Using An External Sequencer - Alesis S4 Plus Reference Manual

Using an External Sequencer

The MIDI keyboard or controller (such as the QuadraSynth Plus) can generate MIDI
signals that are recorded by a sequencer. On playback, the sequencer sends this
data back into the S4 Plus, which then serves as a multitimbral sound module (in Mix
Mode). The sequencer can generate data over several channels; in Mix Mode, the S4
Plus can be programmed so that individual Programs play sequenced data on
specific channels.
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. The S4 Plus can store up to 100 User Mixes.
Connect your master keyboard's MIDI Out to the sequencer's MIDI In (if using a
computer-based sequencer, connect to the computer's MIDI interface's MIDI In).
Connect the sequencer's MIDI Out to your keyboard's MIDI In. Finally, connect your
keyboard's MIDI Thru to the S4 Plus's MIDI IN (the Thru signal carries a replica of
what appears at the keyboard's MIDI In, which is the same as the sequencer's MIDI
Out).
Note: It is not necessary to connect the S4 Plus's MIDI OUT to the sequencer,
although doing so allows the S4 Plus to send data to the computer (such as System
Exclusive data to be stored into a librarian program).
COMPUTER
MIDI
INTERFACE
If you are driving other MIDI gear (such as an expander module or MIDI-responsive
signal processor), you'll usually drive these from the sequencer if it has additional
MIDI outputs. However, you can also use the S4 Plus's MIDI THRU connector to
drive other modules since the Thru carries a replica of what appears at the S4 Plus's
MIDI IN, which is the same as the sequencer's MIDI OUT.
Note: For most sequencer applications, the S4 Plus' "Mix Group Channel" parameter
(on page 2 of the Global display) should be set to OFF. See page 112 for more
information.
S4 Plus Reference Manual
MIDI OUT
MIDI IN
MIDI IN
Connections: Chapter 3
MIDI THRU
MIDI IN
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