NOTE: Most of the following is taken directly from the Alesis QS manual. I've found that the manual is very easy to read. However, because most of our users are in a lab situation unable to have the manual at their disposal, I've selected some of the more important and necessary topics for the express use of making it possible for users to use if the need exists. To help facilitate learning the QS Keyboard, a "shortcut" and quick definition [QuickLink] may follow the topic in brackets. The remainder is taken from the QS Manual. Buttons on the keyboard console are surrounded by [ ] ie... [Program].
[QuickLink: A Program is a voice, sample based, that the keyboard uses to emulate a sound. Press [Program] under Play mode to enter Program mode (audition voices) TrueStereo is the name of the active Program shown on the console.]
A Program is a stored configuration of parameters which emulates the sound of an instrument or sound effect, such as a piano or synthesizer or drum set. A QS Program is made up of hundreds of parameters which, when set to specific values, create a specific type of sound. This setup of parameters can be stored so that you can get back to it instantly at the touch of a button. When you select a Program, all of its parameter settings are recalled to recreate the original sound.
The QS provides 640 internal Programs, divided into 5 Banks of 128 Programs each. More Programs can be added by inserting a Sound Card into the Sound Card slot (pcmcia card) on the rear panel of the QS. Each Bank is broken down into 12 Sound Groups of 10 Programs each, plus a 13th Sound Group with 8 Programs. These group together similar sounding Programs, such as pianos [00], guitars [30], bass [40], and drums [120].
A Program may have from 1 to 4 different sounds which can be combined in a variety of ways to create the overall sound of the instrument the Program is intended to emulate. These four sounds can be layered on top of one another, or split up into different sections of the keyboard. You can even have different sounds played depending on how hard you play the keyboard (known as velocity).
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[QuickLink: A Mix (multi) is a combination of two or more programs that are either layered or split across the keyboard. Press the [Mix] button under play mode to enter Mix mode. Not shown on the console.]
A Mix is a combination of 1 to 16 Programs. These Programs can be combined in many ways. the most common is multi-timbral when connected to a MIDI sequencer, which means that for each MIDI channel the QS receives (up to 16), a different Program my be selected, thus creating anything for a small pop/rock ensemble to a complete orchestra. Another way of using Mix is by layering two or more Programs together, so that they play simultaneously from the keyboard. You can also create a split, where one Program is in the lower half of the keyboard, while another Program is at the top half; you can even have these Programs overlap in the middle.
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[QuickLink: A Bank is a collection of Programs and Mixes divided into 5 categories. When in Program or Mix mode, press the [<Bank] or [Bank>] to cycle through the available Banks. Preset1 is the name of the active Bank shown on the console.]
A Bank is a collection of 128 Programs and 100 Mixes. There are five internal banks available at any time, with more if a card is in the Sound Card slot. The current bank is shown on the top line of the LCD display, and will cycle in the following order:
| USER | PRESET1 | PRESET2 | PRESET3 | GenMIDI |
| and optionally | CARD 1 | CARD 2 | CARD 3, etc. |
Each bank contains its own unique Programs and Mixes. Program 10 in Preset 1 is different from Program 10 in Preset 3, although they are usually related sounds. A Mix may contain Programs from any bank.
The [<Bank] and [Bank>] buttons change the current bank from the top panel, and MIDI Bank Select commands may also be used to select any of the 640 Programs on board, or additional card programs.
Preset and General MIDI banks are permanently "burned in" at the factory. User banks, and Card banks from an SRAM card, may be changed by the user. If you edit a Preset Program or Mix, it can be saved to a User or SRAM card bank only.
More about Sound Groups: Preset Banks 1 - 3 and the User Bank are organized into 13 Groups of 10 sounds each, and are spread out among the top-right row of buttons on the front panel (programs 00-09 are pianos, 50-59 are basses, and so on). The GenMIDI bank, however, does not follow this arrangement; it follows the program list of the General MIDI standard. Programs on some sound cards may not follow that arrangement either, depending on the card type.
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The QS has 5 Banks of 128 Preset Programs (sounds) each. Additionally, there are 100 Mixes in each of the 5 Banks!
Program Mode and Mix Mode:
The QS will always be in one of two modes "Program Mode" or "Mix Mode". When you are auditioning Programs, you will be in Program Play Mode. When editing a Program, you will use Program Edit Mode. When you are auditioning Mixes, you will be in Mix Play Mode. When editing a Mix, you will use Mix Edit Mode.
Special Note: If you ever get lost while programming the QS, press either the [Program] button or the [Mix] button to get back to their respective Play Mode.
Reading the LCD Display: (Note: the LCD on the console shown above may look different from yours depending on the QS operating system available)
Press the [Program] button to select Program Play Mode.
PROG PRESET1 00 TrueStereo ch01The current mode (PROG) is displayed in the top-left corner, followed by the current Bank (Preset1) and the current Program number (00). The Program's name (TrueStereo) appears on the lower line of the display and the current MIDI channel appears to the right.
Press the [Mix] button to select Mix Play Mode: (In Mix Play Mode, the QS can combine up to 16 Programs for stacking sounds together, splitting the keyboard into different regions, or working with a MIDI sequencer.)
Mix Preset1 00 ShimmerGrd ..The current mode (Mix) is displayed in the top-left corner, followed by the current Bank (Preset1) and the current Mix number (00). The Mix's name (ShimerGrd) appears on the lower line of the display and the Active MIDI Channels (1 and 2) are shown as dots at the bottom right. In a Mix that uses all 16 MIDI channels (such as the Mixes found in the General MIDI Bank), the display will look something like:
Mix GenMIDI 00 GM Multi .......| [TOC] Table of Contents Menu |
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