Alesis Andromeda Analog Synth

16-voice polyphonic real analog synthesizer.

Overall User Ratings

Overall:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Features:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
Quality:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
Value:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
I Want It:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Sound:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Ease of Use:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Support:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10

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"I Love This Synth!"

Overall:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Features:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Quality:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Value:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
I Want It:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Sound:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Ease of Use:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
Support:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
 
 
 
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.

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"The Alesis Andromeda Analog Synth :]"

Overall:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Features:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Quality:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Value:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
I Want It:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Sound:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Ease of Use:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Support:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
 
 
 
Feature:
I love everything about it.

Quality:
The product is very durable. Paint doesn't chip, keys don't jam, ect.

Value:
This product is a bit pricey. Trust me it is worth every penny.

Desirability:
I've wanted this synth for so long. When i finally got it I was amazed.

Sound:
The sound is AMAZING. Nothing comes close to this Analog Synth.

Ease of Use:
It took me a while to really figure it out. READ THE MANUEL.

Support:
All of Alesis's products are overall the best.

Overall:
I recomend this Analog Synth to anybody. Even though it's expensive your getting your moneys worth with this one. If your looking for something cheaper you could tryan analog modeler like the the Alesis Ion. It's a moderler meaning it's not a try analog synth, it just models after one.

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"MOST SUPERIOR ELECTRONICA SYNTH!"

Overall:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Features:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Quality:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Value:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
I Want It:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Sound:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Support:
* * * * * * * . . . 7 out of 10
 
 
 
Feature:
Various knobs and buttons can confuse the living hell out of you...but programming it is!

Quality:
Superior quality, feels like a tank...i first thought its made in Japan or Germany. Thumbs up to Alesis!!

Value:
Value is simply awesome. A Dave Smith Evolver keyboard with 2 analog and 2 digital oscillators and 4 note poly (thus limiting evolving pad chords) cost $2399.00. A-6 has much more multi-timbral capability: you can play 6 fingers on pad, and still have 10 other voices! sweet! Its like having 4 polyevolvers without the digital oscs...

Desirability:
Very awesome to look at!

Sound:
Real Analog with 16 voices...what more can you ask for? Awesome for atmospheric textures, leads, etc. The filters on this blow any VA away...I compared a Nord Lead III side by side with the Andromeda, the Nord's cold digital sounds don't even compare with the superior depth and sharpness of the real-analog sound! VAs are good for some trance and stuff, but it still can't hold up to a RA synth.

Support:
Haven't really dealt much with them

Overall:
Initially the OS was jumpy, but after Alesis updated it, its very stable, and you can enjoy 16 voices of pure analog heaven (not recording) at once! What more can I ask for?

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

Overall:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Features:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Quality:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Value:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
I Want It:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
 
 
 
zZounds has verified that this customer bought this product from us.
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!
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"Buy it NOW or you'll be sorry..."

Overall:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Features:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Quality:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Value:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
I Want It:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
 
 
 
zZounds has verified that this customer bought this product from us.
The Andromeda is one of THOSE instruments - the masses were scared off by the price and/or complexity so the sales have been less than stellar. If you are at all serious about any form of electronic music RUN, don't walk to purchase one of these limited production beauties while there is still time!!!! My experience with past Alesis keyboard products initially kepot me away from even trying this - there was never one that was worth a damn. This makes up for everything - MY sole complaint with the unit is the Alesis habit of using PCMCIA SRAM cards for data storage- It's expensive antiquated technology. But in the long run - who cares? FYI - Even if you're not a programming geek there are plenty of EXTREMELY FRESH sounds available all over the net - FOR FREE!!! ---- GET ONE!!!!
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"It's too much fun! It's analog, I love it!"

Overall:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Features:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Quality:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Value:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
I Want It:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
 
 
 
It is a bit overwhelming, but yet in an odd way simple to use if you are familiar with analog synths. It has one of everything and more then one of a lot of things. The center screen is a trip, it is large and easy to read. You can control everything from the soft knobs in the center or the real larger knobs that are everywhere. If you are technical and like a challenge you will love it. If not keep away because you will be frustrated. It is not what sounds it comes with, but what you can create with it that makes this synth. I am a very happy owner.
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"My New Baby"

Overall:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Features:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Quality:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Value:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
 
 
 
I'm a novice with electronic gear, but this keyboard makes it so much easier than ever before. All the knobs corrolate with the display so it's a great learning tool. I can make raunchy sounds, beautiful warm pads, goofy stuff, and psychedelic too! It really invites you to play and touch - not at all like those keyboards that are more computer than instrument.
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"The Matrix 12 of the 21st century"

Overall:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Features:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Quality:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
Value:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
I Want It:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
 
 
 
zZounds has verified that this customer bought this product from us.
Great keyboard. Definitely stands out among the crowd, especially among those who like the analog sound. Sound wise, it is probably best compared to some Prophet 5 / Memorymoog cross, nice sound on warm pads / strings / brass / leads, a little less direct than I prefer for basses (I'm a DCO nut for bass, curiously enough) and certain lead sounds. Modulation wise, the programming possibilities are overwhelming (ala Matrix 12), I'm still trying to navigate all the options. :)

It's still in the initial OS phases ala Waldorf Q's first year. It'll get better in a year so for you folks that hate bugs / being the early adopter, wait a bit. But the sound is top-notch, so for those that don't mind a few glitches here and there, it is probably best to dive right in and experience the warmth and power this synth has.
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"Incredible."

Overall:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Features:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Quality:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Value:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
I Want It:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
 
 
 
I've had my Andromeda for about 2 weeks now.
All I can say is that I am completely speechless.
The filters are incredibly close to their Moog
and Oberheim counterparts, the oscillators are
incredibly "fat", the interface is very easy
to catch on to, the build quality is excellent.
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"GET IT NOW OR YOU'LL BE SORRY..."

Overall:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Features:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Quality:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Value:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
I Want It:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
 
 
 
This is one of THOSE products - somewhat misunderstood and seemingly lacking in the performance dept. DON'T BE FOOLED ! This is probably the most unique, deep, versatile instrument manufactured in the past 10 years. The Virus has a wonderful sound, but you (and your music) will grow tired of it in 2 to 3 years - no so with the Andromeda! PREDICTION - People will be paying $5000 for these within 5 years...Will YOU have one?
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"multitimbrality made easy"

Overall:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Features:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Quality:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
Value:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
I Want It:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
 
 
 
Wow. What can I say about this machine? For me, my
favorite aspect of this machine is the 16 part
multitimbrality. It does this beautifully, and
all in warm analog. It doesn't have acoustic piano
or any other sampled sound, so don't get it for this.
But if you want fat analog sound that you can shape
(hey, with the possibilities of this machine an
acoustic piano might be possible!!), then this is for
you. NOT FOR THE ANALOG PROGRAMMING NEWBIE--it is
way too daunting. I do have a feeling though that in
its genre, this synth is destined to become a classic.
On top of this, the OS is now quite stable. In fact, I
was displeased with the machine because of its
seeming inability to do percussive (dance-type)
basslines. But with the new OS, this has been remedied,
thus allowing this machine to handle all of your sound
needs, but only taking up to slots on your mixing board!!.
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"Perfect for what it was designed for....analog FATNESS"

Overall:
* * *