This is utterly idiotic. Except for a Buchla I can't name a single analog envelope that's more than an ADSR. So if you want anything remotely versitile or interesting, digital is the only way to go. And about every "analog" synth since the early 80's has digital envelopes and LFOs (including the MKS70 which you reccomended), most of those being 8-bit. I'm not absolutely certain but I'd imagine the modulation on the Andromeda is calculated to at least 16-bits, alleviating the stepping problem present on older analogs (which strangely enough seem to be perfectly useable despite being terribly crippled by digital modulation). I have serious doubts as to whether an analog envelope would sound any different (nevermind any better) than a well-coded digital envelope. Envelopes and LFOs only affect a sound indirectly, so the affects are much less audible than the difference between analog and digital oscillators, etc. I think any difference in sound would only be detected by careful analysis, and even then I doubt one would sound any better than the other.

Step off your stupid analog elitist platform and look at the whole synth, not the individual parts. One could just as easily say that the SH-09, OB8, and MKS70 are awful and useless awful because they don't use integrated circuits in the signal path, or because they're not Minimoogs or TR-909s or because they don't have holographic paint jobs. And their opinion wouldn't be any more justified.

And this bit just kills me:

"just traded it for a triton cause the triton soudns sat better in my mix, and i hate digital."

has the irony of this sunk in yet? Surprise! The Triton has digital envelopes and LFOs! In fact, it's ALL DIGITAL. So it must be the worst synth in the world!

Before we discuss the relative merits as a musical instrument, let's talk tech for a moment. The architecure employed by Alesis in this machine is a rare combination of a revolutionary utilization of technology that remains accessable to the targeted user base. The design team for this product should be awarded the Noble Peace prize for fianlly harmonizing the desires of Analog Jihadists and those of the virtuous virtual variety. To put it succintly - All the tones with none of the guilt. Consumers that are put off by the "high price" of this unit would be wise to realize that even at these prices Alesis is probably effectively shipping several C-Notes in each carton - The quality of the componentry and level of workmanship truly transcend ANYTHING else currently spewing out of the major manufacturers. Perhaps the most essential element of the A6 is that it is truly upgradable, something that has heretofore been unknown in the analog realm. This alone may be worth the price of admission as the box will continue to grow and the inevitable cult that develops will probably produce some amazing aftermarket innovations for years to come.

As an instrument the A6 has fewer limitations than almost anything out there - Although it is a requirement of any interview on this board to bash the presets (Manufactures Note: Save some money - DON'T BOTHER) those on the A6 are far more useful than anything else on the market. Not convinced? See how many of the MIX sets are finding there ways onto Loop CDs...Not that there's anything wrong with that! But with a beast of this caliber the joy is programming and mother what a RIDE! The only MINOR quibble I have with Alesis is that they continued to use the ridiculously over-priced SRAM PCMCIA cards for patch memory - I'm going to experiment with 10X Compact Flash and an adapter and see how it goes...

A few of you lucky souls had the foresight to go out anf get one of these beauties. It is my belief that you will be amply rewarded, for as soon as the all too limited supply dries up, they will be recognized for the modern classisc that they are. Then will see how you enjoy paying $5,000 for a refurbed road unit...You have been warned!

Most people that also knock the A6, don't seem to realize that very few keyboards can rival the A6 in modulation capabilities. The A6 allows extensive modulation that are topped only by modulars in some instances. When I first heard the A6, it wasn't first love. I thought it also sounded muddy and sluggish, but I've learned that the presets and first impressions don't do this keyboard justice. Once you actually spend time with the A6, you'll be surprised how many good results you can get. If you're not into programming, I'd suggest sticking with a lower end synth... But if you like synth programming and would like a "modular in a box" the A6 does it's job quite well.

-=proto=-