Manufacturer's Description for Alesis Micron 37-Key Analog Modeling Synth
The Micron boasts the same sound engine as the acclaimed Alesis Ion in a compact 3-octave keyboard, offering breakthrough analog realism, high-resolution control, and tremendous value. The Micron is compatible with Ion programs and holds over 1,000 programs and multitimbral setups.
The Micron offers continuously variable wave shapes, plus sync and FM synthesis. 16 filter types are included, along with 2 LFOs with multiple wave shapes and sample & hold. The Micron has 8-voice polyphony with 3 oscillators per voice, and is 4-part multitimbral. In addition to a powerful modulation matrix, the Micron offers a programmable step sequencer, arpeggiator, rhythm sequencer for drum kits, and dynamic realtime phrase sequencer, all of which sync to MIDI clock.
Effects include a 40 band vocoder that does not use up any polyphony, 4 drive effects, and stereo bus effects, including reverb. For assignable realtime control, the Micron offers 3 knobs, 2 modulations sliders, and a pitch wheel.
Applications Synthesis and sound design Keyboard performance High-resolution MIDI control Tempo-synched audio filtering, vocoder, and effects
Features Powerful virtual-analog synth engine: Compatible with Ion programs Superb analog realism Inspiring other-worldly sounds Absolutely no 'zipper' noise or aliasing
Programmable features that sync to MIDI clock: Step sequencer Arpeggiator Rhythm sequencer Realtime phrase sequencer
Assignable, high-resolution realtime control: 2 modulation sliders 3 360-knobs operate at 32 times the resolution MIDI Pitch wheel
What Our Customers Are Saying About zZounds
"zZounds has been my favorite musical equipment retailer for years and I couldn't be more satisfied." - customer on January 16th, 2012
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This review has been selected by our experts as particularly helpful.
"Micron > Microkorg. Not a competition at all."
Sound:
The sounds on the Micron are second to none in its price class. With fat basses, screaming leads, singing sines, really deep pads and old school analog drums, the sounds will definitely impress you. Some of the programs get a tad farty on the low end, but as with most instruments, every sound in this box has its "money" octave(s). Non-musicians will ask me if it's "like... a toy keyboard" before they hear the sounds it produces. The Micron is a little nerd with a huge soulful voice.
Feature:
The sequencer, drum machine, full sized keys and ample screen put the Alesis Micron head and shoulders above its main competitor, the Microkorg. For a virtual analog keyboard, I couldn't ask for a better feature set. Lots of new instruments try and fail to be the new all-in-one, but for many electronic genres, this synth really can do everything you will need.
Ease of Use:
Navigating the Micron can be a bit tedious compared to the more button-laden interfaces of larger workstations. There is a lot of turn - click - turn - turn - click involved to use the sequencer and drum machine, especially. However, everything works and is explained in the manual, so it's worth the small amount of extra time it takes to get the hang of the interface. For example, if I was composing similar sequences, I could record a 4-5 track song on the Micron in about the same time it would take me to do it on my Korg Triton. Maybe a minute longer.
Quality:
This keyboard is solid as a rock. I have a good story illustrating this. I was backstage at a show recently where I encountered a Microkorg perching daintily atop a big keyboard amp. I later saw its owner delicately picking it up and slowly sliding it into a gig bag like it was made of glass. Don't get me wrong - we should all treat our instruments with such care and respect. However, if you've held the Microkorg, you know it's somewhat toy-like in its construction. Granted, this "retro toy box" look is a big part of its aesthetic appeal, but the Micron can really take some bumps and knocks in stride due to its aluminum housing. I have beaten the crap out of mine (tossing it onto the bed, letting it fall to the floor, storing it under other equipment, jammed out on it way too hard) and it still looks new. The main navigation knob or click wheel (a term normally reserved for Ipods, I know, but it works the same way) is the one exception to the instrument's otherwise unmatched durability. The sliders and pitch/effects wheel are rubberized and sturdy.
Value:
There are drum machines that sell for close to $400. The Micron has dozens of sexy analog drum sounds and an easy to use rhythm sequencer. There are keyboard controllers of a similar size for close to $200. The Micron has full sized keys. There are keyboards that don't sound nearly this good with way fewer instruments and less sound sculpting capability for close to double the price of the Micron. It is the best value in the electronic music world right now.
Manufacturer Support:
The best kind of technical support is the kind you do not need. Ever.
The Wow Factor:
I thought the Microkorg was the cooler-LOOKING synth until I saw them next to each other in person at Guitar Center. Now I definitely think the Micron is the sexier of the two. Based on looks/physical alone... Microkorg pro's: Wood side panels just like the big boys. Microkorg con's: Cheap looking wood, flimsy sliders and knobs, mini plastic toy keys, lightweight fragile build, tiny number-only display. Micron pro's: Durable oldschool red side panels, rock-solid knobs and sliders, pulsating LED tap tempo button, ample alphanumeric display, metal casing. Micron cons: Heavier.
I need to dedicate an entire new paragraph to the pitch bend/effects wheel. It's a very durable, rubberized spring-loaded wheel (that is, it returns to the center after bending). The coolest feature of the bend wheel - it has an intense red degree-sensitive backlight. That means that the further you bend, the brighter it glows. The pitch bend wheel is definitely the Micron's most aesthetically pleasing physical feature. So sexy, and I didn't even mentioned the backlit navigation buttons.
Overall:
If you have more money than you know what to do with, it's obvious that there are better synths out there. (Does the name Moog do anything for ya?) For $400-600, however, there is literally nothing better on the market. I will never sell it, even if I upgrade. The sound, the polyphony, the sequencer, the knobs, the two sliders, the pitch bend wheel, the full-sized keys, the alphanumeric display (albeit small), the sturdy build and aluminum housing, the drum machine, the backlit buttons, the ease of use, the portability. It's the best. If you're debating between this and the Microkorg, stop reading and buy the Micron. You won't regret it. Do it today.
Style of Music: Electronica, Hip Hop, Pop
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"Get one of these!"
Sound:
I'm just giving this tens throughout because for the price, and considering the competition, it is the best. Its very tweakable, has more features than I can personally put to use. And I've made serveral recordings with it now - there isn't a bad sound in the thing. Well there may be a few but they're easy to avoid. I haven't even had a chace to use the vocoder yet. The bases can be totally booming, the rhythm programs have a lot of repetitious settings, but sound absolutely great - good as any drum machine I've used. I rarely even use any of the effects, the sounds are so great. This thing does look like a toy, and its a highly recommendable beginner's synth, but its no joke either.
Feature:
More features than any comparable product in its price range, and more than a lot above it as well. My cat really enjoys sleeping on this thing as well, its kinda weird.
Ease of Use:
It is extremely easy to use in various ways. The single control wheel thing which operates nearly every part of the Micron can be a bit of a chore to use at times, that is true. But its not hard, it just takes a bit of spinning the damn thing around to cycle through the settings. Then you can store favorite sounds together for ease of access.
Quality:
Very soundly made, pretty rugged actually. Its compact size makes it easy to transport and deal with, and makes it more difficult to damage on the whole. I would use a backup if someone gave one to me, but I don't feel the need for it on my own. The only slight problem I've had is a little noise on the volume pot, which can be easily taken care of, I just haven't bothered.
Value:
You can get these for fairly cheap, and if its not to your taste, easily resell on eBay or some other such place. Has a high resale value, better than the Micro Korg, and for good reason. The value of this thing can't be matched, really. It does so much so well and costs so little.
Manufacturer Support:
Haven't had to deal with the company at all, but Alesis generally makes quality stuff. I'll give them a 10 for making a product that hasn't needed any help or repair for about 2.5 years now.
The Wow Factor:
I'll give it a 9 here just because it does look a bit like a toy. I would have chosen blue for the casing, if there were such a choice, but whatever.
Overall:
I would probably just replace it with another if anything happened to it. Until they come out with the Micron V 2 anyways! I hope such a thing is on the horizon, but even if it isn't, this thing is a classic. It allows me to make more music than I would be able to make without it, and better music than I would be making without it. Its perfect for my home recording studio as it gives me great synth sounds, rhythms, bass, etc to go with my guitar playing. Cycling through the programs gives me ideas for songs, and just playing with it like an actual toy is fun as well. Its a lot less intimidating than some of the larger and more elaborate synths are, it just says "play with me" as it sits there on its stand thing. I can't believe this is getting reviews comparable to the Micro Korg, I think the Micron blows them away in every category other than looks. Sturdier, more features, better, deeper sound, sequencing, drum machine. Kicks boo-tay.
Style of Music: rock/pop/dance/dirge
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