Alesis Micron User manual

micron
Reference Manual

Table Of Contents
1
Introduction ............................................................................................ 5
Welcome! ....................................................................................................................................................................... 5
Unpacking and Inspection................................................................................................6
How to Use This Manual....................................................................................................6
Connection Diagram ................................................................................................................................................... 7
Connecting AC Power ................................................................................................................................................ 7
Making Audio Connections........................................................................................................................................ 7
Connecting the Foot Pedals ....................................................................................................................................... 7
Chapter 2: First Session .......................................................................9
A Tour of the Micron ..........................................................................................................9
The Micron’s top panel ......................................................................................................9
Volume........................................................................................................................................................................... 9
Real-time controllers.................................................................................................................................................... 9
Performance buttons ................................................................................................................................................... 10
Display ........................................................................................................................................................................... 10
Control knob circle ...................................................................................................................................................... 10
Key concepts.........................................................................................................................10
Programs........................................................................................................................................................................ 10
Rhythms......................................................................................................................................................................... 10
Patterns .......................................................................................................................................................................... 10
Setups ............................................................................................................................................................................. 10
Navigating with the transparent control knob and its buttons ............................................................................ 11
Play the Programs ..............................................................................................................12
Navigate through the programs................................................................................................................................. 12
Switch Octaves ....................................................................................................................13
Explore the Built-in Patterns...........................................................................................14
Explore the Rhythms..........................................................................................................15
Explore the Setups..............................................................................................................16
Record Some Phrases.........................................................................................................17
Connect External Instruments ........................................................................................18
Whew! .....................................................................................................................................18
Chapter 3: Patterns................................................................................ 19
Playing Patterns..................................................................................................................19
Using [latch] .................................................................................................................................................................. 19
Using [tap] ..................................................................................................................................................................... 19
Pattern Types: Arpeggios and Sequences ....................................................................20
Editing Patterns ..................................................................................................................21
1. Revert-to-stored? / Unrevert-to-edited?............................................................................................................. 21
2. Send to setup?........................................................................................................................................................... 22
3. Start new setup? ....................................................................................................................................................... 23
4. Pattern program ....................................................................................................................................................... 23
5. Length....................................................................................................................................................................... 23
6. Grid........................................................................................................................................................................... 24
7. Type .......................................................................................................................................................................... 24
8. Span (arpeggios only) ............................................................................................................................................. 24
9. Order (arpeggios only) ........................................................................................................................................... 24
10. Real-time recording .............................................................................................................................................. 25
11. Step editing ............................................................................................................................................................ 26
12. Clear controllers? .................................................................................................................................................. 27
13. Clear pattern? ........................................................................................................................................................ 27
14. Pattern name ......................................................................................................................................................... 28

Table Of Contents
2
15. Send MIDI sysex?................................................................................................................................................. 28
16. Send syx bundle?................................................................................................................................................... 28
17. Delete pattern? ...................................................................................................................................................... 28
18. Store a copy?.......................................................................................................................................................... 29
Store your changes! ...................................................................................................................................................... 29
Exiting pattern editing................................................................................................................................................. 29
Chapter 4: Rhythms............................................................................... 31
Playing Rhythms .................................................................................................................31
Using [tap] ..................................................................................................................................................................... 31
Editing Rhythms .................................................................................................................32
1. Revert-to-stored? / Unrevert-to-edited?............................................................................................................. 32
2. Send to setup?........................................................................................................................................................... 33
3. Start new setup? ....................................................................................................................................................... 34
4. Length....................................................................................................................................................................... 34
5. Grid........................................................................................................................................................................... 34
6. Record rhythm (real-time)..................................................................................................................................... 35
7. Drum A through Drum H .................................................................................................................................... 36
8. Add?.......................................................................................................................................................................... 38
9. Clear rhythm? .......................................................................................................................................................... 39
10. Rhythm name ......................................................................................................................................................... 39
11. Send MIDI sysex?................................................................................................................................................. 39
12. Send syx bundle?................................................................................................................................................... 39
13. Delete rhythm?...................................................................................................................................................... 40
14. Store a copy?.......................................................................................................................................................... 40
Store your changes! ...................................................................................................................................................... 40
Exiting rhythm editing ................................................................................................................................................ 40
Chapter 5: Setups ................................................................................... 41
Playing Setups .....................................................................................................................41
Setup Components ..............................................................................................................41
Editing Setups......................................................................................................................41
1. Parts .......................................................................................................................................................................... 44
2. Use as........................................................................................................................................................................ 48
3. Add?.......................................................................................................................................................................... 48
4. Beats.......................................................................................................................................................................... 49
5. Add?.......................................................................................................................................................................... 51
6. FX Type ................................................................................................................................................................... 52
7. Clear .......................................................................................................................................................................... 52
8. Setup name .............................................................................................................................................................. 52
9. Send MIDI sysex?................................................................................................................................................... 53
10. Send syx bundle?................................................................................................................................................... 53
11. Delete setup? ......................................................................................................................................................... 53
12. Store a copy?.......................................................................................................................................................... 53
Store your changes! ...................................................................................................................................................... 53
Store your changes! ...................................................................................................................................................... 54
Exiting setup editing.................................................................................................................................................... 54
Chapter 6: Programs ............................................................................. 55
What is a “Program”? .........................................................................................................55
Chapter 5: Program Parameters ........................................................ 55
How the Micron Makes Sound .........................................................................................55
The Oscillators ............................................................................................................................................................. 55
The Pre Filter Mix........................................................................................................................................................ 56

Table of Contents
3
The Filters ..................................................................................................................................................................... 56
The Post Filter Mix...................................................................................................................................................... 56
Output............................................................................................................................................................................ 57
Signal Flow Diagram ................................................................................................................................................... 57
Modulation............................................................................................................................58
The LFOs ...................................................................................................................................................................... 58
The Envelopes.............................................................................................................................................................. 59
Playing Programs ...............................................................................................................60
Editing Programs ................................................................................................................60
1. Revert-to-Stored? / Unrevert-to-Edited?........................................................................................................... 60
2. Add to Faves? / Remove Fave? ........................................................................................................................... 60
3. Send to Setup? .......................................................................................................................................................... 61
4. Start New Setup?...................................................................................................................................................... 62
5. Voice parameters .................................................................................................................................................... 63
6. Oscillator parameters ............................................................................................................................................. 67
7. Pre-filter mix parameters....................................................................................................................................... 68
8. Filter parameters ..................................................................................................................................................... 69
9. Post-filter mix parameters ..................................................................................................................................... 70
10. Output .................................................................................................................................................................... 71
11. Envelopes .............................................................................................................................................................. 72
12. Low Frequency Oscillator (LFO) settings........................................................................................................ 75
13. Sample-and-Hold (S&H) settings ...................................................................................................................... 77
14. Track (Tracking Generator)................................................................................................................................ 78
15. Mod (Modulation Routing)................................................................................................................................. 79
16. Category ................................................................................................................................................................. 83
17. Program name....................................................................................................................................................... 83
18. Delete?.................................................................................................................................................................... 84
19. Send MIDI sysex?................................................................................................................................................. 84
20. Store a copy?.......................................................................................................................................................... 84
Store your changes! ...................................................................................................................................................... 84
Exiting program editing .............................................................................................................................................. 85
Chapter 7: Configuration ..................................................................... 87
Configuration.......................................................................................................................87
Configuration Parameters ................................................................................................87
1. Contrast.................................................................................................................................................................... 87
2. Tuning ...................................................................................................................................................................... 87
3. Transpose................................................................................................................................................................. 87
4. Velocity Curve......................................................................................................................................................... 88
5. Local Control........................................................................................................................................................... 89
6. MIDI mode ............................................................................................................................................................. 90
7. MIDI channel.......................................................................................................................................................... 90
8. MIDI sync................................................................................................................................................................ 91
9. Sysex: send all......................................................................................................................................................... 91
Chapter 8: MIDI ...................................................................................... 93
What is MIDI?.......................................................................................................................93
MIDI Connections ...................................................................................................................................................... 93
Saving Programs, Setups, Rhythms, and Patterns via MIDI System
Exclusive........................................................................................................................................................................ 95
Loading Programs, Rhythms, Patterns, and Setups via MIDI ............................................................................. 96
What's a bundle?........................................................................................................................................................... 96
Compatibility with Alesis Ion programs................................................................................................................... 97
Sharing programs between the Alesis Micron and the Alesis Ion ....................................................................... 97
Updating Software Via MIDI .................................................................................................................................... 97
All Notes Off................................................................................................................................................................ 98

Table Of Contents
4
MIDI Implementation Chart ..................................................................................................................................... 99
Appendix A: Frequently Asked Questions ....................................... 101
How do I split/layer the keyboard? .......................................................................................................................... 101
What is a MIDI Sequence? ......................................................................................................................................... 101
Where can I get more Programs? .............................................................................................................................. 101
Are Micron programs compatible with Ion programs? ......................................................................................... 101
Appendix B: Troubleshooting ............................................................. 103
Recovering from a Crash ............................................................................................................................................ 104
Checking the Software Version ................................................................................................................................. 104
Cleaning Your Micron................................................................................................................................................. 104
Specifications.......................................................................................... 109
Sound Engine ............................................................................................................................................................... 109
Audio Input................................................................................................................................................................... 109
Audio Output ............................................................................................................................................................... 109
Audio Performance...................................................................................................................................................... 109
Physical .......................................................................................................................................................................... 109
Warranty/Contact Alesis....................................................................... 111
Alesis Limited Warranty.............................................................................................................................................. 111
Alesis Contact Information ........................................................................................................................................ 112

Introduction
5
Welcome!
Congratulations on your purchase of the Alesis Micron! The
Micron is a powerful, 8-voice Analog Modeling synthesizer based
on the award-winning sound engine of the larger Alesis Ion.
The Micron has every bit of sound-producing DSP horsepower
contained in the Ion along with a few tricks of its own. The
Micron’s front-panel interface is streamlined to give you full access
to its Analog Modeling power while meeting the demanding
requirements of real-time performance. Not only synth patches
but melodic patterns and drum beats also are available to you in
most cases simply by pressing a button and turning a knob. You
can create sophisticated rhythms combining up to ten different
sounds. You can create really rich setups combining as many as 26
different programs with anywhere from 0 to 26 different rhythms,
all simultaneously active.
This is an exciting time for analog-style synthesizers. After a
period of relative neglect brought on by the appearance of sample-
playback digital synths (which excel at realistic mimicry of various
sound sources), the unique sounds of analog-style synths have
been rediscovered. Analog Modeled basses dominate certain styles
of music, and other analog-type elements – from drums to leads to
pads – are frequently heard in contemporary popular music.
Alesis has been at the center of this resurgence. Our first product
in the line was our A6 Andromeda, a true analog synth considered
by many to be the most powerful non-modular analog synthesizer
ever made. Next came the Alesis Ion, praised as one of the most
powerful and best sounding Analog Modeling synthesizers ever.
Now, the Micron furthers this legacy, taking the Analog Modeled
synthesizer in yet another new direction.
Please be sure to register your Micron at the Alesis website,
www.alesis.com. And since the Micron’s operating system is
upgradeable via MIDI, try to check the site once in a while for
updates and extra goodies.
We hope and trust that you’ll find the Micron to be an inspiring
instrument that you can turn to again and again for new ideas, new
sounds, and new inspiration.
Sincerely,
The people of Alesis
For more effective service
and product update notices,
please register your Micron
online at:
http://www.alesis.com
/support/warranty.htm

Introduction
6
Unpacking and Inspection
The shipping carton for your Micron should contain the following
items:
●Micron synthesizer
●AC power adapter
●This instruction manual
●A warranty card
Please log on to the Alesis website at www.alesis.com to register
your new Micron synthesizer. This will help us give you the best
support we possibly can.
How to Use This Manual
We’re sure you’d like to jump in and start using your Micron
quickly. To help you do this, refer to Chapter 1 for hook-up
instructions, and then read Chapter 2 – “First Session.” This will
get you playing in no time. If you have any questions, refer to the
Frequently Asked Questions in Appendix A on page 101.
Chapters 3 through 6 cover the main operating modes of the
Micron – the patterns, rhtyhms, setups, and programs.
For information on using the Micron along with other MIDI
devices, refer to Chapter 8 “MIDI.”
Near the end of the manual are troubleshooting tips and
specifications.
The names for all buttons, knobs, and wheels on the Micron are
formatted throughout the manual so as to be easily identified. Here
are some examples:
[setups] The top panel buttons are bolded and
[bracketed].
(m1) Wheels, knobs, sliders, and rear-panel jacks
are bolded and placed in (parentheses).
Parameters Editable parameters are bolded.
length Specific settings for various parameters are
italicized.
Helpful tips and advice are
highlighted in a shaded box
like this.
When something important
appears in the manual, an
exclamation mark (like the
one shown at left) will appear
with some ex
p
lanator
y
text.

1 Connections
7
Connection Diagram
Connecting AC Power
Before making any power connections, make sure the Micron’s
power switch is turned off. Then plug the adapter into the Micron
and into a wall outlet.
Making Audio Connections
• Stereo outputs. Connect two cables from the
Micron’s left and right outputs to two inputs of an amp or
mixer.
• Headphones. Plug a set of headphones into the
headphone jack on the rear panel.
Connecting the Foot Pedals
The Micron has two pedal jacks marked (sustain) and (expr).
Plug a sustain pedal (not included) into the jack marked (sustain).
(sustain) is designed to work with any standard momentary
footswitch. It doesn’t matter whether the footswitch is normally
open or closed, as long as you plug it in before powering up your
Micron; the instrument will calibrate itself.
(expr) is designed to work with a Roland EV-5 pedal or
equivalent.
WARNING: When connecting
audio cables or turning
power on and off, make sure
that the amplifiers in your
system are turned off or the
volume controls are turned
down. If you don’t do this,
you can create loud bursts of
sound that might damage
your speakers.
NOTE: If your sustain pedal
response is backward (i.e.,
notes sustain when your foot
is off the pedal), turn off your
Micron and make sure the
footswitch plug is fully
inserted into the (sustain)
jack. Then, turn the Micron
back on while keeping your
foot off the footswitch.

1Connections
8
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2 First Session
9
A Tour of the Micron
In this session, we’ll:
●Explore the Micron’s top panel
●Define some key concepts.
●Play some of the Micron’s basic sounds (called programs).
●Learn different ways to navigate the Micron’s programs.
●Explore the built-in patterns.
●Capture and play back some phrases.
●Explore the Micron’s drum sounds and play some rhythms.
●Explore the Micron’s setups. Setups are where programs,
patterns, rhythms, and more all come together in powerful,
flexible combinations.
The Micron’s top panel
Volume
The (volume) knob on the far left-hand side of the Micron raises and lowers
the volume. If you don’t hear anything as you play the Micron,
suspect the (volume) knob’s setting.
Real-time controllers
The (m1) and (m2) sliders, (pitch) wheel, and (x/y/z knobs),
located on the left half of the Micron, provide real-time control of
the Micron’s sounds.

2First Session
10
Performance buttons
The buttons in this cluster switch octaves, set the tempo, and
perform other performance-related functions.
Display
Information relevant to the current operation is shown here.
Control knob circle
These are the Micron’s most important controls – the control
knob and the buttons that surround it. Pressing one of these
buttons – [programs], [setups], [config], [patterns], or
[rhythms] – puts you into one of the Micron’s primary modes of
operation. Turning the control knob then cycles through options.
Pressing the control knob allows for editing.
Key concepts
Here are the Micron’s most important concepts:
Programs
Programs are the Micron’s sounds, built from its oscillators,
envelopes, filters, modulation matrix, and other analog-style
components.
Rhythms
Rhythms are combinations of drum programs with patterns.
Think of a drum machine with its interchangeable sounds and
patterns. That’s pretty close to what rhythms are.
Patterns
Patterns are repeating melodic and/or rhythmic motifs. Arpeggios
and step sequences are examples of patterns.
Setups
Setups combine multiple programs, rhythms, patterns, and more.
They are the Micron’s most powerful and most sonically
sophisticated element.

2First Session
11
Navigating with the transparent control
knob and its buttons
Use the transparent control knob to the right of the display and its
surrounding circle of buttons to navigate through the Micron’s
options. Most Micron functions involve pressing the buttons and
then turning or pushing this knob.
“Green Light/Red Light”
The buttons circling the control knob glow green when selected
and glow red when the control knob has been pushed (entering
edit mode).
The exception is the [config] button. [config] only glows red,
since it only performs editing functions.
At any one time, only one of the buttons will glow, indicating that
the Micron is operating within that mode.
“Turn”
Turn the control knob to cycle through various options.
“Push”
Push the control knob to edit the option displayed. Push again to
stop editing. See the following visual illustration:

2First Session
12
Play the Programs
The Micron’s basic sounds are called “Programs.” Play some of
these programs now.
Find the [programs] button on the right side of the top panel.
Press it; then spin the control knob. Notice how the programs are
organized by category – first basses, then leads, then pads, etc.
Turn the volume up and listen to some of these programs.
Experiment with the (pitch) wheel, the (x/y/z knobs), and the
two sliders. Here are a few points to note:
●The (pitch) wheel glows progressively brighter as you turn it..
●The (x/y/z knobs) do different things depending on the
Program. Sometimes, they increase or decrease the quickness
of the attack. Sometimes, they change the tone by adjusting the
filter resonance. Each time you change Programs, the X/Y/Z
knobs reset to their original positions.
●The (m1) slider typically – but not always – adds vibrato.
●The (m2) slider typically – but not always – sweeps the filter
frequency, radically changing the tone.
Play some notes before, during, and after moving the (m2)
slider. You’ll most likely hear the classic analog synthesizer
“filter sweep” sound.
Navigate through the programs
Rotate the control knob enough, and you’ll pass through 13
categories of programs. At the end of the list, all of the programs
are presented alphabetically, regardless of category.
Using the [programs] + white key shortcut
Notice the red text just above the keyboard. This text corresponds
to the 13 categories and also includes the all, uncategorized listing.
To access a category instantly, hold down [programs] and then
press the associated white key.

2First Session
13
Special categories
All
As we’ve already seen, the all category is an alphabetical listing of
all the Programs.
Recent
The Programs you’ve played recently are stored for you
automatically under the Recent category. They are still listed under
their primary categories. This is a duplicate listing to allow for
super-fast access. Note that you cannot directly edit this listing.
You need to select and then play the Programs you want to be
listed here.
Faves
●Adding Programs to Faves
When you find a Program you particularly like, add it to the Faves
(“Favorites”) category. In [programs] mode, press the control
knob to enter edit mode. You will be prompted to Add to faves?
Press the control knob once again to add the Program to the Faves
category.
Press the [programs] button again if you want to cancel this
action and exit the editing screens.
●Removing Programs from Faves
To remove a Program from the Favorites list, call up the program
and press the control knob. You will be asked, Remove fave? Press
the control knob to perform the action.
Switch Octaves
While the Micron is a compact unit, all of its sounds span the full
128-note MIDI range. Use the [octave] buttons to the left of the
display to transpose the keyboard up and down to cover that
range.
Notice how one or the other [octave] lights glows progressively
brighter as you push it. This provides a visual indication of the
current octave setting.
Press both [octave] buttons simultaneously to return to the
default octave setting.

2First Session
14
Explore the Built-in Patterns
The Micron features a powerful pattern sequencer with lots of
editing capabilities. We’ll discuss the editing features later. For
now, let’s get our feet wet playing some patterns.
Press the [patterns] button to the left of the display.
Turn the control knob to cycle through various preset patterns.
Play the keyboard to hear them.
[tap]
Tap the [tap] button to the left of the display. Watch and hear
how [tap] controls the tempo. Note that the pattern’s tempo
immediately locks to the speed at which you tap.
To adjust the tempo with finer control (one-tenth of a beat per
minute), hold down the [tap] button and turn the control knob
left or right to slow down or speed up. The display will indicate
the current tempo.
[latch]
Press the [latch] button, also to the left of the display. Remove
your hands from the keyboard. The pattern keeps playing.
Press [latch] again to stop the pattern from playing.

2First Session
15
Explore the Rhythms
Rhythms combine drum/percussion programs with specifically
designed rhythm patterns.
Press [rhythms]. Turn the control knob to cycle through
different rhythms.
●To play a rhythm
Press and hold any key from the bottom of the keyboard up to the
middle G#. (These are the keys labeled from recent through all.)
●To play a rhythm’s individual drum sound
Press one of the white keys from middle A (labeled voice) upward.
The keyboard’s middle A corresponds to the rhythm’s Drum A.
The next higher note, B (labeled osc), corresponds to Drum B.
Proceeding higher, drums C, D, E, etc. are triggered. Any keys
higher than the rhythm’s highest note will do nothing.
●To play a rhythm hands free
Press any key from middle G# down on the keyboard. While
holding down that key, press [latch] to keep the rhythm going.
Press [latch] a second time to stop the rhythm.
●To change the tempo
Tap the [tap] button a few times, or hold down [tap] and turn the
control knob.
●To change to a different rhythm
Turn the control knob to change the rhythm. The newly selected
rhythm will begin to play once the last rhythm reaches the end of
its cycle. (To make the newly selected rhythm begin playing
immediately, press any key from all downward.).

2First Session
16
Each rhythm’s sounds, relative sound levels, left/right panning,
rhythmic patterns, time signature, duration, quantization, and
name can be edited. (We’ll leave the editing for a later chapter.)
Explore the Setups
Press [setups] to explore this mode – the most sophisticated
mode of the Micron.
Setups combine the following elements:
●Multiple Programs.
●Multiple Patterns.
●Multiple Rhythms.
●Splits (like placing a rhythm on the left side of the keyboard, a
bass program in the middle, and a lead program up top).
●Latch on/off settings.
●Semitone transpositions.
●Level and left/right panning.
●Effects settings.
●Controller assignments.
Once you’ve mastered setups, you’ve mastered the Micron! In this
first session though, simply press the [setups] button, twirl the
control knob a few times, and listen to the various presets. Be sure
to play throughout the keyboard range to experience the various
splits, layers, and rhythm triggers. These presets will give you a
good sense for some of the different possibilities you can create on
your own.

2First Session
17
Record Some Phrases
You don't have to be in Patterns mode to create a pattern. At any
time, the Micron can capture your playing and use it as a pattern.
Press [programs] to enter Programs mode. Hold down the
[phrase] button and start playing a riff. As soon as you hit the
first note, the [phrase] button will start flashing, indicating that it
is recording what you play. You can release the [phrase] button
any time after you’ve played that first note.
When you are done playing the phrase, press the [phrase] button
again. The button will light, indicating that the Micron is ready to
play your phrase back. Press any key, and you’ll hear your phrase
loop to the tempo.
You can press the [phrase] button to turn phrase playback on or
off. To record a different phrase, just hold down the button and
start playing.
In Setups mode, it gets a little more complicated, since each part
can have its own phrase. But the basic idea is the same -- hold
down the [phrase] button and start playing. Whatever part or
parts you play on will get their own phrases. To record a phrase
and clear all of the other phrases, hold down [phrase] and start
recording when the button is unlit. To add the phrase to the
existing phrases, start recording when the button is
already lit.
A phrase is stored as a pattern named “* Phrase”, which appears
near the beginning of the patterns list. If you record a phrase that
you really like and want to keep, simply find the “* Phrase” pattern
and give it a new name. You will see how to do that in later
chapters.

2First Session
18
Connect External Instruments
You can connect external audio sources – other synthesizers,
mixers, guitars, etc. – using the ¼-inch (audio in) jacks on the
back of the Micron. The jacks accept either balanced or
unbalanced cables.
Your external audio can be blended in with the Micron’s internal
sound-producing oscillators. The resulting combination is then
sent through the Micron’s filters and effects.
Use both jacks for stereo input. Use the (left) jack for mono-only
sources (in which case the input will be sent to both the left and
right channels).
A special group of programs – including vocoder programs –
exists just for use with the external inputs. These programs begin
with “*” and are accessible at the beginning of the sfx Program
category.
Whew!
We’ve covered a lot of material. Hopefully now you feel
comfortable navigating around the Micron. Future chapters will
cover editing, MIDI, and other more advanced features. But if
you want to throw this manual on the fire now and simply enjoy
playing your Micron, no one will blame you. You’ve got the basics
well at hand.
See page 65 to learn about
the Micron’s filter
parameters.