Filter Feedback; Dub Bass Design Hints From Colin; Getting Better Bass From Mike Peake; Setting The Engine Optimizer - Alesis Andromeda A6 Tips And Tricks Manual

The sound will not sound like an oscillator with a lower octave tacked onto it; rather, it will
sound like a completely different waveform, at one octave below the semitone setting that
you use in the oscillator menu.

11.4 filter feedback:

You can browse the general Filter comments for some hints on programming filter feedback.
These are some of the hints that give you extra twang on bass sounds.

11.5 dub bass design hints from colin:

Hmmm I've heard complaints about A6's inability to generate bass - I'm rather surprised, the A6 is
the perfect bass machine for me!!!
A lot of bass sounds I like need a Sub-oscillator as 2 VCOs will drift too much, so the Minimoog was
not ideal. The 106/sh-101 can do that sound but the oscillators are thin and the filters not dark
enough.
The Andromeda is the first machine that has nice VCOs, and a sub-oscillator and 2 filters that when
run in series really darkens the bass and deepens the whole thing.
The key to deep and fat bass sounds on the A6, keep VCO levels low. If your using a single VCO
sound no more than 40 at the pre-filter mixer, 2 VCOs and no more than 25 each. A distorted harsh
VCO does not make good bass :) You can actually hear the bass drop off as you crank the VCO
levels up.... Also run both LPFs in series - ie Notch mode. 50 for each or crank em up to 70 for a
slightly overdriven sound. The A6 cranks more bass when the filters are run in series!
Add some Filter feedback - even if its left at zero for some more glow and presence to help mixing if
you so desire. If you need a "smaller" tighter bass run this patch with the filters in Mix mode, and
only have Filter 2 up at level 70. If you want it even tighter, turn on Filter Feedback and leave it at
zero.

11.6 getting better bass from mike peake:

Yes, a basic bass-boost shelving EQ band that's at the synth's outputs. You haven't tried the A6 yet,
you don't know if it needs it or not :) The A6 can be made to be fairly large if you run the filters in
parallel and use the higpass with full resonance, tracking the keyboard, and tuned to the note's
lowest frequencies into Filter 2 where you do the shaping (don't sweep Filter 1). A simple boost at
your recording console/mixer will suffice as well :)

11.7 setting the engine optimizer:

The engine optimizer is a function hidden in the " Process" menu. The normal " compromise"
timing of the Andromeda works well for bass and pad sounds, but it could be made better
for either type of sound.
Hit " Process" , then turn soft knob one all the way to the right hand side to select the engine
optimizer. Then hit soft knob one to select this function.
The engine optimizer has several settings for VCO:
Normal – The default.
•
Fast – Fast pitch changes, good for bass sounds.
•
Smooth – Smooth pitch changes, better for pad sounds that aren' t too slow.
•
Mushy – Good for deep drones and slower sounds.
•
The engine optimizer also has several settings for VCA:
Normal – The default.
•