mikemilton « A wonderful experience to play »
Published on 03/27/12 at 12:29If anything was 'perfect' this instrument would have got my vote.
I've had an Alpha since they first became available. While they are able to act as a MIDI controller, they are really a complete instrument by themselves, have several 'internal' sounds and can host virtually any AU or VST.
The Alpha is exquisitely made and is, as a result, expensive. (The Tau is essentially the same and very reasonably priced)
What do I like?
- it is incredibly tactile and expressive, well beyond what MIDI is capable of
- there is total configurability
- one can load multiple AUs/VSTs at the same time and play them simultaneously or sequentially in multiple keygroups
- It has an excellect mic-pre and headphone amp built in
- all information (including mic and in-ear monitors) flows through a single cable (mine is 80Ft long) giving complete freedom of movement
- The ability to configure the instrument and SW has greatly improved and continues to be refreshed
Knowing what I know now:
- if I were buying one now, my only wish would be to have bought earlier at a better price
Is there a not-to-like
- it has quite a learning curve and the keys are *so* expressive they take practice (like playing a fretless instrument)
- You can play any hard or soft synth right out-of-the-box using factory setups but advanced customization
and making your own setups can be technically challenging (this has improved greatly)
I've had an Alpha since they first became available. While they are able to act as a MIDI controller, they are really a complete instrument by themselves, have several 'internal' sounds and can host virtually any AU or VST.
The Alpha is exquisitely made and is, as a result, expensive. (The Tau is essentially the same and very reasonably priced)
What do I like?
- it is incredibly tactile and expressive, well beyond what MIDI is capable of
- there is total configurability
- one can load multiple AUs/VSTs at the same time and play them simultaneously or sequentially in multiple keygroups
- It has an excellect mic-pre and headphone amp built in
- all information (including mic and in-ear monitors) flows through a single cable (mine is 80Ft long) giving complete freedom of movement
- The ability to configure the instrument and SW has greatly improved and continues to be refreshed
Knowing what I know now:
- if I were buying one now, my only wish would be to have bought earlier at a better price
Is there a not-to-like
- it has quite a learning curve and the keys are *so* expressive they take practice (like playing a fretless instrument)
- You can play any hard or soft synth right out-of-the-box using factory setups but advanced customization
and making your own setups can be technically challenging (this has improved greatly)
