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.

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.

Desirability:
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.

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.

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.

Support:
The best kind of technical support is the kind you do not need. Ever.

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.

Feature:
Sound Engine _Eight voices of industry-leading analog-modeled sound (8 voice polyphony) _Three oscillators per voice, with continuously variable wave shapes, sync and FM _Two multimode filters per voice, with 20 classic and unique filter types _Three envelopes, two LFOs, and sample and hold per voice _Twelve-route modulation matrix, with 114 sources and 78 destinations _One insert drive effect per voice _Two master effects processors, with reverb and delay _Full-featured 40-band vocoder Sequencing _Programmable pattern sequencer and arpeggiator _Programmable drum rhythm sequencer _Realtime or step recording, with controller motion _Live realtime phrase capture -- one-button record and loop Setups _32-part multitimbral -- up to 32 programs per setup _Up to 26 simultaneous patterns or drum rhythms per setup _Quick splitting and layering Presets _Over 500 preset programs, with space for 400 more _Over 200 preset pattern sequences and 250 preset drum rhythms, with space for hundreds more _Fully compatible with Ion programs.

Quality:
For it's size it has a very solid construction. The sliders seem a tad flimzy but other than that it seems like a solid little powerhouse and seems to be a trust worthy machine considering it pretty much does everything it's Big Brother the Alesis ION can do. Great little anologue synth.

Value:
If your someone looking for Ambient-House-Trance or General Electronica sounds or even Sound Effects; then this little Powerhouse is awsome. If your someone who needs a keyboard to help with Rock, Jazz or Pop your better off in getting a workstation. An inexpensive awsome Workstation is the new Korg TR (61 or 76 key based).

Desirability:
For its size you cant expect a sexy looking synth. With that in mind for its size and what it can do it looks perfect.

Sound:
I was skeptical to buy this keyboard due to its size but I needed a small board to accompany my Korg MS200 and my (soon to be) Korg TR Workstation and I must admit that under the hood of the micron is a powerhouse of a machine. The sounds are great. Some are cheezy yet tweakable to your hearts desire and other souns are simply impressive and rich. It's perfect for my style (Ambient & General Electronica).

Support:
Never really dealt with them on a serious note. I had a couple questions that I emailed them and they responded within 3 days-I think-and answered my basic questions. Other than that I hear that their product knowledge and warranty policy isin't the greatest but that's just from some of my own research from other reviewers. So far Ive owned an Alesis QS7 and this Micron & the customer support for me has been up to par so far-so this review I am basing on my personal experience with Alesis.

Overall:
I have a Korg MS2000 (Korg Microns Big Brother) and I think it's better than the MS2000 surprizingly. When I first opened the package I thought 'oh man did I make a mistake'. Then I played with it and was shocked to see what this little bugger can do.

Feature:
A computer based editor would be nice. But cheap is why I bought it. If it makes it more expensive, forget it.

Quality:
I received B-stock and could not find even a smudge. However it feels like someday that control knob might spin right off.

Value:
You cant beat it for the dough.

Desirability:
It's small. That may not be sexy but it's easy to live with.

Sound:
Every thing I wanted.

Ease of Use:
Programing is laborious. No way to key in parameter values. You have to spin the control knob around and around. Also, you can not map progs to another location. Since I wanted to play the Micron with my proteus SE to thicken the brass and sax etc. I had to reprogram the sounds into the apropriate program locations. It took forever but now I just plug and chug.

Support:
Not yet. And I hope not.

Overall:
This is the only analog synth I want. I use it live for mono mini-Moog leads and horn and string / pads etc. midi'ed with a sample playback module.

Feature:
Stuffed full of features: 500 voice presets, 500 more user, hundreds of patterns and programmed drums, performances, and with a couple of button pushes and knob twists, becomes a great controller keyboard. Really good synth keyboard feel, feels perfect with the internal voices, has good dynamics over midi.

Quality:
I paid $300 for this used; and it's $400 new. Look at the prices of the other compact analog synths; this is a steal; it's well built, but I have had a couple of bad experiences with Alesis, so we'll see how it holds up.

Value:
This is a complete steal. There are voiceless controllers that cost more. Want knobs? Add a UC-16 or -33.

Desirability:
I would add this to any touring rig. It's a cool little silver board with bright red ends that will blow people away with the huge and dynamic sounds coming out of it's tiny size.

Sound:
For the money, this is the best analog board I could buy. I had read about it, but five minutes playing it in my local music store and I bought it. Huge, fat, evolving sounds, great drums and patterns, for so little cash.

Support:
Not needed so far; past experiences with other products were just ok.

Overall:
I have a lot of soft-synths; I have a Yamaha Stage Piano. I'll be getting a bread and butter synth like a Kurzweil PC. But I don't expect to ever need a better analog keyboard. This one handles it.