Micron.

[smile_man]

Ima get an Alesis Micron for Christmas. Thoughts? Superior to microKORG?

[McSpunckle]

I, too, am curious of this exact question.

[ohsojayadeva]

i have heard nothing but good thing about the Ion, and the Micron has the same engine, so i'm sure you're in for a good time... just be prepared for lots of menus. not a lot of controls on that little bugger.

[hazelwould]

Looks sweet!

[dorfmeister]

I've got a Novation X-Station 25. It is a good controller/synth/audio interface combo for not a lot of $$$.

http://remixmag.com/mag/remix_novation_xstation/

[starcastic]

I have an Alesis Ion and if the Micron is 1/10th the machine as that, then you are in for a treat. And some long nights.

I've played around a little on the microKORG and it's pretty phenomenal in it's own right. Kind of a different beast.

But, like I said, if the Micron is 1/10th the machine as the Ion....

[bunnycat]

You wouldn't happen to already have a MIDI keyboard, would you? If so....

http://www.davesmithinstruments.com/products/mopho/

Yes, I know it's "only" monophonic.
I also know it's name is totally stupid (what's with Moog and Dave Smith?)

BUT. It's signal path is fully *analog*, and it's got a curtis chip (the same as a Prophet 08).
Not to mention the fact that you can run external instruments through its filter & envelope.
So it basically doubles as an incredible analog effect pedal (basically a Moog MF-101 with attitude).
And it has an arpeggiator and four assignable knobs.

Depending on what you want a synth for, this could be a serious contender.
I play an analog monosynth live, and I absolutely love it for it's sound and "limitations," which force me to be creative with it.
I also have a Waldorf Blofeld (virtual analog/FM synth), which is great (and polyphonic) but I find myself playing the old Roland SH-2 a lot more, and being inspired by its more visceral sound. I use the Blofeld most for its arpeggiator and FM synthesis capabilities.
Just something to consider.....

BTW, I think the Micron is a great synth if you're looking for a polyphonic VA with a built in keyboard - I'm sure you'll be very happy with it should you get it.

[dorfmeister]

I've got a Smith Evolver to pair with my Novatation and it is an awesom hybrid synth.



I am willing to be the Mopho is just as good if not better. I like that it seems to have a more intuitive interface than the Evolver.

er

You wouldn't happen to already have a MIDI keyboard, would you? If so....

http://www.davesmithinstruments.com/products/mopho/

mopho_page.jpg

Yes, I know it's "only" monophonic.
I also know it's name is totally stupid (what's with Moog and Dave Smith?)

BUT. It's signal path is fully *analog*, and it's got a curtis chip (the same as a Prophet 08).
Not to mention the fact that you can run external instruments through its filter & envelope.
So it basically doubles as an incredible analog effect pedal (basically a Moog MF-101 with attitude).
And it has an arpeggiator and four assignable knobs.

Depending on what you want a synth for, this could be a serious contender.
I play an analog monosynth live, and I absolutely love it for it's sound and "limitations," which force me to be creative with it.
I also have a Waldorf Blofeld (virtual analog/FM synth), which is great (and polyphonic) but I find myself playing the old Roland SH-2 a lot more, and being inspired by its more visceral sound. I use the Blofeld most for its arpeggiator and FM synthesis capabilities.
Just something to consider.....

BTW, I think the Micron is a great synth if you're looking for a polyphonic VA with a built in keyboard - I'm sure you'll be very happy with it should you get it.

[bunnycat]

Actually, now that I've had a chance to look into it a little bit more, I think this "Mopho" (MOnoPHOnic) might be my next synth purchase (if you don't count the Moog "Freqbox" - I mean geez - what gives, synth namers?). Anyway, this little yellow box has TWO completely analog oscillators with sub-octave generators, just to start with. A little modulated VCO detuning can do wonders to thicken up the sound, especially when you're adding in all of those sub octave tones/harmonics. Add to that a switchable 2/4 pole Curtis filter (a very scarce component that greatly contributes to the overall character of the Prophet 08 synth). AND it has a 4 channel 16 step sequencer? This thing is basically a Prophet 08 powered SH-101 (with a much smaller footprint and a customizable interface). If only they had managed to avoid the ill-advised "Mo' Phatty" aesthetics that make it seem like this thing was made to power an electric didgeridoo... alas. THAT ALONE is what basically kept me from giving it serious attention until now, when I finally listened to it yesterday. Maybe if I get it and really love it I'll just have to sand it down and give it a few coats of enamel. Then maybe I could allow it into my studio.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S41Rggqntl8&fmt=18

And yes, now I'm thinking if I had around $400 in new synth money to spend I'd definitely get this "mopho" and slap some nice black gaffers tape over that god-awful font.
* aside * - It might not seem like it, but fonts are important people! We have to look at them! If you put a font like that on the front panel of a synth it just might influence what kind of sounds people make with it, and then we might end up back in the late eighties wearing THOSE PANTS again. Put it on the box if you want to get people's attention, but get your cheesy marketing out of my studio, please. [end of font rant]

PUSH IT!

[nuketifromorbit]

I was under the impression that all DSI synths, evolver, PO8, and Mopho all had DCO's not VCO's. DSI never really seemed to come right out and say this on their homepage, but Dave himself has explained this in a NAMM video. This information is also on the VSE website. In other words the oscillators are not 100% discrete voltage controlled analog oscillators, but rather digitally controlled oscillators. The filter of course is fully analog . Of course I doubt its really important to have VCO's unless your a huge analog snob.

The Micron was my first synth, and its a very deep and capable piece of equipment. Unfortunately I never really clicked with it due to me not having any prior knowledge of sound design. In my opinion its not necessarily the best synth for someone who has no understanding of subtractive synthesis, however if you do or are very patient its not a bad choice in the least. I've also owned a microkorg/MS2000 and I'd have to say I prefer Korg's product the Alesis. Of course I'm biased because I first started to understand what the hell I was doing, in regards to programing my own patches, on my MS2000br.

Basically the Micron has the Korg beat in Polyphony and modulation depth/routings. It also has a built in drum machine and step sequencer and is four part multitimbral. It has three oscillators as compared to the Korg's two. The microkorg and MS2000, however have 64 digital waveforms available on oscillator 1. Honestly if this is your first synth and you have no knowledge of subtractive synthesis, I'd say pick up something with lots of knobs and a clear layout of the signal flow. The novation X-station which was shown isn't a bad choice. You could also pick up a used korg MS2000 or clavia nord lead 1/2 rack for about the same price of a new Micron.