Bremerton, Washington, USA
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Product Review: Ion iED04
StoreTags: Alesis, Ion, IED04
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I don't often buy gear- I'm broke for the most part, and I'm really happy with the setup I currently have.
One thing I was sure I wanted was a better way to lay down percussion tracks. Using a piano roll or a keyboard to tap things out just felt wrong. I looked at a lot of MPC type controller clones, and their pads just didn't quite feel right. What I really wanted was a set of drums. But I live in a townhome- I don't have the space or the money for a full electronic kit, and acoustics are deafening. Because I have a bionic ear, they really, really hurt without some serious volume control.
Then, while being drug through the makeup section of a Target by my wife, I chanced upon a clearance Ion iED04 marked down to just below $100. I was so tempted, I bought it for myself for my birthday, thinking for sure I would take it right back for a refund if it sucked.
It doesn't suck at all, in fact. I am having so much fun with this unit programming drums. Using sticks makes for 10X better drum tracks than the MPC controllers I played with . Flams and rolls are a breeze, and because FLstudio's piano roll is so choice, I can play a couple bars of drums, overdubbing, and then partially quantize it so that I keep the chaos of real drumming, but pull the timing into tightness.
Also, playing with sticks has helped my(previously rotten) sense of rhythm enormously.
The onboard sounds are all from the HR16, but I don't use them. Typically, I use this controller to trigger either the NaturalSoundStudio drumkit soundfont, or Garritan Jazz's drum kit. I layer and supplement these drums with something punchy and 80s like a DrumTraks, or an Oberheim DX kick and snare.
I was really worried about latency bothering me, but thus far I feel fine. The unit triggers fast enough for my playing of rolls and things- bear in mind I'm no drummer though. The only issues I've had with the unit thus far are the occasional triggering of adjacent pads, the velocity scale is a little steep(it doesn't take much to trigger a 127 note), and the midi notes being sent out are too short for a couple of VST's to reliably trigger. Nothing thats been enough to bother me at all. The midi implementation is kind of an afterthought, and not flexible at all. But since I am connecting to software, all I really need is the signal, I can modify the inputs of FLstudio easily to get around any of the issues I've had.
I just wanted to clue everybody in, because these units are being discontinued at retailers all over the place, and you can probably find them on clearance at a Target near you- but they're only $127 with free shipping from Amazon. This is almost identical to the Alesis unit also pictured, which is currently selling for about $180 with BFD lite and a USB connection. Alesis makes all the ion products. | |
Comments
06/02/07
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mrk087
i saw this at Target the other week when i went browsing electronics.
it seemed a little too good to be true, and i never did pick up the item. Now im tempted.
is this connected via USB Midi interface or just MIDI?
I dont exactly have a ton of USB ports, since i already have my keyboard, wacom, printer, usb burner, iPod and other accessories. But i do have plenty midi connections.
06/02/07
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deltasleep
The ION unit is MIDI only. The more expensive Alesis connects with both I believe. I'm positive that as a controller, these units are identical.
06/04/07
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drummergirl
Some light-weight nylon sticks could definatley provide good rolls on the Ion, with the way its set up.
Playing drums on a midi keyboard after this will almost seem counter-intuitive. Enjoy.
06/04/07
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deltasleep
hey i never thought that lighter weight sticks would fix that! duh! thanks. I cannot believe I know so little about drumming- it seemed so much easier and less complicated before i got this. Just this little thing has tightened up my sense of rhythm so much.
Don't buy the MPC fad, theres so much technique and style you can get from sticks. Oh and you can use your hands on this, but you'll quickly get tired of it.
06/04/07
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monkvolcano
hmmm... i wouldn't write off mpc pads so quickly though, if you're one who's used to drumming on shit with yer fingers constantly (as i am), then u might find them more natural. but yea.. for rolls and flams, there's no comparison i reckon.
06/04/07
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drummergirl
OOooh.
I am deep into the mpc cult.
Not even the best most well planned intervention can separate me from it.
It is just really good luck you found this at Target by the make-up section.
Maybe since the fall collections are coming out at the cosmetic counters too, you could go with and find like a mint condition 303, or 808 or something.
06/05/07
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ejectorset
does it have a kick trigger input? sometimes those types of things have inputs for kick/hats
06/05/07
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p1ay3rtw0
target stock this item and an ion drum set as well.
reviews say the pedal triggers suck though 
06/05/07
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deltasleep
yes it has an input for hats and kick. i'd imagine those pedals probably suck.
The only reason I'm not buying them is that they don't ADD extra notes, they just do the same thing as a pad is doing. also- you could probably just use a piezo transducer output plugged into those trigger inputs or use any kind of drum trigger.
06/08/07
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ranthony
You won't believe this one... Went toTarget today and this was marked down to $50.... What a find... Hope it's worth it as I am no drummer but a keyboardist. Would love to be able to create some tracks for backup. Thanks for all your opinions.
06/14/07
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deltasleep
omg $50!!!
thats awesome. Thats a great use of 50 bucks.
06/14/07
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Roshi
WTF...on target.com its listed for $199...bogus
06/14/07
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ejectorset
Roshi said: "WTF...on target.com its listed for $199...bogus"
that's the quit being lazy and drive to your local target fee.
06/14/07
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Roshi
But...I hate people
and their children
06/14/07
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ranthony
You might think that the $50 deal on the Drumstation wasn't real that I listed above but it absolutely was! On this sight:
link
about half way down the page they also show Target's clearance with the Ion being one of them.
May-19-2007
Huggies Mega Baby Wipes $$2.98
Huggies Supreme Super Mega diapers $8.77
ION Digital Drum Station $50.04 (originally $199.99), 057-12-0098
Target Baby Wipes $2.32
Target Training Pants $3.97
There ya go. OOPS! I did have the wrong price. It was $50.04. Check out your nearest Target as soon as you can!
This is a great site to find deals and clearances.
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