anyboy using a alesis ion - what are your thoughts?

nuperspective · Post by **nuperspective** » Sat Aug 13, 2005 12:30 pm

i'm looking to buy a new synth with a full size keyboard. i'm on a tight budget so nothing too high end. i also want something that can double up as a controller keyboard. so a VA synth could be order of the day. the alesis ion looks okay. does anybody have one and if so whats the verdict?

Captain Screwbarb · Post by **Captain Screwbarb** » Sat Aug 13, 2005 5:04 pm

I don't have one, but I hear it's awesome. I know someone who composed an entire EP using just his Ion. The synth engine/architure is very nice and much better than its competition (like Korg MS2000). Go read some reviews, I think you'll hear similar praises.

reset · Post by **reset** » Sat Aug 13, 2005 5:38 pm

Check the Yahoo Ion/Micron forum. Ion lets you do CC from what I hear. I myself own a Micron. It sounds good and all, but it's a pain to program.
Also, Ions/Microns are very hard to tweak. The knobs do NOT respond to slow movements.

Roland JP8000 could be a good controller alternative as well. You can assign any CCs to any knob.

Yamaha DX/AN200 transmits CCs over knobs as well, and the number pads (>keys) transmit notes. Not a bad controller neither.

Creamware's Minimax/Profit could possibly be good controllers/sound modules, too.

And there's always the Nord Modular Key G1.

Hope that helped.

chris

rasputin7 · Post by **rasputin7** » Sun Aug 14, 2005 6:35 am

I've got the Ion and it sounds great to me. About as "analog" as you're going to get without spending $3,000+ on an Andromeda.

I'd recommend it.