Verview; Basic Architecture; Qs6 Polyphony - Alesis QS6 Reference Manual

B A
ASIC RCHITECTURE
The QS6 contains digitized acoustic and electronic samples, organized into 17
sound groups of different types. The groups are:
Piano
Chromatic
Organ
Guitar
Bass
Several functions (filter, amplitude envelope, pitch envelope, LFO, multiple
modulation sources, signal processors, etc.) can be used to process a sample. A
Sound is the combination of a sample with its associated processing.
A Program consists of up to four sounds. These sounds can be layered, split over
specific keyboard ranges, or selectively overlapped. The QS6 has a User Bank of
128 Programs that you can modify, plus 4 Preset Bank s of 512 Preset Programs that
are permanently installed in the QS6 at the factory (although the Preset Programs
can be edited, they must be stored into the User bank to permanently retain your
changes). Each Program is linked to its own Effects Patch.
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. Because of its 64 voices and
built-in effects, the QS6 is often the only sound generator needed.
QS6 P
OLYPHONY
The QS6 provides 64-voice polyphony (i.e., how many notes can play at once). If a
program uses one sound, up to 64 notes can play at once. Layering two sounds
allows for 32-note polyphony and layering four sounds, 16-note polyphony.
Layering is a powerful technique that allows you to build up complex timbres. This is
crucial because acoustic instruments have extremely complex, evolving sounds and
by comparison, many synths sound static. Being able to layer up to four sounds
allows for creating large ensembles (e.g., brass section consisting of alto & tenor sax,
trumpet, and trombone) or extremely realistic versions of single instruments. When
creating layered Programs, keep polyphony in mind. If all Programs in a Mix use all
four available sounds, the QS6 will quickly run out of voices.
QS6 Reference Manual
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HAPTER
O

VERVIEW

String
Brass
Woodwind
Synth
Wave
Overview: Chapter 4
Noise Sound FX
Voice Rhythm
Ethnic
Drums
Percussion
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