Alesis Andromeda A6 Analog Synthesizer

via this auction
"It’s hard to adequately describe the good features of the Andro because there are so many. Off the top of my head:

Oscillator soft-sync, which I’ve only ever seen before on an SH-5, opens up new harmonic territory. Often quite random this can be inspirational.
Sub-oscillators tightly thicken up the two main osc, and it’s possible to get very rich oscillator sounds and thick detune before even using effects or the unison mode, which can be set from 2-16 voices.

Ring modulator per voice for making Forbidden Planet and FM/bellish sounds.
Oscillators can modulate each other simultaneously, and/or filters, in fact pretty much anything can modulate anything else. If the three direct routings accessible at EACH main destination (e.g. OSC1, OSC2, F1, F2, Env1 etc.) via dedicated buttons aren’t enough, you can also use the dedicated modulation matrix. It is better to think of the A6 as 16 modular synths that can be played polyphonically rather than a garden variety polysynth...
Multi waveforms live at once on each oscillator with independent level control.
Ability to route sine wave and ring-mod direct post-filter while other waveforms are filtered.
Multi-stage envelopes, easily used as ADSR if wanted.
Running the reasonant multi-mode SEM filter in serial mode into the LP Moog filter can effectively produce new filter contours and saturation effects, and the LP/BP/HP taps from the SEM are also available in the post-filter mixer to add in and make it richer again. Many possibilities here.
Filter qualities depend on how much saturation is reached using the pre-filter mixer, which affects the behaviour of the filters and character of the patch quite a lot. Lower osc levels allow the 24 dB Moog filter to squelch better (go on, you know you want to), and the SEM 12 dB filter has its own unique character that is also good for bass, leads, and pads.
Filter feedback into the pre-filter mixer adds more harmonic nuances again.
The analog distortion circuit can be used for anything from subtle enrichment to shredding the cosmos into fine particles.
Fast LFOs and fast envelopes – real organic analog kick drums that are punchy and usable.
Of course, there are external inputs to pass any signal through the synth engine, and external voltages can also trigger Envs and LFOs.

Taming the Beast

It’s quite easy to get a usable basic patch going if (big IF) you can stop yourself tweaking. Signal flow follows the analog VCO/VCF/VCA concept with some additional modules in between, so if you’re comfortable with that, there’s a dedicated knob on the front panel for whatever you need. Subtlety in adjustment is the key to producing useful sounds quickly, as the parameters have huge ranges. Osc frequencies go from -60 to +60 semitones continuously, so grabbing a big handful of knob (if you’ll pardon the expression) is not the way to go. Approaching the deeper possibilities is best tackled a little at a time e.g. play around with Osc FM one session, Filter FM another. In no time you will have a huge arsenal of sound sculpting techniques available to you.

The Andro gets into the warm PWM type territory of Rolands very well. It also naturally does a more in your face American type sound. Overall though, it has its own personality and character. Types of sounds I’ve successfully used it for include:

Lots and lots of sci-fi spacey or digitalesque ring-mod pads.
Gnarly eccentric soft-sync leads
Lush PWM square and saw pads
Phasey, drifty LFO'd pads
Crazy modulation effects - just because I could
SH-101 style basses, deep subby basses, inverted filter env wobbly basses, lots more basses
Fast stabs from the Detroit, erm, Norwich underground
Cross-modded loungey electric piano that I thought only an MKS-70 could do
303 sounds (no not really...but the square, saw, filters and analog distortion are ripe for it)

Recommended for...

While the Andro could functionally replace most of my analog gear, the reason it hasn’t totally is because:

It’s enjoyable to use different machines with differenct characters.
Using a variety of gear helps create more depth in a track, and saves you from spending your money on futile pursuits like buying houses or dating.
Some machines are just untouchable for what they do e.g. ATC-1 filter cross mod at high reasonance on ARP filter, SH-5 filter distortion and ringmod.

That said, if I was starting from scratch instead of having already built up my studio, I could just get an Andro and maybe a Blofeld, Microwave II or TG-77 for digital sounds, and be happy for years to come. Oh, and an EMU E-5000 or Kurzweil K2000 for drums, otherwise the tinny VSTi drums will let the side down.

For a synth junkie like myself, it still has something to offer that none of my other equipment does and provides me inspiration while doing it. I can’t really think of anything the A6 is bad at, which is why I am saying *see you later*, not *goodbye*."