Alesis Micron
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.
- Specifications
- Polyphony - 8 voices (up to 8 multitimbral parts)
- Oscillators - Alesis proprietary DSP Analog Modeling: Three oscillators per voice, with continuously variable wave shapes (Sine, Square-Pulse, Saw-Triangle), sync and FM
- Filter - 2 multi-mode filters with 20 classic and unique filter types.
- Envelopes - 3 EGs: Pitch/Mod, Filter, and the Amp have their own ADSR envelopes.
- LFO - 2 multi-wave LFOs and 1 S&H. Ring Modulator. FM. hard&soft OSC sync.
- Effects - One insert drive effect per voice, Two master effects processors, with reverb and delay. Built-in 40-band Vocoder.
- Keyboard - 37 keys (velocity, release velocity sensitive).
- Memory - 1,000 Programs (500 preset programs, with space for 400 more) fully compatible with Ion programs.
Over 200 preset pattern sequences and 250 preset drum rhythms, with space for hundreds more. - Arpeg/Seq - Arpeggiator: MIDI-sync-able multiple-pattern plus *random* feature.
Sequencers: Programmable step pattern sequencer; Dynamic real-time phrase sequencer; Drum Rhythm Sequencer. - Real-Time Controllers - 3 360-degree endless parameter knobs, 2 assignable modulation sliders, assignable backlit pitch wheel.
- Control - MIDI (4-part multitimbral) IN/OUT/THRU
- Date Produced - 2004
- Websites of Interest
- Resources & Credits
Images from Alesis.
Additional info provided by Adam Lundberg.
Reviewed December 2007.
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The sounds are just blowin'! Anything sound the universe makes that humans are capable of hearing is inside this machine, just waiting for you to give it a voice.
Whole albums have been written on this synth, the best product Alesis has EVER released (even more useful than the legendary Quadraverb)
The Microkorg is often compared to this; the Microkorg is useless without an outlet to record your ideas, lest you're just desiring to play for yourself, the Micron is professional tool and armed with a Multitrack Recorder it's a studio in your bedroom.
Do you want have fun? Get a Microkorg. Do you want to the world to hear your feelings and memories sonically translitered through a machine? Get the Micron.
It makes some very trippy FM sounds; much more interesting than most digital synths in this respect. 'Analog' it isn't, because it lacks smoothness and the presence typical of good analog - rather it tends to be best at doing icy "greyish" tone most of the time - which happens to be PERFECT for weird textures, wasteland pads, odd leads and other bizarre noises....stuff that fills out the mix in the background and in the corners - so the real analogs or whatever can dance on top.
Can sound PPG/Waldorf at times, but never Japanese (OK maybe there's a touch of Roland). Not recommended for beginners (get an MS2000 or SH-201 for that) due to complex architecture and severely limited UI.