Alesis ION Question

juno106 · Post by **juno106** » Wed Feb 04, 2009 12:22 am

I should be purchasing an Alesis Ion tomorrow night.

The owner made a comment about how people often think it's a "Synth" when it's "not".
He continued by saying it didn't have it's own sounds, rather sounds would have to be channeled in from an external source.

Is this true? i was under the belief that it had factory preset sounds.

Someone please help me clarify this.

Thanks

Yoozer · Post by **Yoozer** » Wed Feb 04, 2009 12:39 am

The owner is talking in riddles or there's something wrong with his Ion.

i was under the belief that it had factory preset sounds.

It does - 512 of 'm. Unless he wiped 'm all.

felis · Post by **felis** » Wed Feb 04, 2009 12:41 am

The Alesis Ion is a VA (virtual analog) synthesizer.

It has 3 banks of preset sounds and 1 bank of user sounds. You can take a look at them here:

http://www.alesis.com/ion#

Click on 'docs and downloads', then scroll down to the bank listings. Those files are sys-ex that can be sent to the Ion with a program like midi-ox, in case someone wiped them out.

juno106 · Post by **juno106** » Wed Feb 04, 2009 12:48 am

Thanks for the quick response =)

Yoozer wrote:The owner is talking in riddles or there's something wrong with his Ion.

That is what I have had in the back of my mind.

Glad to have that clarification. Was a stupid question on my part, but as I have not had the pleasure of playing one I didn't know if I heard him wrong or what.

And thanks for the link. Hopefully I don't need it, but we'll see.

Computer Controlled · Post by **Computer Controlled** » Wed Feb 04, 2009 12:52 am

What are you paying for it?

juno106 · Post by **juno106** » Wed Feb 04, 2009 1:05 am

Ha!

What's up man......how's the west coast treating ya?
When are you going to be back around here?
I missed the last few times you played out before you left

was hoping to catch you n Rich at Artbar...
I'll have to throw a few trax your way in a bit.

As for the synth......$425 with a double tiered stand for it n my JP

Already picked up a Yamaha MX/12 from the guy n it was as advertised.

The ION is mint, with the original packaging, manual, etc. I saw it, but was unable to test it as the guy took it out of his studio n to his house so I wouldn't have to drive as far. I didnt have headphones on me, n he had no equipment at his house (supposedly) so we'll see tomorrow how it functions. (hopefully as good as it looks!)

OriginalJambo · Post by **OriginalJambo** » Wed Feb 04, 2009 2:36 am

Not only is it a true, fully-fledged synthesiser, but also a very powerful one at that!

Post by **killedaway** » Wed Feb 04, 2009 3:26 am

i miss its pitch EG and 3 oscs.

Johnny Lenin · Post by **Johnny Lenin** » Wed Feb 04, 2009 3:46 am

If you're going in person, make a point of downloading the manual first to see how to select different patches... And then play with the Ion to be sure that everything is there. Even if the owner has wiped everything, most VAs have a factory re-set so you can reload all the factory presets.

juno106 · Post by **juno106** » Wed Feb 04, 2009 4:14 am

didn't think of that.

thanks =)

Computer Controlled · Post by **Computer Controlled** » Wed Feb 04, 2009 4:41 am

Ha, i didn't even realize it was you =o] Too bad you missed our set at the Art Bar. It was easily the best Acid Hazard set we've ever done, and it didn't get recorded =o[

Good price on the Ion. I'd really like one myself. They really sound great. One of the best VAs ever made. All the code is in the synthesis engine, and not bogged down with effects. Sorta jealous actually =o] I think you'll really enjoy it. I'd def like to hear some of your tracks!

brian.only · Post by **brian.only** » Wed Feb 04, 2009 4:57 am

Hey Juno-
Hogwash- its a great synth that's very user friendly and fully programmable, you just have to be savvy on how you allocate the voices to each program/ patch as you can have 4 going at once. I was initially a bit put off by this as I was buying a VA solely because I was sick of 4-8 note polyphony but once you figure out the ropes its a very versatile synth w/ a great selection of filters and relatively shallow menu diving.
The presets are pretty awful, but make good starting points to make your own. i think the beauty lies in the mod matrix which I'm just now starting to really tickle.
btw- nice to meet a synth-head from Wales, my folks live on Criglas Rd!

brian.only · Post by **brian.only** » Wed Feb 04, 2009 4:59 am

P.S.
I'd offer less as the seller obviously thinks its midi controller!

goober · Post by **goober** » Wed Feb 04, 2009 6:26 am

I have the alesis micron and its my first and only synth, and I'd have to say at first I didn't like it (hoping to pick up an ESQ-1 soon though) But once you dig deep into the programming it has a lot of potential for some great sounds. However, you shouldn't have that problem with all those knobs in front of you. That's a great price, totally jealous and wish I had all those knobs on my micron. If you haven't already check out Jexus's demo of the ION, he shows the potential of its engine, he's like a synth God.

Bitexion · Post by **Bitexion** » Wed Feb 04, 2009 11:27 am

This owner must have been the daftest person alive..maybe he erased all the presets and never figured out how to program his own. The Ion is a MASSIVE synth with all the classic features and 14 filters. what's not synth about that?

My only guess is that the owner thought it was a midi controller..very weird.

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