The first really interesting leak from the NAMM show, which starts on Thursday, is about Alesis' new Fusion synth. It's a big 'ol workstation, with sample playback, a virtual analog synth (presumably not too far from an Alesis Ion), FM synthesis (which they're selling as a retro essential) and physical modelling. No price yet, but it's likely to be $2,000 plus. It's very interesting that Alesis (and Korg) are launching brand-new workstations at a time when plenty of people feel a PC or Mac can do everything they do in a cheaper, easier-to-use package. It's even more interesting that Alesis appear to have fired every industrial designer they ever employed, and replaced them with junior Fisher Price employees armed with cans of silver spray paint. (via Harmony Central)
Posted by Tom Whitwell. 
