Alesis A6 Andromeda

TONS of features! In terms of actual synthesis, the number of sound-mangling features is enormous and very satisfying. Just about anything can modulate just about anything else. Sub oscillators are great. There are a couple of features that I miss, though: no random arpeggiation, and no "smoothed-random" LFO. (Access calls it "sample-and-glide.") You might be able to replicate that using an LFO to modulate another LFO, or using a tracking generator on the S&H. More destinations for the sequencer would be great, too. There is a SERIOUS problem, though...at least on the one I bought new in November 2008: the mod wheel doesn't stay where I put it when the synth is on an angled stand. My synth is on the second tier of a stand, angled toward me so that I can get to the controls easily from a sitting position. When I push the mod wheel forward any less than about 75%, it falls back to starting position as soon as I let go. That doesn't work for me at all. Built-in effects are fine--you might want to use better effects if you're a professional in a recording studio, home-studio and gigging musicians can get a lot of the built-in effects. Expansion via ancient and expensive PCMCIA cards. Be careful, though! You have to get just the right card or it won't work, and details are not forthcoming on the Alesis site or in the manual.

UTILIZATION

The Andromeda has loads of knobs so its a joy to program. However, this synth is very complex and is not as obvious as some other analogue polysynths. I have been playing synths for 10 years and the Andromeda makes me feel a bit amature. But the huge number of knobs makes up for its complexity and means you can create complex sounds with ease. I must point out, every time you turn a knob a menu pops up on the display screen. So there is more to the Andromeda than the 72 knobs and 144 buttons point out! This synth is analogue heaven.

SOUNDS

Sound is somewhere inbetween from virtual synths and analogue synths. Not 100% analogue feel, still better than VA. There are useable sounds, but most of them are better on real synths. For some productions it might work, but some VA are so good (Like Virus) that there is no sense to have problematic analogue synth like this one. Sound is not its strongest point (like tweakability and control), but not bad to completelly forget it. Kind of compromise. Effects are not very good to my ears, part of sound is lost in digital conversion what is huge pitty.

OVERALL OPINION

Beautiful synth that sounds fantastic. (I'm so glad it doesn't try to tap into people's nostalgia with wood or faux-wood end cheeks!) I just couldn't deal with the malfunctions, so I returned it. It's a pity. I got a DSI Prophet 08 instead--less powerful, but also sounds great and comes with a better reputation for reliability and customer support. Pity.

This is the ultimate analog synthesizer. It has five octaves (61 keys), 16 note polyphony and has two oscillators. Every patch can be modified to the nth degree with knobs for almost every single possible option. It has the features that are standard on most keyboards - transposition, pitch and modulation wheels, a ribbon, an input for a sustain pedal, arpeggiator, sequencer, aftertouch, MIDI in and out, and effects. Essentially, every single possible option you could want in an analog synth is on this keyboard. I will admit that it would have been nice to have more effects, but truth be told it's probably best for this kind of snythesizer to have a simple digital effects section.

UTILIZATION

Patches are modified on the keyboard, through a combination of the menus and knobs. Patches can also be imported and exported via MIDI. There are a lot of great sounding patches available for purchase through eBay.

Creating and editing patches on this unit is difficult, and not very intuitive. One of the reasons for this is the sheer amount of creating and editing that can be accomplished with this machine, but it requires a pretty vast knowledge of synthesis. The comprehensive manual does a good job of explaining everything, but there is a lot of material to cover. For a beginner, this can be quite daunting; this is not a keyboard that easily creates new patches simply by turning some knobs.

SOUNDS

The sounds that come preset with the unit are decent. I have heard amazing patches produced on this synthesizer, but it does take quite a bit of time to fine-tune the patch settings to accomplish this. With a lot of patience, you can make the tones sound as realistic as you wish. You can change the amount of touch sensitivity, and the effects are limited, but decent. The focus of this synth is on the tones of the patches, anyway. I give it a great, only because of the time involved in making the tones sound perfect can be daunting.

OVERALL OPINION

This is a wonderful synth, if you have a background knowledge or the patience to learn. I purchased it because in my research I found it to be the best -- which it is -- but it just wasn't the best synth for me as it's too complicated. I only have a minimal understanding of synthesis and had never used an analog synth before. I give it an average rating because, although it can be the best, it definitely won't be the best machine for everybody. What convinced me that this synth was too complicated was lending it to my friends band, the Protomen, to use for a show. The Protomen, who use Korg analog synths, couldn't figure it out without going step by step through the manual. Not having the patience (or time) to pour through the manual, I decided the most prudent course of action was to sell it, particularly considering the cost of the synth. If I ever make another foray into the world of analog synthesis, I'll probably settle for a Mini Moog or something easier to use.

Ridiculous, it synth.je've tried one hour, cutting effects (metal) it remains nothing.

I have a juno60 that crude ss chorus sounds 3 times bigger.
I prefer him even my BIT99, which has a fabulous fishing (Curtiss filters).

is NAZE and it costs (secondhand) the price of a juno + a + jx matrix6 a prophet or a 1000 + 600 + an odyssey or source.
it does not even enremplace correctly.

AC wrong or what? h Alesis there's a zero too!

go your way.

USE

Naze.plein of stuff that are useless and rotting sound

10 becaufe side buttons, they lachs.on looks like it has a virus (but actually no, the virus is bcp better) ...

SONORITS

Well its true rhapsody.le elka costing 16 times cheaper outside ca ....

the sound is flat END (static).

no life, no emotion.

it looks like a player of samples.

has a d50 buttons. (and again, the D50 has a potato has cot !!)

NOTICE GLOBAL

I do pas.c'est used like a Ferrari with a kart engine in it.

tests in stores, 2 times a month gap.
was trying on different monitors, the headphone, the owner of pmagasin not enrevenait! I think it's still persuaded that the synth is defectueux.l'etage output anyway.

unsaleable.

nothing has to see is that the only synth decote all seul.on easily find a new one under warranty shop, cheaper than its rating secondhand !!!
it is worth less than new opportunity!

germany has musistor they have the Brades has 1400 euros in vpc ds throughout europe.
they have all the same set one month to sell them.
that price was a virus or not obxa.y'a photo.surtout if you count resell one day.


home; juno60,106, JX8P, matrix, big cs Sixtrack, prophet600, QC, linn, drtks, MemoryMoog (sold, sniff ...) poly6, Monopoly, pro1.

I do not exchange against this thing, or if I can sell it and buy more analos has 2,000 bullets (Yeah, long live the plug ins !!!)
OVERALL RATING: 2 as math at lycee.on can survive without the maths.sans ausii.passons Andromeda.

Analog Synth 100%

USE

Simple configuration for a machine of this type
Good grip
Sonian aesthetic and finishing
Effects Vehicles

SONORITS

Grain, Clean, rich and strong !!!

NOTICE GLOBAL

Come on Come on, please, arrtons compare the Andromeda and the virus ... What first virus? I do not even see how a brain (and ears) normally constitus can find similarities between these two machines ... Why not compare and say that is better than Bourbon Whisky? (Hips to your health. In any case it is very good for s'chauffer voice, but ... we digress)
For me who bought my A6 in November 2002, I never t a course IDE with this machine. We can REALLY go very far, even though he may be accused lot of mistakes in taste presets ...
In my case they are almost all reprogramms (use it, of course)
With the addition of a PCMCIA card 2MB, I do not see the end of my programming ...
There is no need to use your little finger to speak ill effects, it is well understood that a is not the specialty of the andromeda (nor indeed Alesis lol) ...
When was the arpeggiator, with some effort he shows rather docile ...
I sincerely think that this is a very successful the machine into the 21 century widely finds its place among the major references of analog synthesis Modern.