Alesis Andromeda

The Andromeda is a beast, here I put it through it's paces.
All rights reserved.

[@davidbryce1050]

Really nice job, Matt! I'm one of the folks who was on Andromeda's design team - I'm actually responsible for the name, and some of my programs are in the factory bank.

[@MattJohnsonJamiroquai]

Wow legend! Great work and great name!

[@juno6]

Thanks David!

[@SymaticStar]

David Bryce cheers love mine

[@maxine2798]

👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@TAM-mj9lb]

David, fabulous job. The Andromeda showed what a great analog polysynth could deliver at the beginning of the 21st century. Do you know if Alesis by chance still has some units they might want to sell?

[@jeandaniel6899]

2:01 She’s a fast persuader (Jamiroquai) 2:42 Too young to die (Jamiroquai) 3:31 Chameleon (Herbie Hancock) 4:05 With the music (Matt Johnson) 4:42 Use the force (Jamiroquai) 7:42 Seven days in sunny june (Jamiroquai) 8:42 Half the man (Jamiroquai) 8:55 Allright (Jamiroquai) 9:34 Just another story (Jamiroquai)

[@zsomalino]

4:42 is Use The Force live intro I think

[@jeandaniel6899]

Zsolt Horváth you’re right 👍

[@andreasglantz2294]

5:45 is ”Take Me With U” with Prince.

[@batlin]

What was the bit at 2:10 with those lush chords?

[@viliger3038]

@@batlin Sounds like Kool and The Gang - Summer Madness. Almost, but not quite¡

[@X-Lightz]

Absolutely amazing! Matt you should really do a sound design school class on video on how you design these great sounds you do. I would buy every course. The music world really needs your great sounds, they're just sounding so amazing. In my opinion your sounds are one of the best on the planet. They're so from another world, so analog sounding, never too cheesy and always so warm. Unbelievable!

[@sneakyalien101]

I think if Matt put these sounds out as Sysex format they would sell big time. Or even sample them and make a Kontakt bank out of them. I can just picture it: And now from Native Instruments the keyboard sounds of of Matt Johnson (Jamiroquai) for Kontakt 6....sell like hot cakes.

[@Veranek]

I fell in love with this synth after watching your performance at Jazz Café 2006 with Jamiroquai.

[@DaraM73]

Veranek was my local gig. Miss it.

[@Nathanaelsun22]

I could listen to a whole album of this. Vibrations are so so so so so out of this galaxy....such infinite goodness.

[@tjn0110]

I've always wanted one just because it has the most space-ship like interface, it also sounds good too ;).

[@Projacked1]

yeah , it sounds like a space ship!

[@DietmarEugen]

space-ship like: Yes, next to some Buchla modules ;^)

[@davidbryce1050]

Andy's look was mainly designed by master synth crafter Axel Hartmann.

[@monsterjazzlicks]

Would be very suitable for Scientology musicians!

[@NunyaB1s]

Add a JD-800 and you have the ops and conn from Star Trek

[@josephfelice601]

This should be a no brainer reissue. Come on Alesis bring it back with effects and reliabiltiy

[@BobsBand]

...but make it smaller, ditch the keyboard.

[@SPAZZOID100]

@@BobsBand no

[@davidfaustino4476]

LOL Alexis and that entire company are completely incapable of putting the time and money into any kind of useable instrument. They slap their name on cheap Medeli keyboards nowadays.

[@jacobbrown1690]

Not the same company…..they get others to make stuff for them and slap a name on it

[@shaft9000]

"effects"??? a synth IS an effects unit already oh and gee there's already a Wedge under the hood. :P

[@jmcbeady8210]

That was one of the best presentations of the Andromeda on the web.

[@jonathanredman8497]

Yeah Baby! The one we've been waiting for. Unless you own one ( luckily I do) you cannot fully appreciate the house foundation shattering power of it. It's pretty much a 16 voice modular in a box.

[@krider7296]

I agree with you. This is the most powerful analog self contained synthesizer out there even today. I have owned one of these for many years and love playing it. Knock on wood I think I got one of the good units and haven't experienced issues with it like some people mentioned in the comments. It is truly a one of a kind instrument and I still haven't come across a synthesizer I would chose over it today.

[@DarkSideofSynth]

What a beauty. A synth to drool for. 16-part analogue madness. That's how you do it!!!

[@synthanatomy]

Andromeda is still one of the most unique analog polysynths out there. A bit underrated to be honest. A masterpiece from the team around Taiho Yamada, Axel Hartmann... :)

[@paultorbert6929]

when i saw Taiho Yamada was part of the design team for the M-Audio Venom, a VA synth(and very inexpensive) i thought that it would be good just on the basis that Taiho helped put the A6 on the sonic map..... it was my very first proper synth purchase...... hahaha, nothing like the A6, but i havent given up synthing !!!! on todays horizon, the UDO Super 6 looks pretty nice..... still isnt quite the beast the A6 is......

[@blissprofessor4807]

I always thought the Andromeda was nothing special. But here you go and make it sound all kinds of wonderful. Great video, as usual. Thanks!

[@DaraM73]

Yeah, totally agree, great sounding machine. As many knobs and dials as actual stars in the actual galaxy...and after hearing it, could be moving closer into my orbit too.

[@Fidelb33r]

Worthy of the name Andromeda🙏

[@MarcWeertsMusic]

One of the most beautiful and inspiring looking synths I know!

[@WrvrUgoThrUR]

I looked up "synthesizer" in the dictionary and the Andromeda smacked the book right the hell out of my hand and told me to go and sit down and think about what I had done. And your RnB chops are off the charts!!!

[@MFitz12]

Well its about damn time! This synth seems to have been completely passed by and forgotten by history.

[@juno6]

Magnificent demo! Probably the best on KZbin. I love my Andromeda dearly.

[@thegood9]

I have owned two of these. It's one of the best synths I've ever played. Used it in a Rush tribute band with midi foot control as well as wrote several songs on it. BRING IT BACK, ALESIS!

[@bandfromtheband9445]

Your demonstrations are so excellent, Matt! Thank you!

[@enigiser1186]

Super synthe underated Great player Bravo

[@fizmo100]

Of all the gear I have sold over the years, the Andromeda is tied in top place with an SH5 for 'synths I miss most'. If all other creativity had run dry the Andromeda would always come up with something to get the juices flowing again - and as a last resort you can stop whatever you are doing, put it into unison mode and rearrange tectonic plates with the sound. I've been sorely tempted to reaquire one, mine had no issues at all in the 13 years I owned it, but still, the repair issue gives me pause for thought. This video nudges me closer to taking another look at one. There is still nothing that can compete with an Andy at full chat.

[@halcyo]

Always been the coolest looking synth of all time for me, ever since I saw it being promoted before release, back when I was in high school! A true dream synth!

[@theaudioeng]

Superb Matt!!, so few decent demos of this classic, rare beast. I see this as the 'Buggati Veyron' of analogue synths - did then, still holds up if you scan down the incredible spec.'s on this.... hyper everything. Of course always wanted one, though I've read too many horror stories of quirks/ OS issues bricking the 'board. Can't afford a awesome looking doorstop.... ! (hope I haven't ruined your sleep tonight there!!). Can't wait for your next UL Matt 😎🎹🎶👍🍻

[@SNAPAVELI]

Mine died!! No place can fix it, still got almost 2k for its parts! Too scared to buy another

[@theaudioeng]

@@SNAPAVELI Aww, gutted JM - was that issue with it locking up? At least you recovered some $ for it.

[@SNAPAVELI]

the audio eng yes , stuck at boot screen. Main board was fried

[@antoniolucena7304]

Its really not about the synth... ANY synth in this guy’s hands sounds magical...can’t believe he is self-taugh... so humble, contrasting majoraty of this days content makers... so inspiring

[@leevalasek9251]

. .. ... this synth was way ahead of its time. most versatile analog poly out there STILL !!!!

[@markusfuller]

You can make any synth sound amazing :-)

[@MagMusic]

@markusfuller That's the thing many people don't get; unless you have comparable playing ability and harmonic knowledge, this 'board won't sound as good as you want it to when you get it home. Matt can make a broken Mattel keyboard sound deep. It's him, not the keyboard. Keep that in mind when you listen to his vids. He's a monster player who leans towards 70s, 80s fusion and is a gearhead. He makes keyboards--any keyboards--sound great.

[@SymaticStar]

MagMusic partially true. True he's an amazing player, also the Andromeda is an extremely powerful synthesizer for sound design, an art that can make a single patch evoke so much. I love jazz and funk but I'm also saying this is a sound designers dream where another side of creativity is in making the patch, some of which are so complex they don't suit complex playing styles.

[@SomeDud-lm1mi]

Not any. It depends on versatility and what the synth is for.

[@AdamTheAd-vanc3d]

I remember seeing this in Sound on Sound magazine. My tongue nearly fell out. Luckily enough i managed to have a go on one in the Turnkey shop. Couldn't afford one though. I think its a shame the company went bust, as at the time it was pretty much the only big current flagship synth around. Thanks for sharing this one Matt 👍🏾

[@DaraM73]

Adamski A. I think turnkey is a noodle shop now.

[@AdamTheAd-vanc3d]

@@DaraM73I know it went years ago . Thou didn't know it became a noodle shop. Thou having said that I used to go into the shop to noodle with keyboards quite a bit lol. From noodling to noodles wow what a transition.

[@SymaticStar]

Made at a time software was more popular than hardware.

[@AdamTheAd-vanc3d]

@@SymaticStar Very true vst were certainly getting better.

[@SamplersAndThings]

I think it’s absolutely insane that Alesis of all companies put out this amazing synth. Of all manufacturers...

[@nectariosm]

And it was one of the products that brought the company to its knees apparently

[@SamplersAndThings]

nektar That’s extremely unfortunate.

[@davidbryce1050]

@@nectariosm That's incorrect. The synth division was making a ton of money at that point - way more than enough to pay for designing and building Andy. It was the over-reliance on hardware recorders along with a ton of $ wasted on an ill-fated digital mixer that never made it to market that contributed the most to Alesis' financial problems. dB Alesis Synthesizer Marketing Manager, 1995-2000

[@nectariosm]

@@davidbryce1050 Thanks for this great bit of info. Shame about the company.

[@G8tr1522]

@@davidbryce1050 that's so sad. Leave it to a CEO to take unnecessary risks and not notice existing revenue streams. Proud owner of a Blue Alexis Micron.

[@michaels8607]

I can listen to you play all day..Between you, the keyboard player for Zero7, Worrell, and Stevie, you all make the keyboard sing. It's not that others cannot play, it's that emotion and clarity that matters to me.I have Jamiroqual's music all in my crates,everytime I make mix projects or play out...

[@thejamifan-os4oh]

Wow!!! 😎 What an awesome and inspiring treat I was wondering if this power house was still with you... This Synth is a keeper! Loved this Video , great playing and especially loved the Jami tunes in the mix 🎹 🤩 🙌🏻 🙏🏻 💫

[@thejamifan-os4oh]

Playing it on the big screen now!!, I also heard a snippet of prince “take me with you” let alone Herbie, as for “with the music” so cool, Man love your Channel so much 🙌🏻😎🎹

[@LesFarrington]

I almost bought one in 2000 but I will admit that it seemed fiction that Alesis released this synth, It was completely outta left field! I saw a few demo vids INCLUDING THIS ONE and being that I was tired of waiting for the Moog Muse/Mirror to be released, I bought an Andromeda from a guy who said his andromeda had the screen/parameter jump issue and midi in didn’t work. It arrived and I plugged it in and got lost for 4 hours listening to presets and editing and playing with the filters. Yes the screen jumped but MY GOD IT SURE SOUNDED GOOD! The sheer spread of different sounds capable on this synth is truly vast. Anyone claiming it has weak low end is Deaf! And I dismantled the chassis and unscrewed the front panel boards and sprayed some special stuff into the tiny holes on the potentiometers and reassembled the unit. WORKS PERFECTLY. It’s a 3 hour job but now I have what is basically a brand new Andromeda! I feel like an idiot for wasting so much money on synths I thought were The Shit! It could take a lifetime to exhaust the possibilities on this synth. I saw Matt playing it and I thought it sounded pretty damn good but was still slightly skeptical because Matt could make a Casio sound good! After buying and exploring the Andromeda, I can say honestly, It is a masterpiece synth worth the high price of admission and mama was RIGHT! Don’t settle for 2nd best of anything, Save up and get what you paid for.” I have gotten great results from Roland’s and Korgs etc etc…. But this andromeda is a whole new level!

[@MattJohnsonJamiroquai]

It’s a great synth

[@stevenluckybenson3468]

I recall you using that at Nokia Theater in NYC 2007...man that sound was fantastic...! I was completely fascinated by the sounds you were generating from the Andromeda that night....tweaking envelopes & filters during solos...absolutely Unforgettable! *Mind Blown!*

[@jesuscuadrado2920]

Amazing synth and amazing performance (thanks a lot). Underrated in comparison with other "modern" analog stuff (Prophets, Moog One, etc.). Maybe the king of analog poly-synths ever.

[@fuzzjohn]

I feel like the unsung hero in all your videos is that trusty Montage, what a workhorse!

[@margix1172]

A great player that make these machines be more human than many humans

[@paulussantosociwidjaja4781]

Superb demo, Thanks Matt. Love it!

[@navboi12]

Damn, I have been dreaming of this day. One of my favourite synths!! Cheers as always Matt!

[@ewwitsantonio]

Sounds great!! Sometimes I put these demos on just to listen to while I'm doing chores around the house :)

[@MrStevo955]

looking absolutely dapper in that jacket sir

[@BeatMax2023]

Very nicely played. Lovely sound!

[@maxmaxington5873]

Matt you really are in a league of your own. You could release a whole album of just synth jams. Would be real high brow shit. I’d buy it.

[@nicoprsab]

Wauw man..... I listened to your new album this morning. Love it so much!! Makes me happy........

[@Williamk492]

What is the album called please? I searched for Matt Johnson on Apple Music but another musician pops up.

[@nicoprsab]

@@Williamk492 It's called 'With the music" Enjoy!!

[@dfxmonkeyhead]

Such a great synth... And nice playing too, Sir!

[@thoang101]

that analog sounds are so warm. Thank you for showing us.

[@gypmcgyp]

I love the A6 so much I have two, one for live and one for the studio. If I suffered a studio fire I'd have no doubts about which synth I'd grab first!

[@derrebel1203]

A superb tool in a master’s hand - a joy to watch 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@cds8137]

2.48 Classic Matt Johnson... felt like planet earth. This is another great open door t another classic synth. Really enjoy your vids. Thank you

[@jasonmcgary]

I watch and think damn I wish I could play like Matt Johnson.so much soul.

[@JedShura]

There's tons of Triton like synths out there, and arguably the A6 and Moog One are 'workstation-like' polyphonic synths (deep editing, digital modulations, multi stage envelopes, etc.). We need more! - not just simple polyphonic synths, but 'workstation' polys! (and with CV in/out!!!!)

[@olavfossheim3288]

Great video and performance from you .There is not to many new A6 videos out there so thank´s. You made me go Digg out my A6 from the Basement im just waiting for it to get warm enough to stop freaking out all the time . He he !

[@eyeprod3101]

I always wanted one. Thanks for the video.

[@Hyper5nic]

Thank you Matt! I just saw an Andromeda up for sale! May seriously consider getting this now!

[@kiranpanchal7429]

Andromeda-A6 was Complete in Design so many years back and was affordable. Still it is not competed by any other maker. There are many appreciators of Andromeda- A6. This Superb demo will convince Alesis to take making fresh batch of this Analog Synthesizer and to establish servicing Support forever. Liked and Subscribed in very special respect for Andromeda-A6.

[@TheCultofshiva]

Although I couldn't afford it, I could play with it in my local music shop. It has some awesome sounds and it stays relevant as a synth. A synth like this never goes out of fashion. Can't get enough of sounds like the andromeda makes, it all sounds so rich and full. Nice to hear these examples.

[@wayahedia9989]

Andromeda released 2000. Thanks for this! -- Lead SW developer for the Andromeda. 96-release.

[@Moppedsebi]

I I really appreciate people who give real music examples instead of just "squeezing out some sounds" out of an instrument. ...and I am okay with advertisements, but I hate it, when they interrupt music!

[@housebandthexenos2569]

I own one of these since new. After seeing this video I no longer want another analog synth! Funny, yours sounds better than mine... Matt I have a trick for you that improves or at least changes the tone of the Andromeda. That's to use the individual voice outs to a decent analog mixer. It takes 8 TRS - TS Y cables and go to 16 board channels. I've gone to a p-bay and summed on my Neve 8816 before. That's a sound to behold! You might know about this trick but haven't tried it because it takes so many channels, but even any submixer will do the job. I'm usually using a small Soundtracs Topaz for this. It will bypass your FX but of course you can put another unit/plugins on the board from there. Great playing and sounds as always. Thanks.

[@supercompooper]

I do this too. Now from direct outs to Dante and into a Daw where I mix and pan and add effects. Beyond amazing.

[@krinzologicstudio]

I did it longtime ago with my A6 on my old A&H Zed R16 then the master over a Neve pre----> Insert chain opto comp LA3A + Strymon OLA (Chorus analog) + Stymon Big Sky (lush reverb ) ---> BOOOOMMMMMMMMMMM!!!!!!!!!!! :)

[@JonniArmani]

Unreal machine 👊👊💥

[@nigelrogers8690]

Had to watch and listen to this twice, freaking awesome 🤯

[@LionsDen2112]

pretty cool, one night after a Phish concert I was hanging w Page McConnell and we were chatting about this, a piece he added to his arsenal in Dec of 2002. such an amazing machine. I was a proud Alesis Qs owner back in the mid-late 90s. this synth was.a monster!

[@myshelby500gt]

Wow the sounds from 4.44 i could listen to that all day what a synth. Had a chance to buy a new one back in 2001 and let it pass me by and regret it to this day.

[@vgmandstuff1381]

sounds amazing Matt! love your dreamy rhodes jams the most

[@aliendreammusic7171]

A beast indeed!

[@shakarhythm113]

Wow!!! As a proud and happy owner of an Alesis QS8.1 & the venerable SR-16 I never knew about this absolute gem. Thanks so much for the touch sir!

[@Musik_Arbeiter]

It sounds great! 3:31 Chameleon - Herbie Hancock 🦎

[@egorm8952]

Yes!!!!!! My dream synth this one. Thank you, Matt!

[@aarcvault908]

An unbelievable machine and curiously under-rated/appreciated, if you ask me. I have one, and a better, more versatile noise/dissonance generator I've yet to find; "other worldly" doesn't begin to describe the unsettling tones this thing is capable of generating (depending on the operator) and well worth every last dime of the small fortune I paid for mine.

[@descontrolador]

Amazing demo, incredible sounds!!

[@Riktenstein]

It looks like a beast!!

[@adrianmccombe625]

I remember when this came out. Im sure it was in a dodgy angled pic on the front of SOS lol Sounds excellent 👍

[@KiR_3d]

What a Superb synthesizer! Now I regret that I've didn't bought it for 2 grands $ locally when I've had a chance...

[@dizzysdiamonds]

You’re such an inspiration Matt !!!....glorious stuff !!...

[@naza220]

7:43 is so beautiful....pure art

[@dailydoseofbeauty-coaching113]

Around that time Turnkeys in Charing Cross Rd had one on display to test and I remember being awestruck, equipped with so many OSc and Filters, only a Virus, which was Digital came close, thinking, I wish I had the money, but at the same time, where would I put this monster,, it was huge !!! Great memories Thanks for the upload 👍💣💥✌

[@stevefranklin5714]

Thanks Matt I was one of your fans that requested the A6 demo I love watching all your clips & truly appreciate the time that you take to do them. It's always exciting to see what you will do next.... Love the tutorials Best wishes Steve

[@PolyconPolycon]

Fantastic demonstration! Thank you!

[@SimonCarpenter69]

Nice top outfit ^^ - XD this synth is amazing

[@sambidudek]

I`m waiting for another comment like, this man sounds so much like Jamiroquai :) He should play with him.

[@sneakyalien101]

His videos have made me realise how much Jamiroquai's overall sound is owed to Matt. Those detuned leads wow and the chord progressions are beautiful - pure Jamiroquai.

[@PatentSTM]

very in depth demo , very good sounds that delivers the soul of a mighty machine...

[@patrikboij7560]

The Andromeda was really ahead of the curve back then in 2002

[@markanderson9995]

AMAZING !!!!

[@funkelektroniq]

Synth of my dream

[@emiliodimitri419]

Andromeda owner, is indeed, a beautiful poly synth, can be vintage, can be modern, can be super experimental, and overall, second hand is not so expensive. The 16 voice unison mode has a ridicoulus power for basses

[@mtrsoftwareservices]

Nice. I could watch this all day.

[@shanebarbermusic]

2:10 This little tune is unbelievable. So much soul.

[@peterkadarmusic9728]

Nice! I've never seen a fully working A6 before! Good for you!

[@bororobo7036]

Such a beautiful machine. This is probably MJ Limited Edition, the best I've ever seen. And sounds excellent.

[@Itscjoy]

awesome stuff

[@TheTonyTitan]

I like his musical style

[@hawk194]

Loved this. Great sounding synth. Absolutely mesmerised as ever and the way you combine sounds is just perfect. Always perfect! Thank you.

[@kamelhamlaoui9983]

Take me with you!!!💕😎🎵

[@kamelhamlaoui9983]

Thanks Matt! Question I have 2 SEM’s Oberheim ( SEM pro + patch panel) and an OBX-8 love them. I thinking about selling/ trading my OBX-8 for a mini moog d 2022( ( cuz I have my SEM’s) and buy later another obx-8 desktop. Is it stupid? Maybe I should just save money to buy the moog, and keep my set up. Prince fan here for more than 36 years. Love the circa/ decade. 1978/1988. Hope you will answer, advise me. Keep the funk alive matt!💕🙏😎🎵🍀

[@8dioproductions]

Fantastic - in every way!

[@blakepotter7937]

So, 3 listens. Stellar performance again.

[@willsims2009]

SMOOTH~~~

[@raistaparta]

Thank you Matt! Always wanted one of these. If anyone can make it justice it’s you.

[@princemamuwalde]

A little bit of that... With THE MUSIC! 🎶👌🏾

[@SyntheticThings]

I love my Andy. I live in such fear that the analog board will die. When it came out it took a lot of heat for not sounding exactly like a Jupiter, OB, Moog or any other vintage synth. It's the Andromeda's unique sound that makes it so great. I've attempted to replicate my patches from the Andy on everything from DSI/Sequential to a Moog One, they just can't do it. None of them have the ratty Swiss cheese filters of the Andromeda. It's as unique as any vintage synth and nothing else sounds quite like it.

[@dxmat]

Thank you, Maestro.

[@eaglechildkeys]

The Beast! ;-) Awesome sounds. Always is a pleasure to listen your Keyboard Chops, Matt...