The Micron is like an Ion packed into a compact 3-octave keyboard for the "on-the-go" musician. The Micron boasts the same analog modeling sound engine as the acclaimed Alesis Ion, offering breakthrough analog realism, high-resolution control, and tremendous value. The Micron is compatible with Ion programs and holds over 1,000 programs and multitimbral setups. It's therefor best used as a preset type synthesizer - either download your own Ion patches or others into the Micron and take them on the go. Sure the Ion is a hands-on synth programmer's feast, but the Micron gives you access to the same power as the Ion in a compact synth ideal for gigging, practicing, composing and just good old fashion playing around with!

Most obviously, the Micron has done away with just about all the real-time controllers found on the Ion, offering just three 360-degree endless parameter knobs, two assignable modulation sliders and one assignable backlit pitch wheel. Slim pickin's but enough for live performances (you only have two hands!) or quick tweaks. Sure you can delve deeper into patch editing and even the extensive twelve-route modulation matrix (with 114 sources and 78 destinations) but that's tedious with so few controls.

Despite its rather simple looking design, the Micron does house a beast inside - full of programmable functions! Just like the Ion, the Micron offers continuously variable wave shapes, plus osc-sync and FM synthesis. The Micron has 8-voice polyphony with three oscillators per voice, and is up to 8-part multitimbral. There are two multimode filters with 20 filter types (upgraded from 16 in the Ion), three envelope generators and two LFOs with multiple wave shapes and sample & hold. In addition to its powerful modulation matrix, the Micron offers a programmable step sequencer, an arpeggiator, a rhythm sequencer for drum kits, and a dynamic realtime phrase sequencer - all of which sync to MIDI clock. Effects include a 40 band vocoder that does not use up any polyphony, 4 insert effects, and stereo master effects. Stereo inputs let you process external audio through its effects, filters and vocoder - just as you can with the Ion.

So, if twiddling knobs all day is not your thing, but the sounds that come from such efforts are what you are looking for then the Micron may be the synth for you! Instant access to thousands of incredibly realistic analog synth sounds with all the power and programmability of the Ion. The Micron offers all that and more but for less money because of its minimalist design/interface.

radiowaves

July 15, 2009 @ 6:30 pm

I get great sounds out of this little beast. If you are familiar with subtractive synthesis, the sound architecture is not really hard to understand. Editing is tedious on its own, and a few design flaws on Alesis's part exacerbate this unnecessarily. For example: no compare/recall button is included on the front panel to easily compare sounds, instead, users must menu dive to do this. A few more buttons on the front panel would make this synth a joy to use.

Tom

June 3, 2009 @ 12:16 pm

I have no Idea why people say it's difficult to program. Just as hard as using - if anyone remembers - Ericsson T10 Mobile
This video will show some of the things possible with this little big synth
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2VVcTr9cLEg

paul

May 18, 2009 @ 12:04 pm

I just got this a few days and go Im very happy with it. I didnt research it much before buying and didnt think itd be that great (got it on ebay for cheap). After trying it out and reading reviews all I can say is that its the best buy ive made. Almost every preset is worth playing. Ive had it for 4 days and I still havent tried to create my own sound from scratch. So many editing options. I love how you can recreate roland and moog sounds amongst others. Ill probably post another review a little later on when ive had some more time to play with it, but right now its my favourite out of the 3 synths I have (Roland SH32 & JX8P)

ROLAND_SYNTH_24

April 30, 2009 @ 9:12 pm

Just got one. This is a great synth. It has some killer lead sounds as well as a bang up arpgeggiator and sequencer. Makes a great lead synth over my Roland JX. There's a reason Korg came out with the Microkorg XL and it was to compete with this beast.

keith

April 14, 2009 @ 10:31 pm

I bought this synth last year, brand new. I held off for a long time and throughly researched my choices in my price range. For the price, the micron is extremely powerful. the oscillators and filters sound great, three freely assignable envelopes, 12 point mod matrix, nice sounding reverb effects and other effects all add up to a sick little synth. Yes, programming is tedious and I haven't been able to set up the PC editor yet. Flipping through with the knob is a bit annoying, but anyone who has used an alpha juno will get it immediately, there are just many more options/menus. Take the time to make some programs, this is not just a preset player.

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