Worth every penny 
by ManicAudioKinetics from Bloomington, IN USA, April 2008
Music Background:  Electronic music performed live

It gets a perfect score because of what you get for the price. A virtual modeled synth with 3 oscillators, 2 of them with sync, plus noise, plus ring mod of osc 2 +3, not to mentioned some basic frequency modulutation capabilities. The architecture for performance is refreshingly logical. It combines arpeggiation, real-time sequence recording, and comprehensive zoning. You can essentially link 'Programs' (synth patches), 'Rhythms' (sequenced synth drums) and 'patterns' (sequenced synth parts) to multitimbral 'setups'. Edit the individual rhythms and patterns and those changes will be reflected in any 'setups' which use them. You can then trigger beats, patterns and play leads all with one 'setup'. The phrase sequencer can record parts in real time, and then allows you to play them back and transpose them on the keys (a lot like assigning midi clips in Live to a range of keys). Some folks would think the smallish LCD is a pain to use, but I found the Micron's LCD navigation structure to be simple and sensible. And, did I mention it sounds awesome? Shuddering basslines, screaming leads and silky pads are all possible with this very affordable, but quite respectable synth. One unique aspect to the Micron's synth engine is that every 'program' can utilize a 'drive' effect in the output stage, which includes compressor, rms limiter, tube overdrive, distortion, tube amp, or fuzz pedal.

  You get what you pay for AND way more than you payed for. 
by Matt Johnson from Winooski, Vermont USA, April 2008
Music Background:  Keyboards, synth, guitar, live, recording....hobbyist

Really fun little synth with some real character. It's really fun to play and has a great tiny size in just the right ways. Easy to put on the lap on the couch and plug in some phones and listen for hours. It's not a mega control surface so there's going to be problems for those surfing through tiny displays...but I've been dealing with Yamaha's menu driven control scheme for years and actually find this version intuitive. When I say you get what you pay for, it's not a sonic 'wet dream', compared to gear over twelve hundred ++....but it's also really interesting and very usable. For the price....there's nothing that beats it!

  superb 
by Will Lynch from AB Canada, December 2007
Music Background:  musician, hobbyist.

Great synth. You cant beat the value of this thing. No acoustic emulations, but many great analog sounding patches. the synth architecture is unbeatable. so many filters and the sounds are soo customizable. the only downside is the lack of knobs for editing the sounds. the keys are also very light, but thats easy to get used to. the drum machine and pattern/arp is a real bonus for some song creation. so easy to use. i would recommend it.
Value: 5/5
ease of use: 4/5
features: 5/5
build: 4/5

  Top of its class 
by , February 2007

The Micron is absolutely amazing, this thing can do everything. It's got bass sounds, leads, pads, etc. But a lot of keyboards have that. Where the Mircon jumps ahead of the others is in the editing capabilities of those sounds, as well as the hoard of drum sounds. Both the synth sounds and the drum are completely customizable, and I was able to get exactly the sound I wanted. Plus, the keyboard has its own step sequencer and drum machine, so you can program any string of notes you want and have them play back by pressing a single key.

My only criticisms are that the interface is a bit limited. Only one knob, which requires an excessive amount of scrolling. And also, its saving features are a little limited. You have to overwrite factory programs in order to store your own. BUT, these two gripes don't come close to making the Micron anything less than amazing. A friend of mine has the MicroKorg. Same price, and some comparable features. More knobs, but no drum sounds and no step/rhythm programming.

  Big Sound in a Little Package! 
by Ryan Moran from Vancouver, BC Canada, September 2006
Music Background:  Hobbyist, Recording Engineer

This little guy does has some sweet V/A goodness for a price that anyone can afford!

This is the first synth I ever purchased and to be truthfull, I thought I was going be a little dissapointed with its power. I was wrong! Its capable of some beastly noise!

The only negative things I could mention are that the sliders feel kind of cheap and breakable. Also, program new sounds into it can get very annoying.

Either way, for the price, this thing can knock your socks off!

Cheers

Don't underestimate 
by Daryl from Howell, MI, May 2005

I play keyboards in a Pink Floyd trib band in MI and bought the Micron with the intention of using to replicate some of the classic synth textures on their albums. The Micron fulfills that need, and in a small footprint that sits comfortably on top of my Rhodes. And although I'm more than happy with the instrument and thought it was a great value, currently I'm only exploiting about 50% of its potential. This little keyboard is a powerhouse! Coolness factor - off the chart!

pick the MICRON 
by jake mercury from fort worth, texas, February 2005

Your searching is over. I know, there are so many synths to choose from but just calm yourselves. The Alesis Micron is probably what you need. The sounds on this machine are amazing and a mini drum machine to boot...it doesnt get any better than this people. Trust me....the ION was great...but it had defects....the micron is a 4th of the size and was made just like it's older brother but without all the non-sense. Im hooked. As an extreme DEPECHE MODE fan....i can not and will not find a suitable alternative that makes sounds so impressive as this. Thanks and goodnight!

Alesis Micron 
by Anonymous from Miami FL, January 2005

If your looking for a synth that will give you pianos this is not your synth.
My Favorite synth to date was my Quasimidi Raven...Until now.
Tweakable to the point that even a DJ with no musical knowledge could groove with.
The sounds are really fat and tweakable, the phrase sets are easy to use and control.Programming was cake i have had the synth for 2 weeks and have already added to my final mixes without opening the manual yet.Now my Raven is running into the Micron using its onboard effects breathing new life into my older equipment.
Out of 10 for fun and sounds i give it a 10
For the price factor i will cost you as much as a soft synth with a few extra banks but with out the strain on your computer.
Small enough to fit on your lap and jam i am adding a strap so i can wear it when playing.
Dont pass on this.

Alesis doin' it large in a small package 
by Donald B , November 2004

If you're one of those analogue-lovers on a budget and can't afford an Andromeda, you'll be stupid not to check this unit out. Hype aside, this and its bigger brother, the Ion, alongside the Korg MS2000, is the closest you get to analogue among the VA's. If you add a valve compressor to these, they can sound convincingly analogue. I own several of the real ones: Jupiter, Junos, Prophet etc so I should know.

The AN1x deserves a mention also, as it actually sounds warm, but relies to much on the internal FX for the sound. The other VA's are good synths, but they're not convincingly analogue sounding. The Virus and Nords have a sound of their own, and I think that's a good thing. Just don't call them analogue sounding. They're not.


What makes the Ion stand out among the rest is a) the filters (16 types in total, of which 2 can be used simultaneously) b) the raw sound that doesn't need a bunch of effects to sound good c) the modulation possibilities, which are close to endless. This is a very programmable synth with a built-in 40 band vocoder, arpeggiator, and a step sequencer. The latter is actually not found on the Ion.

It need not sound analogue either, mind you, it really can sound prettymuch anyway you like. While it doesn't have the natural warmth and those lush analogue overtones that the real McCoy has, there's no aliasing and the quality of sound is very good indeed. Just remember to run it through them valves and you're getting close. Real close. Yes, 'sounds like the real thing in the mix' - close. And, thats what you're after, isn't it?

And, look at the price: $399. I recommend you try it, screw it, and...well, buy it!

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