Alesis QS6 Reference Manual
  1. Manuals
  2. Brands
  3. Alesis Manuals
  4. Synthesizer
  5. QS6
  6. Reference manual

Alesis QS6 Reference Manual

Voice expandable synthesizer
Hide thumbs Also See for QS6:
Table of Contents

Advertisement

Quick Links

Download this manual See also: Service Manual
ALESIS
QS6
Reference Manual

Advertisement

Table of Contents
loading

Related Manuals for Alesis QS6

Summary of Contents for Alesis QS6

  • Page 1 ALESIS Reference Manual...

  • Page 2: How To Use This Manual

    This manual is divided into the following sections describing the various modes of the QS6. To get the most out of your QS6, read the entire manual once, then use the table of contents and index to reference specific functions while using the instrument.
  • Page 3 QS6 Reference Manual...

  • Page 4: Table Of Contents

    What’s a Program? ... 12 What’s a Mix? ... 12 What’s a Bank? ... 12 About Sound Groups..13 Playing the QS6 ... 13 Program Mode and Mix Mode ... 13 Auditioning Internal Programs ... 14 Selecting Program Banks ... 14 Selecting the MIDI Channel ...
  • Page 5 Setting the Range and MIDI Switches ... 44 Naming a Mix ... 44 Polyphony in Mix Play Mode ... 45 Using the QS6 as a Master Keyboard ... 45 Setting the MIDI Out Channels for a Mix in Global Mode ... 45 6: E ...
  • Page 6 Card Storage RAMifications ... 121 Saving Programs via MIDI Sys Ex ... 121 A: T PPENDIX ROUBLE HOOTING Trouble-Shooting Index ... 123 Re-initializing ... 123 Checking Software Version ... 123 QS6 Reference Manual ... 119 PERATIONS ... 123 Table of Contents...
  • Page 7 Channel Messages: Voice Messages ... 128 System Common Messages ... 130 General MIDI ... 130 MIDI Implementation Chart ... 132 C: P PPENDIX ARAMETERS Program Edit Parameters ... 133 Mix Edit Parameters ... 135 INDEX ... 137 ... 127 ... 133 NDEX QS6 Reference Manual...

  • Page 8: 1: Setting Up

    The QS6 comes with a power adapter suitable for the voltage of the country it is shipped to (either 110 or 220V, 50 or 60 Hz). With the QS6 off, plug the small end of the power adapter cord into the QS6’s [AC] socket and the male (plug) end into a source of AC power.

  • Page 9: About Audio Cables

    These should be low-capacitance shielded cables with a stranded (not solid) internal conductor and a low-resistance shield. Although quality cables cost more, they do make a difference. Route cables to the QS6 correctly by observing the following precautions: •...

  • Page 10: Basic Audio Hookup

    The QS6 has two Main outputs, plus a stereo headphones output. These can provide an amplification system or mixer with two different audio hookup options: •...
  • Page 11 Chapter 1: Setting Up QS6 Reference Manual...

  • Page 12: 2: Your First Session With The Qs6

    ¡ Turn on the [POWER ON/OFF] switch on the QS6 rear panel. Upon power-up, the QS6 will display the last selected Program or Mix. If this Program/Mix has been edited, the display will indicate this by showing an “ the left of the name of the Program or Mix.

  • Page 13: Whats A Program

    More Programs can be added by inserting a Sound Card into the Sound Card slot on the rear panel of the QS6. Each Bank is broken down into 12 Groups of 10 Programs each, plus a 13th Group with 8 Programs. These group together similar sounding Programs, such as pianos [00], guitars [30], bass [40] and drums [120].

  • Page 14: About Sound Groups

    ROGRAM ODE AND The QS6 is always in one of two modes: Program Mode or Mix Mode . When you are auditioning Programs, you will be in Program Play Mode. When editing a Program, you will use Program Edit Mode. When you are auditioning Mixes, you will be in Mix Play Mode.

  • Page 15: Auditioning Internal Programs

    NTERNAL ¿ Press the [PROGRAM] button to select Program Play Mode. You can now play the QS6 keyboard; the Program will be whatever was selected when last in Program mode (Program number 00 –127). ¡ Select a Program using either of these methods: •...

  • Page 16: Selecting The Midi Channel

    EALTIME ERFORMANCE The QS6 provides various ways to control the sound as you are playing. Try out some of these functions while playing the 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: The Controller A Slider

    [120/DRUMS/PERC] buttons will not function, Mixes only go from 00 to 99. ELECTING The QS6 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: Auditioning Mix Play Mode

    To make changes permanent, you must store the Mix into the User bank (see next QS6 Reference Manual Your First Session With The QS6: Chapter 2 ] buttons to select one of the 16 channels in the BANK] and [BANK MIX GenMIDI ºº...
  • Page 19 Chapter 2: Your First Session With The QS6 page). QS6 Reference Manual...

  • Page 20: Storing An Edited Mix

    Program location (00 – 127) within the User Bank to store the edited Mix into. However, if an SRAM Sound Card is inserted into the Sound Card Slot on the rear panel of the QS6, you may select any of the available Banks on the Sound Card to save the edited Mix into.

  • Page 21: Using The Sound Card Slot

    Chapter 2: Your First Session With The QS6 Your QS6 is an expandable system using the Sound Card slot on the back panel. There are three different kinds of Sound Cards available through your Alesis dealer or directly from Alesis: SRAM cards: The Alesis Virtual Composer card provides an additional four banks of Program/Mix memory.

  • Page 22: Onnections

    The [MIDI OUT] connector can be switched to a “Thru” mode so that it carries a replica (or echo) of the messages appearing at the QS6’s [MIDI IN], allowing you to trigger other devices from the same controller which is feeding the QS6. Simply connect the QS6 [MIDI OUT] to the other device’s MIDI IN.

  • Page 23: Example 1: Master Controller For Live Use

    In Program Mode, the QS6 sends and receives MIDI information on only one MIDI channel at a time. In Mix Mode, however, the QS6 can transmit on as many as 16 MIDI channels, each with its own keyboard range (for more information on Program Mode and Mix Mode, see Chapter 4).

  • Page 24: Example 2: 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 QS6 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 25: Example 3: Using A Computer

    EDAL AND OOTSWITCH The QS6 keyboard has a [ PEDAL 1] jack that accepts a Roland model EV-5 (or equivalent) volume control pedal, or a standard switch pedal. Normally, this acts as a volume pedal for the entire instrument, but this pedal can be assigned to modulation functions within a program.

  • Page 26: Verview

    A Mix consists of up to 16 Programs, each assigned to a specific MIDI channel and one Effect Patch. The QS6 has 100 Mixes in the User Bank, plus 4 Preset Banks of 400 Preset Mixes. This is extremely useful for multitimbral setups where the QS6 plays back different sounds on different MIDI channels.

  • Page 27: Modes

    Chapter 4: Overview ODES The QS6 is always in one of two main modes: Program Play Mode or Mix Play Mode. Pressing [PROGRAM] selects Program Play Mode, while pressing [MIX] selects Mix Play Mode. While in Program Play Mode, you can press [EDIT SELECT] to access Program Edit Mode and Effects Edit Mode.

  • Page 28: Mix Edit Mode

    User Bank or onto a QuadraCard PCMCIA memory card accessory. It is also used for transmitting the QS6’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 29: The User Interface: Display, Functions, Pages, And Parameters

    MIDI channel, which will be indicated in the lower-right section of the display. In Mix Play Mode, the QS6 can transmit and receive on up to 16 MIDI channels. The “active” channels will be indicated by the presence of a “...
  • Page 30 Function’s Group will appear in the lower section of the display. You can step through all the parameter’s in a Function’s Group by using the [ PAGE] and [PAGE parameter is selected, and is turned on. QS6 Reference Manual EDIT MODE PAGE _____________________________ _______...

  • Page 31: Page Buttons

    Mix Play Mode, they are used to select a MIDI channel from 1 to 16. In Program Play Mode, they are used to select the basic MIDI channel the QS6 will receive and transmit MIDI messages on. In Mix Play Mode, they are used to select one of the 16 possible Channels for viewing and editing.

  • Page 32: Selecting Functions And Parameters

    MOD 6 PITCH LFO FILTER LFO AMP LFO TRACKING GENERATOR SELECT SOUND SELECT SOUND SELECT SOUND QS6 Reference Manual PAGE] to select the next lower- PAGE] and [PAGE ] simultaneously to get ARAMETERS PAGE] and [PAGE Program Edit Mix Edit (Drum)

  • Page 33: Comparing Edited And Stored Versions

    SELECT CHANNEL 15 LEVEL SELECT CHANNEL 16 PITCH LEVEL FILTER PITCH AMP/RANGE EFFECT - - - - - KEYBOARD/MID - - - - - CONTROLLERS DECAY RANGE NAME NAME SELECT SEND CONFIGURATIO LEZLIE PITCH DELAY REVERB OVERDRIVE QS6 Reference Manual...

  • Page 34: Store A Program Or Mix

    RESET EMORY AND The QS6 has three types of memory banks for Mixes and Programs: Preset , User and Card. The Preset banks, of which there are four, are stored in ROM (Read Only Memory), and therefore cannot be altered. However, the User bank, of which there is 1, is stored in RAM (Random Access Memory).

  • Page 35: Storing

    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. PAGE] and [PAGE ] buttons. Each page in Store SavePrg? (STORE) to USER 127 QS6 Reference Manual...
  • Page 36 This selects the Effects of the currently selected Program as the source of what is to be copied. ƒ Press [PAGE ] once to advance to advance the cursor to the Program number value in the lower section of the display. QS6 Reference Manual ETWEEN ROGRAMS BANK] and [BANK COPY SOUND 1 ETWEEN...

  • Page 37: To Audition Programs Before Storing

    Use the [s VALUE] and [VALUE t] buttons or move the [CONTROLLER A] slider to select the Program Number in the User Bank you wish to copy the Effects to (000–127). Press [STORE] to complete the copy function. QS6 Reference Manual...
  • Page 38 Use the [s VALUE] and [VALUE t] buttons or move the [CONTROLLER A] slider to select the Program Number you noted in step 5. … Press [STORE] again. The Program is now stored. QS6 Reference Manual ROGRAMS EFORE TORING ED:MIX ] buttons select Preset Bank 1;...
  • Page 39 Press [STORE] twice. The Mix is now stored. ] buttons to select the User Bank. If a RAM card BANK] and [BANK ] buttons to select a Card Bank. SavePrg? (STORE) to USERxxx” where XXX is ] to select QS6 Reference Manual...

  • Page 40: Diting Ixes

    DITING HAT IS A Mix Mode is one of the most powerful features of the QS6. Although 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 41: Understanding The Edit Buffers

    ] buttons to locate a specific parameter. The Mix Edit MIDI Program Sound 1 Output Sound 2 Sound 3 Sound 4 Sends 1—4 Effects Effects Pitch Level Buss UFFERS MIDI Output Main L Main R Effects Processor (reverb, delay, chorus, etc.) QS6 Reference Manual...

  • Page 42: Level Setting For Each Program

    PROG, the effect bus assignment will be that stored by the channel’s Program. 1, 2, 3 or 4 overrides the Program’s bus assignment, sending all sound layers of the Program to the chosen bus. QS6 Reference Manual ROGRAM Editing Mixes: Chapter 5...

  • Page 43: Pitch

    This determines whether or not the selected channel will transmit MIDI messages. Keyboard (On or Off) This determines whether or not the selected channel will respond to the keyboard, pitch-bend and mod wheels, foot pedals and sustain pedal of the QS6 itself. Page 1 Page 2...

  • Page 44: Controllers

    (these are assigned to MIDI controllers in Global Mode, Page 3 and 5). Even though the QS6 doesn't have a Pedal 2 jack, it still can be used to recieve MIDI controller messages and bring them as a source to the Modulation Matrix.

  • Page 45: Setting The Range And Midi Switches

    Look at the lower right section of the display. A small block (‰)will appear next to any active MIDI channels as you play notes or send notes to the QS6 from a sequencer on those channels. Lower Limit (MIDI note 000 to 127/ C-2 to G8) Specifies the lowest note of the sound’s keyboard range.

  • Page 46: Polyphony In Mix Play Mode

    MIDI O ETTING THE The QS6 offers a wide variety of ways to set the MIDI output. It is very easy in Program Play Mode; you just use the [ MIDI OUT channel for the whole instrument. But when using the QS6 in Mix Play Mode, you may want to transmit on several MIDI channels at once, and to temporarily isolate certain channels within a Mix.
  • Page 47 Use this mode if you're using a MIDI sequencer with an ECHO feature--the sound will be activated by messages appearing at the MIDI IN connector after it’s made the “round trip” through the sequencer. This is the QS6’s equivalent to LOCAL OFF.

  • Page 48: Diting Rograms

    Also, become familiar with the signal and modulation flow within the QS6 (as shown in the various block diagrams included in this manual) so that you can understand the many ways in which you can process a signal as it works its way from oscillator to output.

  • Page 49: How The Quadrasynth Generates Sound

    All “patching” is done via software, so the only patch cords you need are those that go to your mixer or amplifier. You can take a “snapshot” of the QS6’s parameters and save this in memory as a program. The QS6 comes with 512 factory preset programs, and 128 user-editable programs.

  • Page 50: Qs6 Signal Flow

    (Pitch LFO, Filter LFO, Amp Envelope) which affect how each will function in the 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 QS6 Program. Sound 1 Pitch...

  • Page 51: Voice

    LFO, and other control sources (described later). Note that the waveforms in the QS6 are different from those found in samplers or many sample-playback units. Because the QS6 has its own filter module and...

  • Page 52: About Modulation

    Filter, or Amp boxes is a modulation source. The amount of modulation, the time it takes place, and what controls (such as key velocity, footpedals, aftertouch, mod wheel etc.) affect it are important parameters in every Program. The QS6 provides the modulation flexibility of patch cord-based instruments, but with the convenience and ease of use of digital technology.

  • Page 53: Lfo (Low Frequency Oscillator)

    NOTE ON BOUT IGNAL ROCESSING The QS6 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. Sound 1 Effects parameters are edited separately from either the Program or the Mix, using Effects Edit Mode (more in Chapter 6).

  • Page 54: Drum Mode

    Consequently, not all Function buttons will respond when pressed as when Drum Mode is turned off. Specifically, the LFOs and all Envelopes (with the exception of the Amp Envelope) are unavailable. In addition, the parameters in most other functions will differ. QS6 Reference Manual Voice Filter Envelope...

  • Page 55: Program Edit Functions

    Mode. Drum Mode allows you to assign individual drum sounds to individual keys. To Program a sound in Drum Mode, refer to the next section “Programming Drum Sounds” on page 78. ED:PRG SOUND1 på SOUND ENABLE:ON ED:MX CHå SND1på SOUND ENABLE:ON QS6 Reference Manual Page 1 Page 2...
  • Page 56 AcidSweep2, AcidSweep3, AcidSweep4, AcidSweep5, VeloAcid 1, VeloAcid 2, VeloAcid 3, VeloAcid 4, AnalogSqr1, AnalogSqr2, AnalogSqrV, Sync Lead, Seq Bass, SeqBass Vel, Tek Bass, FatSynBass, TranceBas1, TranceBas2, VeloTrance, FilterBass, FM Bass, FM/FiltVel QS6 Reference Manual Editing Programs: Chapter 6 Page 3 Page 4...
  • Page 57 WavLoop4.0, WavLoop4.1, WavLoop4.2, WavLoop4.3, WavLoop4.4, WavLoop4.5, Kick Loop1, Kick Loop2, Kick Loop3, SnareLoop1, SnareLoop2, Back Beat, CrunchLP1, CrunchLP2, Psi Loop 1, Psi Loop 2, Psi Loop 3, Psi Loop 4, Hit Loop, Pop Loop, Syn Loop, Tri LoopHd, Tri LoopSf QS6 Reference Manual...

  • Page 58: Level

    Aux output. Effect Level (00 to 99) The QS6 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 (see Chapter 7 for more information on editing Effects).

  • Page 59: Pitch

    Pitch Envelope parameters (such as attack and decay time) are programmed within the Pitch Envelope Function (see page 61). Positive Envelope Negative Envelope TIME TIME Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 QS6 Reference Manual...
  • Page 60 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 QS6 will play the sample used for note C3 for all notes in the range. 1-PITCH mode is often...

  • Page 61: Filter

    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. Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 QS6 Reference Manual...
  • Page 62 (negative or positive), the greater the effect. Filter Envelope parameters (such as attack and decay time) are programmed within the Filter Envelope Function (see page 64). QS6 Reference Manual Editing Programs: Chapter 6 Page 4 Page 5...

  • Page 63: Amp/Range

    MAXIMUM MINIMUM VELOCITY VELOCITY VELOCITY 2 OF 2 1 OF 3 VELOCITY VELOCITY VELOCITY 2 OF 4 3 OF 4 VELOCITY VELOCITY VELOCITY Page 1 2 OF 3 3 OF 3 VELOCITY 4 OF 4 Page 2 QS6 Reference Manual...
  • Page 64 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. QS6 Reference Manual QS6 Keyboard Range Program Sound Range...
  • Page 65 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. Page 6 QS6 Reference Manual...

  • Page 66: Pitch Envelope

    Example: If the Pitch Envelope is bending a note up, and you don’t want the pitch to fall when you release the key, set the Release parameter to “Hold”. QS6 Reference Manual Editing Programs: Chapter 6 Page 1 Pages 2 &...
  • Page 67 However, this does not effect the attack time, but only the decay, 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. Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 QS6 Reference Manual...
  • Page 68 99, note velocity controls the envelope’s output; notes played hard will deliver a higher envelope output than notes played soft. When set to 0, note velocity will have no effect on the envelope’s output level. QS6 Reference Manual Editing Programs: Chapter 6 Page 9...

  • Page 69: 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. Page 1 Pages 2 & 3 Page 4 QS6 Reference Manual...
  • Page 70 This determines whether or not the Sustain Pedal will have an effect on the envelope. When turned on, holding down the Sustain Pedal while playing short notes is virtually the equivalent to holding down those notes on the keyboard with some subtle but QS6 Reference Manual Editing Programs: Chapter 6 Page 5...

  • Page 71: Amp Envelope

    Depending on the setting of the Sustain Decay control (see below), the envelope will either hold at the sustain Page 10 Page 11 Page 1 Pages 2 & 3 QS6 Reference Manual...
  • Page 72 If a sound layer’s Keyboard Mode parameter (found in the Pitch Function, Page 10,) 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”. QS6 Reference Manual Editing Programs: Chapter 6 Page 4...

  • Page 73: Name

    The [s VALUE]/[VALUE t] buttons and the [CONTROLLER A] slider let you change the character. Here is a chart of available characters: " ¥ % & ’ < > Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 PAGE] and [PAGE Æ ¨ QS6 Reference Manual...

  • Page 74: Mod 1-Mod 6

    1 – M About General Purpose Modulation Although there are several dedicated modulators in the QS6 (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 75 • Polyphonic Pressure This is similar to aftertouch, but each key can respond to individual pressure messages. Although the QS6 keyboard does not generate poly pressure, the sound generators can respond to poly pressure signals entering via the MIDI In. Example: Assign poly pressure to the sound’s amplitude in a string ensemble patch.
  • Page 76 Controllers (A, B, C, D) Four incoming MIDI controllers can be recognized by the QS6 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 [CONTROLLER A] slider can be used to control Controller A directly.

  • Page 77: Pitch Lfo

    The higher the value, the slower the LFO fades in. TRIANGLE SQUARE RANDOM+- NOISE TIME Page 1 UP SAW RANDOM+ Page 2 Page 3 QS6 Reference Manual...
  • Page 78 Level and Aftertouch are set to 00, and the Mod Wheel parameter is set to -99, the Mod Wheel will have no effect on the vibrato from the Pitch LFO. QS6 Reference Manual Editing Programs: Chapter 6 Page 4...

  • Page 79: 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. Page 7 Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 QS6 Reference Manual...

  • Page 80: 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 Pitch LFO description on page 73. QS6 Reference Manual Editing Programs: Chapter 6 Page 6...

  • Page 81: Tracking Generator

    This feature is very useful in creating “mini-sequences” if the modulation destination is set Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 QS6 Reference Manual...
  • Page 82 For detailed descriptions of each of these sources, see the section “Modulation Source” in the Mod section on pages 67–69. Tracking Points 0 – 10 (00–100) The remaining pages of the TRACK function control the levels of points 0–10. QS6 Reference Manual LINEAR NON-LINEAR NON-LINEAR STEPPED •...

  • Page 83: Programming Drum Sounds

    Loop1, Ride Loop2, Ride Loop3, Tick Talk, Swingset, Bongo Loop, BlockLoop1, BlockLoop2, BlockLoop3, HiTriLpHd, HiTriLpSf, LoTriLpHd, LoTriLpSf, Tamb Loop1, Tamb Loop2, ShakerLoop, ShuflShakr, PopperLoop, BottleLoop, Motor, MiniNoizLp, HvyMetalLp, Machine Lp, Kah Loop, Bass Loop, SynBass Lp, EVEL OUNDS Voice QS6 Reference Manual...

  • Page 84: Pitch

    (“Conga High” and “Conga Lo”) the same key in different Program Sound layers, then use the appropriate velocity curves for each drum (in a three-way velocity split, drum 1 would use curve “1 of 3,” drum 2 would QS6 Reference Manual Editing Programs: Chapter 6 Page 1...

  • Page 85: Amp Envelope

    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. Page 2 Page 3 Page 1 Page 2 QS6 Reference Manual...

  • Page 86: Copying Sounds

    Program. If you select to copy sound 2 to Program 45, the sound will be copied into sound 2 of Program 45. Press [STORE] to copy the sound. QS6 Reference Manual Editing Programs: Chapter 6...

  • Page 87: Initializing Programs

    While holding down both Buttons [0] and [3], turn on the power. The QS6 will come on showing Program 01 of Preset Bank 1, with the “*” flag showing in the display and no Program Name. This is the Program Mode edit buffer, set to the default settings.

  • Page 88: Diting Ffects

    IGNAL ROCESSING The built-in effects processor of the QS6 is similar to that of the Alesis QuadraVerb 2, capable of generating multiple, fully digital effects simultaneously. The QS6 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 89: Selecting An Effects Patch In Mix Mode

    Levels for each of the effects devices in the current configuration, and (if necessary) reduce the Effects Levels in the Mix and/or Program. ATCH IN ED:MIX pß FX MIDI CHAN: 01 FX PRG CHNGE:0N EVELS ] to select page QS6 Reference Manual...

  • Page 90: Editing Effects

    IN CONFIG).” This is because a Pitch module is available on sends 1, 2 and 3 in Configuration #1, but not on send 4—as you can see in the chart on page 88. QS6 Reference Manual Editing Effects: Chapter 7 ED:PRG EFFECTSpå...

  • Page 91: Storing Effect Patches In Program Mode

    Effects you wish to copy. And, of course, you can only copy Effects to Programs that are in the User Bank or on a RAM Sound Card Bank. For more about copying effects, see page 32. ROGRAM SAVE? USER 000 (Press STORE) QS6 Reference Manual...

  • Page 92: Configurations

    Use the [s VALUE] and [VALUE t] buttons to select the Configuration. As you scroll through the various Configurations, each one’s name will appear in the lower right section of the display. The following is a run-down of the various Configurations: QS6 Reference Manual Editing Effects: Chapter 7 ED:MIX EFFECTSpå CONFIG: 1 REVERB...
  • Page 93 Reverb 3 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 QS6 Reference Manual...
  • Page 94 Delay 1 and Reverb 1. Think of the Mix function in the QS6’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 95 Gate 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 QS6 Reference Manual...
  • Page 96 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. QS6 Reference Manual #3: L EZLIE AND EVERB BAL.
  • Page 97 DELAY 2 DELAY 2 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. QS6 Reference Manual...
  • Page 98 Delay effect’s input, or the Reverb effect’s input. The outputs of all these effects are routed back to the Outputs, and sent through the shelving EQ effect. QS6 Reference Manual #5: O VERDRIVE AND EZLIE BAL.

  • Page 99: Mod

    The Mod Function lets you control various effects parameters from the various controls on the QS6 (keyboard, after-touch, pitch-bender, etc.) or from the MIDI input. This is extremely useful when dynamic or real-time control is required in a live playing situation.
  • Page 100 Example: If the Reverb Decay was selected as the Destination with the mod wheel as the Source, the mod wheel could be programmed to cause the Reverb to increase the decay (positive) or decrease the decay (negative). QS6 Reference Manual Page 1 (Mod 1) & Page 4 (Mod 2) •...

  • Page 101: Lezlie

    Page 1 (Config. 3) or Page 4 (Config. 5) Page 2 (Config. 3) or Page 5 (Config. 5) Page 3 (Config. 3) or Page 6 (Config. 5) Pages 1 & 2 (Config. 5 only) Page 3 (Config. 5 only) QS6 Reference Manual...

  • Page 102: Pitch

    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 QS6 Reference Manual Editing Effects: Chapter 7 ED:MIX FX SND1på PITCH: MN CHORUS...
  • Page 103 “Normal” or “Inverted”. Use the “Inverted” setting for a more dramatic flange effect. DRY SIGNAL FEEDBACK DETUNE DELAY DETUNE FEEDBACK DRY SIGNAL DELAY FEEDBACK DRY SIGNAL LEFT CHORUSED OUTPUT RIGHT CHORUSED OUTPUT FLANGED OUTPUT QS6 Reference Manual...
  • Page 104 Pitch Input. The Delay Input parameter is only available when editing a effects bus which has the Delay effect ahead of the Pitch effect in the selected Configuration ( Example: Configuration #2, effect send 1). QS6 Reference Manual Editing Effects: Chapter 7 DRY SIGNAL...
  • Page 105 00 to 99, whereby 00 is a very fast decay and 99 is a very slow decay. Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 2 (Pitch Detune only) Page 2 (Resonator only) Page 3 (Resonator only) QS6 Reference Manual...

  • Page 106: Delay

    ELAY The Delay function is used to edit Delay parameters. The QS6’s effects processor has three different Delay types available. Note: Some Configurations 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 107: Reverb

    This controls the overall Input Level going into the Reverb. ED:MIX FX SND1på RVB-IN1:PITCHout Page 1 (Config 1, 3, 4 and 5) Page 2 (Config 1, 3, 4 and 5) Page 3 (Config 1, 3, 4 and 5) Page 4 (Config 1 and 3) QS6 Reference Manual...
  • Page 108 Page 1 controls the Balance between the Delay output and the dry effect send signal, while page 2 controls the overall input level to the Reverb. QS6 Reference Manual Editing Effects: Chapter 7 Page 1 (Config 2 Only) ED:MIX FX SND1på...
  • Page 109 Reverb type, adjusting Pre-Delay Time and Pre-Delay Mix. Reverb Type (7 types) The QS6 has seven different reverb types, all stereo, each of which simulates a different space or produce a different ambient effect. The different Reverb types are: Plate 1 & 2. The two Plate reverb types simulate an artificial device known as a Plate.
  • Page 110 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. QS6 Reference Manual...
  • Page 111 TIME Note: The illustration above reflects a Density setting of 0. Page 13 (Page 12 if Gated or Reverse type) Page 14 (Page 13 if Gated or Reverse type) DIFFUSION OF 99 TIME Fewer reflections More reflections QS6 Reference Manual...

  • Page 112: Overdrive

    “<99” to “<0>” to “99>”. When set to “<99”, the Overdrive effect cannot be heard at all. When set to “<0>”, you have an even mix between the original, uneffected signal and the overdriven signal. When set to “99>”. only the overdriven effect is heard. QS6 Reference Manual Editing Effects: Chapter 7 Page 1...

  • Page 113: Mix

    Adjusting this value will cause the Pitch Output Level to increase or decrease. The Pitch Output level is the level for the Pitch Section of the QS6’s effects processor to the Main outputs, and should be set as desired. Even if this parameter is set to 00, the output of the Pitch section is still available (depending on the bus and configuration) to following Delay and Reverb sections.

  • Page 114: Lobal Ettings

    Global Edit Mode pages. ASTER ITCH Page 1 of Global Edit Mode lets you adjust the QS6’s overall Master Pitch (-12 to +12; up or down an octave). Adjust this parameter when you wish to globally transpose all sounds. ASTER Page 2 of Global Edit Mode lets you adjust the QS6’s overall Master Tuning (-99 to...

  • Page 115: Keyboard Scaling

    1 octave). This determines the note number that the keyboard will transmit to the QS6’s sounds and to MIDI Out. If you are using a MIDI sequencer, use this function when you wish to record notes outside of the keyboard’s normal note range (note numbers 36 –...

  • Page 116: General Midi

    (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 QS6, General MIDI mode will be enabled, and Mix 00 of Preset Bank 4 will automatically be selected.

  • Page 117: Midi Program Select

    Page 14 of Global Edit mode lets you determine the MIDI Program Select Mode (Off, On, Channel 1 – 16). When this is set to “Off”, the QS6 will not respond to incoming MIDI Program Change messages, nor will it transmit Program Changes.

  • Page 118: Input/Output

    For information regarding connecting a computer to the [SERIAL PORT], see page When the I/O parameter is NOT set to “ MIDI ”, the QS6 will not transmit any locally generated MIDI information to the MIDI [OUTPUT] connector, but will only transmit this information to the connected computer via the [SERIAL PORT] .
  • Page 119 Chapter 8: Global Settings because unless the I/O parameter is set to “MIDI”, the MIDI [OUTPUT] connector may only function as a MIDI “Thru” connector for the connected computer, and can only be switched off. QS6 Reference Manual...

  • Page 120: 9: Midi Transfer And Storage Operations

    Alesis QuadraCard RAM card inserted into the Sound Card slot on the QS6. 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 121: Storing An Individual Program Or Mix To An External Card

    Chapter 9: MIDI Transfer and Storage Operations ƒ Press [STORE] to transfer the data from the card into the QS6. QS6 Reference Manual...

  • Page 122: Card Storage Ramifications

    However, the Sound Card you are storing to must be of the current QS6 Bank format. A Sound Card is formatted whenever an entire QS6 Bank is stored onto it. If you are using an older QuadraSynth Sound Card that does not use the current Bank format, you will not be able to store individual Mixes or Programs onto it until you store an entire QS6 Bank onto it first.

  • Page 123: Saving Programs Via Midi Sys Ex

    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 QS6, you will find that Mix 00 no longer uses the Program on the Card as it was originally programmed to.

  • Page 124: Trouble-Shooting Index

    To send the entire User bank via MIDI: ¿ Connect a MIDI cable from the QS6’s MIDI Out to the MIDI In of a device capable of receiving the data (a MIDI sequencer, another QS6, etc.). ¡ Press [STORE]. ¬...
  • Page 125 “zero” position of the mod wheel will be incorrect. To re- initialize the QS6, hold down both buttons [0] and [3] while turning on the power. This will reset all Global parameters to their default settings, and will initialize all edit buffers so that all Mix, Program and Effects parameters are reset to their default settings.

  • Page 126: Appendix A: Troubleshooting

    EFER ERVICING TO We believe that the QS6 is one of the most reliable keyboards 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. The full AC line voltage, as well as high voltage/high current DC voltages, are present at several points within the chassis.
  • Page 127 Alesis Product Support 3630 Holdrege Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90016 Customers outside the USA: Contact your local Alesis dealer for warranty assistance. Do not return products to the factory unless you have been given specific instructions to do so. QS6 Reference Manual...

  • Page 129: Appendix B: Midi Supplement

    MIDI S MIDI B ASICS Most current electronic instruments and signal processors, including the QS6, 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 130 (these act like potentiometers in that you can choose one of many different values) and 58 continuous/switch controllers (these can act like continuous controllers but some are assumed to choose between two possible states, such as on/off). ESSAGES OICE ESSAGES QS6 Reference Manual...
  • Page 131 Registered Parameter MSB (0-127) 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) QS6 Reference Manual MIDI Supplement: Appendix B...

  • Page 132: System Common Messages

    MIDI program change message that is supposed to call up a particular sound, the correct sound on the QS6 will be called up, even if the composer of the sequence used a different sound device. The Programs in the...
  • Page 133 There are three MIDI registered parameters which the QS6 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 134: 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 QS6 Reference Manual...
  • Page 135 Filter LFO Speed Filter LFO Trigger Filter LFO Waveform Keyboard Mode Mod. Wheel Depth: Amp LFO Mod. Wheel Depth: Filter Mod. Wheel Depth: Filter LFO Modulation Destination QS6 Reference Manual Parameters Index: Appendix C APPENDIX C: NDEX Display Function Page Amp/Range...

  • Page 136: Appendix C: Parameters Index

    Amp ENV Filter ENV Pitch ENV Amp ENV Filter ENV Pitch ENV Amp ENV Filter ENV Pitch ENV Amp ENV Filter ENV Pitch ENV Track Gen Track Gen 2 – 12 Pitch Pitch Pitch Filter QS6 Reference Manual Page in Manual...
  • Page 137 Program Effect Bus Program Effect Level Program Enable Program Output Program Pan Program Volume Range Lower limit Range Upper Limit Sustain Pedal Tuning: Octave Tuning: Semitone QS6 Reference Manual Parameters Index: Appendix C Function Page Amp/Range Voice Voice Level Display Function Page...

  • Page 138: Index

    Mix 26 Mix Edit 27, 39 Effect Bus 42 Effect Level 41 FX Channel 42 FX Program Change 42 Keyboard 42 MIDI 42,43 QS6 Reference Manual INDEX Name 44 Output 41 Pan 41 Pitch 42 Octave 42 Semitone 42 Range 44...

Table of Contents