Alesis Ion
Encyclopedia
The Alesis Ion is an analog modeling synthesizer
. It was presented to the public on the Summer NAMM of 2002 http://namm.harmony-central.com/SNAMM02/Content/Alesis/PR/ION.html. Unlike the Alesis Andromeda
, Alesis's analog synthesizer, its sounds are synthesized using DSP
chips to mimic the sound of analog audio circuitry and components.
, Oberheim's SEM
, the Roland TB-303
, the ARP 2600
and the Roland Jupiter 8. Besides these emulations (which carry euphemistic names due to copyright issues), it has a series of filter models that are not commonly found on most synthesizers, such as formant
and comb
filters. This vastly increases the sonic range; most virtual analogs have only a single multimode filter (usually featuring low-pass
, high-pass
and band-pass
modes) which was either designed from scratch or "inspired by" an existing "famous" filter model. The fact that two of these filters can be used in a parallel or serial configuration adds to the sound design possibilities.
Besides the selection of filters, it has an extensive modulation matrix. This allows the user to route a source (such as an LFO
) to various targets with an adjustable intensity. The Ion's extensive "Mod Matrix" rivals the routing options of some voltage-controlled modular synthesizers.
While most virtual analog synthesizers are equipped with on-board effects, the Ion lacks two important ones; reverb
and a long delay
(the on-board delay only has 80ms of delay time). These are often used on synthesizers to add some atmosphere to what would otherwise be a "dry" sound.
One feature that also sets it apart from other virtual analog synthesizers, is the high resolution of the endless rotating front panel knobs yielding a more precise real-time tweaking experience. This high resolution eliminates all "stair stepping" or quantization of parameter value changes. These are not encoders, but real endless potentiometers.
Analog modeling synthesizer
An Analog Modeling Synthesizer is a synthesizer that generates the sounds of traditional analog synthesizers using DSP components and software algorithms to simulate the behaviour of the original electric and electronic circuitry, in order to obtain the sound in a more precise manner from the...
. It was presented to the public on the Summer NAMM of 2002 http://namm.harmony-central.com/SNAMM02/Content/Alesis/PR/ION.html. Unlike the Alesis Andromeda
Alesis Andromeda A6
The Alesis Andromeda A6 is a 16-voice, 16-channel multitimbral analog synthesizer by Alesis which was released in 2000 and discontinued in 2010. The Andromeda has analog oscillators and filters combined with modern digital control...
, Alesis's analog synthesizer, its sounds are synthesized using DSP
Digital signal processor
A digital signal processor is a specialized microprocessor with an architecture optimized for the fast operational needs of digital signal processing.-Typical characteristics:...
chips to mimic the sound of analog audio circuitry and components.
Features
The Ion has several features that make it stand apart from other analog modeling synthesizers. Most importantly, it features a selection of emulations of classic analog filter models of synthesizers such as the Moog MinimoogMinimoog
The Minimoog is a monophonic analog synthesizer, invented by Bill Hemsath and Robert Moog. It was released in 1970 by R.A. Moog Inc. , and production was stopped in 1981. It was re-designed by Robert Moog in 2002 and released as Minimoog Voyager.The Minimoog was designed in response to the use of...
, Oberheim's SEM
Oberheim polyphonic
The Oberheim polyphonic is an analog music synthesizer that was produced from 1974 to 1979 by Oberheim electronics. Tom Oberheim, the founder, knew that musicians needed a way to play chords on the synthesizers that were becoming popular in all styles of music in the 1970s. Except for huge, custom,...
, the Roland TB-303
Roland TB-303
The Roland TB-303 Bass Line is a bass synthesizer with built-in sequencer manufactured by the Roland corporation from late 1981 to 1984 that had a defining role in the development of contemporary electronic music.-History:...
, the ARP 2600
ARP 2600
The ARP 2600 is a semi-modular analog subtractive audio synthesizer, designed by Alan R. Pearlman , and manufactured by his company, ARP Instruments, Inc...
and the Roland Jupiter 8. Besides these emulations (which carry euphemistic names due to copyright issues), it has a series of filter models that are not commonly found on most synthesizers, such as formant
Formant
Formants are defined by Gunnar Fant as 'the spectral peaks of the sound spectrum |P|' of the voice. In speech science and phonetics, formant is also used to mean an acoustic resonance of the human vocal tract...
and comb
Comb filter
In signal processing, a comb filter adds a delayed version of a signal to itself, causing constructive and destructive interference. The frequency response of a comb filter consists of a series of regularly spaced spikes, giving the appearance of a comb....
filters. This vastly increases the sonic range; most virtual analogs have only a single multimode filter (usually featuring low-pass
Low-pass filter
A low-pass filter is an electronic filter that passes low-frequency signals but attenuates signals with frequencies higher than the cutoff frequency. The actual amount of attenuation for each frequency varies from filter to filter. It is sometimes called a high-cut filter, or treble cut filter...
, high-pass
High-pass filter
A high-pass filter is a device that passes high frequencies and attenuates frequencies lower than its cutoff frequency. A high-pass filter is usually modeled as a linear time-invariant system...
and band-pass
Band-pass filter
A band-pass filter is a device that passes frequencies within a certain range and rejects frequencies outside that range.Optical band-pass filters are of common usage....
modes) which was either designed from scratch or "inspired by" an existing "famous" filter model. The fact that two of these filters can be used in a parallel or serial configuration adds to the sound design possibilities.
Besides the selection of filters, it has an extensive modulation matrix. This allows the user to route a source (such as an LFO
Low frequency oscillation
Low-frequency oscillation is an electronic signal, which is usually below 20 Hz and creates a rhythmic pulse or sweep. This pulse or sweep is often used to modulate synthesizers, delay lines and other audio equipment in order to create effects used in the production of electronic music. Audio...
) to various targets with an adjustable intensity. The Ion's extensive "Mod Matrix" rivals the routing options of some voltage-controlled modular synthesizers.
While most virtual analog synthesizers are equipped with on-board effects, the Ion lacks two important ones; reverb
Reverberation
Reverberation is the persistence of sound in a particular space after the original sound is removed. A reverberation, or reverb, is created when a sound is produced in an enclosed space causing a large number of echoes to build up and then slowly decay as the sound is absorbed by the walls and air...
and a long delay
Delay (audio effect)
Delay is an audio effect which records an input signal to an audio storage medium, and then plays it back after a period of time. The delayed signal may either be played back multiple times, or played back into the recording again, to create the sound of a repeating, decaying echo.-Early delay...
(the on-board delay only has 80ms of delay time). These are often used on synthesizers to add some atmosphere to what would otherwise be a "dry" sound.
One feature that also sets it apart from other virtual analog synthesizers, is the high resolution of the endless rotating front panel knobs yielding a more precise real-time tweaking experience. This high resolution eliminates all "stair stepping" or quantization of parameter value changes. These are not encoders, but real endless potentiometers.
Alesis Micron
The little brother of the Ion is the Alesis Micron, which is extremely compact and portable. It came out in 2004 with almost the same synthesis engine and the same metal/plastic housing style as the Ion, but with only 37 keys and fewer knobs and buttons. It boasts reverb, long delay, and a pattern sequencer. Sound patches for the Ion can be used on the Micron and vice versa.Akai Miniak
In 2009, Alesis's partner Akai released its Akai Miniak, which has the same sound engine as the Micron, but in a differently styled plastic housing, with three modulation wheels instead of the Micron's two sliders plus one wheel, and with a different set of presets. Unlike the Micron, the Miniak standard comes with a gooseneck microphone. Pricing of the Miniak was substantially - typically 50% - higher upon release than the Micron's. In mid-2010 the price was dropped drastically.Users
The Ion is used by:- Klaus SchulzeKlaus SchulzeKlaus Schulze is a German electronic music composer and musician. He also used the alias Richard Wahnfried. He was briefly a member of the electronic bands Tangerine Dream and Ash Ra Tempel before launching a solo career consisting of more than 60 albums released across five decades.-1970s:In...
- Pedro the LionPedro the LionPedro the Lion was an indie rock band from Seattle, Washington. Singer-songwriter David Bazan formed the band in 1995 and represented its main creative force, backed by a varying rotation of collaborating musicians. T. W. Walsh is considered to be the sole official band member besides Bazan. In...
(on their Achilles HeelAchilles Heel (album)Achilles Heel is the fourth and final album by indie rock band Pedro the Lion. It was released on May 25, 2004, on Jade Tree Records. The cover artwork was by Jesse LeDoux...
LP) - Tiny TideTiny TideTiny Tide is an indie pop band from Cesena, Italy, led by Mark Zonda.Composed of leader Mark Zonda on vocals, guitar, and synths, Manuel on violin and bass, Mike Leffe on drums...
(on their Moontalking Album LP and Febrero Album LP) - Still Flyin'Still Flyin'Still Flyin’ is an American Indie Pop band based in San Francisco, founded in 2004 by Sean Rawls.-Name of the Band:The band is based on the song “Never Gonna Touch the Ground”, a song that Rawls wrote and performed in a prior band, Je Suis France. After moving to San Francisco, Rawls recorded the...
- The Killers
- Puro Instinct