Alesis Fusion

The Alesis Fusion is a synthesizer workstation with 4 integrated sound generation process, a 32 track MIDI 8-track audio sequencer. It was first introduced in 2005 and ceased the manufacture now. The instrument was in competition with for years established workstation concepts of the major workstation Manufacturer: Korg Triton, Yamaha Motif and Roland Fantom -X and could not prevail against this ultimately.

It offers according to the manufacturer Alesis a generous polyphony that is specified for the individual synthesis types as follows: A total of 32 multi-timbral, sample playback 272 votes, FM 240 votes, VA 140 votes, PM Reed 60 votes and PM Wind 48 votes. Depending on the synthesis of type and complexity of the sounds used, the maximum number of votes dynamically reduced. Alesis offered the instrument in two versions: as a Fusion 6HD with 61 semi-weighted, as Fusion 8HD with 88 weighted keys. The design has a very unique character and controls such as knobs and buttons are especially clearly worked out. These operating units consist of a controller block including 2 Wheels ( pitch bend, modulation ), the illuminated display with several buttons on the right and left of it, as well as a keypad for program selection, including eye-catching Data Entry scroll wheel plus button. On the back there are a number of connections (audio, MIDI, pedals, power supply), including USB for connection to a PC / Mac, and a slot for a CF card.

The instrument has a built-in hard drive (40 or 80 GB in later models ) for " everything ", ie it can be stored there permanently extensive sample libraries with instruments, drum loops, sound effects, as well as with the sampler recorded songs and synthesizer programs.

The sound spectrum is unusually versatile because in addition to the included sound storage (ROM) and new samples can be loaded. The samples are loaded on demand into RAM, which in its basic configuration is 64 MB and is expandable to 192 MB. To the samples into the instrument to transfer the software is fusion Converter (PC / Mac ) is available, which can read a variety of common sample formats and convert to the fusion format. Synthesis types VA, FM and PM are also provided with a plurality of parameters and functions, and a modulation matrix. Factory, the instrument with approximately 1000 finished playable presets has been delivered. The sound of stock, however, can be considerably extended by the owner and archived on hard disk or CF cards. Moreover, can the data storage via USB transfer to PC / Mac and lock it into place and manage. The free software fusion Sort ( PC) allows convenient reorganization and reordering existing presets on compared to the built-in LCD display larger computer screen.

Structure

There are basically four operating modes ( modes).

These modes can be selected directly with the buttons to the left of the display.

• In Mix Mode and Song Mode can be accessed via the button "Mixer" an appropriate shortcut to the main mixer settings.
• "Global" is a special mode for basic settings of the merger.

Sampler Mode

In 16- bit compilation mode sounds or instruments can be captured, edited and looped to assign it then desired keys. A multisample consists of several individual samples.

Program Mode

A "Program " is a single sound, such as Piano, violin, synth bass. In the Alesis Fusion for coming 4 different tone generation method used:

The sounds can be modulated with up to 8 envelopes and 8 LFOs, for which a complex modulation matrix is ready. The filter section offers many different types of lowpass highpass on to tape and boost to 8- pole switchable. There is a filter for the whole voice and added in the sampling tone generation limited filter for the two oscillators. For drum kits are 64 filters available, ie one per oscillator.

A powerful multi-effects unit with 2 bus effects and up to 4 insert effects and equalizers are used to fine-tuning the sound. The range of effects ranging from reverb programs, echo and delay effects to Chorus, Flanger, Rotary organ and different amp models ( for distortion and overdrive effects) and Decimator (intentional reduction in sound quality ). There are 80 effect types Master plus 3- band parametric equalizer.

Mix Mode

In this mode, different sounds are put together and either in defined zones on the keyboard divided ( split) or layered (layer ). Up to 16 different sounds can be played simultaneously with the keyboard, 16 more are controlled via the MIDI interface.

Song Mode

With the song mode sequencer is activated. Here up to 32 MIDI tracks and 8 audio tracks are available.