Alesis ups the ante while shattering the price barrier with the new Fusion HD workstations. With 4 types of synthesis, hundreds upon hundreds of factory loaded preset sounds, a full blown 8 track audio recorder built in, 40GB hard drive with direct-to-disk style recording, streamlined user interface and USB connectivity, the Fusion combines everything you've ever wanted in a workstation synth without touting an astronomical price tag. With the Fusion 6HD and 8HD, Alesis has re-examined the concept of what constitutes a workstation and has made ease of use a design priority.

The massive hard drive also allows users to store custom created sounds and songs and sequences (or via removable Compact Flash memory), meaning that your programs are always available. This capability eliminates the time consuming process of loading samples from a slow CD-ROM or floppy drive. And if the internal drive isn't big enough for you, you can easily add an external drive of any size via the EXT DRIVE (Serial ATA-type connector) input.

With its Coldfire processing engine accompanied by seven high-performance DSPs, Fusion's four synthesis types include Sample Playback, Analog Modeling, FM (Frequency Modulation) synthesis, and Physical Modeling. The instrument's sampling technology enables 44.1 kHz samples to be stored in the expandable (64MB to 192MB) Flash ROM. These can be exchanged for other samples stored on either Compact Flash cards or the internal 40 GB hard drive - providing easy access to an unlimited sound library.

Compared to other Virtual Analog (VA) synthesizers, the Fusion's VA synthesis engine enables far greater sonic control by way of its user defined modulation table assignments that remember complex parameter settings. Fusion is also the first instrument in Alesis' history to utilize FM synthesis, a sonically diverse form of sound generation that has made a profound impact on electronic music. And Fusion's FM signal router provides preset templates facilitating quick assembly of programs without the difficulty of traditional FM programming. Combine these technologies with Fusion's Physical Modeling capabilities that provide for real-time manipulation of the modeled sound, and this workstation is unlike any other.

The Fusion is the first and only workstation that lets you seamlessly mix MIDI and multitrack digital audio direct from disk. The sequencer records MIDI and multitrack direct-to-disk audio recordings on one screen-greatly simplifying editing in the process. Further, the recorder supports 8-track simultaneous recording of 24-bit/44.1 kHz audio. Add to this a wealth of signal processing, including 20 reverbs, 10 chorus, and 50 insert effects, and the creative possibilities are limitless. With fully assignable buttons, 360-degree potentiometers for the most precise control of synthesizer parameters, a 32-track MIDI sequencer, and a fully programmable arpeggiator, the Alesis Fusion workstations bring new definition to the meaning of creative inspiration.

Features:

• 61 Note Keyboard Workstations
• Four integrated synthesis types: Sample Playback, Virtual Analog, FM, and Physical Modeling
• Full synth workstation with 8 track 24-bit hard disk recording
• High-definition 24-bit sampler with comprehensive waveform editing with internal memory expandable from 64MB to 192MB
• 32 Track MIDI sequencer built in with integrated multi-channel digital audio playback
• The only workstation of its kind that can save and load programs off of a hard disk (or the removable Compact Flash memory), by storing all your sounds on the internal disk and always having your programs available to you. You'll never have to load samples off a slow CD-ROM or floppy-disk again!
• Onboard grand piano based on acclaimed "Holy Grail Piano," by Q Up Arts
• Storage options include built-in 40 Gig hard disk, USB 2.0, Compact flash, and the optional external Fusion drive CD-R, DVD storage and/or external hard disk*
• Multi-channel input and output options in both analog and digital (S/PDIF and ADAT Lightpipe)
• Fully assignable buttons and 360 knobs for hands-on control of synth parameters (or control of external gear through MIDI)
• Fully programmable arpeggiator with standard, phrase, and drum machine playback
• Large 240x128 backlit LCD