micron or korg r3 (vocoder aside)

I am looking for a cost effective VA synth. (I don't like the small keys on the microkorg). I am considering the micron or r3. I don't need the vocoder just the sounds. Hoping to save money, does the sounds of the micron cut it or do I need to spend the extra cash for the r3 to get a decent va sound. Thanks.

How about used? I haven't checked prices on these lately, but you might look out for an Korg MS2000, a Roland JP8000, a classic Nord Lead, or an Access Virus. All are good VA's.

Micron is actually very good in the sound department. The only problem is you have to deal with the interface, which can be confusing if you've never edited a VA before. It has a much longer learning curve than the R3, especially since the R3 has a editor software that you can use. If if its for the long haul, I'd take the R3 over the Micron any day... the horizontal pitch wheel is something I never got used to.

I have the Micron and I played with the R3 for a long time in the store. I personally preferred the R3 over the Micron but I got a great deal on my Micron used so...

Both previous posters are right. The interface can be a bit cumbersome on the Micron because for the most part it's all done with one knob and the rest of the controlls are for live editing. The micron also has editing software that you can use though so it's all cool I've found that it sounds good and has a ton of stuff packed into it for such a tiny synth. I'm thinking of pickup up a second synth and I've been waiting for a good price on a used Korg MS2000, Virus or maybe even a Microkorg (I hear they compliment the Micron well).

R3

No contest!

When I got my R3 I was also considering the Micron. IMHO:

The Micron is a lot more solidly built, has more "ooomph" to it's sound and it is also more compact. The R3 has a lot more effects (good ones, too), a better interface, proper mod & pitch wheels and a great vocoder. I like the Micron sound better, but somehow I just clicked with the R3. It's a fun little synth.

Well, it depends on what you are looking for, but I think it's safe to say... Yes.

- CM

I don't know about that. Do a search for Micron/Ion and a ton of complaints about parts failures will come up.

It sounds like your 2 main concerns are price and sound.

Have you tried them both?

I like the sounds I can get out of my Micron, the programming options on it are really good, and it's cheaper than the R3.

The R3 has those nice displays which are really helpful, and it has its own sound which is quite a bit different than the Micron.

I wouldn't trade my Micron for an R3.

To be honest, I've only had a very short test-drive with the Micron. It sure felt more solid than the R3. Not that my R3 is falling in pieces, and I've gigged with it, but it feels awfully fragile.

- CM

http://mrbook.org/micronizer/

And personally I didn't find the learning curve bad at all on the Micron, it's very logically laid out and the shortcuts are great. It makes a great portable groovebox/sketchpad too, what with the sequencer and snazzy percussives.

R3

i've dicked around with a micron about 20 times or so at music stores, and it didn't grab me. it sounded fantastic, and has tonnes of features, but i couldn't really do anything but use the macro knobs easily as far as programming goes.

the R3 on the other hand, i spent one hour with and the page knob and LCD-labeled knobs just drew me right in. it helps that i can breathe MS2K, but i still think there's something fab about that interface.

and i'm also certain it doesn't sound as good as the micron. i can't a/b them for logistics reasons, but alesis really put alot into the ION. it is, however, easier for me to play, and has a mic pre with an XLR input on the top (like EVERY keyboard with a vocoder should have.)

If you don't need the vocoder, don't get the R3. That's its primary feature, and that's why I own it. Look at the X-50. Not only does it have a great software editor, it also has a VST plug-in and compatibility with the Triton TR. It has a large multisample ROM, Triton Efx, dual arps, much higher polyphony and timbres, GM midi patch banks, and drum kits, all in a very portable form with a decent size keyboard. The X-50 is more versatile than the R3 or Micron, since it's a hybrid ROMpler with a deep synthesis engine.

As far as the Micron goes, I'd also suggest searching for the Micron FET problem - seems like a major manufacturing defect that Alesis has ignored.

How can someone who's only spent an hour using the presets on a synth have any worthwhile opinion on how it "sounds". I've spent 20 times that amount of time creating and experimenting with a single patch on my R3, at it still surprises me on occasion with its deep capability. Without seeing all the parameters of a patch, you have no basis to use it to judge the sonic quality of the engine itself. A patch that sounds "thin" could be (and usually is) designed specifically to sound that way.

It is totally worth getting used to the small keys on the microkorg....

I just went through this delema. Things that affected my decision were: cost, sound, number of presets - as I really won't be programming it much. The Micron won me over. I already have the Korg X-50 so I figure I have all those modern VA sounds, so the Alesis was a more old school analog sound which is what I wanted. AND all those presets and room for more. Considered the R3, but price, and nunmber of presets knocked it out early. my 2 cents

for ease of use, i'd go with the r3, for features, i'd go with the micron

they can't. i spent an hour editing it, actually, and not using the presets.

the only reason i said that is that if i didn't say that, someone who thinks the ION sounds better than everything else that's ever been made will come in here and correct me.

to me they both "sound" the same. they both sound _excellent_. i just think the R3 is more musical and accessible than the Micron, which i think are ten times as important as sound, because in the end the "sound" has more to do with your playing and that means interface.

In that case, I agree. I looked at the Micron before I bought the R3. The primary advantages for me of the R3 vs. the Micron is that I got the R3 at a bargain price (about the same price as the Micron), the vocoder was excellent, the assignable knobs with LED feedback & LCD descriptions on the R3 are great for live control of patches, and the software editor/librarian works great (and is the only way I would ever want to create patches on a modern synth).

Still, I've been tempted to buy the Micron anyway because at that price point it's probably worthwhile just to have another synth with a different structure. I don't think of most synths merely in terms of better or worse, but that different can be good simply because it is different. I haven't bought it yet because I'm more inclined to buy the Fusion 6HD or 8HD, if I'm going to get any Alesis product at all.

Thanks for all the great feedback. Some excellent considerations. I don't have a local store that carries the r3 so I appreciate the info.

Korg's offering a $100 rebate on the R3 until June, so that definitely makes it even more attractive.

YOU DARE MENTION MICRON AND MICROKORG IN TEH SAME POST!!??!!

:mad:BAN HIM!!!