Alesis Micron Virtual Analog Synthesizer

A really powerful synth in a compact frame with full size velocity sensitive keys - Audio Inputs (the Micron has an excellent Vocoder or you can process external instruments through the Resonant Filters) and some very cool backlit Modultion and Pitchbend controllers!

This is the "little bother" of the Ion synth Alesis released around 2 years ago- it's a 3 Oscillator design (inspired by the famous Mini-Moog) with many different types of Filters - Overdrive - Modulation Routing and even built in digital FX. Sound wise - it's capable of covering most bases- perhaps similar to the Nord Lead series but with a bit more bottom end.

It also has a superb Arpegiator which produces very sophisticated results- more like a mini-sequencer than a standard Arp.

It is 4 part multi-timbral so you can either layer sounds together for added depth or assign the different parts to different Midi Channels for more flexibility.

Here's an exerpt from the review in Sound on Sound magazine:


"Summing up is easy. The Micron sounds fabulous; rich - lush - powerful - warm... everything you would hope for. Equally - it can be harsh - dirty or percussive. It is compact - solidly made and has more programming potential than anything this tiny has a right to. At the price - it's almost too good to be true.

By including effects and a surprisingly flexible sequencer/rhythm programmer - the Micron can perform backing-type duties currently beyond the scope of the Ion. Of course - what you lose compared to the Ion is obvious at a glance. The Micron's user interface has a whole range of ingenious shortcuts but these can't replace a bank of dedicated knobs - especially for lengthy programming sessions. With no software editor currently in the pipeline from Alesis - it's a comfort to know you can edit everything using the small display and available controls.

But then - perhaps you don't care about extensive editing - not everyone does. In this case - you could download a shed-load of ready-made Ion sounds from Alesis's web site - make a few tweaks and away you go.

Ultimately - it's a clear choice. At this end of the spectrum - the Novation K-Series is the most serious hardware competition. The Micron scores with its superior 'core' synthesis - ie. the quality of its analogue modelling - range of filters and modulation matrix. The Novations score in polyphony - effects - user interface and keyboard action. Actually - though - in some ways the Micron's biggest competition could come from the Ion itself. Once you test the sound quality of the Micron - coughing up the extra wonga for better access may become too tempting. For the time being - the Micron is tasty - almost as cheap as chips - and just as fattening!"