Alesis Ineko

very easy to use.

just read the (small) print of what each ABC knob does for each effect type.
the only thing that makes it hard is that the effect navigation blocs are shown by LED's that are so bright that you can't look at this thing from directly above in the dark.
it hurts.
...OW...

also, as mentioned, it's annoying that you channel-surf through the grid on one-way toggle buttons.
it'd also be nice if the bypass button were labled "engage" and lit up when engaged.

other than that, the organization is very useful.

this thing sounds GREAT.
it's tiny, but that's a good thing.
I use it in a feedback loop router, and EVERY patch gives me something incredible. I could not ask for more.
it has strange things (at least one per category) that other units can't touch.
the space reverb is truly twisted, and very powerful for ambient noise.
the phase delay, runaway delay, and dynamic reverb and also very freaky.
the chorus, which you think would be boring, is perhaps the best chorus I've used. no knobs to control speed or depth; you can just tune the "manual" delay time, and the width of the stereo image; this makes it INCREDIBLE for feedback loop stuff; huge rumbling whale noises.
also of honorbale mention are;
ring-mod (w/ envelope follower), limiter, grinder (just scary shit),
vocoder (the only vocoder patch I have that works in feedback loops...and WOW does it feed well), sub bass (broke 2 pair headphones so far), tape saturation, and vibrowarble (...another feedback gem...).

everything is 24 bit digital audio, w/ a trim knob to keep in in-pace with other gear.
since I'm going rack with everything, I "could" get the akira (which is just a rack version of this brain, with memory patches).
unfortunately, the akira has no midi clock sync of any of the patches which is what would make it fun.
also, the akira has no way to tell you what each knob does on different patches...
so I guess the akira is just a pooorer version of the same engine.
nevermind.

I can't take this thing apart even if I try.
that says a lot right there.
yeah, it does.

"aleis: the little company that couldn't"

On a totally unrelated idea, I have a dream:
if alesis ever gets their shit together, I ask that they do only one thing;
make a new and fully pimped "air" insrument.
make it midi in/out, capable of functioning as master/slave clock.
offer at least most of the basic sounds and effectst that the airFX and airsynth had, but allow us to build our own sounds, and import them into the unit, so that we can use it as a standalone for our OWN flavors.
it's great that they put the Axyz infrared dome on a midi controller keyboard, but that means that you have to sit there waving yoru hand over a dome on a keyboard that's plugged into a laptop.

I'd be fine if, in a hypothetical AIR-unit, you had to use a software editor to make your programs, and adjust various parameters.
it's be GREAT to have in-depth editing and functionality,
so that I could organize my own patches and store banks.
such a unit should definitley have a USB, so that it could be powered and communicated with one-plug simplicity if used as a controller.

the real GOLD of the original airsynth (that a reissue needs to have and expand on) are the looping/sequencing/random melody generators.

just expand the unit to have a audio/sequence looper (with it's own contorls), so that sounds with notes OR theramin/continuous sounds could be dropped into a midi BPM locked loop (where pitched notes would not have pitch effected, becuase they'd be synced by note-sequencer, and "noise" patches could be "pitch/time" stretched with little complaint...).

so this thing would have a program select/hold knob, with other controls for the looper, and maybe a decidated button to control/address tap/bpm/syncing.
...other crucial global variables, such as quantization, routing/volume of metronome click, and other stuff, could be addressed through a soft editor librarian.

just think: if there were such a standalone "handwaving" synth/FX/looper in existence, it would whoop the KOASS PAD's ASS.
you could get real far with just it and one other groovebox (drum machine or whatever).

alesis has always been the only company with a hisotry of ballsy failures. I really hope they like my idea.

fun fun fun.
it's smaller than a pair of boss stompboxes (...er, also the same size as a single alesis ModFX unit), and can do almost all the same freaky ass shit that was available from the mod-fx line.
that says a lot right there.

Very easy to setup and get a workable sound. With 3 knobs you can dial in a sound very quickly. The front panel is all you need for instruction.

I don't hear much extraneous noise. I am using it for live bass effects. I originally bought it because I was interested in it a few months ago and I saw a good price for it ($50). I thought the sub-bass patch effect might be a cool addition but I haven't found anything workable. However the tape saturation effect works great for my 5-string by adding some rump to the sound. The decimator is cool for parliment funk bass. It's cool because is has this metallic lo-fi sound on top but still thumps in the bass frequencies.

The only thing I am somewhat concerned about is the trim knob. I guess my signal is too hot all of the time so I put the trim off, yet the light still blinks. This could be a problem at some point, other than that it worked fine at my gig last night.

haven't talked to anyone yet. too lazy

For live effects, I found the tape saturation is good. Obviously, it's not really practical to switch effects while playing. I tried the decimator on a fingerstyle funk solo which went over well. It only has 3 knobs though so if you are quick you can do it. Oh yes, and the vocoder will indeed not make you sound like Cher.

It's so easy, everyone with at least 20 reamining brain cells should be able to operate it in their mind by looking at a picture.

This sounds as good as any modern digital multieffects unit. I use it for processing an old Moog and for live DJ work. Some of the effects are bold and unique, some are too subtle. The filters are juicy (though they do not self-oscillate) but the "fuzz" sounds flat and digital. "Grinder", a filtered, gated distortion sounds amazing over a PA system.

You would have to submerge the ineko in boiling hot acid before the electronics or knobs gave out.

I've never had need of service.

I DJ breakbeat, etc. on a couple of turntables. I chose this unit over the more expensive Kaoss Pad due to the simple 3-knob control and the useful effects. However, I do not enjoy the "arrow" selection buttons as you can only go in one direction (I'magine a TV remote that only had a channel up button, and zooming by the show you wanted) The only other issues are typical for this kind of gear: Slight latency, a dry pause when scrolling through effects and a few effects with produce the dreaded digital clicking when parameters are slowly scrolled though. A huge value though, and I generally stay with the filters (none of the LFO driven ones) for DJ sets, and reverbs and delays for recording music. Best effect: Band Pass, worst: Tape Saturation.

As intuitive and basic as they come. Three knobs for changing parameters. A printed grid on the face: columns and rows. Line up the light on the left with the light on the bottom---- follow both to their meeting point, and VOILA--- the effect.

I bought this specifically for the simplicity. I needed something to give me straight ahead effects for my vocals. Patches and programs are too unwieldy in a live situation. I crave simple stuff. Pretty easy to use.

Even if you didn't have the manual, which outlines the effects, each effect printed on the Ineko has the three parameters listed below it. For example, Hall Reverb has: Mix Decay Color.

So Knob A controls the dry/wet mix ratio, Knob B controls the room size decay, and Knob C controls the EQ color of the reverb. You almost don't need the manual--- except if you don't know what HPF Delay means. (High Pass Filter Delay. And the manual explains more.)

No multiple effects options. Only one a time. You can't screw it up, really. Sometimes I wish I could have two effects at once: like Reverb and Delay. But that would complicate the unit. I certainly don't want a Quadraverb or some elaborate crap.

The knobs have no demarcations. It might be hard to remember favorite settings. Take a Polaroid.

The reverbs sound good to my ears. The gated reverb is cool. If I recorded real drums, I'd try using it.

Many effects I will never use. The Record Noise effect is silly. Okay, if you want to throw some dust in the mix, that's fine, but scratch? It doesn't sound like a record scratching.

Also, the vocoder seemed like it would be a cool addition. But all that profession vocoding you hear (like on the Cher hit) is dependent on changing the frequency to make a sort of vocal melody. With this, it's just going to sound like a monotone robot. You won't sound like Cher.

The Pass Filters are cool--- probably thrown in for DJs.

When I first got it, I was freaking out because it didn't seem to work. I had all my cords plugged in, and then I plugged in the power. No effects. There was power lights and whatnot, but no effects to be heard.

I eventually figured out the steps: I plug the power in. Then I pull out the power cord from the Ineko, and then plug it back in again. Only then do the effects come on. Perhaps I got a bum unit. Still, I've got it to consistently work--- but only after this Turn On/Turn Off/Turn On solution.

Go figure. Anyone else have this problem?

I suppose I could try to inquire about the power problem. I'm just too lazy, and it works when I need it to.

It is limited in the sense that you can't have seven effects at once. I had looked into that Zoom effects unit for $99. But it has patches and memory--- to complicated.

It's perfect for a singer who wants to control his own effects live. Mounted a mic stand, the Ineko would offer a nice tonal buffet. One effect at a time is all you'll need.

A guitarist could use it in the studio, but live, it wouldn't be practical. No footswitch. There is a bypass button, so if you trained your pinky toe...

Perhaps I'm rating this too high. I had to wait a year to buy it. Hell, they were announcing it at Winter NAMM 2001. They were advertising it in Summer 2001. But it wasn't released until late March 2002. Alesis must be in upheal after the Numark takeover.

All the vocal tracks on my new album are running through the Ineko's reverbs and delays. So far they all sound good. The Ineko would also work great to just monitor effects, while burning your signal dry. I have to hear delay or reverb to sing.

By the way, the ads for the Ineko led me to believe it would be the size of a notebook or something. They say "Table top effects unit." Which basically means it's not a stomp box. Still, it's only 5x6 inches. Those BOSS double pedals are bigger than this.

very easy to use..........and that is not the problem...?

quality great.........but that is not the problem.

had it for about a week .........i'll let you know when i take it on the road.

i make dark music in the style of no one but that would be a lie,,....i like the ineko the sound is good but like the airfx ...which i gave away ..just does not offer a simple save this sound i created button..like the kaoss pad does....would i buy another one..yes if alesis puts a save program button on it.......i will be buying the kp2 when it comes out .......ineko2 with a memory slot would be great alesis!