Alesis Fusion 8HD (2005)
Professional workstation synthesizer with 88-note weighted keyboard, multi-synthesis engine, and 8-track 24-bit hard disk recording.
Overview
The Alesis Fusion 8HD is a discontinued professional workstation synthesizer produced in 2005. It combines sample playback, virtual analog, FM, and physical modeling synthesis in one unit. The keyboard is 88 notes, fully weighted, hammer action, with aftertouch. Alesis made it their flagship workstation. It holds a synthesizer, a sampler, and an 8-channel 24-bit hard disk recorder with a 32-track MIDI sequencer. It runs a Linux-based operating system on a 400MHz AMD Alchemy processor. Each voice gets two oscillators, two filters, two LFOs, and three envelopes. Alesis built it to compete with high-end workstations from Korg, Roland, and Yamaha.
Specifications
| Synthesis Types | Sample Playback, Virtual Analog, FM, Physical Modeling |
| Keyboard | 88-note fully weighted hammer action with aftertouch |
| Hard Disk Recorder | 8-channel, 24-bit |
| Internal Hard Drive | 40 GB |
| Polyphony | 180 voices |
| Multitimbral Parts | 16-Part |
| Internal Memory | 64 MB standard, expandable to 192 MB |
| Sample RAM | Optional 128 MB expansion (64 MB Flash ROM standard) |
| Sequencer | 32-track MIDI with 8 audio tracks |
| Display | 240 x 128 backlit LCD |
| Audio Inputs | 8 x 1/4" TRS balanced (multitrack), 2 x 1/4" TRS balanced (sampler) |
| Outputs | 4 x 1/4" TRS balanced main, 1 x 1/4" stereo headphone, S/PDIF, ADAT Lightpipe |
| Effects | Up to 50 insert effects per song; 118 total effect types |
| Presets | 384 Programs, 24 Drum Kits, 128 GM, 8 GM Drum Kits, 128 Mixes |
| File Import | WAV, AIFF, Akai S1000/3000, SoundFont (.sf2) via converter |
| Processor | 400MHz AMD Alchemy |
| Dimensions | 51.5" W x 14" D x 5" H (1308 x 356 x 127 mm) |
| Weight | 58.4 lb / 25.6 kg |
Design
The Fusion 8HD has an all-metal chassis with plastic endcaps and a built-in power supply. The bottom of the chassis is rounded. There is a dedicated sample RAM expansion slot, and the sampler inputs have their own gain controls, isolated from the multitrack inputs. The front panel has four assignable 360° knobs, modulation and pitch wheels, and inputs for sustain pedal, expression pedal, and an assignable footswitch. A large 240x128 backlit LCD handles navigation. Effects routing uses insert effects and two bus sends, and the modulation routing is highly flexible. Samples load into RAM or Flash ROM.
Context
The Fusion 8HD was Alesis's flagship workstation, built to compete with high-end models from Korg, Roland, and Yamaha. It was discontinued around 2007 and is cited as an example of Alesis's most innovative and high-end gear. The related Fusion 6HD shares the same core DSP and components but has a 61-key synth-action keyboard.
Market
The original price was £999 circa 2007. Used, it commonly sells for $500 - $800 USD. Common problems are power supply failure, screen backlight failure, internal hard drive failure (often fixed with a CF/SSD swap), IDE interface issues, and occasional key response or MIDI bugs. Hard drive and memory upgrades are common. The screen backlight can be replaced with LEDs.
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