Keybass Posted August 25, 2012 Share Posted August 25, 2012 I just pickup an Alesis Ion for a pretty good price and I am very please with the quality of sound I am getting out of it. I wanted to have a small but ample keyboard to give me analogesque leeds,bass and pads. The ION excels at all of the above while providing great flexibility. Are there any other forum members who have an ION and wish to share a few secrets? Peace Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Bryce Posted August 25, 2012 Share Posted August 25, 2012 I have one. I actually wrote some of the factory programs for it....but it's been years since I did any work on it. It's actually much deeper than you might expect. dB ==> David Bryce Music • Funky Young Monks <== Professional Affiliations: Royer Labs • Music Player Network Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sven Golly Posted August 25, 2012 Share Posted August 25, 2012 The Ion has been discussed more than a couple of times here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marino Posted August 26, 2012 Share Posted August 26, 2012 I use a Ion at school, to explain the basic analog-type voice channel to my students. A quick opinion: Features-wise, it's a very complete, complex machine with a lot of programming options. Highlights are the many filter types, the versatile modulation matrix, the 3 oscillators and two filters per voice, the assignable slope for individual envelope segments and the fact that you can modulate the pulse width (symmetry) of the sine and sawtooth wave in addition to the square. The main minus point is, in my opinion, the basic sound, which is a bit small and inefficient to my ears. You could remedy that by clever programming, but... Also, the effects are very limited and not so good-sounding to me. There are no 'extra' waveforms; and the FM is not modulatable, which renders it much less useful - but those are minor points. The first thing I'd do if I wanted to use the Ion professionally would be to pair it with some good-quality external effects. I'd also try some kind of tube amp simulator, or even a real tube preamp. Modulating the pitch of one oscillator with an LFO *very slightly*, then modulating the LFO speed with a second LFO or envelope can help achieving that 'analog' sound - if that's what you're after.And when you don't need the full 8-voice polyphony, Unison mode is usually your friend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zapper Posted August 26, 2012 Share Posted August 26, 2012 The Ion has been discussed more than a couple of times here. so what? we can discuss it as many time as we want. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keybass Posted August 26, 2012 Author Share Posted August 26, 2012 Marino, Thank you so much for such a useful response. Of course I hear the thinness in sound too but I just chalked it up to a typical VA quality found in these type of machines. The tube preamp and LFO recommendation will help make my lead and bass sounds nice and toasty. Thanks Man! Peace Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marino Posted August 26, 2012 Share Posted August 26, 2012 You're welcome Keybass. Btw for bass sounds, especially if of the percussive quality, I would modulate the pitch of one oscillator with a very fast envelope instead of an LFO. Enabling two-channel Unison with a slight detuning should help too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Analogaddict Posted August 26, 2012 Share Posted August 26, 2012 The Ion/Micron/Miniak is a diamond in the rough... Loads of synthesis power there. I recently used my Minak on an AOR session, the producer loved it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
synthizen2 Posted August 27, 2012 Share Posted August 27, 2012 Earlier this year I needed to bag a decent VA for covering analog-style prog and fusion leads. The choice was coming down to a used SH-201, a used Ion, or a new Venom. The Ion won out. Near-mint condition for $380. Sweet! I think I made the right choice. I wanted good analog feel, lots of knobs, and a sturdy build quality for gigging. The Ion's knobs are nice and big, smooth and rubbery. The extra mod wheel is a big plus for me, as is the mod matrix which puts this synth in a completely different league from its VA competitors. The key action isn't as nice as my Korg or Roland flagship synths (and the keybed lacks aftertouch), but you can't have it all for that price. Overall I have been very satisfied with the Ion. Kurzweil PC3, Yamaha MOX8, Alesis Ion, Kawai K3M Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wjwilcox Posted August 27, 2012 Share Posted August 27, 2012 I have owned an Ion since June 2004 and enjoy it immensely. However, I've had some issues you might want to be aware of and watch out for. When it was about a year old (just past warrenty expiration), the volume control needed replacement to eliminate a miserable hum in the left channel. For the past 3 years the second modulation wheel refuses to work during cold weather. And recently the left channel volume has decreased relative to the right channel. Apparently the FET's that minimize the pop when the unit is turned on are failing (this is a known issue). Not to whine about the Ion....it sounds great and I love it...It's just not the best built synth around. www.wjwcreative.com www.linkedin.com/in/wjwilcox Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill H. Posted August 28, 2012 Share Posted August 28, 2012 Be very careful with it. Handle it very gently and don't put any downward or sideward pressure on those knobs when you use them. It may look like it's built like a tank but it's not. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maestro Dirk Posted August 28, 2012 Share Posted August 28, 2012 I use the Micron. I've thought about grabbing a used Ion or a Miniak and relegating my Micron to backup status, as it is a fragile little VA. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill H. Posted August 28, 2012 Share Posted August 28, 2012 Personally if I were to get this VA it would be in the package of a Miniak. I think a Miniak would stand a better chance of lasting for awhile. The Ion has the nicer front panel though which is obviously rather important. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
synthizen2 Posted August 28, 2012 Share Posted August 28, 2012 Be very careful with it. Handle it very gently and don't put any downward or sideward pressure on those knobs when you use them. It may look like it's built like a tank but it's not. The Ion's knobs are bolted onto the front panel instead of attached to the underlying circuit board (as is the case with most synths), so if you are the type who would ruin the Ion's knobs from mishandling, then you'd probably completely tear up the knobs on any other synth. Compared to other VA's, I'd say the Ion is actually pretty well built (except for the FET/volume circuits perhaps). Its body certainly is -- it has a steel chassis, whereas most other VA's are plastic. Kurzweil PC3, Yamaha MOX8, Alesis Ion, Kawai K3M Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill H. Posted August 28, 2012 Share Posted August 28, 2012 Sorry... actually I had assumed that the knobs were directly attached to the circuit board because so many users were having problems with them. I remember knob issues coming up over and over again when this synth was current. Don't own one myself so no first-hand experience. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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