Instruction/ maintenance manual of the product S4 Alesis
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A L ES I S QuadraSynth S4 QuadraSynth Reference M a nu a l.
QuadraSynth Reference Manual 1 Introduction Thank you for purchasing the Alesis QuadraSynth 64 Voice / 76 Key Master Keyboard or S4 QuadraSynth 64 Voice Sound Module. To take full advantage of the QuadraSynthÕs functions, and to enjoy long and trouble-free use, please read this userÕs manual carefully.
2 QuadraSynth Reference Manual.
Contents QuadraSynth Reference Manual 3 C ONTENTS 1: Setting Up ..................................................................................7 Unpacking and Inspection ..............................................................................
Contents 4 QuadraSynth Reference Manual Parameter Editing .......................................................................................3 1 Editing Program Parameters ........................................................................3 2 Edit 4 and Edit 1 Modes .
Contents QuadraSynth Reference Manual 5 Filter LFO ...................................................................................................6 9 Amp LFO .........................................................................................
Contents 6 QuadraSynth Reference Manual APPENDIX A: Trouble-Shooting ..................................................11 5 Trouble-Shooting Index ........................................................................................... 1 1 5 Re-initializing .
Setting Up QuadraSynth Reference Manual 7 C HAPTER 1 S ETTING U P Unpacking and Inspection Your QuadraSynth was packed carefully at the factory, and the shipping carton was designed to protect the unit during shipping. Please retain this container in the highly unlikely event that you need to return the QuadraSynth for servicing.
Setting Up 8 QuadraSynth Reference Manual Do not operate any electrical equipment with ungrounded outlets. Plugging the QuadraSynth into an ungrounded outlet, or ÒliftingÓ the unit off ground with a three-to-two wire adapter, can create a hazardous condition.
Setting Up QuadraSynth Reference Manual 9 About Audio Cables The connections between the QuadraSynth and your studio are your musicÕs 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 10 QuadraSynth Reference Manual.
Your First Session with the QuadraSynth QuadraSynth Reference Manual 11 C HAPTER 2 Y OUR F IRST S ESSION W ITH T HE Q UADRA S YNTH Powering Up After making your connections, turn on the systemÕs powe.
Your First Session with the QuadraSynth 12 QuadraSynth Reference Manual Adjusting the Display Contrast Occasionally, the characters in the LCD display may be difficult to read, depending on the viewing angle and existing lighting conditions. In such a situation, adjust the contrast of the LCD display using the following procedure.
Your First Session with the QuadraSynth QuadraSynth Reference Manual 13 Playing the QuadraSynth The QuadraSynth is shipped from the factory with a full bank of 128 Preset Programs (sounds) and 128 User Programs. Additionally, there are 100 Preset Mixes and 100 User Mixes, 128 Preset Effects Patches, and 128 User Effects Patches.
Your First Session with the QuadraSynth 14 QuadraSynth Reference Manual Auditioning Internal Programs ➀ Press the [PROGRAM] button. You can now play the QuadraSynth keyboard; the Program will be whatever was selected when last in Program mode (Program number 00 Ñ 127).
Your First Session with the QuadraSynth QuadraSynth Reference Manual 15.
Your First Session with the QuadraSynth 16 QuadraSynth Reference Manual Selecting the MIDI Channel While in Program Mode, the QuadraSynth can transmit and receive information on any single MIDI channel of the 16 available channels. The currently selected channel appears at the top left of the display.
Your First Session with the QuadraSynth QuadraSynth Reference Manual 17 Auditioning Mix Mode Mix Mode a llo ws you to a ssi gn a Pro gra m t o e ach of the 16 MIDI channels. This makes it easy to create multitimbral setups for use with an external MIDI sequencer.
Your First Session with the QuadraSynth 18 QuadraSynth Reference Manual 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. However, there is much more about a Mix that may be edited.
Your First Session with the QuadraSynth QuadraSynth Reference Manual 19 Auditioning Effects Each Program and Mix uses one of the 256 Effects Patches to enhance the sound.
Your First Session with the QuadraSynth 20 QuadraSynth Reference Manual 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 , as well as effects bus assignment.
Your First Session with the QuadraSynth QuadraSynth Reference Manual 21.
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Connections QuadraSynth Reference Manual 23 C HAPTER 3 C ONNECTIONS Basic MIDI Hookup MIDI i s a n 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.
Connections 24 QuadraSynth Reference Manual Typical Application 1: MIDI Keyboard/Master Controller for Live Use Most live applications use the QuadraSynth to generate sounds, with (possibly) the MIDI output driving other MIDI devices, such as a QuadraSynth S4 rack unit, QuadraVerb Plus, and other keyboards and sound modules, etc.
Connections QuadraSynth Reference Manual 25 If you have a master controller or QuadraSynth which can send on multiple MIDI channels, you may want to set ÒMix Group ChannelÓ to off. To create layers or stacks, your controller must send multiple MIDI messages to the S4 simultaneously.
Connections 26 QuadraSynth Reference Manual MIDI OUT MIDI IN MIDI OUT MIDI IN COMPUTER MIDI INTERFACE If you are driving other MIDI gear (such as an expander module or MIDI-responsive signal processor), youÕll usually drive these from the sequencer if it has additional MIDI outputs.
Connections QuadraSynth Reference Manual 27 ¥ Or, the keyboard only sends on one MIDI channel, but you change the channel on the QuadraSynth for each separate track on the sequencer (CH SOLO). In OUT 1 Ñ OUT 16 mode, you will not hear the QuadraSynth unless your sequencer echoes the MIDI data back to the QuadraSynthÕs MIDI IN.
Connections 28 QuadraSynth Reference Manual Digital Audio/Optical Hookup The QuadraSynth can send digital audio directly into ADAT , which provides better fidelity than using the analog inputs and outputs. The digital I/O connector follows a proprietary Alesis format that carries all four audio outputs on a single fiber optic cable.
Connections QuadraSynth Reference Manual 29.
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Overview QuadraSynth Reference Manual 31 C HAPTER 4 O VERVIEW Basic Architecture The QuadraSynth contains digitized acoustic and electronic samples , organized into 16 banks of sound groups.
Overview 32 QuadraSynth Reference Manual 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.
Overview QuadraSynth Reference Manual 33 ¥ select which Effect Patch will be used by the Program, set the effect level for each sound layer, and set which of the four effect sends each layer will use for signal processing (such as reverb, delay, and chorusÑor any combination of these).
Overview 34 QuadraSynth Reference Manual The User Interface: Display, Functions, Pages, and Parameters The key to the QuadraSynth user interface is the combination of the Display and four Quad Knobs/Buttons [1] Ñ [4] located toward the right of the front panel.
Overview QuadraSynth Reference Manual 35 ¥ Page number strip. Some functions have too many options to fit on a single screen. These functions use multiple screens, with each screen considered a page . This strip shows which page is selected by underlining the page number.
Overview 36 QuadraSynth Reference Manual [SELECT] button switches between three groups of functionsÑone for editing the MixÕs parameters (Mix Edit mode), one for editing the Programs in the Mix (Program Edit mode), and the last for editing the associated Effect (Effects Edit mode) .
Overview QuadraSynth Reference Manual 37 ➁ Select a Program using either Quad Knob [1], the VALUE [ ¯ ] and [ - ] buttons, or the MIX/PROGRAM SELECT [1]Ñ[0] buttons. The currently selected Program will appear in the upper right of the display. ➂ Press the [SELECT ] button.
Overview 38 QuadraSynth Reference Manual while above each bargraph are the words ÒSND1 SND2 SND3 SND4.Ó If a sound is disabled, the display will show the soundÕs name in lower case (Òsnd1Ó means that sound 1 is disabled). If a sound is in Drum mode, the soundÕs name will read ÒdrmX,Ó where X is the sound number (1Ñ4).
Overview QuadraSynth Reference Manual 39 Preset Memory and User Memory The QuadraSynth has two internal memory banks for Mixes, Programs and Effects Patches: and . The Preset bank is kept in ROM (Read Only Memory), and therefore cannot be altered. However, the User bank is stored in RAM (Random Access Memory).
Overview 40 QuadraSynth Reference Manual Store a Program ➀ While in either Program mode or Program Edit mode, after making your edits press the [STORE] button. ➁ Select the memory location to which you want to store the Program using Quad Knob [1] or the VALUE [ ¯ ] and [ - ] buttons.
Overview QuadraSynth Reference Manual 41 To Audition Programs Before Storing To look for an available memory location to permanently store your Program or Effects Patch data, you can always go from Program mode to Mix mode, or vice versa, without losing your changes.
Overview 42 QuadraSynth Reference Manual To audition Programs before overwriting them with STORE Éwhen editing a Program in Mix mode: ➀ While in Mix Program Edit mode, press [PROGRAM]. This selects Program mode, but retains your changes to the Program in Mix Edit.
Mix Mode QuadraSynth Reference Manual 43 C HAPTER 5 M IX M ODE What Mix Mode Does Mix Mode i s one of the most powerful features of the QuadraSynth. While in Program Mode you can play only one Program.
Mix Mode 44 QuadraSynth Reference Manual 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.
Mix Mode QuadraSynth Reference Manual 45 Program Assign for each MIDI Channel The first function of Mix Edit is Program Assign. Program Number (000 to 127) This determines the Program Number (000Ñ127) for the selected MIDI channel. Program Type (Preset or User) This determines whether the selected Program is from the Preset bank or User bank.
Mix Mode 46 QuadraSynth Reference Manual Octave (-2 to +2 octaves) This sets the ProgramÕs pitch in (12 semitones) steps from -2 (transposed down 2 octaves) to +2 (transposed up two octaves). Semitone (-12 to +12 semitones) Sets the oscillator pitch in steps, from -12 (transposed down one octave) to +12 (transposed up one octave).
Mix Mode QuadraSynth Reference Manual 47 Range (Page 2) MIDI In (On or Off) This determines whether or not the selected channel will respond to incoming messages on the same channel. MIDI Out (On or Off) This determines whether or not the selected channel will transmit MIDI messages.
Mix Mode 48 QuadraSynth Reference Manual (1, 2, 3, 4, or PROG) Quad Knob [2] determines which effect bus the selected channel will be routed to. When set to PROG, the effect bus assignment will be that stored by the channelÕs Program. 1, 2, 3 or 4 overrides the ProgramÕs bus assignment, sending all sound layers of the Program to the chosen bus.
Mix Mode QuadraSynth Reference Manual 49 Polyphony in Mix Mode The QuadraSynth has 64-note polyphony . In Mix Mode, if you have all 16 MIDI channels assigned to the same keyboard range, and each channel's Program has only one active Program Sound, youÕll have 4-note polyphony as you play the keyboard (but a really thick layer.
Mix Mode 50 QuadraSynth Reference Manual CH SOLO. In this mode, the only sounds coming from the QuadraSynth, and the only MIDI Out messages, will come from the layer or range of the underlined MIDI channel in the display. This allows you to isolate individual channels in a Mix.
Editing Programs QuadraSynth Reference Manual 51 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 52 QuadraSynth Reference Manual How the QuadraSynth Generates Sound The QuadraSynth uses custom integrated circuits, developed by the Alesis engineering team specifically for the QuadraSynth. These resemble the types of chips used in computers and other digital devices.
Editing Programs QuadraSynth Reference Manual 53 ¥ When layers of a Program are designed to be used together, and the individual layers by themselves wouldn't be used alone (for example, the percussion layer of the organ sound). Use Mix Mode: ¥ When you want to layer more than four voices.
Editing Programs 54 QuadraSynth Reference Manual Note that the waveforms in the QuadraSynth are different from those found in samplers or many sample-playback units.
Editing Programs QuadraSynth Reference Manual 55 About Modulation modifies some aspect of a sound over time. Since oscillators make static sounds (unlike acoustic instruments, whose timbre and dynamics changeÑoften radicallyÑ over the duration of a note), modulation is the key to making rich and expressive sounds.
Editing Programs 56 QuadraSynth Reference Manual (for pitch, filter, and amp) in each Program Sound. An envelope generator has different effects on different modules. Example: The Amp Envelope creates level changes. Amplitude that decays over time creates percussive effects (plucked strings, drums, etc.
Editing Programs QuadraSynth Reference Manual 57 Any one or all of the four sounds in a Program can be put in . The Drum Mode parameter is found in the Misc. Function (see last section of this chapter). Note that Drum Mode isnÕt the only way to hear drums or percussion from a Program.
Editing Programs 58 QuadraSynth Reference Manual If you enable Drum Mode for a sound while in Edit 4 mode, the QuadraSynth will automatically switch to Edit 1 mode for that layer. Program Edit Functions Assign Voice To edit a Program you must select Program Edit mode, Press [SELECT] from Program Mode.
Editing Programs QuadraSynth Reference Manual 59 Wave Pure Sine, 10% Pulse, 15% Pulse, 20% Pulse, 25% Pulse, 33% Pulse, 50% Pulse, Velo Pulse, Mini Saw, Saw Fltr 1, Saw Fltr 2, Saw Fltr 3, Saw Fltr 4,.
Editing Programs 60 QuadraSynth Reference Manual Effect Level The QuadraSynth isnÕt 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.
Editing Programs QuadraSynth Reference Manual 61 Sets the oscillator pitch in cents, from -99 (transposed down 99/100 of a semitone) to +99 (transposed up 99/100 of a semitone).
Editing Programs 62 QuadraSynth Reference Manual TIME 0 +99 -99 TIME 0 +99 -99 Positive Envelope Negative Envelope Pitch (Page 3) About portamento: When you play a key and then a second key, normally the sound jumps instantly from one pitch to another.
Editing Programs QuadraSynth Reference Manual 63 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 64 QuadraSynth Reference Manual Determines how moving the pitch bend wheel affects the filter cutoff frequency. Example: With positive settings, bending pitch up raises the filter cutoff frequency and bending pitch down lowers the filter cutoff frequency.
Editing Programs QuadraSynth Reference Manual 65 (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 66 QuadraSynth Reference Manual Amplitude LFO Depth (-99 to +99) At +00, the has no effect. Higher positive values increase the amount of LFO modulation. Negative values give the same apparent effect, but with reversed LFO phase (i.e.
Editing Programs QuadraSynth Reference Manual 67 (00 to 99) This determines how many voices can overlap on the same pitch. Example: If you hold the sustain pedal down and play the same note over and over, Sound Overlap determines how many voices are available for that note, and thus how many voices will overlap (play simultaneously).
Editing Programs 68 QuadraSynth Reference Manual Mod About General Purpose Although there are several dedicated modulators in the QuadraSynth (e.g., the pitch can always be modulated by the pitch LFO .
Editing Programs QuadraSynth Reference Manual 69 ¥Ê Aftertouch Pressing on the keys after theyÕre down generates this control signal. Aftertouch is also called channel pressure, and represents an average of all keys being pressed. This affects any keys that are held down.
Editing Programs 70 QuadraSynth Reference Manual ¥Ê MIDI continuous controllers (A, B, C, D) Four incoming MIDI controllers can be recognized by the QuadraSynth and used as modulation sources. These controllers are assigned as A, B, C and D within Global Mode (see Chapter 8).
Editing Programs QuadraSynth Reference Manual 71 Pitch LFO (Page 1) The Pitch LFO is most often used to apply vibrato to a sound. The following Pitch LFO variables will make a difference in the sound only if the PITCH LFO DEPTH (on Page 2 of the PITCH function) is set to a value other than 0, or, if the Pitch LFO is a source in the MOD function.
Editing Programs 72 QuadraSynth Reference Manual Mono . All voicesÕ LFOs are in sync with each other. If you hold a chord and then play new notes on top of the chord, all voicesÕ LFOs will be moving in the same direction and at the same speed.
Editing Programs QuadraSynth Reference Manual 73 Filter LFO (Page 1) The Filter LFO is most often used to apply tremolo-like or "wah-wah" effects to a sound.
Editing Programs 74 QuadraSynth Reference Manual Mod Wheel (-99 to 99) This parameter sets how much the Mod Wheel will increase or decrease the Filter LFOÕs Level. A positive value raises the level when the Mod Wheel is moved up, and lowers the level when moved down.
Editing Programs QuadraSynth Reference Manual 75 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. The Mod Wheel and Aftertouch will add or subtract from this base level.
Editing Programs 76 QuadraSynth Reference Manual 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 QuadraSynth Reference Manual 77 Pitch Envelope (Page 3) Time Tracking (On or Off) This determines whether or not keyboard position will affect the cycle speed of the envelope.
Editing Programs 78 QuadraSynth Reference Manual Attack (00 to 99) This is the amount of time the envelope will take until it reaches its maximum output level.
Editing Programs QuadraSynth Reference Manual 79 Trigger (Normal, Freerun, Reset, Reset-Freerun) The Trigger mode determines how the envelope will function. You may select either Freerun or Reset, or both (Reset-Freerun) or neither (Normal). When set to Normal, the envelope will always start at its current level (i.
Editing Programs 80 QuadraSynth Reference Manual Amp Envelope (Page 1) The Amp Envelope is crucial for all sounds because it sets the basic characteristics of the note--whether it attacks quickly or slowly, sustains or decays.
Editing Programs QuadraSynth Reference Manual 81 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. If this is set to 99, the envelope will remain at the Sustain level until the note is released.
Editing Programs 82 QuadraSynth Reference Manual 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 QuadraSynth Reference Manual 83 Input In Page 1 of the TRACK function, Quad Knob [1] selects the input of the Tracking Generator: ¥ Note Number ¥ Velocity ¥ Release Velocity ¥ Aft.
Editing Programs 84 QuadraSynth Reference Manual Programming Drum Sounds To program a sound in Drum Mode, you must first enable Drum Mode for that particular sound in the Misc. Function (see previous section). Quad Knob [4] is always used to select a Drum (1Ñ10), regardless of which Function or Page is selected (except Effect, Name and Misc.
Editing Programs QuadraSynth Reference Manual 85 Effects Level The function determines how much of the selected drum is being routed to the effects processor, and on which bus. Quad Knob [1] adjusts the Effect Send level (00 to 99), and Quad Knob [2] selects the Effects Bus (1, 2, 3 or 4).
Editing Programs 86 QuadraSynth Reference Manual Note (000 to 127/C-2 to G8) Each drum can be assigned to a single note which will trigger the drum sound when played. Quad Knob [1] specifies the note assignment of the selected drum (000 to 127/C-2 to G8).
Editing Programs QuadraSynth Reference Manual 87 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 88 QuadraSynth Reference Manual.
Editing Effects QuadraSynth Reference Manual 89 C HAPTER 7 E DITING E FFECTS About Signal Processing The built-in effects processor of the QuadraSynth is similar to that of the Alesis QuadraVerb, capable of generating multiple, fully digital effects simultaneously.
Editing Effects 90 QuadraSynth Reference Manual Selecting an Effects Patch To select an Effects Patch from either the User bank or the Preset bank, you must be in either Program Edit mode (if currently using Program mode) or Mix Edit mode (if using Mix mode), by pressing the [SELECT] button until the correct display appears.
Editing Effects QuadraSynth Reference Manual 91 While routing sounds into the effects processor, the word ÒCLIPÓ will temporarily appear in the display if the input to the effects is being overloaded.
Editing Effects 92 QuadraSynth Reference Manual Once an Effects Patch has been altered, the display will show the word ÒEDITEDÓ next to the Effects Patch number. This indicates that the current Effects Patch in the edit buffer is different from what is stored in memory.
Editing Effects QuadraSynth Reference Manual 93 Here is a run-down of the various Configurations: Configuration #1: 4-Sends, 1 Reverb PITCH 1 FX SEND 1 FX SEND 2 AUX LEFT AUX RIGHT MAIN LEFT MAIN RIGH.
Editing Effects 94 QuadraSynth Reference Manual Think of the diagram as a "road map" showing all possible paths from the starting points (FX SEND 1 through 4) to the ultimate destinations (MAIN LEFT and MAIN RIGHT at the top of the page).
Editing Effects QuadraSynth Reference Manual 95 Configuration #2: 4-Sends, 2 Reverb FX SEND 1 FX SEND 2 AUX LEFT AUX RIGHT MAIN LEFT MAIN RIGHT AUX LEFT AUX RIGHT MAIN LEFT MAIN RIGHT DELAY REVERB FX .
Editing Effects 96 QuadraSynth Reference Manual This differs from Configuration #1 in many ways. In this Configuration, there is only one Delay effect, two Pitch effects and two Reverb effects. Effect send 1 is routed through the mono Delay, then a stereo Pitch effect, and finally a stereo Reverb effect.
Editing Effects QuadraSynth Reference Manual 97 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 98 QuadraSynth Reference Manual This is similar to Configuration 1, except it provides a ÒLezlieÓ effect on send 1, which emulates a rotating speaker effect commonly heard with organ sounds. This is followed by a Delay effect before going to the single stereo Reverb effect.
Editing Effects QuadraSynth Reference Manual 99 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 100 QuadraSynth Reference Manual Input level Quad Knob [4] controls the overall Input Level going into the Reverb. Chorus Input Level If Configuration #2 is selected (refer to block di.
Editing Effects QuadraSynth Reference Manual 101 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 th.
Editing Effects 102 QuadraSynth Reference Manual automatically decreases the volume once the signal falls below a certain level) across the output of the reverb thereby causing the initial attack of the reverb to sound very big, but the tail of the reverb to be cut off very quickly.
Editing Effects QuadraSynth Reference Manual 103 Reverb (Page 4) Diffusion 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. Diffusion is the space between these echoes.
Editing Effects 104 QuadraSynth Reference Manual The Delay function is used to edit Delay parameters. Delay (Page 1) The QuadraSynthÕs 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 QuadraSynth Reference Manual 105 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 106 QuadraSynth Reference Manual LFO DETUNE DELAY DRY SIGNAL RIGHT CHORUSED OUTPUT FEEDBACK DETUNE FEEDBACK DRY SIGNAL DRY SIGNAL LEFT CHORUSED OUTPUT Mono Flange. First used in the 1960s, ÒFlangingÓ was achieved by the use of two tape recorders that would record and play back the same program in synchronization.
Editing Effects QuadraSynth Reference Manual 107 LFO DELAY DRY SIGNAL RIGHT FLANGED OUTPUT FEEDBACK DELAY FEEDBACK DRY SIGNAL DRY SIGNAL LEFT FLANGED OUTPUT Pitch Detune. As the name implies, Pitch Detune takes a part of the signal and detunes it either sharp or flat.
Editing Effects 108 QuadraSynth Reference Manual Speed Quad Knob [2] is used to adjust the LFO Speed of all Pitch types, with the exception of Pitch Detune and Resonator. Depth Quad Knob [3] is used to adjust the LFO Depth of all Pitch types, with the exception of Pitch Detune and Resonator.
Editing Effects QuadraSynth Reference Manual 109 Mod Source The Mod Source parameter selects the MIDI controller which will remotely cause a change (modulate) in one or two of the parameters in the effects processor.
Editing Effects 110 QuadraSynth Reference Manual Mix Not to be confused with an actual or Mix mode, the EffectÕs Mix function is where you can mix the various signal levels of all the effects to the Main Left and Right outputs of the QuadraSynth. Only effect modules that have access to the Main outputs will appear on the Mix page.
Global Settings QuadraSynth Reference Manual 111 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 112 QuadraSynth Reference Manual Keyboard Sensitivity (QuadraSynth only) In Page 2 of Global Edit mode, Quad Knob [1] adjusts how sensitive the keyboardÕs velocity will be (00 to 99).
Global Settings QuadraSynth Reference Manual 113 CH SOLO. In this mode, the only sounds coming from the QuadraSynth, and the only MIDI messages, will come from the layer or range of the underlined MIDI channel in the display. This allows you to isolate individual channels in a Mix.
Global Settings 114 QuadraSynth Reference Manual MIDI In Page 5 of Global Edit mode, Quad Knob [1] determines the MIDI Program Select mode (Off, On, Mix Select Channel 1Ñ16). When set to Off, the QuadraSynth will not respond to incoming MIDI program change messages, nor will it transmit program changes.
Global Settings QuadraSynth Reference Manual 115 to record onto ADAT from the QuadraSynth, be sure to turn on the 48 kHz Clock Input function. For more on connecting the BNC-to-BNC cable, see page 25.
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MIDI Transfer And Storage Operations QuadraSynth Reference Manual 117 C HAPTER 9 MIDI T RANSFER A ND S TORAGE O PERATIONS Saving to External Card The entire contents of the QuadraSynthÕs User memory (100 Mixes, 128 Programs, 128 Effects Patches) can be stored to an Alesis QuadraCard RAM card inserted into the Sound Card slot on the QuadraSynth.
MIDI Transfer And Storage Operations 118 QuadraSynth Reference Manual Saving Programs via MIDI Sys Ex As an alternative to storing data to a card, the QuadraSynth lets you transmit internal data via MIDI messages.
MIDI Transfer And Storage Operations QuadraSynth Reference Manual 119 ➃ Press [STORE] to transmit the data out the MIDI Out connector. The procedure is similar for sending Mixes and Effects. Page 4 of the Store function allows you to send any one of the Mixes, and Effects are sent via Page 5.
MIDI Transfer And Storage Operations 120 QuadraSynth Reference Manual.
APPENDIX A: Troubleshooting QuadraSynth Reference Manual 121 A PPENDIX A T ROUBLE -S HOOTING Trouble-Shooting Index If you are experience problems while operating the QuadraSynth, please use the following table to locate possible causes and solutions before contacting Alesis customer service for assistance.
APPENDIX A: Troubleshooting 122 QuadraSynth Reference Manual Checking Software Version The current software version may be determined by holding [GLOBAL] and pressing [PROGRAM]. The QuadraSynth will indicate the current software version installed in the upper right display.
APPENDIX A: Troubleshooting QuadraSynth Reference Manual 123 return the unit. All units must be shipped prepaid and COD shipments will not be accepted.
APPENDIX A: Troubleshooting 124 QuadraSynth Reference Manual.
APPENDIX B: MIDI Supplement QuadraSynth Reference Manual 125 A PPENDIX B MIDI S UPPLEMENT MIDI Basics Most current electronic instruments and signal processors, including the QuadraSynth, contain an internal computer.
APPENDIX B: MIDI Supplement 126 QuadraSynth Reference Manual MIDI Message Basics The are two main types of MIDI messages. Channel messages, which are channel- specific, consist of Voice and Mode messages. System messages, which do not have a channel number and are received by all units in a system, include Common, Real Time, and Exclusive messages.
APPENDIX B: MIDI Supplement QuadraSynth Reference Manual 127 Each type of controller is stamped with its own controller identification number. Not all controller numbers have been standardized for specific functions, but the following indicates the current list of assigned controllers.
APPENDIX B: MIDI Supplement 128 QuadraSynth Reference Manual System Common Messages Intended for all units in a system, some of these MIDI messages are: Song Position Pointer. This indicates how many ÒMIDI beatsÓ (normally a 16th note) have elapsed since a piece started (up to 16,384 total beats).
Index QuadraSynth UserÕs Manual 129 MIDI IMPLEMENTATION CHART Function Transmitted Recognized Remarks Basic Channel Default Changed 1 Ñ 16 1 Ñ 16 each 1 Ñ 16 1 Ñ 16 each Memorized Mode Default Me.
Index 130 QuadraSynth UserÕs Manual APPENDIX C: P ARAMETERS I NDEX Program Parameters Parameter Function Page Quad Knob Page in Manual Aftertouch Depth: Amp Am p 1 2 61 Aftertouch Depth: ALFO ALFO 2 .
Index QuadraSynth UserÕs Manual 131 Parameter Function Page Quad Knob Page in Manual Mod. Wheel Level: ALFO ALFO 2 2 7 1 Mod. Wheel Level: FLFO FLFO 2 2 70 Modulation Destination Mod 1 2 66 Modulatio.
Index 132 QuadraSynth UserÕs Manual Parameter Function Page Quad Knob Page in Manual Tuning: Type Pitch 1 4 57 Velocity Filter 1 4 59 Velocity Curve/Crossfade Am p 1 1 61 Voice Select: Group Assign V.
Index QuadraSynth UserÕs Manual 133 INDEX 48 kHz CLOCK IN 25, 110 ADAT 25 Aftertouch 15 amp 61 filter 60 pitch 57 AI-1 25 COMPARE 29, 34 contrast 12, 107 copy a sound 83 demo 12 digital I/O 25 Drum M.
An important point after buying a device Alesis S4 (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 S4 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 S4 - thus you can check whether the hardware meets your expectations. When delving into next pages of the user manual, Alesis S4 you will learn all the available features of the product, as well as information on its operation. The information that you get Alesis S4 will certainly help you make a decision on the purchase.
If you already are a holder of Alesis S4, 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 S4.
However, one of the most important roles played by the user manual is to help in solving problems with Alesis S4. Almost always you will find there Troubleshooting, which are the most frequently occurring failures and malfunctions of the device Alesis S4 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
