customer reviews
72 People rated this product :
8 out of 10
12 People wrote reviews
10 out of 10
"The BEST synth you'll get for under 450 bucks...an absolute STEAL!"
Feature:
The thing really reminds me of my Moog Source in looks and design. It has a super futuristic look that never outdates and that flat, rectangular30 degree slope down the the keys look. This just looks different. Honestly, its looks arereally one of the reasons I bought it as I have a soft spot for my old Moog Source and wish I never sold it back in the day. I don't miss my Memorymoog, Ob-8 or SH-101 like I do my Source. When I saw this thing I knew I had to have it. once I heard it, I was just flat out floored. Like the source it has sub menus and a Main data knob that controls the parameter change. Still, very easy to use in comparison to the depth of my VirusTI
Quality:
I have bumped this thing around alot and NO problems on fireup yet.
I am not partial to the big red plastic side panels with the ALESIS name molded into them...some kind of major product endorsement that you cant black out when On stage unless you use a major amount of duct tape, but then again, why do they do that on TV anyway?
Leave the damned name on the unit for the world to see what the musician is using! So what if Korg or Roland didn't pay the network...screw the network, I wanna see the gear name!
Anyway, I on a tangent...black side panels would have really put a wicked accent on the polished stainless face of the micron. I used to LOVE the fat MOOG name emblazoned on the Source's stainles back plate.
Value:
Forget the competition in this price range. This thing kicks the crap out of my cheesy little microKorg with it's tiny little keys and cheap build quality, which I paid the exact amount for as the Micron...er.. save for the Vocoder built into the Korg, which is cool..The Korg has no reverb, chorus, flange etc. like the Micron and believe it or not, it is longer so it won't fit into my backpack like the micron. Korg does run on Batteries, though and the Micron has
Desirability:
I have it and when I saw it for the first time *not knowing it even existed), I purchased it, even thoush I HATE Guitar Center with a friggin passion as their customer service here in SF literally sucks....and to buy it straight out when I was just browsing is a lot for me because I am adamant about NEVER buying from the SF guitar center again. I just go in to peruse products and buy elsewhere. I love ZZounds service and policy, so i am sold but alas I stray again from the subject matter.
Again the Micron doesn't have the overall multifaced wicked sound of my VirusTi but again it isn't a 2000 dollar synth either. In the pads area, this baby brings me to tears....I'll never sell it.
Sound:
Comparing this to my VirusTI isn't fair as the virus is just too powerful and editable. I love this synth, thought and will keep it forever. The sounds it creates (along with the luscious effects-especially the reverbs) are just so unique. I do dream pop downtempo electronica and for me, the micron just floats.
I truly believe that it sounds better than my old Oberheim OB-8 and Moog Source did....just not a raw as the oscillators in micron don't meander out of tune as much as they are not true analog. Still, they sound pristine. Better than my old Memorymoog?.....well I won't go there..I have a soft spot
Ease of Use:
Really simple if you know synths. I am subjective here because to beginers, it could just be a pain to program. No ADSR, OSC, Filter or Modulation sliders or knobs like on my Roland JP8000-so I have to say the more knobs buttons on the face of a synth, the easier it is to change it's sound immediately. The less, the more difficult. I put the Micron in the middle here just for poserity since my Korg Prophesy is just an out and out PITA to program and it's Japanglish user manual is hard to interpret. Alesis is a US company whose product team wrote a clear, concise and beginer friendly manual for the unit, rather than a dictionary preface explaining the basis for synthesis etc etc...which is useles unless you are taking a college course in electronic modular systems. Don't know why product engineers and technicians write some of the Japanese manuals rather than hiring competent end users. Alesis manuals are succint and easy to read. Love em
Support:
Haven't had to use, but I know they would get back if I called and was nice. Alesis is that kind of company and I really love their products ever since my old Alesis drum machines and sequencers I used to use
Overall:
As I said before, I won't the mistake I did with my Moog Source.
Can you believe I sold it for 200 dollars back in '89 cause I needed money for rent? Geez I should of panhandled for the cash or moved back in with mom and kept the Moog.
Submitted: 2/9/2008
Style of Music: downtempo electronica producer (Ie dZhizan & Kamien, Bent, Roksopp etc)
10 out of 10
"The Truth"
Feature:
If you buy this keyboard you will find that the designers at Alesis really took time to pack this keyboard full of features while keeping it small and compact. With only 2 sliders and 5 knobs they have magiacaly packed every feature you could ever want inside a 37 key synth.
Quality:
I am very pleased with the quality of this product. It is made out of some sort of metal, and although it is small, it feels very sturdy. I was surprised with the weight of the product, as well. It's much heavier than I dreamt it to be. I dont see this as a problem. It more so, reassures me that it is well made, and ready for accidental abuse.
Value:
This is a great value for your money. I got mine for $320.00 because the store I got it from was having a huge sale. But even for $400, I see this as a steal. This keyboard is most certainly worth saving for, it's just sweet that you won't have to save for long.
Desirability:
How good or bad this item looks should be, and is a matter of opinion. Decide for yourself.
Sound:
I think you will agree when I say that sound is everything. That being said, this keyboard is amazing. When I opened this up, I was absoloutly blown away by its clarity. The sound remains pristine no matter what octave you are playing in. Overall, this a really great sounding keyboard.
Ease of Use:
All I can say is that people give that main knob too much static. It works absolutly fine. And if those people would just take a quick glance through their manual's, they would soon find that there are much easier and quicker ways to access your sounds. The first octave of keys are labeled with the different programs (such as Keys, Leads, Favorites, Ect.) By holding down your main knob and pressing the desired key, you will immediatly be taken to that folder. Then you must navigate through that folder by way of the knob. Not so hard. If you are smart about the way you navigate the keyboard, you will have no problem reaching the sounds you need quickly.
Overall:
This is most certainly the keyoard to buy. Even if I were offered some of the more expensive models of present day synths, I would still choose this keyboard. It's very important to me and so easy to use. I fell in love with this keyboard. I can't get sick of it. It's a great buy, loads of fun, and reliable. I highly suggest this keyboard as a first, second, or last installment to your collection. It will not dissapoint you.
Submitted: 12/30/2007
Style of Music: Breakcore, Indie, Metal, Rock, Classic Rock
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