Alesis FUSION6HD 61-Key Semi-Weighted Keyboard

Feature:
With sample playback, user sampling, virtual analog, FM synthesis, and physical modeling, it's like having 5 synths in one keyboard. The built in effects are easy to use and sparkling, but the leslie/rotary effect needs some tweaking. Expansion capabilities include the on-board 40 gig hard drive, a compact flash card slot, and optional install of additional RAM. The sequencer is fine for my use, but obviously won't meet everyones needs (that's what Cubase and Logic are for). The built in 8 track audio recorder is an unexpected gem.

Quality:
The unit is very sturdy, and has survived numerous trips in the trunk of my Ford to and from gigs. Knobs and buttons feel very solid. The Alesis SR16 drum machine I purchased in 1991 has worked flawlessly for over 15 years. I owned an Alesis Quadrasynth for 12 years without any problems, as well as a QSR rackmount. Alesis makes reliable equipment and backs it up with upgrades and repairs if needed. I would use it at a gig without a backup, but prefer to use two keyboards, as I work a duo with my wife on guitar, play left hand bass, and like having one keyboard set up for lead sounds, and the other with bass/rhythm sounds.

Value:
There is no other keyboard that is close to the Fusion at its price. And when I compare it to some of the first keyboards I purchased during the 1960's, the technological progress is unbelievable.

Desirability:
It is a sleek, ultra modern looking machine. The flashing blue lights look good too. If you want to be different, and not have the same rig as the next guy, you've got to have the Fusion.

Sound:
This is one of the most expressive synths I've ever played, and velocity & aftertouch react to your playing and animate the sounds. The instruments are very realistic - great pianos, horns, synth pads, choirs, and what not. And with the Fusion Converter, you can import the huge Akai library. I use it for rock, jazz, blues, and standards. And it seems as though the more I play the Fusion, the more I find that my other keyboards are being stored in the shed. When I gig, I usually use only one other synth, my E-mu PK6. The Kurzweil, Korg, and Kawai stay home.

Ease of Use:
Patches are easy to edit, and quickly stored in your "Favorite" banks for snappy access. The free "Fusion Converter" software converts various sample format libraries into Fusion format, including WAV, AIFF, Akai s1000/S3000/S5000, and soundfonts. The manual is very readable, and Alesis has been making supplements and tutorials available online for free download. The lcd screen is very clear and bright - easy to read in a dark room.

Support:
Only had one problem, which was partly my fault. The USB worked great until I moved my computer to a different room, and plugged the computer into one wall socket, and the Fusion into another socket across the room. When I plugged in the USB from the Fusion to the Computer, there was a huge spark, and the computer couldn't see the Fusion anymore. The problem was that one wall socket had a reversed ground. Alesis repaired it under warranty, and it was gone about 14 days for repair in Los Angeles. The Fusion is a dream to upgrade. Alesis puts the software on their website, you download it to your computer, save it to a compact flash card, put the card in the Fusion, and upgrade the OS or load in new samples. Hollow Sun has been commissioned by Alesis to convert their huge library of vintage samples to the Fusion format, and you can download them for free. Two excellent user groups have formed that support Fusion players - Fusion Club http://fusioneer.proboards102.com/index.cgi and Fusion Zone www.promusicproducts.com/forum/phpBB2/index.php

Overall:
Like all keyboard players, I suffer from gear lust. But in the past year, with the Fusion and the excellent Hollow Sun sample set, and the KPR synth sets, the lust hasn't been overwhelming. I keep finding new sounds in the Fusion. And I haven't even begun to explore the sequencer and 8 track digital recorder. If it was lost or stolen, I would replace it with the 88 key Fusion 8HD.

Feature:
I like the audio recording capability. The sequencer was great after I figured it out without reading the manaual. Although it's one of the best boards out there, there are still some situations you may want to use your computer for finalizing any musical product.

Quality:
I say the quality is only a 9 because this synth is software upgradable; therefore, as long as Alesis continues to develop operating systems for this board, it will only get even better.

Desirability:
When people see my Fusion for the first time I get a lot of surprised looks and questions.

Sound:
This is a good sounding synth. The vintage sounds, sound real. I placed this at a 9 because there are good sounds, and there some that I don't care for because of my desires only. The sound parameters are easily tweaked on the fly - one example is the Master EQ. I have children who have been around several of my synths, and have discovered sounds on everyone of them that I never touched, and they are in love with this synth. This particular section is about the sound, but I can't help but to write here and now, if you want a synth that feels great to the touch and sounds good, with all the features you need and many you want, for this price of around $1499 new, when I purchased mine, you need to get this board. I have had the board since January 2007. I have the 8HD fully weighted key model.

Ease of Use:
I wish the auditioning of each take could be done in one step such as asking do you want to keep the take immediately after you finish each, while allowing you listen to it.

Support:
I have not had any support issues.