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the andromeda does multitimburality like a mofo
- 16 x 2 osc + sub osc + noise patches
- each patch instance has a 16 event sequence, where each event (note or otherwise) can have varying lengths, the entire sequence can be spread across multiples of the tempo (one bar, 8 bars, etc)
- each patch can also have an arp in addition to sequence (trance gate)
- each patch can be layered and split w/other patches
- patch parameters can all be modulated individually or as a group (so control one patch grouping with modwheel, one patch grouping w/left half of ribbon, one patch grouping with right half of ribbon, etc)
- each mix of patches can be stored as a program mix, including fx sends etc
- then you can transmit program changes so you can easily switch programs around as you need to, making it that one man band type keyboard.
i will admit things get a little hairy when you get more then 8 patches going in terms of cpu.
it also has ridiculous envelope options and any time I have wondered 'I wonder if i can do it like this' -- yes, you can. For example--the step sequencer, you can use the knobs like analog pots to dial in a note by ear, or you can use the keyboard. This may not seem like a big deal, but consider the number of synths where you can't do that (virus, jp80x0, etc). Then I was doing some crazy chording...ah yes, there's the chord button. this is handy for dialing in multiple sequences across multiple patches at the same time....
if it were digital va it would still be one of those most feature complete synths released since 2003. If alesis could release a few firmware upgrades to address mr. solaris's very valid issues, it is hard to see any synth beating it in terms of feature completeness. Another thing it could desperately use is a macro page for program mixes. This way you could program say a nice drum program, and then use the knobs to control the drums in a reasonable way. Right now, modifying a drum sound, as mr solaris says, requires intense concentration.
the sound--as don has said, it has a range, and you can step out of it and if you are like me, wonder wtf just happened, and for a patch noob like me it can be hard to get 'back'.
i love experimenting with it. my favorite sound right now is to take a 32 osc gabba sound and (analog) chorus the hell out of it multiple times, panning each chorus out around the stereo image. it is simply huge. Too big for use really but damn it does sound good, esp when the choruses coalesce into a single sound then spread out again.
i have also found it needs some mid boost. it helps it sound special.
i have found the fr 777 is a more 'holy sh*tballs' type synth when it comes to audio. But the A6 is more practical...does that make sense?
anyway...sorry for gushing.
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