Dave Smith Instruments SYNTHESIZERS

I know that strictly speaking this isn't "Evolver-related", however I 
figure it's worth asking this group since you're all hard-core synth 
people by virtue of owning an Evolver.

Has anyone here tried out the Alesis Ion/Micron?  I need a decent 
"virtual analog" synth for live performance and recording.

I am currently using my Nord Lead 2, which I like very much, however I 
want something that has a more sophisticated synth engine.

The Ion seems like a great deal at ~$600, even if it's only 8-voice.

Thoughts?

You could get a Nord Modular Classic for $600 ...

Anu Kirk wrote:
> I know that strictly speaking this isn't "Evolver-related", however I 
> figure it's worth asking this group since you're all hard-core synth 
> people by virtue of owning an Evolver.
> 
> Has anyone here tried out the Alesis Ion/Micron?  I need a decent 
> "virtual analog" synth for live performance and recording.
> 
> I am currently using my Nord Lead 2, which I like very much, however I 
> want something that has a more sophisticated synth engine.
> 
> The Ion seems like a great deal at ~$600, even if it's only 8-voice.
> 
> Thoughts?
> 
> 
> 
>  
> Yahoo! Groups Links
> 
> 
> 
>  
> 
> 

-- 
Scott Kellogg
Coordinator,
Midwest Electronic Music Summit
http://www.themems.com

> I know that strictly speaking this isn't "Evolver-related", however I 
> figure it's worth asking this group since you're all hard-core synth 
> people by virtue of owning an Evolver.
> 
> Has anyone here tried out the Alesis Ion/Micron?  I need a decent 
> "virtual analog" synth for live performance and recording.
> 
> I am currently using my Nord Lead 2, which I like very much, however I 
> want something that has a more sophisticated synth engine.
> 
> The Ion seems like a great deal at ~$600, even if it's only 8-voice.
> 
> Thoughts?

Most people claim that the Ion sounds more 'analog' than other va synths.  Personally, my favorite va synth is the Waldorf Q. You can pick up the rack used for a little more than the ion. The Q doesn't sound particularly analog, but it has personality, and lots of features and mod routings....but some people don't like the Waldorf sound.

Anu Kirk said  on 8/23/2005 10:37 AM:
> The Ion seems like a great deal at ~$600, even if it's only 8-voice.
> 
> Thoughts?
> 

Ive got one, and have to say it is very unique.  Its not a synth I would 
want as my only synth, but it does have some significant strenghts:

1.  very flexible audio routing.

2.its two filters do sound very good, and its one of the few VA's to 
have more than the basic classic types.  I particularly like using the 
comb filters

3.  It can have a nice solid bass end, but its can be tricky to get. 
you really have to pay attention to your filter type.

4.  the knob layout seems a bit weird at first, but you I think they put 
the right parameters on the panel.

5.  Only two LFO's, but each LFO outputs all waveshapes all the time so 
you can get extra use out of them.

weeknesses:

1.  it can seem a little colorless sometimes

2.  its mod matrix is nice, but lacking in certain areas (i.e. you 
cannot modulate the effect of one modulator with another, no algorithmic 
processing)

3.  its keyboard sucks.   I wish they would put out a rack version.

4.  it has a VERY hot output.  It can sometimes be a problem to tame it 
at your mixer.

5.  The arpegiator is kinda silly.

6.  the envelopes are not nearly as flexible as on the Andromeda


Thats my take on it.  You can also get them used for under $500 if you 
look around.

Tony

On 23/8/05 8:42 AM, "implode7@..." wrote:


> Most people claim that the Ion sounds more 'analog' than other va synths.
> Personally, my favorite va synth is the Waldorf Q. You can pick up the rack
> used for a little more than the ion. The Q doesn't sound particularly analog,
> but it has personality, and lots of features and mod routings....but some
> people don't like the Waldorf sound.

i have both the waldorf Q and the alesis ion (amongst a heap of others) and
tend to use the ion more than the Q.  the ion's bass end is wonderfully
wide, giving me the 'analogue' sounds that i need.  in fact, since i bought
the ion the wife's jupiter 6 has not been used...

for pure analogue emulation the ion is amazing, with the micron's engine
being basically the same.  $399 for a micron!!!!  yikes...

}:-)


email :
  moose@...

music sites :
  http://www.pigpendigital.com
  http://www.alaskahighway.com
  http://www.mishikawa.com

> for pure analogue emulation the ion is amazing, with the micron's 
engine
> being basically the same.  $399 for a micron!!!!  yikes...


I have a Micron, which has a great sound and a somewhat quirky but fun 
sequencer.  I really with they would release a decent editor for it, as 
the majority of the programming is done with a single knob!  In short, 
editing it is a bitch!  It wouldn't be half bad if they put some sort 
of knob acceleration like Dave put into the Evolver.

I primarily bought mine for it's pads and strings, and it does a great 
job at them.