Alesis Andromeda Analog Synth

16-voice polyphonic real analog synthesizer.

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Alesis Andromeda Analog Synth reviews

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131 People rated this product : * * * * * * * * * * 9 out of 10

 

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* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10

"I Love This Synth!"

Feature:
Its an analog synth with the programmability of the most flexible digital synths around (Waldorf Q, Virus, etc). Its like an Oberheim Xpander in that respect, but with VCOs rather than DCOs and more polyphony. Extremely flexible envelopes that can be very fast. 16 part poly-multi. Incredible flexibility. The analog distortion is nice, although the digital FX arent too good. Its almost a modular in a keyboard... This is the most powerful analog synth ever, full stop.

Quality:
Can't say Ive had problems yet, so Ill give it a 10.

Value:
Its worth the money. Enough said.

Desirability:
Beyond sexy. It redefines sexy. This thing gave me a case of Gear Acquisition Syndrome for three years!

Sound:
Real analog definetly sounds different to virtual analog. Now do not get me wrong, VA's can be great instruments in their own right, but they cannot replace real analog. I like VA's, I like the dark dirty assault of the Virus and the slicey-clean-metallicness of the Nord 3, but the Andromeda is simply a totally different beast. For one, the oscillators sound, on non-sawtooth waves, much more solid and thick. A6 PWM disembowels Virus PWM. The bass you can program with this thing absolutely shakes the room... I programmed a 1 oscillator PWM+triangle wave bass and added the sines of both oscs in post-filter (with one sine an octave down) and the bass shook the table violently. I compared it to a 2 octave PWM+ triangle sub-osc + EQ + analog boost on my virus, and even though the Virus sounded much more precise, the A6 had so much power it put the Virus to shame. The pads are lush, thick and rich, the leads can be very powerful, the filters sound really cool and although not as precise, defined and strong as the Virus filters, they have a very musical tone to them and a nice wetness.

Ease of Use:
Strangely enough for a synth of this power, the operation is easy and intuitive beyond belief. Its heavy and tuning takes time, but its worth it! The interface is easy, and although this is not a 'my first synth' its reasonably easy to tweak.

Support:
Never dealt with them. The best support is non-needed support.

Overall:
The only analog polysynth you will ever need.

Submitted: 10/27/2006

Style of Music: Electro-Industrial


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* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10 zZounds has verified that this customer bought this product from us.

"the new king! A Real "Desert Island Synth"!"

After playing synths for 25 years, and going through the Crumars, the Chromas, the Oberheims, the Roland Jupiters and Junos, the JD's, the DX's and the Moog's, using them ALL in one way or another in the studio ro owning, THIS IS THE FIRST to grab my attention so much as to keep me awake all night for days exploring it. It is thick, 16 voice REAL analog, and its performance features (including especially the ribbon) make it a true behemoth. I WAS held back on this purhase because of Alesis' reported bankruptcy and purchase by Numark...I don't know what's gonna happen to this synths' support, but its the BEST REAL analog synth there has EVER been...no kidding.

There is a ton of heart in this machine. I hope and pray that the engineering/design team for this board is very well taken care of and is still working together. The system is logical, well laid out and a true beauty of ergonomics. I have gotten reports of a buggy OS, but I personally have had no problems.

If I could take one synth to my desert island, this would be it...well over my Fantom, JP8, Motif, JD's, Triton's, Kurzweils, Moogs, Prophets and Oberheims. There is enough here for EVERYBODY.

LONG LIVE ALESIS! BRING BACK ALESIS!

Submitted: 6/6/2002

Style of Music: Original Progressive heavy rock


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About This Product!
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From Our Catalog
Real analog. Really intense

The Ultimate Polyphonic Analog Synth
In a world filled with "almost-analog" and "sort-of-analog" synthesizers, Andromeda is the real deal: a high-performance instrument fueled by true analog synth technology. In a single, powerful package you'll find a huge range of tonal possibilities: searing leads, warm pads, fat bass lines, extreme sound effects, and more. With Andromeda you can get all these sounds simultaneously, while enjoying the creative control to reach out, grab knobs, and instantly reshape Andromeda's mind-blowing sonics.

Real Analog Powerhouse
Andromeda's fully analog signal path is controlled by a high-speed Motorola Coldfire microprocessor, offering 16-voice polyphony with 16-part multi-timbral capability. Andromeda features two analog oscillators per voice, with standard waveforms (available simultaneously), suboscillators, hard and soft sync, and more. It provides 2 analog filters per voice: these 2-pole (multimode) and 4-pole (lowpass) resonating filters are classically-derived designs, and offer you an astounding range of sonic variability.

Andromeda also provides external audio inputs that allow you to route any signal through its filters. Andromeda has three LFO's, each with six waveforms and many powerful features. It also has three 7-stage, 3-level envelopes capable of functions never before found in any analog synthesizer. An extensive mod matrix offers you enormous freedom in configuring Andromeda's sonic firepower, adding to its monstrous capabilities.

In-Depth Control of Your Sound
Andromeda's 61-note synth-weighted keypad features velocity and aftertouch sensitivity, and its ribbon controller offers multiple, assignable functions. A distinctive, futuristic front panel features 72 knobs and 144 buttons (the majority are single function), optimally arranged for rapid-fire tweaking and in-depth experimentation. Andromeda's large, backlit LCD display provides real-world values of parameters (time, frequency, BPM, etc.) and high-resolution graphics. No other synth has ever offered such a sophisticated, informative control panel for creating analog pyrotechnics.

Extensive Features
In addition to its real analog synth engine and hands-on interface, Andromeda provides a wide range of performance features, including multiple keyboard modes, portamento with nine slopes, and legato functions. For added grins, Andromeda provides a built-in arpeggiator and analog-style sequencer with MIDI sync, high quality digital effects (reverb, chorus, echo and more), and a nasty little analog distortion circuit. Internal program memory features 256 preset and 128 user-defined programs. Andromeda also offers a PCMCIA-format memory card slot for additional programs and mixes.

Technical Info

Polyphony: 16-voice, 16-channel multi-timbral

Synthesis Method: True analog subtractive

Oscillators: 2 oscillators (with sub-oscillation) per voice, 5 waveforms available (sine, triangle, square, up saw, down saw)

Filters: 2-pole multimode resonating filter per voice, 4-pole lowpass resonating filter per voice

Program Memory: 256 preset and 128 user-defined

Mix Memory: 128 user-defined

Audio Outputs: 16 mono outputs, one for each of 16 voices (eight 1/4" TRS jacks); Stereo main outputs (two 1/4" jacks); 2 mono aux outputs (two 1/4" jacks); Stereo headphone output (1/4" TRS jack)

Audio Inputs: Two 1/4" jacks

External Audio Filter Inputs: Three 1/4" jacks - one each for Voices 1-16, Voice 15, and Voice 16

Pedal Jacks: Pedal/CV, Switch and Sustain - each with dedicated 1/4" jack

MIDI Connections: MIDI In, Out, Thru

Memory Card Slot: PCMCIA-format

Power: 100-230 VAC, 50/60 Hz 30W

Dimensions: Height 122mm (4.8") x Width 1019mm (40.1") x Depth 409mm (16.1")

Weight: 21 kg (47lbs.)
Andromeda: real analog sound, modern power and control. In a world of "virtual" and "modeling", the Alesis Andromeda stands apart. This 61-key, 72-knob, 144-button behemoth wrestles real analog power into an infinite array of liquid leads, chopping sawtooths, expansive pads, and more. 16 voice polyphony, 16-part multitimbral capability.

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