Alesis • Andromeda A6
The Andromeda A6 is a true analog synthesizer using two analog oscillators per voice, sub-oscillators, hard and soft sync and more! It features 16-voice polyphony. With the Andromeda, you'll find a huge range of tonal possibilities: searing leads, warm pads, fat bass lines, extreme sound effects and more. And of course there are plenty of knobs (72) and buttons (144), even an assignable ribbon controller for addictive hands-on real-time control! The large high-resolution LCD display is excellent and shows you actual rather than relative values of parameters. Andromeda will integrate seamlessly into any studio with its total MIDI control and sync, individual voice outputs, stereo outputs and several audio inputs.
Andromeda is completely analog - no emulation! It features two analog filters per voice that sound great! They are a multimode 2-pole and a 4-pole lowpass. External audio can be routed through these filters too (three 1/4" jacks)! As for modulation, Andromeda has three LFOs, each with six waveforms and they can be synced to MIDI clock. And there are three 7-stage envelopes with very creative and flexible functions. Also onboard is an extensive mod matrix for enormous freedom in configuring Andromeda's sounds!
No analog synth would be complete without a set of classic effects and features. Andromeda also offers Portamento with nine slopes and legato functions. A built-in arpeggiator and analog-style sequencer are available, with MIDI sync! There are also some high quality digital effects such as reverbs, chorus, echo, distortion and more! Andromeda comes with 256 breathtaking preset patches plus 128 user. A PCMCIA-format memory card slot allows for additional programs and mixes. Andromeda is pure analog bliss, with all the features, stability and widgets of modern digital synths. It has been used by BT, Air, Duran Duran, Depeche Mode, Nine Inch Nails, DJ Tiesto, Klaus Schultze, Yes and the Pet Shop Boys.
wasn't working anymore. No leds or knobs.If you have this same problem check all the cables on the inside mostly it's one
of the cables that doesn't make a good contact.
But now for the Andromeda itself...i think it's an easy synth to work with. Everything is very logical
and easy to program. For me atleast. I didn't read any manual (yeah the service manual) but the menu structure
is easy to understand. Also are the modulation routes limitless which makes this a
synths for every music style you can think off. I'm very impressed with the thick pads it can produce
with multiple layering, but also squelchy 303 lines are no prob for this machine.
At the other hand i think the filters could have been a little more agressive they are to transparant for me.
Sometimes the screen gets messed up or it wouldn't start up correctly.
So for me a 4 out of 5.
For my purpose, the Andromeda is a perfect fit.