you're on the "Machin" you may decide that the knob on the X control filters. But this assignment will be different for another sound. This allows for an economy of buttons and knobs so that the musician affects only what seems necessary (for live or otherwise). This is why the front of Micron is very simple. Small problem: a fourth knob was not pure displease me to be able to affect the traditional ADSR.
The pitch bend was placed horizontally always a matter of saving space. Personally, it does not bother me. It lights when it is applied: useless gadget in my opinion but that does not affect the performance of the instrument.
Micron has the original 520 sounds I think. They are editable and can be extended sound banks or reduce (create or remove sounds) as we see fit. Ditto for patterns (sequences of arpeggios), the rhythms and setups (combination arpeggios + + rhythms sound to play the melody).
Editing sounds is via a single button / knob. I have seen / heard / read here and there that this system made the long and tedious editing sounds. Personally, I do not think this type of operation done wasting time because the work on the sound synthesis is not deemed to be pure super fast. I even find that it is easy + on some synths where there are 250 buttons for then at least we know that everything passes by.
UTILIZATION
The general configuration of the instrument and the sobriety of its facade does not affect its configuration. You just learn a little special logic of Micron. If we had full of synths before, it can be confusing. For example, when you want to edit a sound or, to speak more simply change, the keys act as shortcuts. Indeed, via the menu, the creation / modification / sound editing is done fairly linear manner (which incidentally can not rush the job because before I used to zap a lot of stuff for n ' go to the essentials. now I realize that it's the little details that give a lot of personality to the sound), that is to say, the first oscillator and pre-filters, filters, post-filters etc.. But if you still want to go directly to the LFO (for example) is simple: press the key that acts as a shortcut to go directly to the LFO, it is written on! Ditto for the sounds that are classified according to categories. No need to place everything on the menu. Press the appropriate key on the keyboard. Note that the sounds can be found in different ways: by their categories (keys, pads or bass for example), in alphabetical order, if you have added to your favorites (again, these banks are not frozen) or in the category "recent" if you've played this sound recently.
Regarding the manual, mine was in English but you can find it easily in French on the net and there, lo and behold, what do we find? Manual translated very well, very simple and logical (like synth) and even the icing on the cake, with a touch of humor ("we've already seen a lot. Hopefully you
now feel at ease in navigation within the Micron. The
following sections cover editing, MIDI and other functions
more advanced. But if you want to take it now and manual fire
just play with your Micron, no one will blame you. ")
SOUNDS
The Micron is a synth! So if you want to get something that suits us, we must address the synthesis and for that Micron has under the hood! I am the first to think that listening to the sounds of the factory, the Micron sounds good but still pretty cold. After hack, it's not the same. What is the strength of Micron is, in my opinion, the quality of the filters (but not only). Many are specific to the instrument (and very good by the way) but many are also "how to" Moog filters, filters Jupiter, Oberheim filters, etc.. Three oscillators allow the outset significantly vary the content of the sound and can go very bold in very dry and very aggressive.
With sounds and factory patterns, I'd say the Micron sounds very techno 2000s (which is vaguely situated ...). In the work, we can make it sound as desired. Right now, I'm a gimmick rather World ...
I do not see much to take in the sounds of Micron meaning in logic synthesizer that not much can be reworked. There's good everywhere. I have a soft spot for leads. After that, like any good analog / analog modeling should not expect very realistic stuff (eg piano) ... but there is still (I think the organ sounds).
OVERALL OPINION
I have the Micron very long (over 5 years) ... but I do not use (or rather) reuses the last few months. Indeed, in 2008/2009 I found myself in an apartment in transition (between a move and a new moving in) for a year and I can store my synths where I could. Wishing to continue playing I started looking for a very compact synth without going through minitouches (I can not stand, it is unplayable and it is too fragile). So I was attracted by Micron primarily for its compact than its capacity (its qualities should I say) synthesis. Now I realize that the two are compatible (perhaps I was the only one to doubt).
For a long time I was a hardcore fan of all analog + while facade. And even if my means did not allow me to invest in the analog, I now realize that there are other ways, so other programming logic in the world of hardware synths for pleasure also different.
The Alesis Micron has the "potential" to take full of cum in the criticism: "not enough buttons and knobs control" systems are very fucking hot. "It does not sound like an analog": true, Micron is not an analog ... but I like this synth is one of the best instruments to analog modeling and it is not yet my first synth (I could compare). "That three octaves" is a compact synth, over there (there were more) Ion.
Having again a little more time for music now but still had room, I sold all my synths ... except Micron because it is the only synth that I bought new and because it does not take place. Having found after a few years ("hey, it is him!"), I decided to see what was in the belly because I pianotais far as the factory sounds. Result: I am disgusted to have waited so long to realize the potential of Micron.
In short, to sum up what the Micron, I'd say it's maximum potential in a minimum of space (which is in a calender aluminum by the way, this is not plastoc) which denies not playability. This is not the most monstrous in sound synthesis, this is not a Moog or Jupiter for the sound quality but Micron is a great analog modeling synth that defends excellently on these lands.
Given his current side absolutely miserable, you can have a real synth for the price of a Bontempi or Casio supermarket at Christmas (without the assurance of having an octave more at this price!) true with keys.
Compactness does not affect the game quality + + synthesis simple and logical operation = synth that can carry around everywhere (in the house or elsewhere he also enters the cover of Microkorg:.! Handy) when 'you want to play and / or achieve sound synthesis quality with a stunning report. I would do without this choice problem, even at the new (and a new synth of course!) And 2013.
I do not use that hardware, I do Micron links to anything other than my fingers (not another synth or a computer) so I can not say what its performance via a Mac utility / PC.
Full connectivity on the back of the machine.
The compact size of this synth is that it has a special operation, personally I love it! But given some reports, many synth players were somewhat confused. For example and talk controllers, there three (named XYZ) to which you can assign any function. So if you're on the "Machin" you may decide that the knob on the X control filters. But this assignment will be different for another sound. This allows for an economy of buttons and knobs so that the musician affects only what seems necessary (for live or otherwise). This is why the front of Micron is very simple. Small problem: a fourth knob was not pure displease me to be able to affect the traditional ADSR.
The pitch bend was placed horizontally always a matter of saving space. Personally, it does not bother me. It lights when it is applied: useless gadget in my opinion but that does not affect the performance of the instrument.
Micron has the original 520 sounds I think. They are editable and can be extended sound banks or reduce (create or remove sounds) as we see fit. Ditto for patterns (sequences of arpeggios), the rhythms and setups (combination arpeggios + + rhythms sound to play the melody).
Editing sounds is via a single button / knob. I have seen / heard / read here and there that this system made the long and tedious editing sounds. Personally, I do not think this type of operation done wasting time because the work on the sound synthesis is not deemed to be pure super fast. I even find that it is easy + on some synths where there are 250 buttons for then at least we know that everything passes by.
UTILIZATION
The general configuration of the instrument and the sobriety of its facade does not affect its configuration. You just learn a little special logic of Micron. If we had full of synths before, it can be confusing. For example, when you want to edit a sound or, to speak more simply change, the keys act as shortcuts. Indeed, via the menu, the creation / modification / sound editing is done fairly linear manner (which incidentally can not rush the job because before I used to zap a lot of stuff for n ' go to the essentials. now I realize that it's the little details that give a lot of personality to the sound), that is to say, the first oscillator and pre-filters, filters, post-filters etc.. But if you still want to go directly to the LFO (for example) is simple: press the key that acts as a shortcut to go directly to the LFO, it is written on! Ditto for the sounds that are classified according to categories. No need to place everything on the menu. Press the appropriate key on the keyboard. Note that the sounds can be found in different ways: by their categories (keys, pads or bass for example), in alphabetical order, if you have added to your favorites (again, these banks are not frozen) or in the category "recent" if you've played this sound recently.
Regarding the manual, mine was in English but you can find it easily in French on the net and there, lo and behold, what do we find? Manual translated very well, very simple and logical (like synth) and even the icing on the cake, with a touch of humor ("we've already seen a lot. Hopefully you
now feel at ease in navigation within the Micron. The
following sections cover editing, MIDI and other functions
more advanced. But if you want to take it now and manual fire
just play with your Micron, no one will blame you. ")
SOUNDS
The Micron is a synth! So if you want to get something that suits us, we must address the synthesis and for that Micron has under the hood! I am the first to think that listening to the sounds of the factory, the Micron sounds good but still pretty cold. After hack, it's not the same. What is the strength of Micron is, in my opinion, the quality of the filters (but not only). Many are specific to the instrument (and very good by the way) but many are also "how to" Moog filters, filters Jupiter, Oberheim filters, etc.. Three oscillators allow the outset significantly vary the content of the sound and can go very bold in very dry and very aggressive.
With sounds and factory patterns, I'd say the Micron sounds very techno 2000s (which is vaguely situated ...). In the work, we can make it sound as desired. Right now, I'm a gimmick rather World ...
I do not see much to take in the sounds of Micron meaning in logic synthesizer that not much can be reworked. There's good everywhere. I have a soft spot for leads. After that, like any good analog / analog modeling should not expect very realistic stuff (eg piano) ... but there is still (I think the organ sounds).
OVERALL OPINION
I have the Micron very long (over 5 years) ... but I do not use (or rather) reuses the last few months. Indeed, in 2008/2009 I found myself in an apartment in transition (between a move and a new moving in) for a year and I can store my synths where I could. Wishing to continue playing I started looking for a very compact synth without going through minitouches (I can not stand, it is unplayable and it is too fragile). So I was attracted by Micron primarily for its compact than its capacity (its qualities should I say) synthesis. Now I realize that the two are compatible (perhaps I was the only one to doubt).
For a long time I was a hardcore fan of all analog + while facade. And even if my means did not allow me to invest in the analog, I now realize that there are other ways, so other programming logic in the world of hardware synths for pleasure also different.
The Alesis Micron has the "potential" to take full of cum in the criticism: "not enough buttons and knobs control" systems are very fucking hot. "It does not sound like an analog": true, Micron is not an analog ... but I like this synth is one of the best instruments to analog modeling and it is not yet my first synth (I could compare). "That three octaves" is a compact synth, over there (there were more) Ion.
Having again a little more time for music now but still had room, I sold all my synths ... except Micron because it is the only synth that I bought new and because it does not take place. Having found after a few years ("hey, it is him!"), I decided to see what was in the belly because I pianotais far as the factory sounds. Result: I am disgusted to have waited so long to realize the potential of Micron.
In short, to sum up what the Micron, I'd say it's maximum potential in a minimum of space (which is in a calender aluminum by the way, this is not plastoc) which denies not playability. This is not the most monstrous in sound synthesis, this is not a Moog or Jupiter for the sound quality but Micron is a great analog modeling synth that defends excellently on these lands.
Given his current side absolutely miserable, you can have a real synth for the price of a Bontempi or Casio supermarket at Christmas (without the assurance of having an octave more at this price!) true with keys.
Compactness does not affect the game quality + + synthesis simple and logical operation = synth that can carry around everywhere (in the house or elsewhere he also enters the cover of Microkorg:.! Handy) when 'you want to play and / or achieve sound synthesis quality with a stunning report. I would do without this choice problem, even at the new (and a new synth of course!) And 2013.