Alesis Andromeda A6

just some suggestions:
> 
> 
> 1)  Is this a good place to start?  Is it too complex for a beginner.
> I think that the graphical view of the waves will help as well as all
> of the dedicated knobs.  

I think the Ion is ideal to start with.

> 
> 2)  I love the old synths and the sounds of the classic emulations in
> the ION presets sounded great to me.  I have read at length discussion
> here among purists and amatuers arguing the merits of the "Tom Sawyer
> Sound" but all I can really go with is how it sounds to me. And it
> sounded great! (Guess I'm not a purist! Or perhaps just not very
> discerning!)  Can a beginner start from scratch (simple Sine Wave with
> no filters) and start creating sounds SIMILAR to these in short order?
I think so
> 
> 3)  I have read all about these Matrix's and don't really understand
> it.  I've read that the Waldorf's are a breeze to create with.  I'm
> hoping the ION will be as well.  Will I need a deep understanding of
> MIDI to fully utilize the ION (I have a Technics Digital Piano that I
> love and will connect the ION via MIDI - that's easy - all of this
> CC/NNPRN/EIEIO stuff I'll have to learn - or will I?)
You mean the modulation matrix? Its a sort of patch panel like modular 
synths (but bit less flexible) where you can put a modulator like a 
modulation wheel or envelope to a destination like the pitch or filter 
cutoff, giving you more flexibility as a fixed-routed system. Of course 
there is no patchpanel on the ION, its a Matrix with the sources on one 
side and the destinations above and you decide which goes where. I 
personally don't own a ION but it works usually that way, without the 
need to learn about CC/NNPRN in the first place.

> 
> 4)  Can anyone recommend a better synth to learn on?  I was
> considering softsynths and then read some great threads here about
> software vs. hardware and it changed my mind.  I DO want actual knobs
> to turn and I DO want the ability to sell it should I want something
> different.  And I DON'T want to be tied to a computer.  I'd take the
> ION on the sofa and plug in some headphones and probably learn a lot
> (I know - not exactly portable but I think I could do it.)

I think not for that price. You get a good polyphone synth with a good 
sound. The real analogues of Fricke are cheaper but doesn't have a real 
keyboard and are monophone (except a new model but this doesn't have the 
knobs).
> 
> 5)  Would the Andromeda just be a way-too complex first synth?  I do
> realize that it's all-analog but the reviews I've read of the ION
> state that the sounds are DAMN close to the Andromeda (which means a
> cretin like myself couldn't tell the difference) and I could still
> learn analog programming from the ION.  I don't mind the cost of the
> Andromeda because I think it has tremendous resell potential.
> 
Andromeda is great and one of the last real analogue polysynths 
available. But it could give some disappointment first time because 
getting a good sound out of can be a bit tricky despite the amount of 
knobs. Thats why lot of people blaming it, which is unfair. But it is a 
deep machine, so if you are patient than I would recommend, but it wont 
fit on your lap, or ?


Cheers,

Malte


-- 
Malte Steiner
media art + development
-www.block4.com-

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