ASYX is Isla Electronics first foray into the world of synth plugins, and they’ve chosen something special to get the ball rolling.
Isla Electronics, as they are now known since their relocation back to the U.K., are known for the rather brilliant S2400, their homage to the mighty E-MU SP1200 that took the concept and made it even more powerful than the original, with rock-solid build quality and phenomenal support and updates. Their upcoming project, Caladan, is a new, multi-engine hybrid synth with expandable hardware synthesis engines!
Created for Caladan, Evolved for Plugins
And it was Caladan that got the ball rolling on what has turned out to be their first software instrument. I recall the day Isla Electronics’ owner and head of everything, Brad Holland, called me and told me that he was pretty sure he’d just modelled an Alesis Andromeda A6 in software and that he was going to make it available for the Caladan. Not only that, he sent me a browser-based version to try out!
Now, I’ve rarely seen, let alone used, this mythical, turn-of-the-century, modern analogue classic, but straight away, I could see that Brad was on to something. It soon became his intention to port it out to a VST/AU plugin, and things moved pretty rapidly from there. Panel designs evolved and matured, new features were added, backwards compatibility with Brad’s own A6 was baked in and now, we can all take advantage of this brilliant recreation.
Isla Electronics ASYX
ASYX is instantly recognisable, both visually and sonically, as an Andromeda A6, so called because it relied on ASICs hardware chips to run its insane analogue internals. 16 voices of polyphony, 16-part multi-timbral, dual analogue VCOs per voice, dual analogue filters per voice (based on classic Moog and Oberheim designs), a huge modulation matrix, loopable 7-stage envelope generators and three LFOs per voice. It was a beast.
As you might expect with something so powerful, it had some issues. Mostly repairable, there was always concern about some of the custom components. And it wasn’t cheap, either. It was probably the penultimate nail in the coffin of the original Alesis company before their Fusion workstation sealed their synth-making fate. So to now have one as a truly affordable plugin is pretty awesome.
Hardware units are pretty scarce now and, as such, command lofty prices on the pre-owned market. So ASYX will, I am sure, be greatly received by people who want to sample its delights as well as owners of working hardware units, because ASYX doubles up as an editor/librarian for the original units. Brad’s design sees the utterly unique panel design retained for the most part, with a collection of tabbed pages to the left that greatly improved on the original’s screen.
Everything is retained and, wherever possible and without changing the character of the original, improved or “fixed” to deliver the best possible experience. Original bugs have been ironed out, and whilst ASYX represents the best of modern-day plugin design, it takes nothing away from the unique character, ability and user experience of the original instrument.
One of the most welcome “updates” is the inclusion of polyphonic aftertouch and MPE support. This adds a whole new dimension to the Andromeda experience that was just not available when the original was conceived. And if that front panel still daunts you, there are a ton of presets included from the likes of Scott McAuley, Node member and big Andromeda user, Dave Bessell, Electric Himalaya and more.
A Genuine Legend Reborn
If you have ever yearned for an Andromeda A6, or if yours died and you miss it dearly, this will absolutely sate your appetite. If you have only heard the A6 spoken about in hushed tones of reverence, or heard the then Alesis marketing manager Dave Bryce’s exuberant proclamations of its utter brilliance, you will not want to miss this utter powerhouse of a plugin.
The original Andromeda was a remarkable achievement, born at a turbulent time in synthesizer technology, and could potentially lay claim to keeping the tiny flicker of the analogue flame burning, a flame that would soon take hold and burn brightly once more. Now, in 2026, we can all partake of its awesomeness for a fraction of the price and with zero chance of it dying of old age.
More Information
ASYX by Isla Electronics is available now for Windows and Mac computers in VST3/AU/Standalone versions and will soon be available for Linux too. Your licence will cover you for up to three installations. The introductory price will be £99.00/€99.00/$99.00 and is available to buy from the Isla Electronics website now.
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