Alesis

Explore 17 Alesis vintage synthesizer models — specs, production history, reviews, and market values in the VTA archive.

Drum Machines

• DM5 — 16-voice drum module with Dynamic Articulation™, 540 stereo drum sounds, and 12 trigger inputs. Includes what it sells for today and original documentation.
• HR-16 (1987) — Alesis HR-16 (1987): 16-bit drum machine with 47kHz samples, 49 sounds, 16 pads, 100 patterns, full MIDI. The affordable classic of late-'80s drum programming.
• SR-18 — A 24-bit drum machine and three-part sequencer with dynamic articulation and built-in effects. Includes the complete spec table and when it was made.

Effects

• Microverb (1986) — Alesis Microverb (1986) — budget digital reverb with 16 non-editable presets, reverse reverb, and a 9V AC power quirk. The box that made digital reverb affordable.
• Microverb II — A 16-bit stereo digital reverb processor released in 1988 with 16 non-editable presets and solid metal construction. Find current market value here.
• MIDIverb — 18-bit dual-channel effects processor with MIDI control, introduced as an affordable alternative to high-end reverb units.
• MIDIverb II — 16-bit rackmount reverb and multi-effects processor with 99 presets, MIDI control, and a distinctive 1987 digital character

Keyboards

• Fusion 6HD — 61-note semi-weighted keyboard workstation with 4 synthesis types, 8-track hard disk recording, and expandable sampling. Covers detailed specs.
• Fusion 8HD — Professional workstation synthesizer with 88-note weighted keyboard, multi-synthesis engine, and 8-track 24-bit hard disk recording.

Mixers

• 12R — Alesis Studio 12R 12-channel rack-mount mixer with eight hybrid/discrete mic preamps, 60 dB gain, balanced XLR/1/4-inch inputs, and dual aux sends.
• 16B — Alesis 16B, an obscure late-1980s 16-bit digital reverb with 16 programs and stereo I/O, documented only through two period magazine references.
• 820-DSP — Alesis ProLinear 820-DSP active studio monitor with 8-inch Kevlar woofer, 1-inch silk tweeter, 80+40W amps, and onboard DSP EQ. Introduced 2001 at $799.
• M-20 — Alesis M-20 ADAT Type II 20-bit digital multitrack recorder, circa 1997-1999, designed for commercial studio and post-production use.

Processors

• EQ-230 — Alesis EQ-230 — almost nothing is documented. A possible clue appears in DB Magazine (Sep 1991) referencing an MEQ-230 Precision Equalizer.

Recorders

• HD-24XR — Alesis HD-24XR hard disk recorder — 24-track, 24-bit/96kHz, $2,495 (2003). Little documented beyond magazine specs and an advertising tagline.
• ML-9600 (ca. 1999–2004) — Alesis MasterLink ML-9600 (ca. 1999-2004) two-track hard disk mastering recorder. 24-bit/96kHz, 20GB drive, built-in DSP and CD-R burning in one rackmount box.

Sequencers

• MMT8 — A dedicated 8-track MIDI sequencer with pattern-based workflow and tactile real-time control. Covers detailed specs and production dates.

Synthesizers

• Andromeda A6 — 16-voice, 16-part multi-timbral analog synthesizer with dual filters per voice and extensive physical control. Covers when it was made.
• QS8 — A flagship 88-key digital synthesizer with weighted hammer-action keys, released by Alesis in 1996. Find detailed specs and production dates here.
• QuadraSynth — A 76-key digital synthesizer introduced by Alesis as their first major synth, featuring 64-voice polyphony and PCM-based sound generation.

Other Models

• ADAT — Digital 8-track recorder using S-VHS tape, capable of sample-accurate synchronization across up to 16 units for 128-track recording.
• ADAT HD24 — 24-track hard disk recorder with 24-bit resolution, designed to replace tape-based ADAT systems. Covers production years.
• ADAT HD24XR — Alesis ADAT HD24XR: 24-track 24-bit/96kHz hard-disk recorder with 24ch TRS + ADAT I/O, dual hot-swap IDE bays, $2,999. A heavy, reliable '90s workhorse.
• ADAT LX20 — Alesis ADAT LX20 — the most affordable ADAT ever made, with 20-bit ADAT Type II recording, 44.1/48 kHz, and full optical/sync compatibility.
• ADAT XT — Alesis ADAT XT (1995) — 8-track digital multitrack recorder with 92dB dynamic range, S-VHS tape, and ADAT optical I/O. This page has current market value.
• ADAT XT-20 — Alesis ADAT XT-20: 20-bit ADAT Type II recorder, 48kHz, 102dB dynamic range, 8 tracks on S-VHS tape. The finest ADAT of the line.
• AM-11 — Alesis AM-11 (1999): $399 Class-A FET large-diaphragm condenser with fixed cardioid, 75Hz rolloff and −10dB pad — a warm, characterful vocal mic.
• AM51 — Alesis AM51 — fixed-cardioid Class A FET condenser from the GT Electronics line, $549 at launch, gold-evaporated mylar diaphragm, -10dB pad and 80Hz roll-off.
• AM52 — Alesis AM52 (1998) — a $699 Class A FET multipattern condenser from Alesis's GT Electronics division, bright and breathy, best matched to the right voice.
• AM61 — Alesis AM61 (GT Electronics) tube condenser mic, $999 in 1998 — 3-micron capsule, fixed cardioid, GT5840M tube. Under-the-radar tube LDC.
• CD24 — Alesis CD24 — the 24-bit/96kHz CD-R mastering format written by the MasterLink ML-9600. How it worked, what it cost, and why it stayed a footnote.
• Ion — Alesis Ion (2003–2007) — 49-key virtual analog synth with 30 knobs, dual filters, 20-slot modulation, and Quadraverb-derived effects. A hands-on powerhouse.
• MasterLink ML-9600 — Alesis MasterLink ML-9600 — hard-disk recorder, mastering suite, and CD burner in one box, with 24-bit/96kHz CD24 burning and onboard DSP.
• MEQ-230 — The Alesis MEQ-230 is a little-documented rackmount equalizer. Period listings: dual 30-band 1/3-octave EQ in 1U, $249 (1991).
• ProLinear 820DSP — Alesis ProLinear 820DSP active bi-amplified studio monitor with DSP EQ/crossover; documented mainly in 2001–2004 period press reviews.
• RA-300 — Alesis RA-300 2x150W professional power amplifier — board-level service manual, 300W linear supply, dual-voltage. Repairable studio workhorse.
• synthesizers — Alesis Andromeda A6 (2000–2010) — 16-voice analog synth with dual filters per voice and full multitimbral operation, built to revive Alesis in the pro market.