Alesis Micron or M-Audio Venom?

[Blasian92]

Hey everyone...Looking to get my very first synth in about a month and I was originally gonna get the venom but then I found the micron. The sounds seem to be the same. The micron is only like 50 bucks cheaper so I was wondering which one has better features and will I not outgrow immediately? But which one should I go with and why? Thanks!

[memory cords]

You cannot really 'outgrow' the Micron, it has every common feature a synth requires - 3 oscs per voice, multiple filter models, ring modulation, PWM, soft and hard sync, frequency modulation, sample and hold, step sequencer, unison, 'analog drift', portamento, multiple LFOs and envelopes, a noise generator, external input, arpeggiator, reverb and effects and a full modulation matrix. You can create any 'analog style' sound on it if you spend the time learning the user interface and read the manual properly.

I have never used the M-Audio Venom so I can't comment on that.

[Blasian92]

Yeah the Micron does seem pretty amazing and it seems like it would be a great starting synth. Can anyone who has used the venom give me a little input? Also if I were to get a Micron where would be the cheapest place to buy one?

[Stab Frenzy]

Actually the micron is a pretty bad starting synth, it has a really arcane interface so it'll take you about five times longer to learn what everything does. The venom looks to be similar, although a little better.

If you want to learn how synths work get a second hand MS2000, that's much better to learn on.

[krzeppa]

Despite its simplistic look, the Micron is actually a great synth. But as was stated eariler, it has a terrible interface. You have to basically control everything with 1 knob. This may not be the best synth for you if are just starting out. I feel you woud get frustrated scrolling through the menus. The MS-2000 is always a popular choice for those who are just starting out. I also think something like the Roland JP-8000 is a good synth as well. Both those keyboards have a good layout with lots of controls to help you learn what everything does. Although the Venom seems pretty cool to me (and a cheap price too), I don't think it is a good choice for you just starting out either.

[Stab Frenzy]

Oh yeah the micron is a very good sounding synth, it's pretty much all my bandmate uses, but it's not good at all unless you already know what you want to tweak before hand. It takes all the experimenting out of playing with a synth.

[Blasian92]

I hate to be picky but I honestly dislike the layout of the MS2000...It just doesnt make me wanna tweak or learn things about synths. What are some other synths like the Micron or Venom but are easier to figure out? Around the same price too...Also would a Microkorg Or Microkorg XL be a good first synth? I like the novation Ultranova but the price is kinda high for me...But I like the Venom Ultranova and Micron...Just find the brothers and sisters of those synths and throw them my way so I can check em out. Thank you.

[Blasian92]

Also...What about a Korg R3 or Akai miniak?

[krzeppa]

I hate to be picky but I honestly dislike the layout of the MS2000...It just doesnt make me wanna tweak or learn things about synths. What are some other synths like the Micron or Venom but are easier to figure out? Around the same price too...Also would a Microkorg Or Microkorg XL be a good first synth? I like the novation Ultranova but the price is kinda high for me...But I like the Venom Ultranova and Micron...Just find the brothers and sisters of those synths and throw them my way so I can check em out. Thank you.

I say check out the Novation K-Station. This is another very good sounding synth, it's small, and has quite a few controls on it. If you are just starting out with synths, I think it is a good idea to get a synth with a lot of knobs and/or sliders because, like Stab said, it allows you to do more experimenting. Randomly twisting knobs is a great way to learn what everything does. Many of the synths you are listing are marketed to the beginner, but they really don't make it easy for you to create your own sounds. You pretty much have to know what you are doing if you are going make stuff on them.

Also...What about a Korg R3 or Akai miniak?

The Miniak is the same thing as the Micron.....The Korg R3, to me, would be a better choice than the MicroKorg.

[Blasian92]

I know I'm completely new and I don't know much but the venom seems to have quite a few knobs wheels and buttons. If I were to get a venom how long would it take to really get usedt to it? And if I could start out with something somewhat difficult to use would I benefit in the long run? I have checked out a lot of the synths you guys have recommend but they all seem to be kinda hard to find...and I'm trying to get out for under 380 and blah...I'm liking the more modern layout interface of new synths. Older synths just turn me off. I'm not trying to be difficult. Sorry you guys... thanks again for all your help.

[krzeppa]

Here are a couple of synths on ebay right now. They are both great synths, and if the prices don't jump up significantly at the end of the auction, perhaps you could get a deal too.

[garranimal]

I think Venom would be a super beginner synth. The synth panel knobs, wheels, and buttons are helpful for realtime modulation but for in-depth programming you will want to use the included Vyzex software. Programming the Venom in Vyzex using a computer is intuitive and very helpful in learning the ropes of synthesis. I'm sorry, I like the Micron very much but I feel the Venom to be much deeper programming-wise, one of the deepest synths for the money IMHO. Worth every cent, and Guitar Center currently has a $75 coupon for purchases of $499. Be sure to check out my demos if you haven't already, I'm finishing a third video demo that will be posted very soon.

[MitchXI]

It might be good to undergo your synth beginnings in an unconventional way and tackle the Micron first thing. That way you won't have a preference for a device with a lot of knobs, such synths are usually more expensive because knobs are so popular.

The micron is a sound programmer's synth. If you learn on the micron, you will learn sound programming. If you learn on a knob-filled device, there's a small risk you'll just learn knob tweaking. So it depends on where you want to go with synthesis.

[gordwiebe]

Personally, I'd stay away from the venom. The sound and build quality aren't really anything to write home about (especially the build quality), there is a lack of physical controls + you can't edit everything without a computer. If you are going to be hooked up to a computer then buy a midi controller (the majority of which are better built with a better interface than the venom) and use some software - the cheaper and better alternative.

For learning on hardware - the more knobs the better. The micron is a great little synth but could be confusing/frustrating for a beginner.
For your budget I'd say check out the Novation X-Station (same synth as the k-station mentioned above but more readily available and a better interface), the Roland Gaia could be found used/cheaper (I'd say sh-201 as well but I really couldn't stand the sound of it), the Roland JP8000 would be perfect if you could find one or the Korg MS2000 - I think that about sums up the sub $500 knobby VA's (?).
Also, consider the rackmount versions of the above synths and a midi controller.
good luck!

[Blasian92]

Exactly how confusing/frustrating would tackling the micron first be? Would it make me give up and say screw it and lose all interest in synths or would it just aggravate me and make me spend even more time in figuring everything out?