Alesis airSynth Reference Manual
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Alesis airSynth Reference Manual

Alesis airSynth Reference Manual

Alesis airsynth audio-digital processor: reference guide
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M
EFERENCE
ANUAL

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Summary of Contents for Alesis airSynth

  • Page 1 EFERENCE ANUAL...
  • Page 2 Alesis airSynth Reference Manual © Copyright 2001, Alesis Studio Electronics, Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part is prohibited. “airSynth” and “Axyz” are trademarks of Alesis Studio Electronics, Inc. “Axyz” technology is patent pending. ALESIS CONTACT INFORMATION Alesis Studio Electronics, Inc.

  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    Special Programs ...27 Sequencers ...27 Pads...28 Auto-Melody Generators ...31 The Global Tempo Program ...31 Troubleshooting ... 33 Troubleshooting Index ...33 Care and Maintenance ...34 Cleaning ...34 Obtaining Repair Service...34 Program Chart...36 Specifications... 37 Alesis Limited Warranty... 38 YNTH EFERENCE ANUAL ONTENTS...

  • Page 4: How To Use This Manual

    Chapter 1: Quick Start. If you want to start using the airSynth right away, here’s a one-page guide to hooking it up and trying it out.

  • Page 5: Important Safety Instructions

    Safety symbols used in this product This symbol alerts the user that there are important operating and maintenance instructions in the literature accompanying this unit. This symbol warns the user of uninsulated voltage within the unit that can cause dangerous electric shocks. This symbol warns the user that output connectors contain voltages that can cause dangerous electrical shock.
  • Page 6 9. Do not defeat the safety purpose of the polarized or grounding- type plug. A polarized plug has two blades with one wider than the other. A grounding-type plug has two blades and a third grounding prong. The wide blade or the third prong are provided for your safety. When the provided plug does not fit into your outlet, consult an electrician for replacement of the obsolete outlet.

  • Page 7: Instructions De Sécurité Importantes (French)

    Instructions de Sécurité Importantes (French) Symboles utilisés dans ce produit Ce symbole alèrte l’utilisateur qu’il existe des instructions de fonctionnement et de maintenance dans la documentation jointe avec ce produit. Ce symbole avertit l’utilisateur de la présence d’une tension non isolée à...
  • Page 8 9. Ne pas enlever la prise de terre du cordon secteur. Une prise murale avec terre deux broches et une troisièrme reliée à la terre. Cette dernière est présente pour votre sécurité. Si le cordon secteur ne rentre pas dans la prise de courant, demandez à...

  • Page 9: Beim Benutzen Dieses Produktes Beachten Sie Bitte Die Folgenden Sicherheitshinweise: (German)

    Beim Benutzen dieses Produktes beachten Sie bitte die folgenden Sicherheitshinweise: (German) 1. Lesen Sie die Hinweise. 2. Halten Sie sich an die Anleitung. 3. Beachten Sie alle Warnungen. 4. Beachten Sie alle Hinweise. 5. Bringen Sie das Gerät nie mit Wasser in Berührung. 6.

  • Page 10: Ce Declaration Of Conformity

    Product Name: Model Type: conforms to the Standards listed for this product on the web site European Contact: March 2001 Alesis Corporation Santa Monica, CA 90404 airSynth Signal Processor www.alesis.com Sound Technology 17 Letchworth Point, Lechworth, Hertfordshire, SG6 1ND, England.

  • Page 11: Instructions To The User (Fcc Compliance)

    INSTRUCTIONS TO THE USER (FCC compliance) This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation.

  • Page 12: Front Panel

    FRONT PANEL AXYZ™ Controller Program Knob LED Display REAR PANEL RCA Outputs RCA Inputs Power Jack YNTH EFERENCE ANUAL...

  • Page 13: Quick Start Guide

    Step 1: Hook it up Pull the airSynth out of the package, and plug it into the wall with the supplied Power Supply. Connect the Left and Right outputs of the airSynth into the Left and Right CD Inputs of a stereo receiver or mixer.
  • Page 14 Quick Start Guide: Chapter 1 Move your hand over the black Axyz™ dome on the unit. Try moving from side to side, front to back, as well as up and down. Get down! YNTH EFERENCE ANUAL...

  • Page 15: Connections

    These speaker-level voltages will fry the electronics inside of the airSynth. The systems on the next few pages will give you some examples of typical systems where the airSynth is used. If you can’t apply one of YNTH EFERENCE...

  • Page 16: Connecting To A Stereo Receiver

    Receiver Receiver CD In The simplest method for listening to the airSynth is to connect the Left and Right Outputs to the Left and Right Inputs of a stereo receiver. The CD or Tape inputs of your receiver are best for this purpose – if you use Phono inputs the airSynth will sound very noisy.

  • Page 17: Connecting To A Studio Mixer

    Chapter 2: Connections Next, using another stereo RCA cable, plug the Left and Right outputs of the airSynth into the Left and Right CD inputs of your receiver. (Actually, any unused inputs on the receiver should work except for “Phono” or “Record Player”.) If the unit doesn't have RCA outputs: The instructions above are fine for home or professional CD Players.

  • Page 18: Connecting Into A Dj System

    Line Out airSynth This section explains how to connect the airSynth into a DJ system. The first point to mention is that the output of a turntable is not at line level. Therefore, unlike a CD player, you can’t just connect the output of the turntable through the airSynth.

  • Page 19: Mounting On A Microphone Stand

    We then plug the Left and Right outputs of the airSynth into another mixer input. Next, plug the Left and Right outputs of the mixer into the Left and Right inputs of your power amplifier.

  • Page 20: Performance

    Selecting a new program is simple: 1. Turn the program knob on the bottom left side of the airSynth to select a program number. The new program will not load right away, allowing you to keep using one program while you find another.

  • Page 21: Using The Axyz™ Controller

    Note that ambient light can affect the sensitivity of the Axyz controller. Make sure that you don’t sit the airSynth right next to a light source or in the sun, or you may notice that you need to move your hand closer to hear an effect.

  • Page 22: Effect Hold

    Effect Hold The airSynth has a function that allows you to freeze the current effect from the airSynth without needing to hold your hand in place. This function is called Hold. To use the Hold function: 1. Recall a program as described in the previous section. There should be no decimal points showing in the display.

  • Page 23: Effect Hold

    2. Move your hand away from the Axyz controller, making sure that the airSynth isn’t affecting the sound. 3. Press and hold the Program knob for one second. A decimal point should appear in the display between the first and second number of the program.

  • Page 24: Special Programs

    After one measure has passed (8 clicks) you will hear this tone played again. The airSynth corrects the timing so that it plays back in the nearest 1/16 note.

  • Page 25: Pads

    Performance: Chapter 3 A decimal point has appeared between the first and second digits of the program number, showing that the Hold function is set. When you’ve entered Hold mode, you can move your hand around the sensor to modulate the loop. On some programs, your hand controls the balance between the instruments.
  • Page 26 Chapter 3: Performance 3. Move your hand away from the sensors to stop playing the note. 4. Now, approach the sensors from another direction. The airSynth should play a different pitch. YNTH EFERENCE ANUAL...

  • Page 27: Auto-Melody Generators

    Program -- Located between Program 49 and Program 00, this Program controls the tempo of every loop in the airSynth. To change the tempo, select this program and tap over the sensor at least three times. As you tap 1/4 notes in rhythm, you will hear the unit play back 1/8 notes to indicate the tempo.

  • Page 28: Troubleshooting

    Troubleshooting Index If you experience problems while operating your airSynth, please use the following table to locate possible causes and solutions before contacting Alesis Product Support for assistance. Symptom No audio from outputs Buzz from outputs YNTH EFERENCE ANUAL Chapter 4: Troubleshooting...

  • Page 29: Care And Maintenance

    CONTROLS! Spray onto a cloth, then use cloth to clean the unit. Refer All Servicing to Alesis We believe that the airSynth is one of the best processors that can be made using current technology, and should provide years of trouble- free use.
  • Page 30 Alesis warranty. Tape a note to the top of the unit describing the problem, include your name and a phone number where Alesis can contact you if necessary, as well as instructions on where you want the product returned. Alesis will pay for standard one-way shipping back to you on any repair covered under the terms of this warranty.

  • Page 31: Program Chart

    Troubleshooting Support@alesis.com Program Chart Top Five: Program Name Description Chopper Use your hand to control the helicopter as it flies around Android The direction that your hand Choir approaches chooses the pitch, then twist it around to adjust the tone 2 Beat Machine Slap all around the sensor to add to the drum loop.
  • Page 32 C-Saw Move left to right to play a pentatonic scale, then back to front to bend the pitch Air-amin A Theremin-like sound whose pitch rises as you hand moves back and to the right YNTH EFERENCE ANUAL Program Chart Quantized Pitch bend Volume Pitch Pitch...
  • Page 33 Program Chart Tone: Program Name Description Radio Bass A bass rumble with radio interference tones makes this the perfect excuse to end cell phone calls Free Bass Approach from the sides to create a bass line that sweeps up and down an octave Distorted The name says it all, your Annoyance...
  • Page 34 Percussion: Program Name Description 20 Water Drum Move from left to right as you airdrum to change the pitch Clockwork Makes a bell tone, try Bell different sides of the sensor for variations on the tone Ring Wood “Strike” high in the field for higher notes, nearer to the dome for lower notes Plink...
  • Page 35 Transmission sound, move from side to side for some interesting stereo panning Whispering Spooky talking wind effect, Wind let the airSynth tell you ghost stories Phoneme- Quite possibly the most anon annoying sound ever Idle Growl Great engine effect - move...

  • Page 36: Program Chart

    -- Global Tempo Tap your hand over the sensor to the beat to set the tempo for every rhythm program in the airSynth YNTH EFERENCE ANUAL Program Chart X Axis...

  • Page 37: Specifications

    I/O: Nominal Input Voltage: Max Input Voltage: Dynamic Range: Signal to Noise Ratio: THD+N: Frequency Response: Sampling Frequency: Converter Resolution: Processor Resolution: All measurements done over a 20Hz-22,000Hz range with 1KHz sine wave at Full Scale, except for the dynamic range which was done with a -60dBFS 1KHz sine wave.

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