Alesis Micron VS KORG MicroKORG (detailed comparison)

[Klumpmeister]

Been slightly convinced to get a microKORG just for the sake of the availability of it compared to the micron. I want a micron but sadly they are discontinued or way to over priced.

[LedgerLines]

@Klumpmeister akai makiak = same thing as micron (but it comes with a mic) find those if ya can

[Viruzpmrgnogueira]

Is is possible to make really fat and textured basses? but like a really analog synt?

[LedgerLines]

@Viruzpmrgnogueira oh you got lucky, I was already on the tubes uploading a vid. To answer your question YESSSSSS!! I haven't run across any sounds I can't create with this thing yet. The level of customization on the 3 OSCilators is insane too, everything from wave length and shape, octave, pitch, 2 to 8 pole filters, etc. I have two vids in as responses, both show off deep interesting bass patches I emulated.

[Cory4President4]

I have an Alesis Micron and its once of my best investments, i would never spend the extra money for the MicroKorg when it cant do things that the Micron can, 600 sound and 400 more, when the Korg has only 128... a $100 keyboard has 128, that is not enough for the price, plus the filters and X Y Z knobs its all simple live editing where you can just tweak a little thing! ALESIS MICRON ALL THE WAY!!!!!!

[Plakosternas]

which one of them is good for music production?

i need it to produce house-techno,progressive music

[LedgerLines]

@Plakosternas I'd say go with the Micron (or Akai Maniak) for sure. It has more house-techno leads and basses (also drum sounds) in it by default. And it gives you so much song creating power on the fly.

[Persio809]

That's EXACTLY what I need. Would you mind uploading the file somewhere so that we can download it and read it quietly? I find the video format quite bothering for this purpose...

Thanks!

[LedgerLines]

@Persio809 I put the download link in the description since many asked for it. I made the video because I felt that some points needed explanation and I'm too lazy to type all that out.

[Persio809]

@LedgerLines Sorry but eSnips asks me to install the eSnips downloader and I really don't want to install any bloatware on my pc. Could you please upload it to a cleaner site, like ifile . it or mediafire . com or wathever?

Thanks once more!

[CIMAN123]

Cheers! That has really helped me come to a more profound decision.

[xDeadLin3]

which would you prefer?

[LedgerLines]

@xDeadLin3 What are you looking for? Micron is like a mini workstation able to sketch out entire songs and remixes (what I use it for), the micro korg is just a synth that outputs some real impressive sounds.

[xDeadLin3]

@LedgerLines Im looking for something that has great sounds as well as live and recording use. Im lead to the Micron but they say the midi is trouble? something about NRNP and the microkorg uses CC. Like could i hook up the Micron to midi and use a grand piano or any other sound in FL Studio?

[LedgerLines]

@xDeadLin3 Oh yea that's not a problem I've used it with both SONAR and GarageBand and it works fine just as a MIDI keyboard. NRNP causes problems when people want to customize each key and controller to exactly what they want in a DAW...CC is the standard so it's really easy NRNP can be a nightmare, but I do know it's possible.

[xDeadLin3]

@LedgerLines Also ive seen the Micron where the keys are assigned to different sounds in different octaves, is this difficult to acheive?

[LedgerLines]

@xDeadLin3 yea that's cakewalk for the Micron, and you can record live any of those parts

[xDeadLin3]

@LedgerLines awesome. thanks for the help

[cpcnw]

Thanks, I now feel better about having chosen the Micron - where can I download your Spreadsheet?

[LedgerLines]

@cpcnw I'll upload it tonight after work, make sure you get Micron AU (use w/ Garageband for Mac) or get midictrl for windows (use with any DAW on Win). These allow you to see all parameters and tweak them really easily.

[Comet72]

I am in the same process of choosing between the two. I prefer the microkorg XL (because of the sound), but the drumsequencer is pretty attractive. Can someone tell me if the Micron can get the same sounds as the microkorg xl?

[LedgerLines]

@Comet72 The MK XL has some gorgeous sounds, some of which the Alesis cannot achieve. This is because the XL is using the far superior radias engine (a rack that costs $1000). If you are looking for the lush preset sounds get the XL, but if you want something that can create more analog sounding patches and can back you with drums (sound modifiable), can record phrases and even whole songs on the fly then go with the Micron. Also the akai maniak is the same engine but cheaper and with a mic.

[Comet72]

@LedgerLines I've decided to go with the microkorg XL. I've made my decision based on the sound. I am going to use my loopstation Boss RC-20XL for looping en FL studio for drums. The XL will be delivered today! I want to use this set-up for making songs on the fly. Another essential decisive point is the difficulty of programming. After reading both manuals, I think programming the XL is easier. I can't wait for my weekend tot start!

[LedgerLines]

@Comet72 good luck man. I was gonna say if ya got the money for an XL and a looper (600-650) you could a bought a 61 key setup with built in seq. and drum machine. the appealing thing about the micron and miniak are that they are all that for 330 or less.

[mortifago]

Excellent review mate! I own an Alesis Micron and I gotta say is a beast... Only thing i dont like of it is that is very difficult to program it.

[LedgerLines]

@mortifago agreed it makes it easier if you assign the xyz knobs during editing (e.g. osc 1-3 level as you're tweaking the waves) but yea I have to say the microkorg is a tad bit easier to maniputlate.