Microkorg or Alesis Micron?

Here are the bands I love:

Kraftwerk, New Order, Gary Numan, Depeche Mode, Apoptygma Berkerk, Human League, etc. You get the point.

I am mainly a guitarist, looking to expand my musical possibilities, so I am considering synthesizers, especially smaller ones that will fit on my computer desk for recording purposes.

Here is what I have figured out from reviews:

1. The Alesis has more accurate analogue synth sounds, and has many more programs, and 8 part poly. However, it isn't exactly reliable- the knobs are cheaply made and are likely to break. Also, it is not easy to program, and you can't really tweak it very much on the fly. On the other hand, it seems like having a screen would be handy for programming, which the Korg lacks.

2. The Korg gets nice, gritty modern, digital tones, but not quite as warm as the Alesis. Also, there are more knobs to tweak, and it is easier to alter the sounds on the fly. However, the keys seem to be too small for many people, and have been called "stiff" by others. In addition, it only offers 128 programs total, and whenever you create a sound you like, a preset must be deleted. 4 part poly seems limiting, and there is no screen for easy navigation. Having said that, the Korg seems to have the edge, as far as reliability goes.

So here are my main concerns- ease of programming, quality of sounds/effects, reliability, and overall, which is going to serve me better in the long run, especially when it comes to doing some live shows?

Thank you. Sorry if this question has been asked millions of times, but I am new to all of this, and have already done a lot of research on google without very much luck.

=joe=

download the manuals and read.

Did you even read my post??? I ask because it looks like you didn't.

Did you miss the part about that I am new to this, that I am a guitar player, and that I like the sounds of certain groups?

The manuals may help, but it doesn't answer my questions about reliability, and which synth is more convincing sounding. It also won't tell me what synth will serve me better in the long run.

If you are not here to share your opinion, or experience, then don't bother posting.

Sounds like you've allready answered that question:

By the way...for the price of a new Micron, you can get a used Alesis Ion on ebay. Just some food for thought

I'd go for the Alesis just for the sake of having real-size keys, not the horrible fisher price micro ones.

Hehe... you'd think by now, with all the threads on the subject there'd be a permanent "Microkorg vs Micron" FAQ in with the stickies.

They are both valid and imho you should test-drive both of them. They do sound different, and arguably the Micron sounds more analog than the Korg, but the Korg offers some outstanding patches as well, and is more easily tweakable. A big minus on the MicroKorg is the small keys but you could get used to them.

I would also strongly consider the following on the used market:

Novation K-Station

Roland JP-8000

i agree with Paolo.

I wouldnt buy either of them before auditioning the outrageously good Novation K-Station.

My take: Get the Micron.

For LIVE use it has enough tweakability...two silders, three knobs, program them to control whatever you like for each patch.

You don't PROGRAM a synth on gigs you just PLAY it and that's where the larger keys and LCD display come in handy. The latch feature is handy for live work since you also play guitar (play a note or chord and the Micron will sustain it until you play the next one).

I personally think the Micron sounds better than the Korg.

Reliability is the only potential downside I see.

Dude...who cares about how many programs it can store..What is is important is that you have the ability to create patches worthy of saving. I have found the Ion engine to be more of a battery of really kick ass presets...the Korg is definately more of a hands on machine, allowing you to edit a preset or start from literally scratch. With the Ion, you have to create your own "scratch" patch to start with. I own a Micron, but I am looking to unload it to due editing difficulties...I'm sure the Ion is easier in that dept...but the sound engine remains the same and i never really found it conducive to programming. Personally, I would get the microkorg because of the flexible arpeggiator, the good vocoder, and easier and more satisfying editing.

And I'm curious....i like all of those bands you mentioned...yet how are you a guitarist?

Originally posted by Spectre84 And I'm curious....i like all of those bands you mentioned...yet how are you a guitarist?

Depeche Mode is pretty much one of my favorite groups of all time, I think New Order was way ahead of their time, as was Kraftwerk, and bands like Apoptyma Berzerk just write great, catchy songs

I am one of those weird guitar players that is in love with all kinds of music. I guess sometimes I just get tired of guitar based music- in fact, I am just kind of sick of the guitar in general, and figure that perhaps a good synth will inspire me. Right now, I use Fruity Loops and Acid on my computer, which have really caused me to rethink how I approach music.

Anyways, thanks to everyone for the answers so far. It is much appreciated!

Originally posted by Array Sounds like you've allready answered that question: By the way...for the price of a new Micron, you can get a used Alesis Ion on ebay. Just some food for thought

Is the Ion basically just a full size, more easily programmable/tweakable version of the Micron? Being that I am just getting into this stuff will the Ion really be worth it? I like that the Micron is small, and supposedly has some really nice sounds for not a whole lot of money- I also like the simplicity of it.

Anyway, maybe I should just go down to Guitar Center and try both the Korg and the Alesis and see what I think. This is kind of hard, considering that I basically have no experience with this. My only keyboard is an old Yamaha from the late 80's and it sounds like absolute {censored}

actually, the micron has more features than the ion.

i think if you start out with a micron, take your time with it and really get to know it, and program it enough that it becomes second nature, you'd probably be pretty satisfied with it.

i like it because it's small and portable too. if you find that you're always running out keys while trying to play, you can always get a controller board and treat the micron as a module.

you could do the same with the microkorg to deal with the small keys.

between the micron and the microkorg, i prefer the micron.

jesus, calm down. All I said was to download and read the manuals. I dont know how that got interpretted the way it did. I guess I need to include emoticons? ;)

the best way to learn about a synth IS to read the manual(s). You asked about ease of use, READ the manuals and you will get an excellent idea of how easy it is to program.

Sometimes Its very difficult to get your hands on synths. The next best thing is to check out the manuals. After all, all the advice you get might be biased or one sided. What I like in a synth, you might not like. For example I liked my SH32 but the majority might find it to be craptacular.

Originally posted by myteeGTi jesus, calm down. All I said was to download and read the manuals. I dont know how that got interpretted the way it did. I guess I need to include emoticons? ;) the best way to learn about a synth IS to read the manual(s). You asked about ease of use, READ the manuals and you will get an excellent idea of how easy it is to program. Sometimes Its very difficult to get your hands on synths. The next best thing is to check out the manuals. After all, all the advice you get might be biased or one sided. What I like in a synth, you might not like. For example I love my alesis ineko but the majority might find it to be craptacular.

I know what you are saying, and you are also right that what one person thinks sounds good, another person may think sounds like crap. I understand your point now. Thanks.

guitar center should have both the ion and the microkorg on display. The one by my house always have them available. I havent seen the micron yet, but the ion should give you a solid idea of how it sounds

just remember the interface, or lack there of on the micron :eek:

of those two, the micron. But you probably won't learn dick about synthesis with either of those two. If noodling around is what you are after, hard to go wrong with the micron. If you want to learn a bit about synthesis get something with a lot of knobs or sliders.

Oh yeah, just read the post about the K-station. Definitely sounds different than micron, but would actually be my choice.

Originally posted by myteeGTi guitar center should have both the ion and the microkorg on display. The one by my house always have them available. I havent seen the micron yet, but the ion should give you a solid idea of how it sounds just remember the interface, or lack there of on the micron :eek:

Man...the GC by my house only is displaying the microkorg...which i had a ton of fun with...but they used to display the micron, but not anymore. And they have never had an Ion out...they have like 9 Triton workstations which i don't care about.

Awesome. I reccomend going down to guitar center and trying them out. I also HIGHLY reccomend trying to edit both machines. You will find that editing the Korg is a snap comapred to the one rotary knob used to edit the micron.

And as far as the mini keys go, remember this is a SYNTHESIZER and not a digital piano...i don't think you will be doing double handed piano pieces with this. And also remember synths like the Yamaha CS 01 and the Casio CZ 101 that sound great and happen to have mini keys. In my opinion, the keys are just a bit of character that take after those older synths.

I think the microkorg sounds much warmer, richer, & fuller. More like a good Va or analog synth. Micron sounds weak and thin compared to it imo. The small keys on the microkorg didnt bother me at all in trying it. Is better choice then the Novation K-station imo due to another octave of keys. Had a K station but the 2 octave keyboard was too limiting after awhile.

I had to make the same choice about a year ago. I got the Micron. Nothing has broken on it, maybe because I treat my equpment like gold.

Two differences that may be a factor for you. The Vocoder is easier to work with on the Korg. ( don't need that feature, but you might.

The Micron has real keys, and I really like the beat button used to change tempo.

$.02 worth

just a little question from another guitar player..

can you use the vocoder at the same time as you play something with the micron/microkorg???

i got interested in one of those, too.. have tested both and liked the sound of the micron better but the simplicity of the microkorg is also very cool... haven't tried the vocoder thingy, though...

I suggest trying to find a KS4/KS5, like a K-Station, only bigger . Some people have had problems with its reliability, but mines seems to work fine so...

But with the two you're looking at, I recommend the Micron if you're wanting it just for the presets, or an (Used or New) Ion for editing, like a fair few people before me.

Well, I bought the Micron, and am happy- got a good deal at GC. The synth, a set of condensor mics, and a 4 channel phantom power mixer, plus 15 mos no interest/no payments, all for $455.

It is easy enough to edit so far, and I have been able to get almost any of the sounds I have been searching for. Small size, full size keys, metal body, lcd screen, keyboard shortcuts (makes editing much easier), great built in effects, sequencer, fat sounds- I am confident I made the right choice.

I am puzzled as to why so many people think its hard to program? I have had no trouble so far. The manual makes everything clear enough.

As a guitar player, new to the world of synths, I am happy with my choice.

Thanks for the input everybody

still wondering about that!

Congrats on new synth. Thinks Alesis synths are ussually pretty easy to learn to use.