Got to try the Alesis Fusion today

KingJ · Post by **KingJ** » Sat Nov 03, 2007 11:18 pm

I went to get a semi-hard case for my Tyros2 today, and the store that had the case I wanted also had a couple of Alesis Fusions, so I tried one of them
out. Here are my oppinions about it. I tried the Fusion 6HD. The virtual analog is great, and it has a killer hard sync, that you can adjust with the knobs,
and that also changes depending on key velocity. The Wurlitzer sound was almost as good as the one on my XS, but the tremolo sucked. Besides the VA, and
the Wurly sound, everything else on the Fusion pretty much sucked. There were pops in the attack in the low end of the keyboard on many of the sampled
sounds, and there were fairly loud pops every time I switched voices, even if I wasn't playing the keyboard. The key action was one of the worst I've ever
played. I didn't like the way aftertouch was implemented on some of the sounds. The effects were totally pothetic, and there were hissing sounds on some
voices, even if I wasn't playing the keyboard. The FM part of the Fusion was not anything to right home about, and the Fusion had to be the most cheaply
built keyboard I've ever played. My friend who was with me said that it either looked like an old radio, or an Atari. She also said that it looked like
something you would find in Toys Are Us. She said that the knobs look very cheap, and I didn't like the fact that they turned in a 360 degree circle, making
it impossible to tell where they're set by feel like I can on my XS6. Alesis has a good concept with the Fusion, but they have a lot of work to do if they
want to compete in the industry. There's also nothing original in the Fusion either, because the original concept came from the Korg Oasys. My overall rating of the Fusion is 1.5 out of 5 stars. The only reason I give it even that much is because it's VA is
impressive. The Fusion has a completely weird shape, and my friend said it was very unattractive, so much so, that she cringed when the guy brought it
down to hook it up.

BTW, I also found out from the dealer that Alesis is no longer making the Fusion, and it's hard to find in the stores these days. In conclusion, the Fusion
has an impressive VA, and a great Wurly sound, but the rest of it sucks.

Synthoid · Post by **Synthoid** » Sun Nov 04, 2007 12:41 am

Sorry to hear.

I'm concerned for the future of Alesis in general, at least from a keyboard standpoint. Looks dim.....

higskies · Post by **higskies** » Sun Nov 04, 2007 3:00 am

I guess they gotta sell more NanoVerbs and 3630 compressors.

KingJ · Post by **KingJ** » Sun Nov 04, 2007 5:09 am

I'm concerned about the future for Alesis too. They used to make some good stuff. I guess the Fusion was a last effort for them. Oh well, the Fusion can't even come close to the O!

Post by **Sharp** » Sun Nov 04, 2007 9:14 am

KingJ wrote:I'm concerned about the future for Alesis too. They used to make some good stuff. I guess the Fusion was a last effort for them. Oh well, the Fusion can't even come close to the O!

As far as I know, Alesis and AKAI are the same company, so the one thing that worries me is that AKAI who once dominated the Sampling world has NOTHING in it's current line up in the way of a Dedicated Sampler other than the MPC reincarnated.

Looking at the product line-up, there's really not a lot of items even on offer.

Probably by far the most exciting thing they have is the EWI.

Regards.
Sharp.

silverdragonsound · Post by **silverdragonsound** » Sun Nov 04, 2007 4:32 pm

Since Numark bought Alesis years ago, everything has gone to hell. I can't tell you the horror stories I've heard regarding the functionality and reliability regarding the Fusion. I've had three clients that have been owners of the Fusion. All of them had issues with it and I couldn't get Alesis to even acknowledge some of their issues initially. What's frustrating was all the people that were reporting the same issues. Even with the latest OS upgrade, people still are having issues. I would stay away from the Fusion at all costs.

Kerzwhile · Post by **Kerzwhile** » Mon Nov 05, 2007 5:21 pm

I have 5, yes 5 still in stock from my original order of 5 yes 5 from 2 years ago!!

$999 For a workstation that can do digital audio andf have that many engines is really not that bad!! Yea, Alesis screwed this one up bad!! I will have to disagree with with Kingj's assesment! I does NOT sound that bad! Really!! The main thing that makes my ass itch about it is that each patch gets loaded from the hard drive as you call it up1 So there is no instant access to each sound imediatelly. If any of you get a chance seriously check it out!! For $999 it really is a steal! I will still just stick with my toys though!

Kerzwhile · Post by **Kerzwhile** » Mon Nov 05, 2007 5:26 pm

Sharp wrote:
KingJ wrote:I'm concerned about the future for Alesis too. They used to make some good stuff. I guess the Fusion was a last effort for them. Oh well, the Fusion can't even come close to the O!
As far as I know, Alesis and AKAI are the same company, so the one thing that worries me is that AKAI who once dominated the Sampling world has NOTHING in it's current line up in the way of a Dedicated Sampler other than the MPC reincarnated.

Looking at the product line-up, there's really not a lot of items even on offer.

Probably by far the most exciting thing they have is the EWI.

Regards.
Sharp.

You mean Numark! Numark saved Alesis 3 years ago by dumping alot of money for R&D. Alesis makes alot of nice solid products still! Hell, the mic. pre's on the I/O 14 and 26 are actually good!!

silverdragonsound · Post by **silverdragonsound** » Tue Nov 06, 2007 2:36 am

Kerzwhile wrote:I have 5, yes 5 still in stock from my original order of 5 yes 5 from 2 years ago!! $999 For a workstation that can do digital audio andf have that many engines is really not that bad!! Yea, Alesis screwed this one up bad!! I will have to disagree with with Kingj's assesment! I does NOT sound that bad! Really!! The main thing that makes my ass itch about it is that each patch gets loaded from the hard drive as you call it up1 So there is no instant access to each sound imediatelly. If any of you get a chance seriously check it out!! For $999 it really is a steal! I will still just stick with my toys though!

Check out the keyboard magazine editors web site forum for people issues with the Fusion and also sweetwater's keyboard forum. Heck even Alesis own forums have people with serious issues with the Fusion. $999 for a keyboard that may not work is a pretty risky investment. With all those features there's a reason the price is so cheap.

Synthoid · Post by **Synthoid** » Tue Nov 06, 2007 2:18 pm

Guitar Center had a blowout on the 61-key Fusions awhile ago at a very low price ($699 I think). I've seen them as low as $750 online for "factory resealed."

Still......if it's going to blow up in your face, it's not worth it.

Diego · Post by **Diego** » Wed Nov 07, 2007 4:06 pm

Well, I think for $699 I would give a serious look to the Fusion

Regards

laughing_bear · Post by **laughing_bear** » Thu Nov 08, 2007 5:06 am

Diego wrote:Well, I think for $699 I would give a serious look to the Fusion

Regards

Me to! If I also get $699 for having a serious look at it.

Synthoid · Post by **Synthoid** » Thu Nov 08, 2007 2:25 pm

Expensive doorstop.

Diego · Post by **Diego** » Thu Nov 08, 2007 2:33 pm

Ahah, cool point Bear

I've found on eBay a guy near my home selling the Fusion 6HD; I think I'll ask him if I can go there and give it a try, I'm serious when I say that it seems an interesting intruments...in the end, I just want to touch by myself and with my hands why a lot of people are saying the Fusion is not that good, that's it.

Gary L · Post by **Gary L** » Fri Nov 09, 2007 4:57 pm

I'd would stay away from the Fusion and definitely get something else. I had one a few months back with the latest OS and I got the blue screen of death. IMO its not worth taking the chance. They are many other people who have experienced the same issue and other people that have experienced way too many issues with the Fusion. I was in contact with other Fusion users who experienced way too many issues to make me believe this is just a few isolated incidents. I got a private IM from a keyboard magazine employee who told me they received many letters from frustrated and pissed off Fusion users who were experiencing problems with the Fusion. Ernie Rideout, the editor of keyboard magazine has even taken notice and published the concerns in the magazine. The response from Alesis made several people respond in disbelief. They denied there were any issues they were aware of even though there own web site was littered with users complaining about the same issues. Keep in mind this is all within the last six months and Alesis has said they will not be making any more OS upgrades so if something happens, and you purchase one, you better pray its still under warranty because you'll find out what I did, it cost more to repair than what its worth. As pointed out already, there's a reason the price is low.