Alesis MICROVERB 4 User manual

ALESIS
MidiVerb 4
Reference Manual

MidiVerb 4 Reference Manual 1
Introduction
Thank you for purchasing the Alesis MidiVerb 4 Multi Effects Processor. To take full
advantage of the MidiVerb 4’s functions, and to enjoy long and trouble-free use,
please read this user’s manual carefully.
How To Use This Manual
This manual is divided into the following sections describing the various modes of
the MidiVerb 4. Though we recommend you take time to read through the entire
manual once carefully, those having general knowledge about effects devices should
use the table of contents to reference specific functions.
Chapter 1: Your First Session with the MidiVerb 4. A basic introduction to getting
the unit up and running, auditioning the factory Programs, adjusting levels,
comparing and storing edited Programs.
Chapter 2: Connections. Deals with the necessary preparation before using,
including connections to other components, such as instruments, mixing consoles,
patchbays, and multitrack recorders.
Chapter 3: Overview of Effects. A detailed look at the signal processing capabilities
of the MidiVerb 4 and the concept of multi-effect programming.
Chapter 4: Editing Programs. A guided tour for programming typical single and
multi-effect applications.
Chapter 5: Description of Controls. A “dictionary” of all buttons, connectors, and
parameters. Use this chapter as a quick reference guide when searching for specific
information.
Chapter 6: MIDI Applications. This chapter discusses the various MIDI functions,
such as recalling Programs, realtime modulation of parameters, and Sysex data
transfer.
Chapter 7: Trouble-Shooting. Contains the Trouble-shooting Index, maintenance
and service information, and MIDI implementation chart.
Appendices. MIDI basics, trouble-shooting, maintenance and service information,
MIDI Implementation Chart and an Index.
Conventions
The buttons, knobs, and rear panel connectors are referred to in this manual just as
their names appear on the MidiVerb 4, using all capital letters and in brackets
(Example: [PROG] button, [VALUE] Knob, etc.). When text in the MidiVerb 4’s
display is quoted, it is indicated using special typeface (Example: 00 to127,
DELAY}REVERB, etc.).
When something important appears in the manual, an icon (like the one on the left) will
appear in the left margin. This symbol indicates that this information is vital when operating
the MidiVerb 4.
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2 MidiVerb 4 Reference Manual

Contents
MidiVerb 4 Reference Manual 3
CONTENTS
Your First Session with the MidiVerb 4...................................... 7
Unpacking and Inspection.......................................................................................7
Basic Connections...................................................................................................7
Powering Up..........................................................................................................8
Setting Levels.........................................................................................................8
Automatic Input Level Settings....................................................................8
What’s in the Display? ............................................................................................9
Auditioning Internal Programs................................................................................10
Switching Between Preset and User Banks....................................................10
Bypass Program/Preset 00 ..........................................................................10
Changing Effect Settings .........................................................................................11
Using Online Help......................................................................................12
Adjusting Effects Mix Levels .......................................................................13
Dry Defeat .............................................................................................................13
Comparing an Edited Program to its Original Settings ..............................................14
Restoring an Edited Program to its Original Settings.................................................14
Storing Edited Programs.........................................................................................15
Bypassing Effects....................................................................................................16
Connections................................................................................... 17
AC Power Hookup .................................................................................................17
Line Conditioners and Protectors.................................................................17
Audio Connections.................................................................................................17
Typical Applications...................................................................................18
Input Jack Wiring .......................................................................................18
Interfacing Directly with Instruments...........................................................19
Using the Aux Sends...........................................................20
Using Inserts..........................................................................22
Using Main Outputs.............................................................23
Avoiding Ground Loops .............................................................................24
MIDI......................................................................................................................25
Footswitch .............................................................................................................25
Overview of Effects...................................................................... 27
The Architecture of the MidiVerb 4..........................................................................27
What is a Configuration?.............................................................................27
Single.........................................................................................................27
Double.......................................................................................................28
Dual Mono.................................................................................................28
Multi Chain................................................................................................29
Reverb Effects.........................................................................................................30
Concert Hall...............................................................................................30
Real Room..................................................................................................30
Realroom & Room ......................................................................................30
Ambience...................................................................................................30
Plate Reverb...............................................................................................30
Nonlinear...................................................................................................30
Reverb Parameters..................................................................................................31
Decay ........................................................................................................31

Contents
4MidiVerb 4 Reference Manual
Low Pass Filter...........................................................................................31
Pre-delay....................................................................................................31
Pre-delay Mix.............................................................................................31
Density ......................................................................................................31
Diffusion....................................................................................................31
Frequency Damping – Low & High..............................................................32
Reverberation Swirl ....................................................................................32
Gating........................................................................................................32
Delay Effects ..........................................................................................................33
Mono Delay ...............................................................................................33
Stereo Delay...............................................................................................33
Ping Pong Delay.........................................................................................33
MultiTap Delay ..........................................................................................33
BPM Mono Delay .......................................................................................33
Synchronizing to MIDI Clock...........................................34
Delay & DLY..............................................................................................34
Setting Delay Time Using Tap Tempo..........................................................34
Pitch Effects............................................................................................................35
Stereo Chorus.............................................................................................35
Quad Chorus..............................................................................................35
Chorus.......................................................................................................35
Stereo Flange..............................................................................................36
Flange........................................................................................................37
Lezlie.........................................................................................................37
Stereo Pitch Shifter......................................................................................37
Pitch ..........................................................................................................37
Auto Pan....................................................................................................37
Editing Programs ......................................................................... 39
Selecting A Configuration .......................................................................................39
Editing Effect Parameters........................................................................................40
Moving Through Pages...............................................................................41
Using the A/B/C/D Buttons.......................................................................41
Using Online Help......................................................................................41
Special Cases..............................................................................................41
Naming A Program ................................................................................................42
Description of Controls ................................................................ 43
Front Panel.............................................................................................................43
LCD Display ..............................................................................................43
BYPASS LED Indicator................................................................................44
VALUE Knob.............................................................................................44
PROGram Button........................................................................................45
EDIT/PAGE Button....................................................................................45
A/B/C/D (NAME/ESC/</>) Buttons........................................................45
UTILity Button...........................................................................................45
STORE Button ............................................................................................47
INPUT and OUTPUT Buttons......................................................................48
Auto Level .................................................................................................48
POWER Switch...........................................................................................48
Rear Panel..............................................................................................................49
Power........................................................................................................49
Bypass/Advance Footswitch.......................................................................49
MIDI In......................................................................................................49

Contents
MidiVerb 4 Reference Manual 5
MIDI Out/Thru..........................................................................................49
Input (Left/Ch.1 & Right/Ch.2)...................................................................50
Output (Left/Ch.1 & Right/Ch.2)................................................................50
Effect Parameters....................................................................................................50
MIDI Applications......................................................................... 57
MIDI Functions ......................................................................................................57
MIDI Channel ............................................................................................57
MIDI Thru..................................................................................................57
Receiving Program Changes........................................................................58
Program Change Table................................................................................58
Sysex Storage .............................................................................................59
Realtime Modulation Functions...............................................................................60
Defining the Modulation Sources.................................................................60
Modulation Parameters Index......................................................................61
Setting Modulation Amplitude....................................................................61
Controlling Delay Time via MIDI Clock .......................................................62
Troubleshooting ........................................................................... 63
Trouble-Shooting Index...........................................................................................63
Re-initializing.........................................................................................................63
Checking the Software Version................................................................................64
Maintenance/Service..............................................................................................64
Cleaning ....................................................................................................64
Obtaining Repair Service.............................................................................64
MIDI Implementation Chart..........................................................66
Specifications................................................................................67

Contents
6MidiVerb 4 Reference Manual
VALUE
BYPASS
ADVANCED 18 BIT FULLY INTEGRATED
EXTENDED RANGE SIGNAL PROCESSING
FRONT PANEL REAR PANEL
Power Footswitch Left/CH 1 Output Right/CH 2 Output
Bypass Value Program Utilities Store Input Output Power
Edit ABCD
MIDI In MIDI Out/Thru Left/CH 1 Input Right/CH 2 Input

Your First Session with the MIDIVerb 4 – Chapter 1
MidiVerb 4 Reference Manual 7
CHAPTER 1
YOUR FIRST SESSION WITH
THE MIDIVERB 4
Unpacking and Inspection
Your MidiVerb 4 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 MidiVerb 4 for servicing.
The shipping carton should contain the following items:
• This instruction manual
• Alesis MidiVerb 4 with the same serial number as shown on shipping carton
• AC Power Supply Adapter
• Alesis warranty card
It is important to register your purchase; if you have not already filled out your warranty
card and mailed it back to Alesis, please take the time to do so now.
Basic Connections
The MidiVerb 4 is designed to accommodate a number of applications, whether you
are connecting an instrument directly into it, or connecting it with a mixing console.
Briefly described here are the basic connections to get you up and running quickly.
For more information on connections, please refer to Chapter 2.
•Mono In, Mono or Stereo Out. Connect a mono cord to the [LEFT/CH.1] INPUT
of the MidiVerb 4 from a mono source (Note: the [LEFT/CH.1] INPUT is
normalled to the [RIGHT/CH.2] INPUT). Connect another mono cord from the
[LEFT/CH.1] OUTPUT of the MidiVerb 4 to an amplification system or mixer
input. Additionally, you could connect a second mono cord to the [RIGHT/CH.2]
OUTPUT for use with a stereo amplification system, or two mixer inputs.
• Stereo. Connect two mono cords to the [LEFT/CH.1] & [RIGHT/CH.2] INPUTS of
the MidiVerb 4 from a stereo source , and two mono cords from the OUTPUTS of
the MidiVerb 4 to a stereo amplification system or two mixer inputs.
If connecting to a mixing console’s aux sends/returns, you will want to adjust the
output mix of each Program so that the MidiVerb 4 outputs only wet (effected)
signal. This can be done globally for all Programs simultaneously (see page 11).
Powering Up
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Chapter 1 – Your First Session with the MIDIVerb 4
8 MidiVerb 4 Reference Manual
After making your connections, turn on the system’s power using this procedure:
➀Before turning on the MidiVerb 4’s power, check the following items:
• Have all connections been made correctly?
• Are the volume controls of the amplifier or mixer turned down?
➁Turn on the [POWER] switch on the front panel of the MidiVerb 4.
Upon power-up, the display will briefly read “ALESIS MIDIVERB 4”, and will then
display the last selected Program Number (00–127, PRESET or USER Bank), and the
[PROG]button’s LED will be lit.
➂Turn on the power of the amplifier/mixer, and adjust the volume.
Setting Levels
Proper setting of the input and output levels is crucial in order to achieve the
maximum signal-to-noise ratio. As a good rule of thumb, it is always best to set both
input and output level controls at 3/4 or 75% of full. This will decrease the possibility
of overload distortion and keep the amount of background noise to a minimum.
Automatic Input Level Settings
The MidiVerb 4 has the unique ability to automatically select the proper levels for the
inputs based on the signal you are routing to it. In other words, you tell the it to auto-
adjust levels, and then feed it a signal (play your guitar or keyboard, or playback
tape); the MidiVerb 4 does the rest.
To auto-adjust the input levels:
➀Connect your audio source to the MidiVerb’s input(s), as described in Chapter 2.
➁Simultaneously press both [INPUT] and [OUTPUT] buttons.
➂Feed signal to the MidiVerb 4’s input(s).
The Auto Input function will “listen” to the signal at its input(s) for about 5 seconds,
and adjust the input levels for both channels.
Note: If five seconds of “listening” isn’t long enough, you can extend this time indef-
initely by using a footswitch. You can use any momentary footswitch connected to
the [FOOTSWITCH] jack on the rear panel. Simply hold down the footswitch once
the Auto Input function has been activated. For more information, see Chapter 2.

Your First Session with the MIDIVerb 4 – Chapter 1
MidiVerb 4 Reference Manual 9
What’s in the Display?
When the MidiVerb 4 is first turned on, the display will look something like this:
L R
PRESET
01
Lr g Ha l l CONCERT HAL
L
4
5
1
3
2
The MidiVerb 4’s display is divided into 5 sections:
➀ Program Number . MidiVerb 4 Programs are numbered from 00
to 127. In this example the Program selected is number 01.
➁ Bank . The MidiVerb 4 has two Banks of 128 Programs: the
Preset Bank and User Bank. The display will either say “PRESET” or
“USER”, depending on the current Bank In this example we are in
the Preset Bank.
➂ Program Name . Each Program has its own eight character
name. This one is called Lrg Hall. The 128 User Programs can be
renamed; the 128 Preset Programs are pre-programmed at the
factory and cannot be renamed.
➃ Configuration . This tells us which effects are used by this
Program, the order in which our input signal(s) will pass through
them, and whether this is a Stereo or Dual Configuration (more about
Configurations in Chapter 3). The Configuration for this Program is
called CONCERT HALL. Once a Program has been edited, the
Configuration’s name in this display will appear in lower case letters.
➄ Level Meters . These peak style meters monitor the signal
strength of the unprocessed inputs, and are used in much the same
way as the level meters on a standard tape recorder. The meters
shown in this example are idle, indicating that there is no input
signal activity. Normally, these are labeled as “L” and “R”. However,
when the selected Program uses a Dual type Configuration (two mono
effects), these will be labeled as “CH1” and “CH2”. For more
information on Dual Configurations, see Chapter 3.

Chapter 1 – Your First Session with the MIDIVerb 4
10 MidiVerb 4 Reference Manual
Auditioning Internal Programs
The MidiVerb 4 comes with 128 Programs in a Preset bank, plus another 128
Programs in the User bank. These Programs represent the wide range of applications
for which the MidiVerb 4 is suited.
To audition the internal effect Programs:
➀Press the [PROG] button.
The [PROG]button will light.
➁Turn the [VALUE] knob to scroll through the 128 Preset Programs and 128 User
Programs.
Switching Between Preset and User Banks
To instantly switch between the Preset and User banks, press the [PROG] button.
Each time you press the [PROG] button, the MidiVerb 4 will toggle back and forth
between the Preset and User banks. The display will indicate this by reading either
“PRESET” or “USER” next to the Program number.
You can also switch between banks when scrolling through the Programs with the
[VALUE] knob. When you scroll clockwise past Preset 127, the display will “roll-
over” to User 00. Likewise, if you turn back the [VALUE] knob counterclockwise past
User 00, the display will move to Preset 127.
However, if you turn back the [VALUE] knob counterclockwise past Preset 00, the
display will not wrap around back to User 127 but instead will remain at Preset 00.
This is because Preset 00 is setup as a “Bypass Program” (see below). So, if you are
looking for the Bypass Program, you can scroll the [VALUE] knob counterclockwise
without worrying about passing it, since the display will automatically stop when it
reaches Preset 00.
Bypass Program/Preset 00
Preset 00 is setup as a “Bypass Program”, meaning that the dry, uneffected signal
being sent to the MidiVerb 4’s input(s) is passing through and none of the effect’s
output can be heard. Use this Program whenever you want to only hear the direct
signal of the MidiVerb 4’s inputs routed to its outputs for reference purposes. This is
not to be confused with Bypass mode, explained later in this chapter.
You can select Preset 00 not only from the front panel using the [VALUE] knob, but
also by using a footswitch connected to the [FOOTSWITCH] jack (if the
[FOOTSWITCH] is set to the Advance function), or by sending a MIDI program
change message from a device connected to the [MIDI IN]connector. For more
information about the [FOOTSWITCH] jack and [MIDI IN] connector, see Chapter 2.
For more information about MIDI program change messages, see Chapter 6.

Your First Session with the MIDIVerb 4 – Chapter 1
MidiVerb 4 Reference Manual 11
Changing Effect Settings
When you dial up a Program, its Configuration is shown in the display to the right of
the Program’s name.
RoomVerb REAL ROOM
The Configuration will either be a single reverb type effect (as in the example above),
or a combination of two or three effects (like Reverb+Delay, or Chorus>Delay>
Reverb). Once you have identified what effects are used in the Program’s
Configuration, you can then find the effect parameters more easily.
To edit a Program’s effect settings, you must first enter Edit mode. This is done by
pressing either the [PAGE] button or any one of the [A], [B], [C] or [D] buttons, as
long as the [PROG] button is lit (Note: Pressing these buttons in other modes
performs different functions). Once in Edit mode, the display will look something
like this:
L R
PRESET
01
Decay LPF PDly PMix
4
5
1
3
2
PAGE 1 2 3
80 22.8150 000
A B C DEDITED
➀ Page Numbers . Depending on the Configuration, there will be
up to four pages available in Edit mode. In this example, only three
pages are available.
➁ Selected Page . The currently selected page will be indicated by
a box around its number. In this example, page 1 is currently
selected. Each time you press the [PAGE] button, the display will
advance to the next page.
Parameter Name Strip . Each page in Edit mode contains up to
four parameters. whose names will appear at the top of the display,
above their value settings.
Parameter Values and Bar Graphs . Each parameter is shown
with both a numerical value and a bargraph. As you adjust a
parameter, both its numerical value and bargraph will change in
➂
➃
relation to the [VALUE] knob’s position. The type of units a parameter
uses will be shown as well (dB, mSec, kHz, etc.).
A, B, C, D and EDITED Indicators. Each parameter in the selected page is
➄
or [D]) should be pressed to select the desired parameter for editing. Once a
parameter has been edited, the word “EDITED” will appear below it.
designated by a letter (A, B, Cor D), which indicates which button ([A], [B], [C]

Chapter 1 – Your First Session with the MIDIVerb 4
12 MidiVerb 4 Reference Manual
To edit effect parameters:
➀Press the [PROG] button.
The [PROG]button will light.
➁Press the [PAGE] button to enter Edit mode.
This selects the first page of effect parameters, if you are editing the Program for the first
time. There are usually two or more pages available in Edit mode, depending on the
Program’s Configuration. The exact number of pages available will be indicated by the
numbers illuminated in the bottom-left corner of the display. Repeatedly pressing
[PAGE]advances through the available pages. The currently selected page will have a
box around its number. Each page contains up to four parameters, which are labeled with
abbreviated names directly above each.
➂Press one of the [A], [B], [C] or [D] buttons to select a parameter in the currently
selected display page.
The parameter will flash indicating it is selected for editing.
➃Turn the [VALUE] knob to edit the selected parameter’s value.
Once you have modified a parameter’s value, the word “EDITED” will appear directly
beneath it. If you change the value back to its original setting, the word “EDITED”
disappears.
Any changes you make are temporary, until you store those changes into memory. If the
Program you are editing is in the Preset bank, you must save the changes you’ve made to a
location in the User bank. If you recall another Program before storing,
your changes will be lost. For more information , see “Storing Edited Programs”, later in this
chapter. For more about editing effects parameters, see Chapter 4.
Using Online Help
The MidiVerb 4 has built-in online help to assist you in identifying parameter
functions from the display, without having to look things up in this manual. Once
you have accessed Edit mode (see previous section), you can select any of the
parameters shown in the display by pressing the corresponding button ([A], [B], [C]
or [D]). However, by holding one of these buttons for more than one second, the
upper display will provide a more detailed description of the selected parameter.
For example, if we were still editing Program 01 (see previous page), holding the [B]
button for more then one second would reveal the name of the “B” parameter:
INPUT LOWPASS FILTER
Once the button is released, the display reverts back to normal.
Additionally, holding the [EDIT/PAGE] button while in Edit mode will display the
page and/or parameter set you are looking at. For example, if the selected Program
you are editing uses the Pitch:Delay Configuration, holding the [EDIT/PAGE] button
while page 1 is selected will display the following message:
CH 1 PITCH PARAMETER
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Your First Session with the MIDIVerb 4 – Chapter 1
MidiVerb 4 Reference Manual 13
Adjusting Effects Mix Levels
Whether a Program contains a single effect or two or three effects, you can adjust
each effect’s mix to obtain a desirable balance between the original, uneffected signal
and each effect’s output. The Mix parameter (or “wet/dry mix”) for each effect is
found along with the other effect parameters in Edit mode. To make things easier, the
Mix parameter has been consistently placed at the far right of the display page (this
corresponds to the [D] button), on the last page of each effect. Since each effect has a
different number of edit pages, the Mix parameter will not always appear on the
same page for each Program. Keep in mind that if a Program uses more than one
effect, each effect will have its own Mix parameter.
➀Press the [PROG] button.
The [PROG]button will light.
➁Press the [PAGE] button to enter Edit mode.
Look at the far right side of the display for the word MIX (or some variation that
identifies a specific effect’s mix parameter; i.e. CMIX = Chorus Mix, RMIX = Reverb
Mix, etc.). If it doesn’t appear, press the [PAGE]button repeatedly until you find it. To
be sure the Mix parameter in the display is the one you want, use the built-in Online
Help function (see previous section) by holding the [D]button for more than one second.
➂Press the [D] button to select the Mix parameter.
The parameter will flash indicating it is selected for editing.
➃Turn the [VALUE] knob to edit the Mix parameter’s value.
The Mix parameter’s range is 000-100å.
Dry Defeat
When connecting the MidiVerb 4 to a mixing console’s aux sends and returns, it is
generally desirable to remove the direct (dry) signal from the outputs of the
MidiVerb 4 so that its output signal contains only the effected (wet) signal. The dry
signal may then be combined at the mixing console with the returning wet signal.
The MidiVerb 4’s Dry Defeat function removes the direct signal globally from all
Programs simultaneously.
➀Press [UTIL].
The [UTIL]button will light.
➁Press [EDIT] until page 1 is selected.
The display will read:
Footswitch Dry Defeat
➂Press [D] to toggle the Dry Defeat parameter ON or OFF.
When Dry Defeat is enabled, the Mix parameter of each effect (described above) will
read “- - -” to indicate it cannot be edited (it is fixed at 100%). Exception: The
RealRoom->Flange Configuration will have its Reverb Mix parameter disabled (set at
100%), but the Flange effect’s Mix will still be available for editing.

Chapter 1 – Your First Session with the MIDIVerb 4
14 MidiVerb 4 Reference Manual
Comparing an Edited Program to its
Original Settings
The left side of the display always indicates the currently selected Program. If the
[PROG] button is pressed once, the currently selected Program’s name and the
Configuration being used both appear in the upper part of the display.
Once a Program has been edited, the Configuration’s name will appear in lower case
letters. With multi-effect Configurations (where there is more than one effect being
used) and only one effect has been edited, the edited effect’s name will appear in
lower case letters. Example: If using the Configuration DELAY>REVERB and you
have edited only the Delay’s parameters, the display will read “delay>REVERB” if
the [PROG] button is pressed. This indicates that one or more of the Delay’s
parameters have been altered, but the Reverb’s parameters have not been changed.
By pressing both [PAGE] and [A] simultaneously, you can temporarily access the
original version of the Program you are editing — that is, the last Program saved to
the currently selected location number. This allows you to compare the differences
created by changing parameters in the edited Program.
While you are in Compare mode, the display will flash “COMPARING EDITS”.
Pressing any button exits Compare mode; the display will return to its original state
and the edited version of the Program will be accessed. You can go in and out of
Compare mode as often as you like, as long as the display indicates that you have
edited the Program in some way (i.e., if the Program hasn’t been edited yet, there is
nothing to compare it to, right?).
Restoring an Edited Program to its
Original Settings
If you decide to abort the changes you have made to an edited Program, this can be
done in two easy steps:
➀Press [PROG].
The display will exit Edit mode.
➁Turn the [VALUE] knob to select a different Program, then turn it back the
opposite direction to re-select the original Program.
This recalls the stored version of the selected Program number, and the Configuration
name in the display returns to all upper case letters. Consequently, any changes you had
made to the Program before turning the [VALUE]knob would be lost. That is, unless you
stored the edited Program into memory first.

Your First Session with the MIDIVerb 4 – Chapter 1
MidiVerb 4 Reference Manual 15
Storing Edited Programs
Once you are satisfied with the changes you have made to an edited Program, or are
creating a new Program from scratch, you will need to store your edited Program
back into memory. The MidiVerb 4 will store the currently selected Program in non-
volatile memory (which is backed-up when the unit is turned off). If you edit a
Program, the changes you made will still be there the next time you switch on the
unit, even if you hadn’t stored the edited Program into memory yet. However, if you
select another Program from memory before storing the edited Program, your
changes will be lost forever.
Although the MidiVerb 4 has two banks (Preset and User), you can only store Programs in
the User bank.
To store an edited Program:
➀Press [STORE].
The [STORE]button will flash, and the display will read:
Store as X XX (nnnnnnnn)?
…whereas XXX is a Program location number from 00—127 in the User bank, and
nnnnnnnn is the Program’s name.
➁Use the [VALUE] knob to select which location (00—127) you wish to store the
selected Program into.
You can only store Programs into the User bank. If you select a Program from the Preset
bank and store it, you will automatically be taken into the User bank.
➂If desired, change the Program’s name by pressing [A/NAME].
This moves the cursor from the location number field to the first character in the
Program’s name. Turn the [VALUE]knob to scroll through the list of available
characters. Use the [C/<]and [D/>]buttons to move the cursor’s position left and right,
respectively. If you need to move the cursor back to the Program number field to select a
different location to store to, press [B/ESC].
Note: To abort this operation — and thereby not store the edited Program — simply
press any other button except [STORE].
➃Press [STORE] again.
The [STORE]button’s LED will momentarily flash quickly, while the display reads:
Program nnnnnnnn Stored!
…whereby nnnnnnnn is the Program’s name. The [STORE]button will turn off and the
display will revert to wherever it was before [STORE]was pressed for the first time.
✪

Chapter 1 – Your First Session with the MIDIVerb 4
16 MidiVerb 4 Reference Manual
Bypassing Effects
At any time you can bypass the effects, thereby allowing the direct signal to pass
through the MidiVerb 4 unchanged. This can be done in two ways:
• by simultaneously pressing both the [PROG] and [UTIL] buttons on the front
panel; or,
• by connecting a footswitch to the [FOOTSWITCH] jack and pressing the
footswitch. This requires that the [FOOTSWITCH] jack be set to trigger the
Bypass function, which is located among the UTILity functions.
Each time the [PROG] and [UTIL] buttons are pressed, or the footswitch connected to
the [FOOTSWITCH] jack is pressed, Bypass mode is toggled on and off again. When
Bypass mode is turned on, the [BYPASS] LED will be lit.
To set the [FOOTSWITCH] jack to the Bypass function:
➀Press [UTIL].
The [UTIL]button will light.
➁Press [EDIT/PAGE] until page 1 is selected.
The display will read:
Footswitch Dry Defeat
➂Press [B] to select the Footswitch parameter.
➃Turn the [VALUE] knob to set the Footswitch parameter to Bypass mode (bYP).

Connections – Chapter 2
MidiVerb 4 Reference Manual 17
CHAPTER 2
CONNECTIONS
AC Power Hookup
The MidiVerb 4 comes with a power adapter suitable for the voltage of the country it
is shipped to (either 110 or 220V, 50 or 60 Hz).
With the MidiVerb 4 off, plug the small end of the power adapter cord into MidiVerb
4’s [POWER] socket and the male (plug) end into a source of AC power. It’s good
practice to not turn the MidiVerb 4 on until all other cables are hooked up.
Alesis cannot be responsible for problems caused by using the MidiVerb 4 or any associated
equipment with improper AC wiring.
Line Conditioners and Protectors
Although the MidiVerb 4 is designed to tolerate typical voltage variations, in today’s
world the voltage coming from the AC line may contain spikes or transients that can
possibly stress your gear and, over time, cause a failure. There are three main ways
to protect against this, listed in ascending order of cost and complexity:
• Line spike/surge protectors. Relatively inexpensive, these are designed to
protect against strong surges and spikes, acting somewhat like fuses in that they
need to be replaced if they’ve been hit by an extremely strong spike.
• Line filters. These generally combine spike/surge protection with filters that
remove some line noise (dimmer hash, transients from other appliances, etc.).
• Uninterruptible power supply (UPS). This is the most sophisticated option. A
UPS provides power even if the AC power line fails completely. Intended for
computer applications, a UPS allows you to complete an orderly shutdown of a
computer system in the event of a power outage, and the isolation it provides
from the power line minimizes all forms of interference—spikes, noise, etc.
Audio Connections
The connections between the MidiVerb 4 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. Although quality
cables cost more, they do make a difference. Route cables to the MidiVerb 4 correctly
by observing the following precautions:
• Do not bundle audio cables with AC power cords.
• Avoid running audio cables near sources of electromagnetic interference such as
transformers, monitors, computers, etc.
• Never unplug a cable by pulling on the wire itself. Always unplug by firmly
grasping the body of the plug and pulling directly outward.
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Chapter 2 – Connections
18 MidiVerb 4 Reference Manual
• Do not place cables where they can be stepped on. Stepping on a cable may not
cause immediate damage, but it can compress the insulation between the center
conductor and shield (degrading performance), or reduce the cable’s reliability.
• Avoid twisting the cable or having it make sharp, right angle turns.
• Although Alesis does not endorse any specific product, chemicals such as Tweek
and Cramolin, when applied to electrical connectors, are claimed to improve the
electrical contact between connectors.
Typical Applications
The analog audio inputs and outputs are typically used in one of three ways:
• from one or two effect/aux send outputs of a mixer, and out to the effect return
inputs of the mixer; or,
• from a line-level instrument (like a guitar or keyboard with either a mono or
stereo output), and out to an amplifier or mixer input; or,
• from the stereo buss outputs of a mixer to a mix-down tape machine or amplifier.
When used with a mono source, the MidiVerb 4 is placed between the source and the
mixer/amplifier. Although the source may be mono, both the [LEFT/CH.1] and
[RIGHT/CH.2] outputs can be connected to the inputs of a mixer/amplifier if stereo
processing effects are desired.
Alternatively, you could use the inserts on your mixer to “patch in” only the left or
right channel of the MidiVerb 4. If using the effect sends of a mixer, you have the
advantage of sending any of the mixer’s input channels to the MidiVerb 4’s input(s),
and have control over the level of each channel being sent.
These applications are outlined and illustrated in detail on the following pages.
Input Jack Wiring
The MidiVerb 4’s [LEFT/CH.1] INPUT jack is normalled to the [RIGHT/CH.2] INPUT.
This means that if you only connect a single mono cable to the [LEFT/CH.1] INPUT
jack, it will also be routed to the [RIGHT/CH.2] INPUT. However, if anything is
connected to the [RIGHT/CH.2] INPUT jack, this normalized connection will be
broken; therefore the [LEFT/CH.1] INPUT jack feeds only the [LEFT/CH.1] INPUT,
and the [RIGHT/CH.2] INPUT jack feeds only the [RIGHT/CH.2] INPUT. Also, the
[RIGHT/CH.2] INPUT jack is NOT normalled to the [LEFT/CH.1] INPUT.
Interfacing Directly with Instruments

Connections – Chapter 2
MidiVerb 4 Reference Manual 19
When connecting audio cables and/or turning power on and off, make sure that all devices in
your system are turned off and the volume controls are turned down.
The MidiVerb 4 has two 1/4” unbalanced inputs and two 1/4” unbalanced outputs.
These provide three different (analog) audio hookup options:
• Mono. Connect a mono cord to the [LEFT/CH.1] INPUT of the MidiVerb 4 from a
mono source, and another mono cord from the [LEFT/CH.1] output of the
MidiVerb 4 to an amplification system or mixer input.
•Mono In, Stereo Out. While still using a mono input, you could connect two
mono cords to the [LEFT/CH.1] and [RIGHT/CH.2] outputs of the MidiVerb 4 to
a stereo amplification system or two mixer inputs.
•Dual Mono. Connect two mono cords to the [LEFT/CH.1] and [RIGHT/CH.2]
inputs of the MidiVerb 4 from two mono sources , and two other mono cords
from the [LEFT/CH.1] and [RIGHT/CH.2] outputs of the MidiVerb 4 to a stereo
amplification system or two mixer inputs. This hookup allows discrete
processing of the two channels, since blocks can be dedicated to a single channel.
• Stereo. Connect two mono cords to the [LEFT/CH.1] and [RIGHT/CH.2] INPUTS
of the MidiVerb 4 from a stereo source , and two other mono cords from the
[LEFT/CH.1] and [RIGHT/CH.2] OUTPUTS of the MidiVerb 4 to a stereo
amplification system or two mixer inputs.
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