Alesis MICRON Analog Modeling Synthesizer

500 patches of sounds (with room for 400 more to program) running the gamut of analog textures (don’t believe some reviewers not finding soft and warm patches.. they are definitely there right out of the box) including sub-bass tones, warm strings, punchy basses, sweet analog drums and much more in between. The patches are separated by category (lead, bass, drums, pads, etc) and each category can be punched in on the fly.

You have three oscillators per voice (including variable waveshapes and FM) which gives the synth a really fat sound as well as two low frequency ocsillators for warmth. Doing quick modulation and filtering changes can be done with two programmable slider controls. There is also a pitch bend wheel that lights up when you use it. Programming can be pretty intuitive if you learn the shortcut method that makes the keys buttons to select parameters (essentially 37 extra buttons for editing).

I have compared the Micron with other VA synths like Korg’s VA synths (MS2000, MicroKorg, Electribe), the Roland 303, the Novation Bass Station and can honestly tell you the Alesis Micron can go toe to toe against all of them and many times come out ahead in both sound and functionality.

The synth also includes a master dual effects processer and a single drive effects processor per patch (something most VA synths don’t even include). Not the greatest effects processing in the world, but far from inferior. Essentially the effects help give your sounds some nice ambience. You also get a 40 band vocoder for vocal effects (more robust then the Korg VA synth vocoders) You are limited to 8-voice polyphony, but the synth is 32-part multitimbral.

The Micron also has a built in step and phrase sequencer that includes over 400 patterns preset with drum parts, synth parts and combinations of both along with room for hundreds of your own. The phrase sequencer is really easy to use with one button record and looping. A third type of sequencer you have is a pretty versatile arpeggiator.

Bottom line is if you are looking for synth that is affordable yet has an expansive set of analog sounds (and by that I mean a digital synth that utilizes analog modelling) this is it. If you are doing electronic dance music this synth is perfect for you. You won’t find a better value for the money. Sure there are better products out there (Nord is still the tops in my book), but when it comes down to it the Micron will give you professional sounding analog synth sounds and the ability to make some killer patches.

an experimenters dream – William A. Graham Jr. –
If you are in need of pro level built in presets, then you may want to look elsewhere for a synth. But if you’d like to take a sonic romp and create your own stuff, then this little synth is hard to beat. I love to sit up in bed with it in my lap, with headphones on, and tweak and play what-if. Contrary to what you may have heard, the programming logic is very straightforward, and is of the ’stack-based’ variety. In other words, whatever variable that you have at the top of the current stack is live and is used by other stack-top parameters. And there are keyboard shortcuts to move you from stack to stack. And if you really need presets, then you can load it with Ion programs via a MIDI cable and your fav software sequencer. This machine is a smoking deal for 0.

great sounding synth – M. gregory – midwest
This synth is loaded with a lot of great sounds – and it is very programmable. You can program your own beats, phrases, arpeggios and sounds. Layers, splits, assignable sliders. It can do a lot. In fact, for me personally, that’s the only problem – it can do more than I can absorb. I know I’m not using it anywhere near it’s capabilities. In researching this keyboard I found that most keyboard magazine and equipment reviews gave it high marks on sounds and programing, so I’m figuring that the difficulty lies with me and not the Micron. There will definitely be a learning curve if you’re new to programming. The sounds and beats are very useable and inspiring, so overall I’m quite satisfied and happy with the keyboard.

Get twice the value at half the price…but not buying this. – Daniel Bjorndahl – Sunny, CA USA
This is certainly a simple and fun instrument, but because of its simplicity the number of patches (voices) and the few knobs on the instrument, programming this beast is extremely complicated.

The default voices on the Alesis Micron are hollow, so to speak. Once again, for the simple sounds and effects that it gives you, go with a software instrument.

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On the plus side: (why I bought it)
+Incredible [but limited] drum voices. If only I could program the machine without having to scroll through a dozen menus on a tiny screen.
+Fun Sounds (but on the cheesy side)
+Easy (to use default voices and make minor edits)