Alesis Andromeda A6

Hey all.  I'm new to this group, and figured I would ask the opinion of other 
Andromeda owners on this issue.  I appologize for the long post, feel free to 
ignore it if you choose.

I have owned my A6 since the first one hit the music store (late 2001 I think?) - 
I snapped it up immediately.  I am thoroughly pleased with the sounds I make 
with it, and will probably keep it forever.

The problem is this:  With an ATA Cat 1 flight case, this monster weighs more 
than a body building gorilla.  As a gigging musician, I have been seeking a 
lighter alternative, just to take to shows, and leave the Andromeda in the 
studio.  I have been considering 3 or 4 octave synths and rack mount synths 
with a midi controller.

I generally play basslines, frequently play pads and add effects.  I am not a 
particularly good keyboardist - simple riffs or chords is all I can do.
Before I go on, I will assert that I love analogue synthesis.  I find the stepped 
parameter changes of virtual analogue to be absolutely infuriating - those 
slow filter sweeps that click off in 127 little increments are not usually fun.  
However, since the selection of true analogue synths is limited, I will have to 
consider good quality VA synths.

I picked up a Korg MS2000R (the rack version).  Though it's absolutely simple 
to program, it's quite dull sounding, particularly compared to the A6.  Plus, it 
only gets 4 "patches" of modulation.  Rather frustrating when you're used to 
bijillions of mods on the A6.  I am probably gonna sell it on ebay soon, as 
soon as I find a better sounding replacement.

I know that the Waldorf Pulse and Moog Voyager are both good analogue 
synths, but I need at least a little polyphony; a monosynth won't cut it.

I won't consider a Novation product - I owned in the past, and used it for a 
trade in to get my Andromeda, and I have no intention of going back either.

I have been thinking about the Virus C (the desktop model) - does anybody 
have an opinion on it?  Can it do the job?  The Nord Lead looks good too...

Anybody know anything about the Alesis Micron?  It looks like a nice tiny 
gigging synth.  Any idea when it will be released?

Opinions on any others?  The Q series?

Thanks for any advice...  I genuinely appreciate it.

L8er
Marcus
montrealbreaks

> I have owned my A6 since the first one hit the music store I am 
>thoroughly pleased with the sounds I make with it, and will 
>probably keep it forever.

Of course.

> I generally play basslines, frequently play pads and add 
effects.   
 
> I picked up a Korg MS2000R (the rack version).  Though it's 
>absolutely simple to program, it's quite dull sounding, 
>particularly compared to the A6.  Plus, it only gets 4 "patches" of 
>modulation.  Rather frustrating when you're used to 
> bijillions of mods on the A6.   

True, the specs of the MS2000 are dwarfed by the Andy.  I'm still 
hanging onto my MS2000, in that the sound quality is totally 
different.  I love its looks and immediacy.  Yeah, the mod matrix 
is only (8 + 8) x4, but it's KNOBS on the front panel.  Let's not 
forget the DWGS wavetable.  

The Andromeda's mod matrix is breathtaking & extremely 
comprehensive.  It makes noises that frighten Buchlas & 
intimidate wolverines.  Unexplainable squeaks, groans & oinks 
of every stripe.  It is to love.  
 
> I have been thinking about the Virus C (the desktop model) - 
>does anybody have an opinion on it?  Can it do the job?  

And then some.  A fine bit o' kit.  Big buckage, however.

>The Nord Lead looks good too...

Who can resist a pumice wheel and a clothes pin?

> Anybody know anything about the Alesis Micron?  It looks like a 
>nice tiny gigging synth.  Any idea when it will be released?

Soon.  I'd go for it's big brother, the ION.  Best filters in any VA, 
ever.  Better than those in the Andromeda.  Sexy look w/hard 
rubber never-ending knobbies.

> Opinions on any others?  The Q series?

I have a Q also....cheaper than the Andy, but in some ways more 
complex.  3 oscs modulating each other renders player agog.  
Great organic German sound...HUGE in fact.  An ION on 
steroids.  Sound is almost TOO big.  Build quality = Mercedes.  
Delicious.  Essential.  Got mine for $1100.  Think I'll keep her.

Other suggestions:

Yamaha AN1x (folks swear by 'em), Roland JP-8000 (don't throw 
veggies at me...that thing rocks!), Korg Z1.

Papaya!

The ION would be a good choice. I thinks a great live piece. Enough knobs
for the job but no so cluttered that you can't work it well live. The 2 mod
wheels are a nice addition. I would recommend this.

The Virus is a great sounding synth but has some things that annoy me. It
tends to be a pretty aggressive sounding synth so depending on what you are
doing it may or may not suit your tastes. It also costs twice the amount of
an ION. 

James R. Coplin
***************
If anyone asks of my whereabouts,
simply tell them i've gone out the window
for a spot of tea and am not
expected back any time soon.
***************

> -----Original Message-----
> From: montrealbreaks [mailto:evilgenius_13@...]
> Sent: Tuesday, January 27, 2004 11:14 PM
> To: Andromeda_A6-ION@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: [Andromeda_A6-ION] A6 owner seeks smaller synth
> 
> Hey all.  I'm new to this group, and figured I would ask the opinion of
> other
> Andromeda owners on this issue.  I appologize for the long post, feel free
> to
> ignore it if you choose.
> 
> I have owned my A6 since the first one hit the music store (late 2001 I
> think?) -
> I snapped it up immediately.  I am thoroughly pleased with the sounds I
> make
> with it, and will probably keep it forever.
> 
> The problem is this:  With an ATA Cat 1 flight case, this monster weighs
> more
> than a body building gorilla.  As a gigging musician, I have been seeking
> a
> lighter alternative, just to take to shows, and leave the Andromeda in the
> studio.  I have been considering 3 or 4 octave synths and rack mount
> synths
> with a midi controller.
> 
> I generally play basslines, frequently play pads and add effects.  I am
> not a
> particularly good keyboardist - simple riffs or chords is all I can do.
> Before I go on, I will assert that I love analogue synthesis.  I find the
> stepped
> parameter changes of virtual analogue to be absolutely infuriating - those
> slow filter sweeps that click off in 127 little increments are not usually
> fun.
> However, since the selection of true analogue synths is limited, I will
> have to
> consider good quality VA synths.
> 
> I picked up a Korg MS2000R (the rack version).  Though it's absolutely
> simple
> to program, it's quite dull sounding, particularly compared to the A6.
> Plus, it
> only gets 4 "patches" of modulation.  Rather frustrating when you're used
> to
> bijillions of mods on the A6.  I am probably gonna sell it on ebay soon,
> as
> soon as I find a better sounding replacement.
> 
> I know that the Waldorf Pulse and Moog Voyager are both good analogue
> synths, but I need at least a little polyphony; a monosynth won't cut it.
> 
> I won't consider a Novation product - I owned in the past, and used it for
> a
> trade in to get my Andromeda, and I have no intention of going back
either.
> 
> I have been thinking about the Virus C (the desktop model) - does anybody
> have an opinion on it?  Can it do the job?  The Nord Lead looks good
too...

> 
> Anybody know anything about the Alesis Micron?  It looks like a nice tiny
> gigging synth.  Any idea when it will be released?
> 
> Opinions on any others?  The Q series?
> 
> Thanks for any advice...  I genuinely appreciate it.
> 
> L8er
> Marcus
> montrealbreaks
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
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> 
>

James and Dwaldman;

Thanks for the responses, I appreciate the input.  I'll have to take a close look 
at the Ion.  The Micron just looks so cute and portable...  Perhaps a good 
arrangement would be to have the Ion in the studio for sound design, and 
then take the Micron on the road...  Together the both would cost less than a 
Virus C...

Ahhh, decisions decisions.  The only other predicament is that anything I 
decide on has to be small enough to smuggle into the apartment without the 
cohabiting girlfriend noticing it.  ("You bought ANOTHER goddamned 
synth!?!?!")

;)

Actually, that raises a point.  Anyone out there with wives / girlfriends / 
husbands / boyfriends who are jealous of your relationship with Andy?  I 
seem to remember mine once saying "maybe if I had all those knobs you'ld 
play with me a little more often".  I didn't say it at the time (you only think of 
good comebacks an hour too late) but I should have replied that I would if she 
could moan, rumble and squeal like Andy if I twiddled and tweaked her.

L8er
Marcus
montrealbreaks

> Thanks for the responses, I appreciate the input.  I'll have to
> take a close look at the Ion.  The Micron just looks so cute and 
> portable...  Perhaps a good arrangement would be to have the 
> Ion in the studio for sound design, and then take the Micron on 
> the road...  Together the both would cost less than a Virus C...

True.
 
> Ahhh, decisions decisions.  The only other predicament is that 
> anything I decide on has to be small enough to smuggle into 
> the apartment without the cohabiting girlfriend noticing it.   

Cohabitation is it's own problem.  To be avoided.
  
>if she could moan, rumble and squeal like Andy if I twiddled 
> and tweaked her.
 
Yeah...good point.  

Dave

--- In Andromeda_A6-ION@yahoogroups.com, "dwaldman6" 
<dwaldman61@c...> wrote:
> > Thanks for the responses, I appreciate the input. 
> Yeah...good point.  
> 
> Dave

cheers !
sunny