Instruction/ maintenance manual of the product QuadraSynth Plus Alesis
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A L ES I S QuadraSynth Plus Reference M a nu a l.
Important Safety Instructions WARNING - When using this electric product, basic precautions should always be followed, including the following: 1) Read all the instructions before using the product. 2) Do not use this product near water - for example, nea r a bathtub, washbowl, kitchen sink, in a wet basement, or near a swimming pool, or the like.
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Index QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 5 C ONTENTS 1: Setting Up 7 Unpacking and Inspection 7 AC Power 7 Line Conditioners and Protectors 8 About Audio Cables 9 Basic Audio Hookup 9 A Word Abou.
Index QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 6 Parameter Editing 29 Direct Function Selection 31 Editing Program Parameters 31 Edit 4 and Edit 1 Modes 32 Resetting a Parameter Value 32 Comparing Edit.
Index QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 7 Mod 64 Pitch LFO 67 Amp LFO 70 Pitch Envelope 71 Filter Envelope 74 Amp Envelope 76 Name 80 Misc. 81 Programming Drum Sounds 82 Assign Voice 82 Level 82.
Index QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 8 Using Pedals to Control Volume or Modulation 116 MIDI Program Select 116 Receiving and Transmitting Bank Change Message 117 Edit Mode 118 48 KHz Clock I.
Setting Up: Chapter 1 QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 9 C HAPTER 1 S ETTING U P Unpacking and Inspection Your QuadraSynth Plus was packed carefully at the factory.
Setting Up: Chapter 1 QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 10 tester to determine this. If the outlet is not grounded, consult with a licensed electrician.
Setting Up: Chapter 1 QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 11.
Setting Up: Chapter 1 QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 12 About Audio Cables The connections between the QuadraSynth Plus and your studio are your music’s lifeline, so use only high quality cables. These should be low-capacitance shielded cables with a stranded (not solid) internal conductor and a low- resistance shield.
Setting Up: Chapter 1 QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 13 L] and [AUX–R] Outputs to a dual stereo amplification system, or four mixer inputs. • Stereo Headphones . Plug a set of high-quality stereo headphones into the rear panel [PHONES] jack.
Setting Up: Chapter 1 QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 14 A Word About Sound Bridge Included with the QuadraSynth Plus is a 3-1/2" floppy disk containing a software program called Sound Bridge . This software has been provided free of charge in an effort to promote sound design for the QuadraSynth Plus.
Your First Session With The QuadraSynth Plus: Chapter 2 QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 15 C HAPTER 2 Y OUR F IRST S ESSION W ITH T HE Q UADRA S YNTH P LUS Powering Up After making your connec.
Your First Session With The QuadraSynth Plus: Chapter 2 QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 16 PROG 1 1 V ALUE 1 2 3 4 5 6 P AGE: GLOBAL 7.
Your First Session With The QuadraSynth Plus: Chapter 2 QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 17 Playing the Demo Sequence The QuadraSynth Plus has a built-in demo sequence which demonstrates the wide variety of sounds this amazing instrument is capable of generating.
Your First Session With The QuadraSynth Plus: Chapter 2 QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 18 Playing the QuadraSynth Plus The QuadraSynth Plus is shipped from the factory with 5 Banks of 128 Preset Programs (sounds) each. Additionally, there are 100 Mixes in each of the 5 Banks.
Your First Session With The QuadraSynth Plus: Chapter 2 QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 19 MIX PROG 1 2 3 4 EFFECT EFFECT All MIDI channels that are active in the current Mix are shown at the top left, to indicate multitimbral operation. The current MIX and EFFECT numbers are displayed, along with the current Bank and Mix’s name.
Your First Session With The QuadraSynth Plus: Chapter 2 QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 20 Auditioning Internal Programs ¿ Press the [PROGRAM] button to select Program Play Mode. You can now play the QuadraSynth Plus keyboard; the Program will be whatever was selected when last in Program mode (Program number 00 — 127).
Your First Session With The QuadraSynth Plus: Chapter 2 QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 21 PROG 1 MIDI MIDI ¿ Use the MIDI [ ♦ ] and [ ∅ ] buttons to select a MIDI channel from 1 — 16. The display will change to indicate the currently selected MIDI channel.
Your First Session With The QuadraSynth Plus: Chapter 2 QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 22 Realtime Performance Functions The QuadraSynth Plus provides various ways to control the sound as you are playing. Try out some of these functions while playing the keyboard.
Your First Session With The QuadraSynth Plus: Chapter 2 QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 23 1 2 3 4 When in Program Edit Mode or Mix Edit , the Quad Knobs are linked to the parameters that appear in the right side of the display.
Your First Session With The QuadraSynth Plus: Chapter 2 QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 24 The QuadraSynth Plus 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.
Your First Session With The QuadraSynth Plus: Chapter 2 QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 25 Editing a Mix In this section, we will assign Programs to and set volume levels for the 16 MIDI channels in a Mix, for playing back tracks from a MIDI sequencer.
Your First Session With The QuadraSynth Plus: Chapter 2 QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 26 » Repeat steps ¬ — « until all desired Programs are assigned to all desired MIDI channels, and have the appropriate levels. J Changes to Mix parameters are temporary and will be lost if another Mix is selected.
Your First Session With The QuadraSynth Plus: Chapter 2 QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 27 Setting the Effects Level Each Program can use up to four Sounds, for either layering or splitting the keyboard. Each of these Sounds has its own effects send level and effects bus assignment.
Your First Session With The QuadraSynth Plus: Chapter 2 QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 28 Note: If a Sound is not enabled in a Program, its title will be shown in lowercase (“snd4”), and adjust its controls will have no effect on the Sound until the Sound is enabled.
Conn ections: Chapter 3 QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 29 C HAPTER 3 C ONNECTIONS Basic MIDI Hookup MIDI is an internationally-accepted protocol that allows musical-related data to be conveyed from one device to another. See the MIDI Supplement in Appendix B if you are not familiar with how MIDI works.
Conn ections: Chapter 3 QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 30 Example 1: Master Controller for Live Use Most live applications use the QuadraSynth Plus to generate sounds, with (possibly) the MIDI output driving other MIDI devices, such as an S4 Plus rack unit, QuadraVerb 2 , other keyboards and sound modules, etc.
Conn ections: Chapter 3 QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 31 Example 2: Using an External Sequencer The QuadraSynth Plus can generate MIDI signals that are recorded by a sequencer. On playback, the sequencer sends this data back into the QuadraSynth Plus, which then serves as a multitimbral sound module (in Mix mode).
Conn ections: Chapter 3 QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 32 If you are driving other MIDI gear (such as an expander module or MIDI- responsive signal processor), you’ll usually drive these from the sequencer if it has additional MIDI outputs.
Conn ections: Chapter 3 QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 33 About the Keyboard Mode In a Mix, the QuadraSynth Plus’s keyboard may be set up in several ways using the Keyboard Mode parameter found on Page 2 of Global mode. You need to determine which way is best for your application.
Conn ections: Chapter 3 QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 34 If your footswitch seems to respond backwards (notes sustain unless the footswitch is pressed), turn off the QuadraSynth Plus, make sure the footswitch plug is fully inserted into the footswitch jack, then turn the power back on.
Conn ections: Chapter 3 QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 35 Digital Audio/Optical Hookup The QuadraSynth Plus can send digital audio directly into ADAT , which provides better fidelity than using the analog inputs and outputs.
Conn ections: Chapter 3 QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 36 Tip: With this type of connection, the ADAT tracks will remain in tune with the QuadraSynth Plus even when the BRC’s pitch value is adjusted.
Overview: Chapter 4 QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 37 C HAPTER 4 O VERVIEW Basic Architecture The QuadraSynth Plus contains digitized acoustic and electronic voices , organized into 18 groups of sound types.
Overview: Chapter 4 QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 38 Modes The QuadraSynth Plus is always in one of two main modes: Program Mode or Mix Mode. Pressing [PROGRAM] selects Program Play Mode, while pressing [MIX] selects Mix Play Mode. While in Program Play Mode, you can press [SELECT] to access Program Edit Mode and Effects Edit Mode.
Overview: Chapter 4 QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 39 • set modulation routings so any parameter can be controlled via MIDI; • set the effect level for each Sound layer, and set which of the four effect sends each Sound layer will use for signal processing (such as reverb, delay, and chorus—or any combination of these).
Overview: Chapter 4 QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 40 be hearing (and seeing) the original version of the Mix/Program. If you are editing a Mix and press [COMPARE], the original unedited MIX is temporarily recalled.
Overview: Chapter 4 QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 41 The User Interface: Display, Functions, Pages, and Parameters The key to the QuadraSynth Plus user interface is the combination of the Display and four Quad Knobs/Buttons [1] — [4] located toward the right of the front panel.
Overview: Chapter 4 QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 42 and right-hand side of the display will show values related to that function. Only the functions used by the current edit mode will be displayed and selectable. Functions can also be selected from the DIRECT SELECT buttons (see page 31).
Overview: Chapter 4 QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 43 Parameter Editing All parameter editing involves the same general procedure, with minor variations: ¿ Select the type of parameters you want to edit with the corresponding button: [ MIX ], [ PROGRAM ], or [ GLOBAL ].
Overview: Chapter 4 QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 44 Each bar graph indicates a parameter’s approximate value—increasing a value increases the column height.
Overview: Chapter 4 QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 45 Direct Function Selection When editing a Mix, Program or a Program’s Effects, the DIRECT SELECT buttons (located next to the large VOLUME knob) provide direct selection of edit Functions.
Overview: Chapter 4 QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 46 Pressing FUNCTION [ ∅ ] advances to the next function, and FUNCTION [ ♦ ] returns to the previous function.
Overview: Chapter 4 QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 47 shows the Volume, Pan and Output of a single sound. In Edit 4 Mode, the Level function has three pages: all four sound volumes are page 1, all pans are on page 2, and all outputs are on page 3.
Overview: Chapter 4 QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 48 Resetting a Parameter Value It’s often convenient while editing to return a parameter to its default setting (usually, but not always, 0).
Overview: Chapter 4 QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 49 However, this requires that you “store over,” losing whatever was previously in that location.
Overview: Chapter 4 QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 50 Storing The [STORE ] button selects Store mode. Store mode has 6 pages which you can scroll through by using the PAGE [ ♦ ] and [ ∅ ] buttons. Each page in Store mode provides a different type of storage, copy or data transfer function.
Overview: Chapter 4 QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 51 ¬ Press [STORE] again to complete the operation. Or, Press any other button to cancel out of the Store operation without storing.
Overview: Chapter 4 QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 52 Copying Effects Between Programs Follow the steps below to copy the Effects from one Program to another Program in the User Bank.
Overview: Chapter 4 QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 53 Storing a Mix only stores the Mix parameters, not the individual Programs or Effect 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.
Overview: Chapter 4 QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 54 To Audition Programs Before Storing To look for available memory locations to permanently store your Program to, you can move between Program Mode and Mix Mode without losing your changes.
Overview: Chapter 4 QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 55 The top right of the display will read “STORE PRG UsrXXX?” where XXX is a User Program number from 000—127. » Use Quad Knob [2] to enter the Program number you noted in step 6. If necessary, use Quad Knob [1] to select a Card Bank.
Overview: Chapter 4 QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 56 To audition Programs before overwriting them with STORE … when editing a Program in Mix Edit Mode: ¿ While in Mix Program Edit mode, press [PROGRAM]. This selects Program Play Mode, retaining your edits to the Program in Mix Edit.
Overview: Chapter 4 QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 57.
Editing Mixes: Chapter 5 QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 58 C HAPTER 5 E DITING M IXES What is a Mix? Mix Mode is one of the most powerful features of the QuadraSynth Plus.
Editing Mixes: Chapter 5 QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 59 to use. Each channel may be enabled or disabled, without changing any of its parameter settings. When a channel is disabled, its number will not appear in the upper left display, except when it is selected for editing.
Editing Mixes: Chapter 5 QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 60 changes will be lost. The same goes for editing the Effects, which will be stored with its associated Program.
Editing Mixes: Chapter 5 QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 61 Program Assign for each MIDI Channel The first function of Mix Edit is Program Assign. Program Bank (User, Preset 1–4, Card) This determines which Bank the selected Program is located in for the selected MIDI channel.
Editing Mixes: Chapter 5 QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 62 AUX audio outputs. When set to OFF, the channel will not be sent to either set of outputs (but can still feed an effect bus).
Editing Mixes: Chapter 5 QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 63 Pitch The Pitch function lets you transpose a channel’s Program in either semitone or octave increments. By using both parameters together, you have a total transposition range of ±3 octaves.
Editing Mixes: Chapter 5 QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 64.
Editing Mixes: Chapter 5 QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 65 Range (Page 2) MIDI In (On or Off) This determines whether or not the selected channel will respond to incoming MIDI messages. MIDI Out (On or Off) This determines whether or not the selected channel will transmit MIDI messages.
Editing Mixes: Chapter 5 QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 66 • whenever a Channel’s “Level” parameter is edited, volume information will be transmitted as controller #7 on that Channel;.
Editing Mixes: Chapter 5 QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 67 The Effect Channel determines which channel’s Program’s Effect Patch will be used for the entire Mix. In other words, when the Effect Channel is set to 3, the Mix will use the Effect Patch used by the Program assigned to channel 3.
Editing Mixes: Chapter 5 QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 68 Polyphony in Mix Play Mode The QuadraSynth Plus has 64-note polyphony . In Mix Play Mode, if you have all 16 MIDI channels assigned .
Editing Mixes: Chapter 5 QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 69 MIDI CH 1, and 1 is underlined, you'll hear it. All other ranges or layers will not respond to the keyboard (they will continue to respond to incoming MIDI messages on their respective channels, however).
Editing Programs: Chapter 6 QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 70 C HAPTER 6 E DITING P ROGRAMS Overview Synthesizer programming is the art and science of shaping sounds in a particular way by altering the parameters of various modules. Like music itself, learning synth programming is an ongoing process.
Editing Programs: Chapter 6 QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 71 How the QuadraSynth Generates Sound The QuadraSynth Plus uses custom integrated circuits, developed by the Alesis engineering team specifically for the QuadraSynth Plus. These resemble the types of chips used in computers and other digital devices.
Editing Programs: Chapter 6 QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 72 messages from your sequencer (one for each channel) for every note; a layered program would need only one Note On message.
Editing Programs: Chapter 6 QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 73 Let’s look at each module’s function in detail. Voice This digitally-based oscillator provides the actual raw sounds from the 24 megabyte library of on-board samples. The oscillator's pitch can be tuned to a fixed frequency or modulated.
Editing Programs: Chapter 6 QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 74 Static (non-changing) filter settings can be useful, but varying the filter cutoff dynamically over time often produces more interesting effects.
Editing Programs: Chapter 6 QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 75 towards the Voice, 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.
Editing Programs: Chapter 6 QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 76 LFO (Low Frequency Oscillator) The pitch, filter, and amp modules each have a dedicated LFO module for modulation.
Editing Programs: Chapter 6 QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 77 Effects parameters are edited separately from either the Program or the Mix, using Effects Edit Mode (more in Chapter 7). In Program Edit Mode, each of the four sounds in the Program has its own Effect Level control and can be assigned to any one of the four effect buses.
Editing Programs: Chapter 6 QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 78.
Editing Programs: Chapter 6 QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 79 When Drum Mode is enabled, the sound will have fewer parameters for editing. Consequently, not all Function labels will appear in the LCD display as when Drum Mode is turned off. Specifically, the LFOs and all Envelopes (with the exception of the Amp Envelope) are unavailable.
Editing Programs: Chapter 6 QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 80 On the following page, you’ll find a chart listing the various samples in their respective groups.
Editing Programs: Chapter 6 QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 81 Drums Stndrd Kit, Rock Kit 1, Rock Kit 2, Dance Kit, Stab Kick, Deep Kick, Spike Kick, Flap Kick, GarageKick, PillowKick, Elect K.
Editing Programs: Chapter 6 QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 82 feed the sound to one of the effect buses for processing. See Chapter 7 for more information on editing Effects. Level (00 to 99) Determines how much of the sound feeds the chosen effect bus (see below).
Editing Programs: Chapter 6 QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 83 Tip: Aftertouch is useful for creating keyboard-controlled string bend effects. Low settings are good for “humanizing” synthesized sounds, since aftertouch changes can give very slight pitch changes, as associated with acoustic instruments.
Editing Programs: Chapter 6 QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 84 Speed curve maintains a constant glide rate regardless of the pitch difference between notes. Rate (0 to 99) Sets the glide duration. Higher numbers give longer glide times. The Rate value is affected by the Portamento value (see above).
Editing Programs: Chapter 6 QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 85 Filter Filter (Page 1) Frequency (00 to 99) This sets the filter's initial cutoff frequency. Lower values give a duller sound since this removes more harmonics; higher values let through more harmonics, which gives a brighter sound.
Editing Programs: Chapter 6 QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 86 positive velocity control over the filter can simulate more realistic acoustic sounds.
Editing Programs: Chapter 6 QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 87 Filter (Page 2) Modulation Wheel Depth (-99 to +99) Determines how moving the modulation wheel affects the filter cutoff frequency.
Editing Programs: Chapter 6 QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 88 Amp Velocity Curve (13 choices) This selects how the sound will respond to the dynamics of your playing the keyboard. A LINEAR curve is the norm, whereby the increase in level is equal to the increase in velocity ; the velocity values increase as you play harder.
Editing Programs: Chapter 6 QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 89 higher the number (either positive or negative), the greater the effect for a given amount of aftertouch. Tip: Use aftertouch to “swell” the amplitude of brass and horn parts. Amplitude LFO Depth (-99 to +99) At +00, the Amp LFO has no effect.
Editing Programs: Chapter 6 QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 90 appear to have two zones. All notes from the bottom of the keyboard to the high limit note will play, and all notes from the lower limit to the top of the keyboard will play, but the notes between the high limit and the lower limit will not play.
Editing Programs: Chapter 6 QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 91 Sound Overlap (00 to 99) This determines how many voices can overlap on the same pitch.
Editing Programs: Chapter 6 QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 92 If you have Sound Overlap set to 99, hold the sustain pedal and play a series of notes, you will run through all 64 voices in no time.
Editing Programs: Chapter 6 QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 93 Mod About General Purpose Modulation Although there are several dedicated modulators in the QuadraSynth Plus (e.
Editing Programs: Chapter 6 QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 94 • Velocity relates to how fast a key goes from the key up (note off) to the key down (note on) position, and therefore represents the dynamics of your playing. • Release velocity relates to how fast a key goes from the key down (note on) to the key up (note off) position.
Editing Programs: Chapter 6 QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 95 • Aftertouch Pressing on the keys after they’re down generates this control signal. Aftertouch is also called channel pressure, and represents an average of all keys being pressed.
Editing Programs: Chapter 6 QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 96 • Random This provides a different modulation value every time you hit a key. Example: With vintage analog synth patches, use pitch as the destination and apply a very slight amount of random modulation.
Editing Programs: Chapter 6 QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 97 Modulation Level (-99 to +99) At +00, the modulation source has no effect on the destination. Higher positive values increase the amount of modulation. Negative values also increase the amount of modulation, but with negative phase (i.
Editing Programs: Chapter 6 QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 98 Pitch LFO Pitch LFO (Page 1) The Pitch LFO is most often used to apply vibrato to a sound.
Editing Programs: Chapter 6 QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 99 The Trigger parameter determines how the LFO should be triggered, or started. There are four possible settings: Mono, Poly, Key Mono and Key Poly. When playing multiple voices in a single sound, each voice has its own LFO.
Editing Programs: Chapter 6 QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 100 Wheel is moved up, and lowers the level when moved down. Negative settings of this parameter will decrease the output level of the PLFO as the Mod Wheel is raised.
Editing Programs: Chapter 6 QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 101 Filter LFO Filter LFO (Page 1) The Filter LFO is most often used to apply tremolo-like or "wah- wah" effects to a sound.
Editing Programs: Chapter 6 QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 102 Mod Wheel (-99 to 99) This parameter sets how much the Mod Wheel will increase or decrease the Filter LFO’s Level. A positive value raises the level when the Mod Wheel is moved up, and lowers the level when moved down.
Editing Programs: Chapter 6 QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 103 Poly, Key Mono and Key Poly. A description of these settings is found in the Trigger section of the PLFO description on page 67.
Editing Programs: Chapter 6 QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 104 Amp LFO (Page 2) Level (00 to 99) This is the base output level of the Amp LFO. If you want to have a constant value of tremolo, even without using the Mod Wheel or Aftertouch, set LEVEL above 00.
Editing Programs: Chapter 6 QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 105 pitch go to maximum immediately on hitting the key (if the Delay is also set to 0 in PENV Page 2--see below); a setting of 99 will result in a much slower attack, taking many seconds before the envelope gets to maximum.
Editing Programs: Chapter 6 QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 106 Decay & Sustain (00 to 99) As soon as the attack portion of the envelope finishes (when the level reaches maximum), the envelope will decay (decrease in level). The level it reaches is set by the Sustain control ; how long it takes to get there is set by the Decay control.
Editing Programs: Chapter 6 QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 107 that the Pitch Envelope’s Trigger parameter (see next page) is set to “Freerun”. However, when the Delay is set to “Hold”, “Freerun” mode is forced on regardless of the Trigger parameter’s setting.
Editing Programs: Chapter 6 QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 108 not already there) when the note is released and the sustain pedal is held down. If a long attack is set, and the envelope does not reach the end of the attack segment when the note is released, it will be skipped and the envelope will jump immediately to the release segment.
Editing Programs: Chapter 6 QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 109 Velocity Modulation (00 to 99) This determines how keyboard dynamics will affect the envelope level. When set to 99, note velocity controls the envelope’s output; notes played hard will deliver a higher envelope output than notes played soft.
Editing Programs: Chapter 6 QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 110 Release (00 to 99) Eventually, you will let go of the note that you’ve been holding (either by releasing the note on the keyboard, or releasing the sustain pedal if it was pressed).
Editing Programs: Chapter 6 QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 111 Filter Envelope (Page 2) Delay (00 to 99) This is the amount of time that the envelope will wait before doing anything ; very useful if you want to affect one element of a sound sometime after the sound starts.
Editing Programs: Chapter 6 QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 112 This determines whether or not keyboard position will affect the cycle speed of the envelope.
Editing Programs: Chapter 6 QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 113 Sustain Pedal (On or Off) This determines whether or not the Sustain Pedal will have an effect on the envelope.
Editing Programs: Chapter 6 QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 114 Page 2--see below); a setting of 99 will result in a much slower attack, taking many seconds before the envelope gets to maximum.
Editing Programs: Chapter 6 QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 115 “Freerun” mode is forced on regardless of the Trigger parameter’s setting. Sustain Decay (00 to 99) This is the amount of time that the envelope will take during the sustain stage to bring the level down to 0.
Editing Programs: Chapter 6 QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 116 already there) when the note is released and the sustain pedal is held down. If a long attack is set, and the envelope does not reach the end of the attack segment when the note is released, it will be skipped and the envelope will jump immediately to the sustain decay segment.
Editing Programs: Chapter 6 QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 117 Tracking Generator The Tracking Generator is used to scale a modulation source. For example, normally you could modulate the Amp (volume) of a sound using velocity; the harder you play, the louder the sound gets.
Editing Programs: Chapter 6 QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 118 0 100 POINTS: 01234 56789 1 0 LINEAR 0 100 POINTS: 01234 56789 1 0 NON-LINEAR 0 100 POINTS: 01234 56789 1 0 NON-LINEAR STEPPED T.
Editing Programs: Chapter 6 QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 119 For detailed descriptions of each of these sources, see the section “Modulation Source” in the Mod section on pages 67—69. Points 0 — 10 (00—100) Quad Knobs [2], [3] and [4] in page 1 of the TRACK function control the levels of points 0 —2.
Editing Programs: Chapter 6 QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 120 Misc. Drum Mode This enables and disables Drum Mode which 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.
Editing Programs: Chapter 6 QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 121 Programming Drum Sounds To program a sound in Drum Mode, you must first enable Drum Mode for that particular sound in the Misc.
Editing Programs: Chapter 6 QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 122 Each of the 10 drums in a sound can have its own level, pan position, and output assignment.
Editing Programs: Chapter 6 QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 123 A LINEAR curve is the norm, whereby the increase in level is equal to the increase in velocity; the velocity values increase as you play harder.
Editing Programs: Chapter 6 QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 124 increments (e.g., Gate00 = Decay setting of 0 with gating, Gate05 = Decay setting of 5 with gating, etc.). Gating means that the drum sound will continue to be played as long as the key is held.
Editing Programs: Chapter 6 QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 125 Copying Sounds While editing a Program, it is helpful to be able to copy a sound to another sound in either the same Program or a different Program, especially if you are building a split or layered Program.
Editing Programs: Chapter 6 QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 126 ƒ Press [STORE] to copy the sound. Initializing Programs If you want to start programming from “scratch”, you can easily reset all parameters to their default settings by re-initializing the software.
Editing Effects: Chapter 7 QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 127 C HAPTER 7 E DITING E FFECTS About Signal Processing The built-in effects processor of the QuadraSynth Plus is similar to that of the Alesis QuadraVerb 2, capable of generating multiple, fully digital effects simultaneously.
Editing Effects: Chapter 7 QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 128 adjustments– left and right – for several parameters). Consequently, the more parameters an effect has, additional pages become available for that function.
Editing Effects: Chapter 7 QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 129 order to have your changes remembered and heard the same way in the future. The actual arrangement of depth of reverb, delay time, etc., is saved as part of the Effects Edit parameters when a Program is stored.
Editing Effects: Chapter 7 QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 130 Clip While routing sounds into the effects processor, the word “CLIP” will temporarily appear in the display if an input is overloading the effects.
Editing Effects: Chapter 7 QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 131 sends 1, 2 and 3 in Configuration #1, but not on send 4—as you can see in the chart on page 92. Although only used in Configuration #s 4 and 5, the word “MISC.” will appear in the display.
Editing Effects: Chapter 7 QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 132 • If [STORE] is pressed twice while editing a Program that is on a Channel other than the Effect Channel, the edited Program will be stored without altering its previous Effects settings.
Editing Effects: Chapter 7 QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 133 Copying Effect Patches When you want a Program to use the Effects from a different Program, you must copy that other Program’s Effects into the Program you are working on. This is done within Store Mode using the “Copy Effect” function.
Editing Effects: Chapter 7 QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 134 Here is a run-down of the various Configurations:.
Editing Effects: Chapter 7 QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 135 Configuration #1: 4-Sends, 1 Reverb Pitch 1 Delay 1 Reverb 1 Mono chorus Mono delay Plate 1 Stereo chorus Stereo delay Plate 2 Mo.
Editing Effects: Chapter 7 QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 136 is similar to a block diagram for a mixer, with signal moving generally from the left to the right. The number next to each function name represents one of the four effect sends. For example, Delay 2 refers to the Delay effect on effect send 2.
Editing Effects: Chapter 7 QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 137 Configuration #2: 4-Sends, 2 Reverb Delay 1 Pitch 1 Reverb 1 Mono delay Mono chorus Plate 1 Stereo chorus Plate 2 Room Hall Large.
Editing Effects: Chapter 7 QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 138 Effect send 1’s Delay, Pitch, and Reverb can feed the Mix output directly. Unlike the first configuration, however, Pitch 3 can be routed to the Mix only after passing through Reverb 3.
Editing Effects: Chapter 7 QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 139 Configuration #3: 4-Sends, 1 Lezlie LEZLIE FX SEND 1 FX SEND 2 A UX LEFT A UX RIGHT MAIN LEFT MAIN RIGHT A UX LEFT A UX RIGHT MAIN LEFT MAIN RIGHT DELA Y 1 1 REVERB FX SEND 3 FX SEND 4 PITCH 2 DELA Y 2 AMP AMP PITCH 3 DELA Y 3 AMP DELA Y 4 AMP 1 2 1 2 1 2 1 2 BAL.
Editing Effects: Chapter 7 QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 140 Send 4 has only a Mono Delay effect, which may also be routed to Reverb 1..
Editing Effects: Chapter 7 QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 141 Configuration #4: 2-Sends, with EQ Pitch 1 Delay 1 Reverb 1 Misc. 1 Mono chorus Mono delay Plate 1 EQ Stereo chorus Stereo delay .
Editing Effects: Chapter 7 QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 142 Configuration #5: OD>CHS>DDL>REV>LZ AUX LEFT AUX RIGHT MAIN LEFT MAIN RIGHT 1 BAL. FX SEND 1 MISC. 1 1 PITCH 1 REVERB 1 MIX OVERDRIVE FX SEND 2 FX SEND 3 FX SEND 4 PITCH 1 BAL.
Editing Effects: Chapter 7 QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 143 Reverb Reverb can be thought of as a great number of distinct echoes, called reflections, that occur so fast that our ear hears them blurred together as one.
Editing Effects: Chapter 7 QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 144 which Pitch type is selected. If the signal is taken from the effect send, the Reverb will receive direct, uneffected signal.
Editing Effects: Chapter 7 QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 145 Input level Quad Knob [4] controls the overall Input Level going into the Reverb.
Editing Effects: Chapter 7 QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 146 MIDI CHAN PROG PROG 1 PRESET EDITING: 4 EFFECT PITCH MOD CONFIG REVERB DELA Y MIX MISC.
Editing Effects: Chapter 7 QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 147 If Configuration #2 is selected and you press [EDIT 1] to advance to effect send 2 while the Reverb function is selected, the display will look like this: MIDI CHAN PROG PROG 1 PRESET EDITING: 2 EFFECT PITCH MOD CONFIG REVERB DELA Y MIX MISC.
Editing Effects: Chapter 7 QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 148 reverberant sound with much less high end (treble) than a room with hard surfaces.
Editing Effects: Chapter 7 QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 149 Gated. Gated Reverb is a very popular effect on drums first found on English records in the early 1980s.
Editing Effects: Chapter 7 QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 150 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.
Editing Effects: Chapter 7 QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 151 Reverb (Page 4) Density Density controls how the first reflection of the reverb effect will appear. When set to 0, the first reflection is heard alone without any other reflections.
Editing Effects: Chapter 7 QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 152 Delay The Delay function is used to edit Delay parameters. Delay (Page 1) The QuadraSynth Plus’s effects processor has three different Delay types available. Note: Some delay modules only feature a mono Delay, and therefore the Delay Type parameter will be unavailable.
Editing Effects: Chapter 7 QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 153.
Editing Effects: Chapter 7 QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 154 Pitch The Pitch function is used to edit Pitch parameters. Pitch (Page 1) The first page of the Pitch function will look different depending on the selected Configuration and which effect send you are editing.
Editing Effects: Chapter 7 QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 155 Stereo Chorus. In the case of a Stereo Chorus, the signal is split into three parts with a dry signal and a separate Detuning section for both left and right channels. When the left channel is detuned sharp, the right is detuned flat, and vice versa.
Editing Effects: Chapter 7 QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 156 Many variables are available, from varying the speed and depth of the LFO to feeding back part of the signal to make the effect stronger. The Flanger’s waveform shape can be either “Normal” or “Inverted”.
Editing Effects: Chapter 7 QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 157 Stereo Flange. In the case of the Stereo Flange, the signal is split into three parts with a dry signal and a separate Delay section for both left and right channels with one channel flanging up while the other channel flanges down.
Editing Effects: Chapter 7 QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 158 Pitch (Page 2) If the Pitch type is Mono Chorus, Stereo Chorus, Mono Flange or Stereo Flange, page 2 of the Pitch function contain the following four parameters: Waveform Shape Quad Knob [1] determines the LFO’s waveform shape.
Editing Effects: Chapter 7 QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 159 Mod The Mod Function lets you control various effects parameters from the various controls on the QuadraSynth Plus (keyboard, after-touch, pitch-bender, etc.) or from the MIDI input.
Editing Effects: Chapter 7 QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 160 depending on the effect chosen. However, the Mod Destinations retain their names. Example: If the Resonator is the Pitch effect, the Pitch Speed Modulation Destination controls the first parameter in the Resonator (Tuning).
Editing Effects: Chapter 7 QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 161 section is still available (depending on the bus and configuration) to following Pitch and Reverb sections. Reverb Level Adjusting this value will cause the Reverb Output Level to increase or decrease.
Editing Effects: Chapter 7 QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 162 The Overdrive effect provides four parameters spread across two editing pages. It is only used in Configuration #5. Overdrive Type This selects one of two Overdrive Types: Soft and Hard.
Editing Effects: Chapter 7 QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 163 Overdrive Threshold This sets the level the signal feeding the Overdrive effect must be reach before the Overdrive effect will begin distorting. It can be set between 00 and 99. If this number is very low, the Overdrive effect will start to distort almost right away.
Editing Effects: Chapter 7 QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 164.
Global Settings: Chapter 8 QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 165 C HAPTER 8 G LOBAL S ETTINGS Global Edit Mode is where you will find several parameters which affect the entire instrument, such as overall master tuning, display contrast, controller settings, keyboard mode, edit mode and the 48 kHz input.
Global Settings: Chapter 8 QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 166 MIDI mode will be enabled, and Mix 00 of Preset Bank 4 will automatically be selected. Master Pitch and Master Tuning In Page 1 of Global Edit Mode, Quad Knob [3] adjusts the QuadraSynth Plus’s overall pitch (-12 to +12/up or down an octave).
Global Settings: Chapter 8 QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 167 In Page 2 of Global Edit mode, Quad Knob [4] selects the Keyboard Mode (NORMAL, CH SOLO, OUT 1 – OUT 16).
Global Settings: Chapter 8 QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 168 Example: If you adjusted Controller A (using Quad Knob [1]) to, say, a value of 25 and then you recalled a different Program, the value of Controller A would remain at 25 if the “A–D Reset” function was turned off.
Global Settings: Chapter 8 QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 169 Remember, whenever one of the Controllers A–D is used in the currently selected Program, a pair of arrows will appear on either side of that Controllers name in the display while in either Program Play Mode or Mix Play Mode.
Global Settings: Chapter 8 QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 170 In Page 6 of Global Edit mode, Quad Knob [1] determines the MIDI Program Select mode (Off, On, Mix Select Channel 1 –16). When this is set to “Off”, the QuadraSynth Plus will not respond to incoming MIDI Program Change messages, nor will it transmit Program Changes.
Global Settings: Chapter 8 QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 171 If the MIDI Program Select parameter is turned “On” and a new Bank is selected using the BANK [ ♦ ] and [ ∅ ] buttons, a Bank Change message (followed by the appropriate Program Change message) will be transmitted out the MIDI Out connector.
MIDI Transfer and Storage Operations: Chapter 9 QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 172 C HAPTER 9 MIDI T RANSFER A ND S TORAGE O PERATIONS Saving the User Bank to an External Card The entire cont.
MIDI Transfer and Storage Operations: Chapter 9 QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 173 Storing an Individual Program or Mix to an External Card You also have the option of storing a Mix or Program directly to a specific location in a RAM Sound Card Bank (instead of transferring the entire Bank) and vice versa.
MIDI Transfer and Storage Operations: Chapter 9 QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 174 Card Storage RAMifications Whenever you transfer an internal Bank to a RAM card, the result is that all Mixe.
MIDI Transfer and Storage Operations: Chapter 9 QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 175 To send the entire User bank via MIDI: ¿ Connect a MIDI cable from the QuadraSynth Plus’s MIDI Out to the MIDI In of a device capable of receiving the data (S4, another QuadraSynth Plus, etc.
Troubleshooting: Appendix A QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 176 A PPENDIX A T ROUBLE -S HOOTING Trouble-Shooting Index If you are experience problems while operating the QuadraSynth Plus, please use the following table to locate possible causes and solutions before contacting Alesis customer service for assistance.
Troubleshooting: Appendix A QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 177 Checking Software Version The current software version may be determined by holding [GLOBAL] and pressing [PROGRAM]. The QuadraSynth Plus will indicate the current software version installed in the upper right display.
Troubleshooting: Appendix A QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 178 shock-absorbing materials such as styrofoam pellets (the kind without CFCs, please) or “bubble-pack” surrounding the unit. Shipping damage caused by inadequate packing is not covered by the Alesis warranty.
Troubleshooting: Appendix A QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 179.
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MIDI Supplement: Appendix B QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 181 A PPENDIX B MIDI S UPPLEMENT MIDI Basics Most current electronic instruments and signal processors, including the QuadraSynth Plus, contain an internal computer.
MIDI Supplement: Appendix B QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 182 MIDI Message Basics The are two main types of MIDI messages. Channel messages, which are channel-specific, consist of Voice and Mode messages.
MIDI Supplement: Appendix B QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 183 Continuous Controller. Footpedals, breath controllers, and modulation wheels can vary sounds as you play, thus adding expressiveness.
MIDI Supplement: Appendix B QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 184 125 Omni On (0) 126 Mono On (0-16; 0=Omni Off) 127 Poly On (0).
MIDI Supplement: Appendix B QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 185 System Common Messages Intended for all units in a system, some of these MIDI messages are: Song Position Pointer. This indicates how many “MIDI beats” (normally a 16th note) have elapsed since a piece started (up to 16,384 total beats).
MIDI Supplement: Appendix B QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 186 names (in some cases abreviated) with the letters GM added to indicate their are designed specifically for use in General MIDI mode.
MIDI Supplement: Appendix B QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 187 There are three MIDI registered parameters which the QuadraSynth plus will recognize in Mix Play Mode when General MIDI Mode is enabled.
MIDI Implementation Chart QuadraSynth User’s Manual 188 MIDI IMPLEMENTATION CHART Function Transmitted Recognized Remarks Basic Channel Default Changed 1 — 16 1 — 16 each 1 — 16 1 — 16 each .
Parameters Index: Appendix C QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 189 APPENDIX C: P ARAMETERS I NDEX Program Parameters Parameter Function Page Quad Knob Page in Manual Aftertouch Depth: Amp Amp 1 .
Parameters Index: Appendix C QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 190 Parameter Function Page Quad Knob Page in Manual Mod. Wheel Level: ALFO ALFO 2 2 71 Mod.
Parameters Index: Appendix C QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 191 Tuning: Semitone Pitch 1 1 57 Parameter Function Page Quad Knob Page in Manual Tuning: Detune Pitch 1 3 57 Tuning: Type Pitch 1.
Parameters Index: Appendix C QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 192.
An important point after buying a device Alesis QuadraSynth Plus (or even before the purchase) is to read its user manual. We should do this for several simple reasons:
If you have not bought Alesis QuadraSynth Plus yet, this is a good time to familiarize yourself with the basic data on the product. First of all view first pages of the manual, you can find above. You should find there the most important technical data Alesis QuadraSynth Plus - thus you can check whether the hardware meets your expectations. When delving into next pages of the user manual, Alesis QuadraSynth Plus you will learn all the available features of the product, as well as information on its operation. The information that you get Alesis QuadraSynth Plus will certainly help you make a decision on the purchase.
If you already are a holder of Alesis QuadraSynth Plus, but have not read the manual yet, you should do it for the reasons described above. You will learn then if you properly used the available features, and whether you have not made any mistakes, which can shorten the lifetime Alesis QuadraSynth Plus.
However, one of the most important roles played by the user manual is to help in solving problems with Alesis QuadraSynth Plus. Almost always you will find there Troubleshooting, which are the most frequently occurring failures and malfunctions of the device Alesis QuadraSynth Plus along with tips on how to solve them. Even if you fail to solve the problem, the manual will show you a further procedure – contact to the customer service center or the nearest service center
