The A6 Andromeda is no more..had a thought!

Vince Ascoli · Post by **Vince Ascoli** » Sat Feb 06, 2010 10:58 pm

Before the OB-8 take too harsh a drubbing here, opinions do vary

I had my first OB-8 twenty years ago, sold it and regretted it. Nothing ever took its place for 'that' sound, and I tried a LOT of instruments, including a very nicely functioning 6-voice OBMx, one of the first. Bought an OB-Xa on the recommendation of a friend, honestly found it unremarkable and sold it with no regrets. Have since re-bought the OB-8, and am delighted. I understand the intrinsic differences between the instruments, but again, feel the OB-8 does a very nice, wide range of useful and fun things. This one is a rev B5, factory MIDI and very stable. It lives with a Jupiter-8, a Memorymoog and a PolyEvolver (rack), holds its own and represents the Oberheim dynasty nicely, here. Peace to those who may disagree...back on topic, I had an Andromeda also, again early on, and thought it was great. If a way can be found to license the best parts of that technology into an affordable Moog polysynth, then I'd like to see it - with wood, lights, brushed aluminum and all the trimmings that Moog has to offer

superd2112 · Post by **superd2112** » Sun Feb 07, 2010 3:42 pm

Vince, your post illustrates something that took me far too long to learn - no two analogs sound the same, and seldom can one be substituted for another. I think if anyone out there wants or misses the Andromeda, you should make every effort to acquire one. I just purchased a Prophet '08, and I thought it would stop me from missing the Andromeda I sold a few years ago, but I was wrong. The Prophet is a GREAT synth, and it has an irreplaceable sound all it's own, but it is not a substitute for the Andy - nothing is. Same thing goes for my Phatty. When I sold my Andromeda, I also sold my Voyager EB (I was in between jobs, and I was not willing to part with any of my basses) and recently I purchased a Phatty S-II thinking it would take the place of the Voyager - I was wrong again! The LP has the overdrive circuit I love, but I still miss the 3rd oscillator and deeper mod section of the EB. An Andy-based Moog poly would be cool, and while it would not replace the Andy, it would be a unique & new synth on it's own. I'll never sell any of my synths again, and after thinking I was all done, I still need to get an Andy and a Voyager!

Sidewind · Post by **Sidewind** » Sun Feb 07, 2010 8:25 pm

You are so right superd2112. No two analog synths are the same. In fact, I have also found very subtle differences between the same model of the same instrument. No so much in sound, but playability. For example, each of my Andys and Voyagers play just a little bit different from each other. Also, each of them has subtle differences in their keybeds, feel of the pots, etc. Mind you, the differences are small, but I can definitely attest to each having their own character and feel.

I too have learned not to sell anything unless I know that I do not want that particular one anymore. I sold off my first Andy thinking that I would not use it's power. I figured that I could always get one again. And in fact, I did - two actually, but while each of them is awesome functionally, that first one really had a smooth and satiny keybed. I have never touched another like it again.

Michael...

superd2112 · Post by **superd2112** » Sun Feb 14, 2010 6:30 am

Well, I thought Alesis was simply taking their time making another run of Andromedas, but after attempting to hunt one down, I see that most of the dealers have either listed it as discontinued, or have removed it entirely from their sites, and as usual, Alesis will not respond to any of my emails requesting info about the beast. If it really has been discontinued, then indeed it is a sad day for analog synth lovers everywhere. Given the cost of development and production, I doubt we will ever see another poly analog from any maker with the sound, power and depth of the mighty Andromeda, and almost certainly not at a price anywhere near what the Andy sold for, even if such a monster could be produced. It appears my quest for a well cared for used Andy has begun...

latigid on · Post by **latigid on** » Sun Feb 14, 2010 6:37 am

superd2112 wrote:Well, I thought Alesis was simply taking their time making another run of Andromedas, but after attempting to hunt one down, I see that most of the dealers have either listed it as discontinued, or have removed it entirely from their sites, and as usual, Alesis will not respond to any of my emails requesting info about the beast. If it really has been discontinued, then indeed it is a sad day for analog synth lovers everywhere. Given the cost of development and production, I doubt we will ever see another poly analog from any maker with the sound, power and depth of the mighty Andromeda, and almost certainly not at a price anywhere near what the Andy sold for, even if such a monster could be produced. It appears my quest for a well cared for used Andy has begun...

Sometimes buying used has its advantages: any software or hardware problems should have manifested themselves and be made known to buyers.

Good luck!

A synth well worth it!

EricK · Post by **EricK** » Sun Feb 14, 2010 1:20 pm

Ive heard of the various bugs these units can exhibit, but is it something that can be user servicable if you are an ee?

Kevin Lightner · Post by **Kevin Lightner** » Sun Feb 14, 2010 4:17 pm

Ive heard of the various bugs these units can exhibit, but is it something that can be user servicable if you are an ee?

No.
Unless maybe it's the power supply.
And having a degree doesn't have much to do with how well one is at servicing electronics.

Kevin (no degree, but was part of the design team and beta tester for the A6.)

Subtronik · Post by **Subtronik** » Sun Feb 14, 2010 4:22 pm

superd2112 wrote:Well, I thought Alesis was simply taking their time making another run of Andromedas, but after attempting to hunt one down, I see that most of the dealers have either listed it as discontinued, or have removed it entirely from their sites, and as usual, Alesis will not respond to any of my emails requesting info about the beast. If it really has been discontinued, then indeed it is a sad day for analog synth lovers everywhere. Given the cost of development and production, I doubt we will ever see another poly analog from any maker with the sound, power and depth of the mighty Andromeda, and almost certainly not at a price anywhere near what the Andy sold for, even if such a monster could be produced. It appears my quest for a well cared for used Andy has begun...

Sweetwater is getting at least one next month:

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/Andromeda/

Might be the last one they ever get though.

BrianK · Post by **BrianK** » Mon Feb 15, 2010 4:49 am

As a lover of all the old synths (well, most), I agree that nothing can "do" the others well. I still have a Polymoog - limited as hell, but a unique sound. The Andromeda A6 is a wonderful machine, it's routings and power eclipse ANY old polysynth (even the OB-Mx, one of my favorites and one of the dirtiest synths ever.)

But, I've just ordered John Bowen's Solaris. He had a hand in so many of the synths you know from the past, but it's architecture is not "just analog" as the Dave Smith does - it combines various synthesis ideas. Emulations of analog circuits are there and damn good. I had to wait until I heard it in person - I think it will be The One. Seriously, if you program, you owe it to yourself to check it out.

My main fault (so far) was that the programs shown were emulations of classic (80s) synth sounds. This machine (as did the A6) has insane power to create new sounds, modulations, and (especially for the Solaris) SONIC quality of sound not heard since the days of modular synths.

superd2112 · Post by **superd2112** » Mon Feb 15, 2010 5:10 am

BrianK, that really is an incredible machine! But it looks like you may have snatched up the last one - it is listed as "sold out".

Subtronic - thank you for the tip, but Sweetwater told me they do not actually know if Alesis is still making the Andy, & they do not know if they will ever get another..

The Quest - continues...

sunny pedaal · Post by **sunny pedaal** » Mon Feb 15, 2010 6:03 am

latest a6's sold , i thought, were refurbished ones.
it's a pity if they don't make new batches, the a6 is a good synth, even if a luxe version would have been welcomed by me.
i'll keep my trouble free one and wait for moog to come out with a 8 voice 3 oscillator polyvoyager

Subtronik · Post by **Subtronik** » Mon Feb 15, 2010 6:28 am

I must admit, I'd love to own an A6. But I'm betting something will come along in the next few years that will fill the void and blow all of our minds.

Subtronik · Post by **Subtronik** » Wed Feb 17, 2010 8:58 pm

superd2112 wrote:thank you for the tip, but Sweetwater told me they do not actually know if Alesis is still making the Andy, & they do not know if they will ever get another.

FWIW my guy at Sweetwater told me yesterday Alesis isn't discontinuing the A6.

He said once they get enough orders they'll start production again.

The Analog Organist · Post by **The Analog Organist** » Thu Feb 18, 2010 3:20 pm

Please keep us posted on any and all Andromeda A6 updates.

_DemonDan_ · Post by **_DemonDan_** » Thu Feb 18, 2010 4:22 pm

The Analog Organist wrote:Please keep us posted on any and all Andromeda A6 updates.

I will post on this thread if/when I see any of them here at Sweetwater.

The fastest way is to go to the Andromeda page and click on the green
"Notify me when in stock" button.

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/Andromeda

You'll get an e-mail the day they arrive.