3: Overview; The Architecture Of The Quadraverb 2; What Is A Block; Selecting And Editing Blocks - Alesis 2 Reference Manual

The Architecture of the QuadraVerb 2

The QuadraVerb 2 provides eight Effect Blocks per Program, each of which can serve
as either EQ, Pitch, Delay or Reverb. The display shows these Blocks from left to
right, between the LR IN (left and right inputs) and the LR OUT (outputs). The display
also illustrates the routings between the Blocks. In addition to the Block functions,
there is a set of Modulations which may be used in a Program. These allow MIDI
messages (such as note numbers, velocity, after-touch, pitch-bend or controllers) to
serve as controls over parameters in the QuadraVerb 2. This is discussed in further
detail in chapter 6. For now, let's discuss the essence of Blocks and how they interact
with each other.

What is a Block?

A Block is essentially a discrete effects processor that can be used alone or in
conjunction with other Blocks. Each Block has a Mono input and up to three outputs
(depending on its type): left, right and mix. A Block requires that a signal be routed to
it before it can effect the signal. The Block must also have its output connected either
to the L OUT or R OUT (or both), or to the input of another Block (or to a series of
Blocks) which is in turn connected to either the L OUT or R OUT (or both) before the
Block's effect can be heard.
The four effect functions available in a Block are: Equalization, Pitch, Delay and
Reverberation. Each one of these has several effect types. Example: Once a Block is
assigned to use a Pitch function, you can choose a Chorus, Pitch Shifter, Flanger,
etc. A full list of all the available effects and their parameters is shown in Chapter 5.

Selecting and Editing Blocks

Editing a Program is done by first selecting one of the eight Blocks, and then
selecting a Block function (Type, Routing, Parameter, or Mix). Use the [< BLOCK >]
buttons to move the pointer in the display to the left or right. The pointer appears as a
down-pointing triangle just above the Blocks, thereby selecting one of the eight
Blocks or the L OUT or R OUT (the L OUT and R OUT are special Blocks which aren't
really edited, except when adjusting the mix ). The pointer's position indicates which
Block is being edited.
There are four Block functions, which are accessed by using the four Block function
buttons: [TYPE], [ROUTING], [PARAMETER], and [MIX]. Pressing any of these
buttons takes you to its related parameters, and simultaneously turns on the button's
LED to indicate the selected Block function.
TYPE. The Type function is where you go first to define a Block. A Block is defined
as either EQ, Pitch, Delay, Reverberation or Off. This is done in Type Page 1. Once a
Block is defined, its effect type can be selected. This is done in Type Page 2. If you
need to move a defined Block to another position, you would go to Type Page 3.
ROUTING. Once a Block is defined, you must select its input source and route its
outputs either to another Block's input or to the L OUT or R OUT. This is done in
Routing Page 1. Once an input source is selected, you can adjust its level feeding to
the Block's input using Routing Page 2. If you decide to delete a routing that has
already been added, you will use Routing Page 3.
QuadraVerb 2 Reference Manual
C 3
HAPTER
O
VERVIEW
Overview - Chapter 3
27