Alesis ION vs. MICRON

whats the difference besides the knobs and physical size? I read taht the micron can use ion programs but I dont know what the means. any help is appreciated, i've searched and searched to no avail!

Did you search here?:

http://www.alesis.com/product.php?id=9

and here?:

http://www.alesis.com/product.php?id=13

You can also download both manuals from here:

http://www.alesis.com/index.php?id=56,30,0,0,1,0

To try and sum it up - the synth sound engines are almost the same - they can use the same programs, but the fx of the micron won't show up in the ion.

The ion has extra stuff in the hardware area (keys, knobs, etc.), and the micron has a lot of extra stuff in the software area (sequencer, phrase sequencer, programmable arps and drum sequencer, etc.)

They're both mighty fine synths - just depends on what you want out of it.

I see the ion as more of a straight synth, and the micron as sort of a groove box with keys. (but you can use the micron as a straight synth too).

can you control the ion with another controller that has knobs and stuff? right now im boucning between ion, micron, novation x station, and micro korg. i think im going to get together some examples of the sounds im looking for and see which one can do the best.

If you want a controller, the X-station is probably your best bet of the ones you listed.

i have another controller (korg kontrol). im looking to have a good synth now and maybe if it doesnt have enough control things on it i'll get another controller to control both it and more soft synths as well.

Has anyone used their X-Station to control the Micron?

Personally, for me an Ion + Micron + KP3 setup would be killer ...

i was just going to post if anyone has used the x station to control a micron. i've got like $600-700 to spend so i'm trying to make it stretch.

with the micron, can you use a software editor in real time? i'm wondering if i can have the software editor program thing up and use a separate controller to control the features in it. might just be cheaper to get the ion...

Fwiw, I found the Micron difficult to use from a controller.

Sure, you could control a Micron from an X-station. Just set up which CC you want to control which parameter in the mod matrix of the Micron, and then send those CC's from the X-station.

The Micron has enough rel-time controls for me tho. (from the site):

Keyboard: 37 keys (velocity, release velocity sensitive)

_Real-Time Controllers: 3 360-degree endless parameter knobs, 2 assignable modulation sliders, assignable backlit pitch wheel

_Pedal Jacks: Assignable exp pedal jack, sustain pedal jack

That's enough to keep both hands and both feet busy.

On the topic of controls, how is the pitch bend wheel. It looks incredibly awkward and unfortunate, but it might not be. Does it get in the way of playing leads and such? Also, how much can you actually control with the knobs and sliders? Can you, for example, change what the X, Y and Z knobs control in realtime? I think the Micron looks sweet but I want to be careful before I shell out the money...

I really disliked the Micron when I had it. If you plan on just using presets, you might like it. If you want to tweak, be warned.....the single knob interface makes it PAINFUL. Some parameters require 10 or more full revolutions of the knob to go across the range of the parameter. Yes, the software probably is way better, but taking it to a friends house for a practice...you better have your patches ready, or a very patient friend.

I got rid of it, even though I liked the sound and capability, because I so hated the interface. YMMV

didn't seem to get in this guys way:

[YOUTUBE][/YOUTUBE]

notice his main knob is missing

Wow that guy is steaming. However I doubt I could play like that. He seems to be pretty experienced, and have the hang of things.

I really wouldn't need to 'edit' patches so much as tweak them (maybe just some filter sweeps and the like). Would the Micron suffice for that?

And Sinner, what would you recommend in the price range that is less agrivating to modify?

Therein lies the rub, my friend.

That is the "compromise" price range.

A used MS2000, maybe?

I got an evolver and never really meshed with it either, again due to interface. This may seem like blasphemy, but I'm almost tempted to suggest the Korg EMX-1, it's you can play it with a controller, or use the sequencer and knobby interface. The "compromise" is the lack of ability to play chords. But you get all kinds of sounds from percussion to horns, on top of 5 synth voices.

Don't let me talk you out of the Micron, it may be just what you want....it just wasn't what I wanted.

No.

You can assign the knobs to control parameters when you're making a patch, but to change that assignment while you're playing, you'd have to go into edit mode, which would be distracting.

But I can't think of any synth where you can change knob assignments without going into edit mode.

It is indeed the compromise price range. That's okay, this will be my first synth, and I'm sure I'll love whatever one I get. It will be such a huge improvement over the crappy electric piano I've been using that I probably won't even notice it's weaknesses.

As for the real time control, I doubt I'll need much. I should be able to pull off some filter sweeps, right? Nothing too fancy. Most of what I

Well, the R3 has one. Their is a dial that allows you to select what 'page or parameters' you want to control. For example, one page may set the knobs to control resonance, cutoff, mod depth and harmonic. If you flip the dial the knobs can then control ADSR envelope, etc.

You can sort of do that on the Micron too. Select the parameter you want, then hold down the main knob and turn the knob you want to assign the parameter to.

Whether it's quicker or not than the R3 would depend on how many pages you have to scroll through on the R3 to get to where you want and how familiar you are with each board.

On the Ion, where knobs can be assigned to several things, like envelopes for example, you have a button to press to select which envelope the knobs will be controlling.

It's a fine line between editing, and changing parameters in real time. I probably have a pretty different way of doing stuff than most people.

If you get the Micron consider the also acquiring the Behringer BCR2000, an awesome combination. The mod matrix on the Micron provides many options.

there is a yahoo Micron/Ion board with a lot of information.

http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/alesis-ion/?yguid=393448553

ION has knobs, lot's of 'em. ALso, 3 mod assignable mod wheels (that light up when youuse them). But, it has no FX. By itself, it's rather thin and dry. I gave on mine before I considered using external FX.

The ION has the same engine, and adds FX. But no knobbage.

BTW, that video of the Micron is absolutely mind blowing. That guy is a true synthesist.

Yeah, I've seen that video before. He's really good. He has a similar video for the MicroKorg.

What that guy is able to do with his Micron gives me confidence, but I'm afraid I won't be able to do the same. Nonetheless he seems to have more than enough real time controllers (and he doesn't even use one of the mod sliders )

roland sh 201

korg r3

I wonder why Alesis never put the Ion/Micron in rack mount form, add some extra realtime controls for editing and it would be killer in a rack.