Alesis qs s4 User Manual
Overview
QuadraSynth Reference Manual
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VERVIEW
Basic Architecture
The QuadraSynth contains digitized acoustic and electronic samples, organized into
16 banks of sound groups. The banks are:
16 banks of sound groups. The banks are:
Piano
Waves
Woodwind
Voice
Organ
Bass
String
Sound FX
Keyboard
Guitar
Ensemble
Drums
Synth
Brass
Ethnic
Percussion
Several functions (filter, amplitude envelope, pitch envelope, LFO, multiple
modulation sources, signal processors, etc.) can be used to process a sample. A
Sound
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 QuadraSynth has 128 User
Programs that you can modify and 128 Preset Programs that are permanently
installed in the QuadraSynth at the factory (although the Preset Programs can be
edited, they must be stored into the User bank to permanently retain your changes).
specific keyboard ranges, or selectively overlapped. The QuadraSynth has 128 User
Programs that you can modify and 128 Preset Programs that are permanently
installed in the QuadraSynth at the factory (although the Preset Programs can be
edited, they must be stored into the User bank to permanently retain your changes).
A Program can also be processed by any of 256 different Effects Patches (such as
chorus, reverb, and EQ), arranged in 128 Preset and 128 User Effects Patches. Each
Program can have its own Effect Patch, or several Programs may use the same Effect
Patch. Note that each Effects Patch has its own memory location, apart from the
Programs and Mixes. This location can have the same number as the Program being
effected, or the Program can select an Effect Patch in a different location. Example:
Suppose Effect Patch location 001 holds a nice, clean room reverb sound that you
want to use on several different Programs. Assign Effect Patch 001 (using the
ProgramÕs effect parameter) to each Program that should use this Effect Patch.
chorus, reverb, and EQ), arranged in 128 Preset and 128 User Effects Patches. Each
Program can have its own Effect Patch, or several Programs may use the same Effect
Patch. Note that each Effects Patch has its own memory location, apart from the
Programs and Mixes. This location can have the same number as the Program being
effected, or the Program can select an Effect Patch in a different location. Example:
Suppose Effect Patch location 001 holds a nice, clean room reverb sound that you
want to use on several different Programs. Assign Effect Patch 001 (using the
ProgramÕs effect parameter) to each Program that should use this Effect Patch.
Because Effects Patches have their own memory locations, they must be saved
independentlyÑif you call up a Program and edit the Effect Patch, saving the
Program will not save the Effect Patch edits. The Effect Patch itself must be saved.
independentlyÑif you call up a Program and edit the Effect Patch, saving the
Program will not save the Effect Patch edits. The Effect Patch itself must be saved.
A Mix consists of up to 16 Programs, each assigned to a specific MIDI channel and
one Effect Patch. The QuadraSynth has 100 User Mixes plus 100 Preset mixes. This is
extremely useful for multitimbral setups where the QuadraSynth plays back different
sounds on different MIDI channels. Because of the 64 voices and built-in effects, the
QuadraSynth is often the only sound generator needed.
one Effect Patch. The QuadraSynth has 100 User Mixes plus 100 Preset mixes. This is
extremely useful for multitimbral setups where the QuadraSynth plays back different
sounds on different MIDI channels. Because of the 64 voices and built-in effects, the
QuadraSynth is often the only sound generator needed.
QuadraSynth Polyphony
The QuadraSynth 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.
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
is crucial because acoustic instruments have extremely complex, evolving sounds