Custom Black Alesis Andromeda A6 SN (21)A10806045701020

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"Alesis Andromeda A6 16 voice analog polyphonic synthesizer. This A6 has the coveted and rare black overlay. It is extremely rare, only 61 black overlays were ever made and no more will be made. Out of the 61 overlays that were made, a portion of those were destroyed by bad attempts at installing the overlay properly. This is a rare opportunity to own a Black Andromeda A6 and could be the only chance to get your hands on one. Keep in mind that the black overlay can be removed in the future, which also protects the A6's top panel. All voices tune, and everything is functional. It has a few light scratches on the bottom, other than this, it is in extremely good cosmetic condition."

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Alesis Andromeda A6 Aurora Mod

This was a custom mod. I originally put a post up in August of 05 here. Anyone know the website where more info on this mod is hosted? I accidentally lost the link when mucking around with Blogger's settings a while back.

This image via Photobucket

Update: I found the original site but it is down. Some info and additional shots pulled from the Internet Archive Way Back Machine. You can find some thumbnails there, but most give you a 404 if you click on them for the larger shot. I pulled the large pics below before they are gone forever.

"Alesis made Synthesis History when they released their Alesis Andromeda A6, an analog polysynth bred with new technology and classic analog sound! Sixteen awesome voices with two types of filters, a vast modulation system, and enough bells and whistles to make the Andromeda A6 THE most highly featured analog polysynth in existence. If it only had a sloped panel...

SPECS:

* Take one Andromeda, lightly used (but out of warranty - very important!)
* Add one black on blue BETA Panel - because the pre-production beta panels were lacking the Pre- and Post-Filter Mix VIEW buttons, either the buttoncaps must be pulled off of the switches on the PCBs OR two holes need to be carefully drilled through the panel to accomodate. I drilled the holes after measuring about fifteen times each.
* Tilt that panel at approx. the same slope as the Korg MS-20. Requires the extending of a couple of ribbon cables inside, and some pop-rivetted braces. Not too hard.
* Custom wood endcheeks of nice Oak, plus a wood accent over the keyboard. I chose to go with thick, high quality wood to make Aurora more of a beast.
* Replace all green LEDs with red high-intensity ones. This also required changing some resistor values to increase the brightness.
* Replace the LCD with a Hantronix Blue-on-White display. Also, some resistor changes are needed.
* Have a very agreeable Alesis burn a custom Boot EPROM with the custom-designed bootup screen below.
* Build a custom top panel, complete with several additional controls (two joysticks, several switches and knobs) as well as a full 16-channel mixer with level and pan per channel, one for each of the 16 individual outs on the Andromeda.
* Add lots of careful, hard work and time, and PRESTO - you have the Aurora A6!

The Name: I went with Aurora for a couple of reasons.

1. Alliteration - AurorA - AndromedA - get it?
2. There is some legend/lore as to how the Alesis Andromeda got its name. Could be related to the Greek mythos. Could be related to the Andromeda galaxy. Could be darts thrown at dictionary pages :-) In any case, Aurora fits with the mythology bent because in Roman mythology, Aurora was the goddess of the dawn (Andromeda was rescued and married by Perseus in Greek mythos). Aurora also fits the 'celestial' thing as well, as the Aurora Borealis. Either way, it kept with what might have perhaps been Alesis' reasons for naming the Andromeda.
3. I just liked it.
4. The A6 is kept because this fits with Alesis' naming convention (QS8 = 81-key QuadraSynth, A6 = 61-key Analog). There is some rumor that A6 was a play on ASICs, the custom chips within Andromeda, but I'm assured this is just rumor :-) "

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Custom Black Alesis Andromeda A6 by Thomas Heck

Super nice custom black Alesis Andromeda A6 by Thomas Heck. It's actually a new panel overlay. Only 20 have been produced. If you'd like one you can reach Thomas at heckthomas34 at gmail.com. The following is what Thomas had to say about them:

"As you can imagine, I like the Andromeda. This is an analog synth with unbelievably huge possibilities, but I have never liked the choice of materials and colors for the instrument's shell/case.

I made twenty overlays (they will be the only ones made), to give the possibility of having a black Andromeda. The side panels are just prototypes.

The new overlay can be applied over the old one, but it does require unscrewing the two plastic caps at each end of the ribbon controller, as this is needed to open the synth. However, it is not difficult to do."

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Custom Black Alesis Andromeda A6

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via this listing

This one was spotted and sent in via M Me.

"ich biete hier einen liebevoll umgebauten Alesis Andromeda A6 zum Kauf an. Dieser wurde 2022 aufwändig umgebaut.

In diesem Zusammenhang hat das Gerät einen Service bei SCS (Doc Analog) bekommen (Rechnung vorhanden).

Zudem wurde ein neues FATAR TP9/s Keybed (Reverse-Ausführung) verbaut (Rechnung vorhanden)."

Googlish:

"I am offering a lovingly converted Alesis Andromeda A6 for sale. This was extensively rebuilt in 2022.

In this context, the device was serviced by SCS (Doc Analog) (invoice available).

In addition, a new FATAR TP9/s keybed (reverse version) was installed (invoice available)."

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Alesis A6 Andromeda pads in 16-voice analog power

Published on Mar 21, 2012 tsiklonaut·52 videos

"Selection of pads made on the Alesis A6 Andromeda analog synthesizer. All patches played use all the 16-voices A6 can offer simultaneously.. No processing, just straight output from the A6. YouTube conversion kills the high-resolving analog sound quality and fatness, but hopefully this gives you a glimpse into the A6 inner life... All played are Alesis factory patches. I've only had the synth for a couple of days now so just barely scratching the surface of it - here's a proof that even with the much-chriticized factory banks you can make some good sounds. Use the "HD" quality mode button below to get the most out of it.

If anyone wonders, some pictures on the background are from our own Milkyway's massive cosmic neighbour Messier's catalog M31 Andromeda galaxy, one of the few galaxies that has blue-shift instead of red-shift like all other galaxies we see, meaning it comes towards us and with the "locked" gravitational pull our Milkyway Galaxy will collide and merge with the bigger brother Andromeda in a very distant future, forming a new galaxy. Hopefully the Solar system will not be thrown out into the vast emptyness of space or sucked into a black-hole due to the viscous gravitational play during the merging. The name for the synth is inspired from Andromeda - and I would say it's a very fitting name for it :)"

Alesis Andromedas on eBay

Alesis Andromeda A6 Rebirth w/ Custom Hinged Black Panel

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"Here is a Alesis Andromeda A6 Rebirth for sale.

It’s handmade rebuilt by Doc Analog from Germany.

There are six(!) units worldwide only. Thomas Siedler (Doc Analog) stopped that rebuilt project now, in cause of the enormous extravagance."

This one was spotted and sent in via M Me.

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Alesis Andromeda A6 Analogue 16 Voice Synthesizer

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Non News? Yamaha Considering a New CS80?

This one has been making the rounds. Yamaha R&D Planning Manager Ben Israel posted the following on a forum:

Hello from Yamaha,

Thanks for your Ideas and conversations. Apologies we haven’t joined in. We would like to understand your analog synthesizer requests a bit more clearly. Please note we move in a very deliberate manner; this is just an initial focusing of the Ideas offered so far and not a commitment to build a product.

Here is our first question:

If we made a CS-80, do you want a vintage reissue or a modern evolution?

Thanks again for your participation. We look forward to the conversation.

Some quick notes:

1. You can't see the forum unless you sign up. This just smells of forum bait to me so I won't link to it.
2. I would say the majority of people would want an analog remake at the right price. If Behringer can do it...
3. We also have Deckard's Dream so if Black Corporation can make one, why not Yamaha with their resources?
4. Yamaha released the digital 8 voice Reface CS already, so they should be able to add what's missing and repackage it in a larger format.
5. I'm not 100% sure on this, but I believe the models are in the MODX and Montage, so the sound, digitally, is already there. I actually own a CS60 and and AN1X. The AN1X can go there just fine. So... yeah, why not.

The key will be sound and price for many. People would clearly prefer analog if Yamaha can do it right. If not, some will bark at a digital recreation, but if it has all the controls, sounds good and is priced right people will buy it. So yeah, something tells me this was more about trying to garner more users on that forum...

Update: P.S. The "Non News?" is partially in jest, hence the question mark. If Yamaha is indeed serious about making a new CS80 analog or digital, this is great news. One thing I have learned over the years is staying focused on keeping it direct and simple will be key. With the CS80 there however is an added layer with the interface. It brings out an expressive capability missing in most straight forward synths. Even my CS60 feel more like a natural or real instrument compared to my other synths. The only way I can describe it is, you know how soft synths or synths on an iPad feel compared to dedicated hardware synths? Well that's kind of how other synths feel compare to my CS60. The CS60 breathes and the controls feel more part of the instrument than just a control panel giving you access to the engines. They are more like the strings on a violin. And no, I don't know why the CS60 gives me that impression while synths like my Andromeda A6, and Waldorf XTk, for example, do not. The CS60 feels more like a violin while the A6 and XTk feel more like a piano with a synth engine. So... If Yamaha is serious about coming out with a new CS80, that is what they will need to nail in my opinion.

ALESIS ANDROMEDA A6

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"This unit is in excellent cosmetic condition, I have raised the shadow level on all these images so you can see the quality of the black plastic and the panel fascia.

Here are the list of the very few marks on this 15 year old instrument: - some marks are to be expected, it is used.

The LCD, Ribbon and laminate panel are perfect.

The metal front and back chassis are near pefect, only a slight mark by the IEC power outlet (as to be expected where plugs are plugged in and out) and there is a small chip on the white paint of the E of the Alesis.

The plastic side cheaks are in excellent condition, these take a real beating (why Alesis used plastic and not wood I don't know, I guess cost-cutting!), naturally there are a few small marks but this is one of the best examples I have seen, and I have owned 3 units over the years!"

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Andromeda A6 demo sound design

Published on Oct 20, 2018 Deep Forest

Custom black face.

Custom Synth Modifications by Turgay Cevikogullari

Pictured:

Studiologic Sledge
Yamaha CS30
Andromeda A6 (I believe the black overlay was designed by Thomas Heck - you can see some others in the archives)

Spotted these on sequencer.de where you'll find a few more.

Wem Watkins Copicat trio

YouTube via zioguido.

KORG MS20, ARP Odyssey and Alesis Andromeda A6 make an appearance.
Synth demos at 1:41.

"These are my three Wem Copicats. One is the classic "Custom" Copicat, model IC-400, and I think it's the oldest of the three; one is the Super IC model with 4 playback heads, and the black cat is the VariSpeed model, the only Copicat with a DC motor capable of changing tape speed, and I think this is the newest. I don't know their ages or the production years precisely, but I suppose it's something between the late 60's and the early 70's. All 3 models are solid state.
I love them, I love tape and analog echo effects in general, the Roland Space Echo is my favourite, but Copicats have something special, not only in their tone.

Plus, they come from the inventor of the tape echo, Mr. Charlie Watkins.

If you can find one in good conditions, grab it with no esitation! And if you're into computer music and you just wish to have fun with one of these babies without having to buy one, try the free emulation: WatKat. You can download it here: http://www.genuinesoundware.com/?a=sh..."

Custom Black Alesis Andromeda A6 Analog synth

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"If you are looking at this you know what a beast it is. This one has had the Thomas Heck reface which i did myself. It's not perfect but does make the synth look smart.

It is in perfect working order, now and again the pots jump a little as these synths have a want to do but with a little clean up that would easily be fixed. The screen can be locked also.

Cosmetically it has quite a few imperfections as i used to tour with it. It has been around the world and done some massive shows! It was serviced by Alesis about 8 years ago and since then has been retired to my studio. I have 2 of them and 1 has to go hence the price which is an absolute bargain!"

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Alesis Andromeda A6 w/ Extra Black Panel Overlay

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Roland V Synth

Published on Nov 18, 2019 Matt Johnson Jamiroquai

"I have a brief chat about my Roland V Synth as well as playing around on it!"

Nice custom black panel Alesis Andromeda A6 as well.

Matt Johnson Jamiroquai Synth vids

CUSTOM ALESIS ANDROMEDA A6

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"Custom changes made by the previous owner; LED colours have been changed & blue lit Mod & Pitch Wheels added in place of the black plastic ones."

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A6 Andromeda w/ Titled Front Panel Mod

This one in via Thomas Heck who brought us the custom black front panel overlays posted here. This A6 was modified to have a hinged front panel as well. Some of you might remember the Alesis Aurora mod.

Update: new pics here.

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Synth Shop Hieber-Lindberg, Munich, Germany

via cheater cheater:

"I thought your readers could be interested that there's
such a nice place in Munich for synths.. it's not exactly Five G but
then they don't have to fly to Japan for it.. :)

Hi guys,
Last Saturday I have visited the music shop Musikhaus Hieber-Lindberg
in Munich, Germany. I was tipped off by Florian, who said it could be
interesting. You can find their website at
http://www.hieber-lindberg.de (unfortunately only in German, but it's
easy to find your way around, and Google Translate works well)

The Shop

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