Alesis Micron

I'm "Anonymous at 10/10/2004 22:33"
OS 1.02 (Mac G4 sys-ex download)
I'd like to let you know that the headphone issue was resolved via exchange for a new in the box model. All things work well.
I like this great little synth a lot. Now I'm programming not just programs but "Setups" ie. combi mode= patches (x many) + drum sounds and it blows my mind what it is that I'm capable doing with it. It sounds GREAT! fat comlex and rich tones.

Very good value for so many features. Great filter emulations, analog drums and effects incl. reverb. Phrase sequencer= high resolution real time or quantized. No aftertouch through the built in keyboard. When I tried it through MIDI it worked but it is difficult to control so far it is too sensitive to the touch. I'm sure there is a work around and it's just another source for modulation anyway I can use wheels or controllers.
Pitch/assignable wheel is in a different angle (somewhat Nord like feel) but I like it because of it and it has a variable glow too, fun! The other knobs are rubber and I like the fact that it is usable at the same time while I'm playing the keyboard. Controllable and responds well like you expect it.

GREAT SOUNDING, YES!
"Pads" blend "solo/bass" stands alone. Swallow other synths-and blends and retaining it's own character if needed cameleon like. It's a real synth!
The analog drum sounds are 1st rate.

Seems fine.

I have to keep this new synth for the sound and fun factor. I'm working it into my setup with Yamaha S-90, S-30, Motif Rack, FS1R, Roland A-37, JV 1010, MBD-1, PK-5, Korg Wavstation and 05WR.

OS version 1.02 updated from Alesis .com with help from SysEx Librarian which is a utility for Mac OS X.
http://www.snoize.com/SysExLibrarian/
The presets sound great. Editing is easy using shortcuts multifunction clicking/rotating knob and buttons. Very cleverly designed.
The manual is good.

37 velocity and release velocity non-weighted synth action keyboard that feels good. 8 Voice polyphony. Built in analog drum machine for hip-hop techno or electronic modern music /programmable pattern sequencer /effects: decent reverb chorus, flanger, delay for echo, overdrive/distortion. Very cool filters Moog like ARP Roland Oberheim and other types. Very musical sounding. Fat oscillator sound even without those filters same as the Alesis Ion. Mono/Stereo audio input for external processing of voice/mic (XLR to 1/4" plug + dynamic mic is working well and line level from any audio source too. Vocoder works great and it is easy to use. MIDI I/O/T. The dynamic lighted Pitch Wheel, programmable Sliders (2) and Knobs (3) plus double-clicking multifunction Progam/Edit knob and many buttons. I found everything is working just as you'd expect in this price range. No problems for me.

I've had the original Mini-Moog model D ,Sequential C. and Oberheim/Roland/Korg Yamaha analog synths in the past 30 years and I found all those sounds in this little synth again. I think it is fatter than the Nord Modular Novation etc. I compared them side by side. I just can't seem to able to stop playing it is so much fun! With some personal programming it comes very close to Moog basses, Roland pads, Oberheim "keysynths"
I've played it through a Fatar SL-161 A Yamaha S30 and S90 and Roland A-37 keyboards and it plays yet better than the already nice built-in keyboard. Aftertouch is possible only through these other keyboards but the sensitivity has to be adjusted.

It seems dependable I took it to 2 gigs and I'll keep on taking it after I'll find a case for it.

I called tech support once and the person was friendly but not too well informed. I pulled the correct answer out of him by pointing him in the "right direction".

Incredible value. Sounds GREAT and affordable. FUN is back for me. I'd like to tell the designers how great of a job they did.
I love this keyboard.

I just want to address the previous reviewers comments about Alesis. I realize that Alesis has had their share of QC problems. I've read all the horror stories. They've gone belly up, bought out, and lost a lot of good people. The main thing I'd be concerned about is the service organization that does their work now. However, just because you've had some problems, doesn't mean everyone has. I haven't had any trouble with my ION at all. I called Alesis before buying it, and once after with a question about the setup. They called me back with specific answers to my questions and recommended what I should do. It worked fine. They have always been very courteous and knowledgeable. Sure I'm a bit concerned about them being bought out, there's no guarantee what will happen. But their stuff is selling. As long as they stand behind their gear, I'm a customer. Give them a chance.

It would be a lot easier to use if the main control knob didn't break off on my first Micron within a few hours of using it. I returned it and got another, but it too has a flaky knob. I guess there is another bad batch, like with the Ions.

When it does work, it has a nice interface considering it's size.

It added some additional functionality that the Ion didn't have: reverb, patterns, drums, etc.

It sounds good, the same as the Ion. My left output is quieter than the right, but this is a quality control issue, not a sound problem.

After going through several defective Ions and now two defective Microns, I'm giving up on Alesis. They make a great sounding product, but their quality is a gamble. I've often considered buying the Andromeda, but considering the problems I've had with their other products, I think I'll steer clear.

Some of the tech support reps have been helpful, but as a whole Alesis has had a very uncooperative and arrogant attitude. They've already gone bankrupt once. If they don't start treating their customers well and improving their quality control, they're gonna go bankrupt again.

If I heard Alesis improved their quality and treated their customers with respect, I'd buy another.

1.01
easy to use and somehow feels right. Patch editor would be helpful. Manual is good.

8 voice polyphony. good fx. Velocity & release velocity(!) No after touch but there are 3 knobs and 2 sliders expression pedal and sustaim pedal input. L/R Audio In(!) Phrase sequencer plus drum patern generator. This is loaded espcially for the price.

GREAT SOUNDS!

Too early to tell but I hope it will be a work horse. It gets warm on the right-back side when I use it in my lap. It has a soft very high pitched sound in the background between Volume knob @ around 11AM-5PM settings on cheaper headphones.

OS Version 1.01.The presets on the micron on great considering the price, they easily compare to that of the Novation K Station except much smoother sounding. Editing patches is pretty easy belive it or not, at first it can be a little daunting but you get used to it...pretty fast. The manual is really helpful, they put diagrams inside the cover for all keyboard shortcuts,which mind you,are very helpfull.

The Micron is an 8 Voice Polyphonic Synthesizer same as Novation K Station. The keyboard action on the Micron is really good ... better than that shit that KORG is pulling on the MicroKORG & the MS-20 Midi Controller. "ughhh what the hell is with that,makes it feel like a cheap toy" but anyways love the keyboard action. There are no expansion capabilities :-( that may seem like a downer but you really dont need any expansion capabilities. The Micron comes loaded with patches/Rythems/Setups...and 233 arpigiated phrases & sequences.The Micron has pressure sensitive keys and velocity aftertouch. It come with a Step sequencer which in my opinion is mildly easy to use.

Okay if your looking for realistic sounds your looking at the wrong type of synthesizer..."go look at the Roland Fantom Line for realistic sounds. The Micron is an analog Synthesizer.Micron will work well with Techno/Dance, Rock and Industrial Music. Alesis has been nice enough to add Reverb on the Micron unlike the Ion this is a big plus. The velocity and aftertouch responds great on the Micron.

So far the Micron has not given me any problems, unlike the Novation K Station where if you go to high in octave the system will crash causing you to reboot. THIS DOESNT HAPPEN WITH THE MICRON! infact the Micron has never crashed on me yet ...but only time will tell.I would use this board on a gig with out a backup if the AC Plug would lock into place this is its only downfall. other than that this board is reliable. :-D

Never had A Problem with Alesis.

If it were lost or stolen id be pretty fuckin pist off my ass. as anybody else would be. Oh and HELL YEA ID BUY IT AGAIN!
I've been playing for 4 years now and plan on for many years to come.
I also Own a Novation K Station ...buuuut its sort of in pecies now ...yea the motherboard craped out :-( ....but its ok cause I also have Novations V Station on my computer which has exactly the same presets as the K Station.
I Love this board versitility it can do so much for a little board!
So far i only hate the fact that you cant lock the AC Plug in the back. but hey if im really that worried about it DUCKTAPE FIXES EVERYTHING!
The Micron is very helpfull in makeing music. FOR THOSE OTHER ALESIS MICRON & ION USERS OUT THERE ...FEEL FREE TO E-MAIL ME ...TO SHARE THOUGHTS ABOUT THE MICRON ... AND PATCHES
I LOVE MY MICRON ... If only i had somebody to love it with "HeHe"

OS Version 1.01. This synth is deep in its programming and configuration. At first look, it seems that patches will be very difficult to edit, but there is a factor that really helps in this area (keyboard key functions). This is absolutely genius, each key of the keyboard opens up other functions when selecting programs or editing. This synth has too many editable parameters to allow "easy use", but at least the features more than justify the learning curve.

Features are similar to the Ion. 4 part multi and 8 voice poly. With the potential of this synth for complex setups, more polyphony would be much appreciated. The dedicated reverb DSP sounds very good to my ears. Where this beats out the Ion is the phrase sequencing and drums sections. You can record custom sequences or arpeggios in real or step time with on screen microscope editing. I have been looking for an all-in-one analog modeling synth that I can have on my lap and get my major ideas in there and play an abbreviated performance with the help of sequencing. This is it! I assume that this offering is meant to compete with the MicrKorg (price and size). Korg should be worried. The MicroKorg doesn't even come close to the sound or features of this machine. The stereo audio in (40 band vocoder) is a great bonus too and does not affect polyphony. Keyboard is a quality, synth action 3 octave with full size keys. Dedicated per part effects would have been a great bonus, but for this price, the features are incredible.

This thing sounds great. The oscillators are very high quality and the processing power of this synth really shows. The flexible filters, sync and FM are also excellent. I would say that the modeling accuracy of this keyboard is right up there with the more expensive units, Virus C and Nord 3. The expressiveness of this board is definitely enhanced by the 3 knobs and 2 sliders, all freely assignabe to tons of destinations. The mod matrix can make for some very dynamic sounds. This sounds unbelievable for the price.

I have owned it less than a month but no issues yet. Very sturdy construction and a good weight and feel.

Customer support was great when I had problems with my Ion, they paid for shipping both ways and fixed it for free. Time will tell if they will support this product with OS updates. I haven't found any bugs yet.

For the price, this synth is untouchable. The sound quality is IMO superior to my Nova and K station. They both have an edge in the effects department though. If this had more polyphony, per part effects, one more soft knob and had a battery option I would have been willing to pay at least $200 more for it. The play it on the couch factor really appeals to me. I converted my K station to battery power, but this still edges it out, in spite of the cord nuisance.