Alesis S4 Plus Reference Manual

Alesis S4 Plus Reference Manual

64 voice sound module
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S4 Plus
Reference Manual

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Summary of Contents for Alesis S4 Plus

  • Page 1 ALESIS S4 Plus Reference Manual...
  • Page 2: How To Use This Manual

    Chapter 2: Your First Session with the S4 Plus. This section provides a brief tour of the S4 Plus, shows you how to audition the various sounds of the S4 Plus, and points out the various performance features.
  • Page 4: Table Of Contents

    About Audio Cables ... 9 Basic Audio Hookup... 9 A Word About Sound Bridge ... 10 2: Your First Session With The S4 Plus ... 11 Powering Up... 11 Adjusting the Display Contrast ... 11 Playing the Demo Sequence... 12 Enabling General MIDI Mode ...
  • Page 5 Overview ... 45 The “Normalized” Synth Voice ... 45 How the S4 Generates Sound ... 46 Program Sound Layers ... 46 S4 Plus Signal Flow ... 47 The Four Sounds of a Program ... 47 Lowpass Filter ... 48 Amp ... 49 About Modulation ...
  • Page 6 Maintenance/Service..122 Cleaning ... 122 Maintenance... 122 Warranty Information... 122 Obtaining Repair Service ... 122 Appendix B: MIDI Supplement ... 125 MIDI Basics ... 125 MIDI Hardware ... 125 MIDI Message Basics ... 126 S4 Plus Reference Manual Index...
  • Page 7 General MIDI ... 128 MIDI Implementation Chart ... 130 Appendix C: Parameters Index... 131 Program Parameters ... 131 Mix Parameters ... 133 Appendix D: What’s New in the 2.0 “Plus” Upgrade ... 135 INDEX ... 155 S4 Plus Reference Manual...
  • Page 8: 1: Setting Up

    Alesis recommends turning off power to the supply or unplugging it when the S4 Plus is not in use, to prolong its life. Use only the AC adapter supplied with the S4 Plus; use of any other adapter will void your warranty.
  • Page 9: Line Conditioners And Protectors

    Chapter 1: Setting Up Line Conditioners and Protectors Although the S4 Plus is designed to tolerate typical voltage variations, in today’s world the voltage coming from the AC line may contain spikes or transients that can possibly stress your gear and, over time, cause a failure. There are three main ways to protect against this, listed in ascending order of cost and complexity: •...
  • Page 10: About Audio Cables

    The S4 Plus has two Main and two Aux audio outputs . These can provide an amplification system or mixer with several different audio hookup options: •...
  • Page 11: A Word About Sound Bridge

    S4 Voice format, and downloads the compiled data to an Alesis PCMCIA Sound Card via MIDI Sysex to an S4 Plus or S4 Plus. Originally developed for in-house use only, Alesis soon realized the need for individuals and sound developers to be able to burn their own Sound Cards as well, using whatever samples they wanted.
  • Page 12: 2: Your First Session With The S4 Plus

    ¡ Turn on the [POWER] switch on the S4 Plus front panel. Upon power-up, the S4 Plus will display the last selected Program or Mix. If this Program/Mix has been edited, the display will indicate this by showing the word “...
  • Page 13: Playing The Demo Sequence

    Chapter 2: Your First Session With The S4 Plus Playing the Demo Sequence The S4 Plus has a built-in demo sequence which demonstrates the wide variety of sounds this amazing instrument is capable of generating. In order to get the full effect of the demo, we recommend that you connect both the LEFT and RIGHT outputs to your sound system, or listen on headphones.
  • Page 14: Playing The S4 Plus

    (sounds) each. Additionally, there are 100 Mixes in each of the 5 Banks. Program Mode and Mix Mode The S4 Plus is always in one of two modes: Program Mode or Mix Mode . When selecting Programs, you will be in Program Play Mode. When editing a Program, you will use Program Edit Mode.
  • Page 15: Auditioning Internal Programs

    Auditioning Internal Programs ¿ Press the [PROGRAM] button to select Program Play Mode. You can now play the S4 Plus keyboard; the Program will be whatever was selected when last in Program mode (Program number 00 – 127). ¡ Select a Program using any of these methods: •...
  • Page 16: Realtime Performance Functions

    Realtime Performance Functions The S4 Plus provides various ways to control the sound as you are playing. Try out some of these functions while playing your MIDI keyboard. The sound of the effects can also change by using these controllers. The effect of these realtime controllers varies from Program to Program;...
  • Page 17: Auditioning Mix Play Mode

    Hold the [MIX] button and rotate Quad Knob [1]. Selecting Banks The S4 Plus provides five internal Banks containing 100 Mixes in each. The currently selected Bank will be shown in the display just to the left of the currently selected Mix’s name.
  • Page 18: Editing A Mix

    Changes to Mix parameters are temporary and will be lost if another Mix is selected. To make changes permanent, you must store the Mix into the User bank. Refer to Chapter 4 for information about storing changes. S4 Plus Reference Manual Your First Session With The S4 Plus: Chapter 2 EFFECT PRESET LEVEL EFFECT–LEVEL...
  • Page 19: Setting The Effects Level

    Each of these Sounds has its own effects send level and effects bus assignment. Many of the Programs in the S4 Plus use only one or two Sound layers, while others may use all four Sounds. You can adjust the effect send amount for each Sound independently, or you can view/edit all four sounds simultaneously.
  • Page 20: 3: Connections

    Plus’ MIDI IN, allowing you to trigger other devices from the same controller which is feeding the S4 Plus. Simply connect the S4 Plus’ MIDI THRU to the other device’s MIDI IN. Note that the MIDI THRU jack will not send messages from the S4 Plus’ keyboard itself.
  • Page 21: Using The S4 In Live Performance

    Chapter 3: Connections Using the S4 in Live Performance Depending on the capabilities of your MIDI controller keyboard, you have two different options available for how the S4 Plus will respond when it is in Mix Play Mode: • If your controller can only issue commands on one or two MIDI channels simultaneously, you may want to set the S4 Plus’...
  • Page 22: Using An External Sequencer

    Example: If the sequencer transmits a piano part over channel 1, a bass part over channel 2, and a drum part over channel 10, you could set up a S4 Plus Mix so that a piano sound plays only the MIDI data assigned to channel 1, a bass sound plays only the MIDI data assigned to channel 2, and drums play only the MIDI data assigned to channel 10.
  • Page 23: Digital Audio/Optical Hookup

    ADAT or AI-1 DIGITAL IN. To test the cable and S4 Plus digital output, plug one cable end into the S4 Plus. The other end should emit a soft red light (it is not dangerous to look directly at this light).
  • Page 24: 4: Overview

    A Mix consists of up to 16 Programs, each assigned to a specific MIDI channel and one Effect Patch. The S4 Plus has 100 Mixes in the User Bank, plus 4 Preset Banks with 400 Preset Mixes. This is extremely useful for multitimbral setups where the S4 Plus plays back different sounds on different MIDI channels.
  • Page 25: Modes

    MIDI data at once. Therefore, much thicker and richly textured sounds can be created. In Mix Play Mode, the S4 Plus can be used in a wide range of applications. It can be used for live performance, in which sounds are layered or assigned to sections of the keyboard.
  • Page 26: Mix Edit Mode

    User Bank or onto a QuadraCard PCMCIA memory card accessory. It is also used for transmitting the S4 Plus’s parameters over MIDI for data storage purposes, copying sounds or effects from one Program to another, and for transferring entire Banks to or from a Sound Card.
  • Page 27: The User Interface: Display, Functions, Pages, And Parameters

    The User Interface: Display, Functions, Pages, and Parameters The key to the S4 Plus user interface is the combination of the Display and four Quad Knobs/Buttons [1] – [4] located toward the right of the front panel. The Display constantly informs you of the S4 Plus’s status.
  • Page 28: Midi Buttons

    The MIDI [¨] and [Æ] buttons serve two purposes. In Program Play Mode, they select the basic MIDI channel the S4 Plus will receive and transmit MIDI messages on. In Mix Play Mode, they are used to select one of the 16 Channels for viewing and editing.
  • Page 29: Parameter Editing

    (more negative value) from the midpoint. Always refer to the parameter name strip in the display above the bargraphs for the current parameter label and value. S4 Plus Reference Manual...
  • Page 30: Editing Program Parameters

    Editing Program Parameters Here is an example of how to use the S4 Plus’s editing features to change Program parameters. Feel free to make changes and twist dials; these will not be made permanent unless you store the Program (described later).
  • Page 31: Edit 4 And Edit 1 Modes

    VALUE [¨] and [Æ] buttons, but here’s a quicker way: To reset a parameter to its default setting: ¿ Select the parameter you wish to reset using the methods described earlier. ¡ Simultaneously press both the VALUE [¨] and [Æ] buttons. 2,” etc., as S4 Plus Reference Manual...
  • Page 32: Comparing Edited And Stored Versions

    Preset Memory and User Memory The S4 Plus has two types of memory banks for Mixes and Programs: Preset and User. The Preset banks, of which there are four, are stored in ROM (Read Only Memory), and therefore cannot be altered.
  • Page 33: Storing

    Don’t use the DIRECT SELECT [1]—[0] buttons. Doing so will result in recalling a different Program and you will lose your changes. ¬ Press [STORE] again to complete the operation. Or, Press any other button to cancel out of the Store operation without storing. EFFECT PRESET S4 Plus Reference Manual...
  • Page 34: Copying Effects Between Programs

    Storing a Mix only stores the Mix parameters, not the individual Programs or Effect Patch used in the Mix. If you have edited any of the Programs in the Mix or the Effects Patch, you must store them separately. S4 Plus Reference Manual Overview: Chapter 4...
  • Page 35: To Audition Programs Before Storing

    User Program number from 000—127. » Use Quad Knob [2] to enter the Program number you noted in step 6. If necessary, use Quad Knob [1] to select a Card Bank. … Press [STORE] again. The Program is now stored. S4 Plus Reference Manual...
  • Page 36 Use the MIDI [¨] and [Æ] buttons to select the MIDI channel you want, and use the VALUE [Æ] and [¨] buttons or Quad Knob [2] to select the Program number. If necessary, use Quad Knob [1] to select the Bank. S4 Plus Reference Manual Overview: Chapter 4...
  • Page 37 Chapter 4: Overview S4 Plus Reference Manual...
  • Page 38: 5: Editing Mixes

    DITING What is a Mix? Mix Mode is one of the most powerful features of the S4 Plus. While in Program Mode you can play only one Program at a time, in Mix Mode you can play up to 16 Programs at once, either from the keyboard (as layers or splits) or from an external sequencer (via 16 MIDI channels) or a combination of both.
  • Page 39: Understanding The Edit Buffers

    Mix, or your changes will be lost. The same goes for editing the Effects, which will be stored with its associated Program. If you select another Mix before storing, your changes will be lost. S4 Plus Reference Manual...
  • Page 40: Program Assign For Each Midi Channel

    Program Bank (User, Preset 1–4, Card) This determines which Bank the selected Program is located in for the selected MIDI channel. There are five Banks available in the S4 Plus. If you insert a QuadraCard Sound Card, you can have even more Banks.
  • Page 41: Pitch

    Look at the MIDI MONITOR section of the display. A thick line will appear above any active MIDI channels as you play notes or send notes to the S4 Plus from a sequencer on those channels.
  • Page 42 MIDI Out (On or Off) In the QuadraSynth Plus Piano, this determines whether or not the selected channel will transmit MIDI messages. However, in the S4 Plus, this parameter has no effect (it will be shown in lowercase letters in the display).
  • Page 43: Effects In Mix Play Mode

    Mix’s Effect Patch still has 4 independent effect buses, and you can set the effect send level and routing from each Program layer to the effects processor. The S4 Plus offers you a choice of what parameters to use for effects: •...
  • Page 44: Naming A Mix

    ¥ Polyphony in Mix Play Mode The S4 Plus has 64-note polyphony. In Mix Play Mode, if you have all 16 MIDI channels assigned to the same keyboard range, and each channel's Program has only one active Program Sound, you’ll have 4-note polyphony as you play the keyboard (but a really thick layer...).
  • Page 45: Playing A Group Of Channels In A Mix

    In Program Play Mode, you can use the MIDI [¨] and [Æ] buttons to set the MIDI IN channel for the whole instrument. But when using the S4 Plus in Mix Play Mode, you may need to be able to transmit on several MIDI channels from your MIDI keyboard, in order to play the different channels within a Mix.
  • Page 46: 6: Editing Programs

    S4 Plus. These resemble the types of chips used in computers and other digital devices. In fact, you can think of the S4 Plus as a special- purpose computer designed to generate and process audio. Although the user...
  • Page 47: Program Sound Layers

    You can take a "snapshot" of the S4 Plus’s parameters and save this in memory as a program. The S4 Plus comes with 512 factory preset programs, and 128 user - editable programs.
  • Page 48: S4 Plus Signal Flow

    Program. You can layer these sounds together, or divide them into regions of the keyboard, or a combination of these things. The following diagram illustrates the signal flow within each S4 Plus Program. Sound 1 Pitch...
  • Page 49: Lowpass Filter

    LFO, and other control sources (described later). Note that the waveforms in the S4 Plus are different from those found in samplers or many sample-playback units. Because the S4 Plus has its own filter module and...
  • Page 50: About Modulation

    The S4 Plus lets you assign several modulation sources to one modulation “target” parameter, which allows for interaction between two modulation signals. Example: If...
  • Page 51: Envelopes

    NOTE ON About Signal Processing The S4 Plus features a signal processing section based on the Alesis QuadraVerb 2. It is a complete digital signal processing unit with four input buses, simultaneous multiple effects, and flexible signal routing.
  • Page 52: Drum Mode

    Function page to select which one of the 10 drum sounds to edit. Here is a block diagram of a sound in Drum Mode. Range Voice Drum 1 Drum 2 Drum 3 Drum 10 S4 Plus Reference Manual Editing Programs: Chapter 6 Filter Output Envelope Effects Effects Level...
  • Page 53: Program Edit Functions

    Drum mode, the display will show “drmX,” whereby X is the sound number (1–4). If you enable Drum Mode for a sound while in Edit 4 mode, the S4 Plus will automatically switch to Edit 1 mode for that layer.
  • Page 54 Drawbar, Percus Wav, HollowWave, ChurchOrgn, Principale, Positive, Dulcimer, Nylon Gtr, FunkyStrat, MuteGuitar, OvrDrvGtr, FretlessBs, Orch. Hit, Bottle Blow, Sitar, Shamisen, Koto, Kalimba, Bagpipe, Taiko Drum, Fret Noise, Bird Tweet, Telephone, Applause, Gunshot S4 Plus Reference Manual Editing Programs: Chapter 6...
  • Page 55: Level

    Aux output. Effect Level The S4 Plus isn’t just a synthesizer; it also has a built-in effects system and mixer, with four effect buses and sends. This section lets you feed the sound to one of the effect buses for processing.
  • Page 56 Portamento provides a sweeping glide from one note to another over a variable amount of time. A good example of this type of sound is a steel guitar, where a note slides from one pitch to another. S4 Plus Reference Manual...
  • Page 57 Use 1-PITCH mode when you want a program sound layer to play a single pitch polyphonically throughout the entire keyboard range. In 1-PITCH mode, the S4 Plus will play the sample used for note C3 for all notes in the range. 1-PITCH mode is...
  • Page 58: Filter

    More negative values drive the cutoff frequency lower for a given amount of velocity. Tip: Many acoustic instruments, such as acoustic guitars, sound brighter when you play them more forcefully. Adding a little positive velocity control over the filter can simulate more realistic acoustic sounds. S4 Plus Reference Manual...
  • Page 59 The higher the number (negative or positive), the greater the effect. Filter Envelope parameters (such as attack and decay time) are programmed within the FENV Function (see page 72). S4 Plus Reference Manual...
  • Page 60: Amp

    (either positive or negative), the greater the effect for a given amount of aftertouch. Tip: Use aftertouch to “swell” the amplitude of brass and horn parts. Amplitude LFO Depth (-99 to +99) S4 Plus Reference Manual INVERTED MAXIMUM VELOCITY...
  • Page 61: Range

    This can be further enhanced in Mix Mode by using the Range function in Mix Edit Mode to cap-off the lower and high limits. Program Sound Range 120 127 S4 Plus Reference Manual...
  • Page 62 64 voices in no time. By adjusting the Sound Overlap to a lower value, you decrease the number of voices used by each new note, and thereby ensure there are voices available to play other sounds, if necessary. S4 Plus Reference Manual...
  • Page 63: Mod

    Chapter 6: Editing Programs About General Purpose Modulation Although there are several dedicated modulators in the S4 Plus (e.g., the pitch can always be modulated by the pitch LFO and pitch envelope), sophisticated synthesizer programming demands the ability to use as many modulation sources as possible to modulate as many modulation destinations as desired.
  • Page 64 Trigrate This is a Trigger Rate Follower, which monitors how fast notes are being played on the keyboard. For example, if routed to the Effect send of a Program, you could automatically have more effect when playing slowly, and less effect when playing quickly. S4 Plus Reference Manual Editing Programs: Chapter 6...
  • Page 65 Controllers (A, B, C, D) Four incoming MIDI controllers can be recognized by the S4 Plus and used as modulation sources. These controllers are assigned as A–D in Global Mode (see Chapter 8). In Program Play Mode and Mix Play Mode, the four Quad Knobs can be used to control these directly.
  • Page 66: Pitch Lfo

    Mono . All voices’ LFOs are in sync with each other. If you hold a chord and then play new notes on top of the chord, all voices’ LFOs will be moving in the same direction S4 Plus Reference Manual...
  • Page 67 This is the modulation amount of Aftertouch over the Pitch LFO’s Level. A positive value raises the level as more Aftertouch is applied. A negative value will lower the amount of PLFO level as more Aftertouch is applied. S4 Plus Reference Manual...
  • Page 68: Filter Lfo

    Mod Wheel will add more tremolo. On the other hand, if the Mod Wheel parameter is set to -10, raising the Mod Wheel to the top will cancel out all tremolo. S4 Plus Reference Manual...
  • Page 69: Amp Lfo

    The Trigger parameter determines how the LFO should be triggered, or started. There are four possible settings: Mono, Poly, Key Mono and Key Poly. A description of these settings is found in the Trigger section of the PLFO description on page 65. S4 Plus Reference Manual...
  • Page 70: Pitch Envelope

    (if the Delay is also set to 0 in PENV Page 2--see below); a setting of 99 will result in a much slower attack, taking many seconds before the envelope gets to maximum. S4 Plus Reference Manual...
  • Page 71 The Trigger mode determines how the envelope will function. You may select either Freerun or Reset, or both (Reset-Freerun) or neither (Normal). When set to Normal, the envelope will always start at its current level (i.e., if another note had been played S4 Plus Reference Manual...
  • Page 72 Tip: When selecting PENV Level as a modulation destination, set the PENV level to 00 if the Modulation Level is above 0 (or, set the PENV level to 99 if the Modulation Amount is below 0). S4 Plus Reference Manual...
  • Page 73: Filter Envelope

    Release time to 0 is good for playing those short funky riffs that you hear on a clavinet. Setting the Release time to 99 will take the envelope a very long time to reach zero level. S4 Plus Reference Manual...
  • Page 74 However, this does not effect the attack time, but only the decay, sustain, sustain decay and release segments. This feature will result in only a subtle change. The envelope’s timing doubles or halves over a range of two octaves. S4 Plus Reference Manual...
  • Page 75: Amp Envelope

    Decay time segment is bypassed. Whatever level the sustain is set to is the level that the decay section of the envelope will head for. Depending on the setting of the Sustain Decay control (see below), the envelope will either hold at the sustain S4 Plus Reference Manual...
  • Page 76 If a sound layer’s Keyboard Mode parameter (found in the Pitch Function, Page 3, Quad Knob [4]) is set to “Mono”, the Amp Envelope will only retrigger when playing legato if the Trigger Mode is set to either “Reset” or “Reset-Freerun”. Amp Envelope (Page 3) S4 Plus Reference Manual...
  • Page 77 Tip: When selecting AENV Level as a modulation destination, set the AENV level to 00 if the Modulation Level is above 0 (or, set the AENV level to 99 if the Modulation Amount is below 0). S4 Plus Reference Manual...
  • Page 78: Tracking Generator

    Tip: The Tracking Generator can be used to turn a variable control, such as the Mod Wheel or velocity, into a switch by setting all of the points to 0 except for point 10. Only near the maximum input will anything other than 0 come out of the Tracking S4 Plus Reference Manual LINEAR NON-LINEAR...
  • Page 79: Name

    Poly Pressure • MIDI Volume • Pedal 2 • ALFO • AENV • Cont. A—D % & ’ < > • Release Velocity • Mod Wheel • Sustain Pedal • PLFO • PENV • Random Æ ¨ S4 Plus Reference Manual...
  • Page 80: Misc

    Program Edit mode is to hold the corresponding Quad Button [1] – [4] and press VALUE [¨] to disable or VALUE [Æ] to enable. Example: Holding Quad Button [1] and pressing VALUE [¨] will disable sound 1. S4 Plus Reference Manual...
  • Page 81: Programming Drum Sounds

    Drum mode, the display will show “drmX,” whereby X is the sound number (1 – 4). If you enable Drum Mode for a sound while in Edit 4 mode, the S4 Plus will automatically switch to Edit 1 mode for that layer.
  • Page 82: Effects Level

    (in a three-way velocity split, drum 1 would use curve “1 of 3,” drum 2 would use curve “2 of 3” while drum 3 would use “3 of 3”). For more details about the 13 velocity curves, see the illustration on page 62. Range S4 Plus Reference Manual...
  • Page 83: Range

    Mute Group. The additional Mute Groups can be used by other sounds that you wish to cut-off each other, but do not want to interfere with the Hi Hat sounds. Use Quad Knob [4] to select the drum (1—10) you wish to edit. S4 Plus Reference Manual...
  • Page 84: Copying Sounds

    2 of Program 45. ƒ Press [STORE] to copy the sound. Initializing Programs If you want to start programming from “scratch”, you can easily reset all parameters to their default settings by re-initializing the software. S4 Plus Reference Manual Editing Programs: Chapter 6...
  • Page 85 While holding down both Quad Buttons [1] and [4], turn on the power. The S4 Plus will come on showing Program 00, with the EDITED flag showing in the display. This is the Program Mode edit buffer, set to the default settings. Re-...
  • Page 86: About Signal Processing

    DITING About Signal Processing The built-in effects processor of the S4 Plus is similar to that of the Alesis QuadraVerb 2, capable of generating multiple, fully digital effects simultaneously. The S4 Plus effects processor has four inputs, called effect sends. You might think of these as the typical post-fader sends found on a mixing console.
  • Page 87: Selecting Effects In Mix Mode

    Program is stored. It is possible for different Mixes to share the same Effects Patch. So keep in mind that when you edit an Effects Patch, it may affect the sound of any other Mixes that also use it. EFFECT PRESET LEVEL EFFECT–LEVEL EFFECT NAME S4 Plus Reference Manual...
  • Page 88: Editing Effects

    Configuration #5. If you are using Configuration #s 1–3, and you select the MISC function, the display will read “(NOT IN CONFIG)”, since there are no EQ or Overdrive parameters in these configurations. S4 Plus Reference Manual EFFECT DELAY MISC.
  • Page 89: Storing Effect Patches In Program Mode

    Effect Channel, the edited Program will be stored without altering its previous Effects settings. • If [STORE] is pressed twice while editing a Mix (Mix Edit Mode), only the Mix parameters will be stored, not the individual Programs or the Effects Patch. S4 Plus Reference Manual...
  • Page 90: Copying Effect Patches

    Quad Knob [1] selects the Configuration. As you scroll through the various Configu- rations, each one’s name will appear in the upper right section of the display. Here is a run-down of the various Configurations: S4 Plus Reference Manual EFFECT DELAY MISC.
  • Page 91 Balance and level to Reverb 1 Reverb 4 Send/delay mix and level to Reverb 1 AUX LEFT AUX RIGHT MAIN LEFT MAIN RIGHT BAL. REVERB REVERB 1 BAL. REVERB 2 BAL. REVERB 3 BAL. REVERB 4 S4 Plus Reference Manual...
  • Page 92 Delay 1 and Reverb 1. Think of the Mix function in the S4 Plus's effects section as being similar to the effect return control on a mixing console. For example, if Effect Send 1's Mix Reverb Output parameter is set to 0, you won't be able to hear reverb regardless of how much input you feed it from any of the effect buses.
  • Page 93 Reverse Reverb 2 Level to Reverb 1 Reverb 3 Plate 1 Plate 2 Room Hall Large Gate Reverse Reverb 4 Reverb 4 Level to Reverb 3 AUX LEFT AUX RIGHT MAIN LEFT MAIN RIGHT MIX 3 S4 Plus Reference Manual...
  • Page 94 Reverb effect. Sends 2 and 3 have Pitch modules preceding Delay modules, which are then routed to Reverb 1. Send 4 has only a Mono Delay effect, which may also be routed to Reverb 1. S4 Plus Reference Manual BAL. DELA Y 1 DELAY 1 BAL.
  • Page 95 REVERB 2 Reverb 1 Plate 1 Plate 2 Room Hall Large Gate Reverse Reverb 2 Balance and level to Reverb 1 AUX LEFT AUX RIGHT MAIN LEFT MAIN RIGHT MISC BAL. REVERB 1 BAL. Misc. 1 S4 Plus Reference Manual...
  • Page 96 Reverb effect’s input. The outputs of all these effects are routed back to the Main Outputs, and sent through the shelving EQ effect (found in the Misc. Function, Page 4). S4 Plus Reference Manual BAL. BAL. DELAY 1...
  • Page 97: Reverb

    This makes it possible to have the signal from the Pitch or Delay sections, or the direct effect send in any combination or amount. EFFECT DELAY MISC. S4 Plus Reference Manual...
  • Page 98 Configuration #1, effect send 4 only has a Delay effect, and not a Pitch effect like the other effect sends do. Quad Knob [1] controls the Balance between the Delay output and the dry effect send signal, while Quad Knob [3] controls the overall input level to the Reverb. S4 Plus Reference Manual EFFECT DELAY MISC.
  • Page 99: Reverb Type

    Reverb type, adjusting Pre-Delay Time and Pre-Delay Mix. Reverb Type The S4 Plus has seven different reverb types, all stereo, each of which simulates a different space or produce a different ambient effect. Use Quad Knob [1] to select one. The different Reverb types are: Plate 1 &...
  • Page 100 This allows you to simulate different surfaces of a room or hall, with softer surfaces absorbing more high frequencies and smaller rooms having faster low frequency decay. If the selected Reverb type is Gate, the Low Decay parameter is unavailable. S4 Plus Reference Manual...
  • Page 101 Greater diffusion works better with percussive sounds, whereas less amounts of diffusion work well with vocals and other sustained sounds. DIFFUSION OF 0 TIME Note: The illustration above reflects a Density setting of 0. DIFFUSION OF 99 TIME Fewer reflections More reflections S4 Plus Reference Manual...
  • Page 102: Delay

    The Delay function is used to edit Delay parameters. Delay (Page 1) The S4 Plus’s effects processor has three different Delay types available. Note: Some delay modules only feature a mono Delay, and therefore the Delay Type parameter will be unavailable. Instead the parameters normally found on page 2 of the Delay function are shown in page 1, and there are no other pages (please refer to next section for a description of those parameters).
  • Page 103 Finally, the waveform shape of the LFO can be changed from a smooth triangle to a more abrupt squarewave to make the pitch detuning more pronounced. SIGNAL DELAY DETUNE FEEDBACK DRY SIGNAL S4 Plus Reference Manual CHORUSED OUTPUT...
  • Page 104 Many variables are available, from varying the speed and depth of the LFO to feeding back part of the signal to make the effect stronger. The Flanger’s waveform shape can be either “Normal” or “Inverted”. Use the “Inverted” setting for a more dramatic flange effect. S4 Plus Reference Manual DRY SIGNAL FEEDBACK DETUNE...
  • Page 105 Delay effect ahead of the Pitch effect in the selected Configuration ( Example: Configuration #2, effect send 1). DRY SIGNAL FEEDBACK DELAY DELAY FEEDBACK DRY SIGNAL DETUNE DRY SIGNAL S4 Plus Reference Manual LEFT FLANGED OUTPUT RIGHT FLANGED OUTPUT EFFECTED SIGNAL...
  • Page 106 Resonator Tuning and Decay If the Pitch type is Resonator, page 2 of the Pitch function will have two parameters. Use Quad Knob [1] to adjust the Resonator tuning, and Quad Knob [3] to adjust the Resonator Decay. S4 Plus Reference Manual...
  • Page 107 Pedal 2 • Pitch Depth • Delay Time • Reverb Balance • Reverb Low Decay • Reverb Level • MIDI Volume • Controller A—D • Pitch Level • Delay Feedback • Reverb Input • Reverb High Decay S4 Plus Reference Manual...
  • Page 108: Misc

    Main Left and Right outputs of the S4 Plus. Only effect modules that have access to the Main outputs will appear on the Mix page. There is a separate Mix page for each of the four effect busses whose effect modules feed the main output.
  • Page 109: Overdrive

    Soft setting, if the signal feeding the Overdrive effect is below the Overdrive Threshold setting (see below). The Hard setting will only provide distortion when the signal feeding the Overdrive effect is above the Overdrive Threshold setting. S4 Plus Reference Manual...
  • Page 110 Overdrive effect cannot be heard at all. When set to “CLEAN<00>OVRD”, you have an even mix between the original, uneffected signal and the overdriven signal. When set to “99>OVRD”. only the overdriven effect is heard. Note:: The CLIP indictator is disabled when configuration 5 is selected. S4 Plus Reference Manual...
  • Page 111 Chapter 7: Editing Effects S4 Plus Reference Manual...
  • Page 112: Editing Global Parameters

    Master Pitch and Master Tuning In Page 1 of Global Edit Mode, Quad Knob [3] adjusts the S4 Plus’s overall pitch (-12 to +12/up or down an octave). Adjust this parameter when you wish to globally S4 Plus Reference Manual...
  • Page 113: Mix Group Channel

    Quad Knob [4] adjusts the S4 Plus’s overall Master Tuning (-99 to +99/up or down 1/2 step). Adjust this parameter when tuning the S4 Plus to other instruments. These parameters have no effect on drum sounds, the Range settings, or MIDI Out.
  • Page 114: Reset Controllers A – D

    Quad Knob [1] selects the controller for Pedal 1, while Quad Knob [3] selects the controller for Pedal 2. The default settings are: Pedal 1 = 7; Pedal 2 = 4. S4 Plus Reference Manual Global Settings: Chapter 8...
  • Page 115: Midi Program Select

    In Page 6 of Global Edit mode, Quad Knob [1] determines the MIDI Program Select mode (Off, On, Mix Select Channel 1 –16). When this is set to “Off”, the S4 Plus will not respond to incoming MIDI Program Change messages, nor will it transmit Program Changes.
  • Page 116: Edit Mode

    BNC-to-BNC cable between the BRC’s 48 kHz Clock Out to the S4 Plus’s 48 kHz Clock In. When you are ready to record onto ADAT from the S4 Plus, be sure to turn on the 48 kHz Clock Input function. For more on connecting the BNC-to-BNC cable, see page 25.
  • Page 117 Chapter 8: Global Settings S4 Plus Reference Manual...
  • Page 118: Saving The User Bank To An External Card

    Effects Patches) can be stored to an Alesis QuadraCard RAM card inserted into the Sound Card slot on the S4 Plus. Depending on the amount of RAM a particular card has, up to 8 complete banks can be stored onto it. The QuadraCard is a type of PCMCIA SRAM or FlashRAM card;...
  • Page 119: Storing An Individual Program Or Mix To An External Card

    RAM Sound Card Bank (instead of transferring the entire Bank) and vice versa. However, the Sound Card you are storing to must be of the current S4 Plus Bank format. A Sound Card is formatted whenever an entire S4 Plus Bank is stored onto it.
  • Page 120: Card Storage Ramifications

    Card Bank 1, the result will be that Mix 00 in Card Bank 1 now uses only Programs from Card Bank 1. If later you transfer the entire Bank back into the S4 Plus, you will find that Mix 00 no longer uses the Program on the Card as it was originally programmed to.
  • Page 121 Chapter 9: MIDI Transfer and Storage Operations To send the entire User bank via MIDI: ¿ Connect a MIDI cable from the S4 Plus’s MIDI Out to the MIDI In of a device capable of receiving the data (another S4 Plus, etc.). ¡...
  • Page 122: Trouble-Shooting Index

    Disconnect any cables connected to the MIDI IN jack, and make sure that a sequencer or keyboard is not sending messages to the S4 Plus that would make it behave erratically (such as a long stream of pitch bend messages on 16 channels simultaneously).
  • Page 123: Checking Software Version

    Make sure the unit is securely screwed into a rack or otherwise supported. Refer All Servicing to Alesis We believe that the S4 Plus is one of the most reliable modules that can be made using current technology, and should provide years of trouble-free use. However, should problems occur, DO NOT attempt to service the unit yourself.
  • Page 124 Los Angeles, CA 90016 Customers outside the USA: Contact your local Alesis dealer for warranty assistance. The Alesis Limited Warranty applies only to products sold to users in the USA and Canada. Customers outside the USA and Canada are not convered by this Limited Warranty and may or may not be covered by independent distributor warranty in the county of sale.
  • Page 125 Appendix A: Troubleshooting S4 Plus Reference Manual...
  • Page 126: Midi Basics

    MIDI S MIDI Basics Most current electronic instruments and signal processors, including the S4 Plus, contain an internal computer. Computers and music have been working together for decades, which is not surprising considering music’s mathematical basis (consider frequencies, harmonics, vibrato rates, tunings, etc.). In the mid-70s, microcomputers became inexpensive enough to be built into consumer-priced musical instruments.
  • Page 127: Appendix B: Midi Supplement

    Numbers in parenthesis indicate the controller range. Function Modulation Wheel (0-127) Breath Controller (0-127) Early DX7 Aftertouch (0-127) S4 Plus Reference Manual...
  • Page 128 Registered Parameter LSB (0-127) Reset All Controllers (0) Local Control On/Off (0 or 127) All Notes Off (0) Omni Off (0) Omni On (0) Mono On (0-16; 0=Omni Off) Poly On (0) S4 Plus Reference Manual MIDI Supplement: Appendix B...
  • Page 129: System Common Messages

    MIDI program change message that is supposed to call up a particular sound, the correct sound on the S4 Plus will be called up, even if the composer of the sequence used a different sound device. The Programs in Preset Bank 4 use the General MIDI names (in some cases abreviated) with the letters GM added to indicate their are designed specifically for use in General MIDI mode.
  • Page 130 There are three MIDI registered parameters which the S4 plus will recognize in Mix Play Mode when General MIDI Mode is enabled. These are: • MIDI Registered Parameter 0 (Pitch Bend Sensitivity): This will directly effect the Pitch Wheel Range parameter of all four Sounds of the Program on the received MIDI Channel of the Mix.
  • Page 131: Midi Implementation Chart

    Mode 4: OMNI OFF, MONO Transmitted Recognized 1 — 16 1 — 16 each Mode 3 0 — 127 0 — 127 0 — 127 0 — 127 0 — 127 Remarks Memorized O : Yes X : No S4 Plus Reference Manual...
  • Page 132: Program Parameters

    FLFO Mod. Wheel Level FLFO Speed FLFO Trigger FLFO Waveform Keyboard Tracking Keyboard Mode Parameter Mod. Wheel Level: ALFO Mod. Wheel Level: Filter S4 Plus Reference Manual Parameters Index: Appendix C APPENDIX C: NDEX Function Page ALFO Filter FLFO Pitch...
  • Page 133: Appendix C: Parameters Index

    AENV FENV PENV Misc. Range AENV FENV PENV AENV FENV PENV AENV FENV PENV AENV FENV PENV Track Track 1, 2—3 2—4, 1— Pitch Quad Function Page Knob Pitch Pitch Filter Assign Voice S4 Plus Reference Manual Page in Manual...
  • Page 134: Mix Parameters

    Program Output Program Pan Program Volume Program Select: Number Program Select: Type Range Lower limit Range Upper Limit Sustain Pedal Tuning: Octave Tuning: Semitone S4 Plus Reference Manual Parameters Index: Appendix C Assign Voice Level Quad Function Page Knob Range Range...
  • Page 135 Appendix C: Parameters Index S4 Plus Reference Manual...
  • Page 136 Program or Mix. Tip: You can quickly jump back to the User Bank by simultaneously pressing both [BANK +] and [BANK -] buttons. S4 Plus Reference Manual What’s New in the 2.0 “Plus” Upgrade: Appendix D PPENDIX 2.0 “P...
  • Page 137: Appendix D: What's New In The 2.0 "Plus" Upgrade

    Acoustic and Electric Pianos Digital Synthesizers Brass and Wind Instruments Guitars and Plucked Instruments Chromatic Percussion and Keyboards Electric and Synth Bass Orchestral and Synth Strings Vintage Synthesizers Drums and Rhythm Loops Organs and Voice Sounds S4 Plus Reference Manual...
  • Page 138 Most of the samples found in the S4Plus Group are specifically designed for the General MIDI Bank (Preset 4). Also found in the S4Plus Group is an incredible new Grand Piano. S4 Plus Reference Manual What’s New in the 2.0 “Plus” Upgrade: Appendix D...
  • Page 139 Previously, you could select the “Bank” parameter by pressing Quad Knob [3] and then use the VALUE buttons to select a Bank. This is no longer necessary, since the FUNCTION buttons are now used to select the Bank. S4 Plus Reference Manual...
  • Page 140 The four Quad Knobs now provide direct access to Controllers A, B, C and D, respectively, when either Program Play Mode or Mix Play Mode is selected. This opens up a whole world of performance control possibilities, making the S4 Plus an even more powerful MIDI master keyboard.
  • Page 141: Using Pedals To Control Volume Or Modulation

    [GLOBAL] and pressing one of the Quad [1]–[4] buttons which corresponds to the section you would like to hear. So, while holding [GLOBAL], pressing [1] will access the first section, [2] will access the second, and so on. S4 Plus Reference Manual...
  • Page 142 If you prefer to have the Pitch Bend Wheel affect the Filter, you can always leave this parameter set to “00” and route the Pitch Bend to the Filter in the Modulation Function. Quantize Added to Modulation Routings 4 – 6 S4 Plus Reference Manual What’s New in the 2.0 “Plus” Upgrade: Appendix D...
  • Page 143 This feature is very useful in creating “mini-sequences” if the modulation destination is set to “Pitch” and the Tracking Generator’s input is an LFO using an “Up Sawtooth” as its waveform. S4 Plus Reference Manual...
  • Page 144 Note Number C3 and its Range is set to +2, the sound can be triggered by playing either C3, C#3 or D3. S4 Plus Reference Manual What’s New in the 2.0 “Plus” Upgrade: Appendix D NORMAL...
  • Page 145: Effects Mode

    Effects’ dual inputs. This Configuration adds a new effect, Overdrive, which provides distortion for guitar and organ sounds (or whatever else you throw at it). The Overdrive effect is followed S4 Plus Reference Manual...
  • Page 146 In Effects Configurations 1 and 3, the Pitch Function on Send 3 now has only one page and is permanently set to Resonator. Mono Chorus and Mono Flange are no longer selectable. This sacrifice was made in order to improve the quality of the other effects in these Configurations. S4 Plus Reference Manual...
  • Page 147 Channels in the Mix (including the Effects Channel) and not worry about the Effects changing. On the other hand, sometimes you may want to have the Effects change when sending a program change to the S4 Plus on the Effects Channel. In this case, you should turn this parameter on.
  • Page 148 Mix Mode. In other words, if the Mix’s Range Function has its low-not set above its high-note, you will not hear any sound on the selected Channel. S4 Plus Reference Manual What’s New in the 2.0 “Plus” Upgrade: Appendix D...
  • Page 149 (bar 1) which tells the receiving device to go into its General MIDI mode. If this message is sent, no matter where you happen to be on the S4 Plus, General MIDI mode will be enabled, and Mix 00 of Preset Bank 4 will automatically be selected.
  • Page 150: Transmitting Midi Volume And Panning

    Program in Program Play Mode just as before. Receiving and Transmitting Bank Select Messages The S4 Plus will now respond to MIDI Bank Select messages. Bank Select messages are transmitted via MIDI controller 0. The value of controller 0 determines which bank (User, Preset 1–4, Card 1–8) is to be recalled.
  • Page 151 Program) will continue to be set at the same volume and panning as before. Controllers 123–127 = All Notes Off Whenever the S4 Plus receives a MIDI controller message from 123 through 127 (regardless of the controller’s value), all voices playing on the channel the message(s) is received on will be turned off (all notes off).
  • Page 152 Programs or the Effects Patch. Expanded Card Compatibility The S4 Plus is now compatible with more types of Sound Card formats, increasing the possibility for new, inexpensive sound cards to be produced and distributed.
  • Page 153 Loading Single Programs or Mixes from a Sound Card The S4 Plus may now load a single Mix or Program from a Sound Card into the User Bank, instead of having to load the entire Bank from the Sound Card. To do this, select the Mix or Program in the Sound Card Bank that you wish to copy, then use the Store Function to designate a location you wish to store to in the User Bank.
  • Page 154 SDII samples and Sample Cell Instruments onto a PCMCIA Sound Card inserted into the S4 Plus. This means you have the ability to use not just the samples that come with the S4 Plus, but virtually any sample you have in your computer. If...
  • Page 155 Appendix D: What’s New in the 2.0 “Plus” Upgrade S4 Plus Reference Manual...
  • Page 156: Index

    Program Select 114 System Exclusive 19, THRU 19 Mix 13, 16, 23–24, 28, 37 Mix Edit 25, 37 Effect Bus 42 Effect Level 42 S4 Plus Reference Manual INDEX FX MIDI 42 Level 39 MIDI 41 Name 43 output 39...

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