Alesis Andromeda A6

--- In Andromeda_A6-ION@yahoogroups.com, "tommy_trance" 
<tommy_trance@y...> wrote:
> 1.  How is alesis support for this product?  for example:  customer 
> service, OS updates, videos?
Support is there, but I highly recommend joining the code404.com A6 
list if you need more guidance.  They have updated the Tips & Tricks 
document and are in contact with Alesis support (now Numark).
 
> 2.  Does it have arp patterns?
The arpeggiator is programmable and has 16 independent arps.  One arp 
per voice.  It also does the ol' forward, reverse, rock-n-roll 
inclusive, and rock-n-roll circle patterns, CHORD, etc.  

> 3.  Can you map knobs and buttons to midi?
Sure.

> 4.  How does this sync up to Sonar 3.0?
I dunno.  Should be fine.

anyone notice drifting?
Depends on how you set the A6 tuning.  There is an auto-tune feature 
that is recommended for right after boot up, then do auto-tune again, 
15 minutes later, once the thing warms up.  Then if you enable 
background tuning, it will tune itself every so often while the unit 
is on, or you may disable it to get the natural OSC drift that we 
love so much, for that "humanistic" feel.  OSC and FILTERS may be 
tuned separately, together, or not at all.
  
> How does it behave when sending data via midi to Sonar?
I dunno.  Should be fine.

> 5.  What's the learning curve to creating warm phat analog sounds 
> for someone who's never owned a keyboard and has keyboard/synth 
> experience only through Reason's software?
None, if you use the zillion presets, or a day or two, depending on 
your subtractive analog synthesis experience.  Select a preset and 
twiddle those knobs!  Intuition will help you figure much of the 
parameters, then hit the manual--AS HARD AS YOU CAN!

> I'm looking at 2 keyboards,  yamaha motif es6 & andromeda.   I'm 
not 
> sure which one is for me, I like the ES but the andromeda looks 
> tight.
Sound is the important feature--function before fashion.  I am 
through with digital and turning more into an analog purist, 
presently designing a huge modular system, built from kits.

I like analog sound, but i'm not at the point where I can 
> distinguish between analogue and VA.
The A6 will get you there. 

My music influences are: The Crystal Method, Chemical Bros, Tool, 
> NIN, Marilyn, Depeche Mode (violator album), DJ Hyper.
I would HIGHLY suggest you NOT get the A6, at least not until after 
trying the ACCESS VIRUS KC or ACCESS VIRUS INDIGO.  The only 
difference between these two models being the number of keys AFAIK...
Here are links to both, plus a comparison chart:
http://www.access-music.de/products.php4?product=viruskc
http://www.access-music.de/products.php4?product=indigo2
http://www.access-music.de/comparisonchart.php4
ACCESS customer support is possibly unrivaled to this day and 
certainly, though disappointingly, dwarfs Alesis support.

> This is going to be a serious buy for me and so i don't want to 
make 
> a wrong choice.
Try to get to a an instrument dealer to try out ALL of your 
interests, don't let them sway you, and sleep on it before making 
this educated decision.
Cheers,
-Dave