Alesis QS6 User manual

ALESIS
QS6
Reference Manual

QS6 Reference Manual 1
Introduction
Thank you for purchasing the Alesis QS6 64 Voice Expandable Synthesizer. To take
full advantage of the QS6’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
QS6. To get the most out of your QS6, read the entire manual once, then use the
table of contents and index to reference specific functions while using the instrument.
Chapter 1: Setting Up. Deals with the necessary preparation before playing,
including connections to external devices.
Chapter 2: Your First Session with the QS6. This section provides a brief tour of
the QS6, shows you how to audition the various sounds of the QS6, and points out
the various performance features.
Chapter 3: Connections. Details rear panel connections (like MIDI, footpedals and
the serial interface), proper hook-up procedures, plus application examples.
Chapter 4: Overview. Covers the structure of sound sources within the QS6, how to
read and navigate through the LCD display pages, how to edit parameters, and how
to store edited Programs and Mixes.
Chapter 5: Editing Mixes. Explains how to create and edit Mixes.
Chapter 6: Editing Programs. How to create and edit Programs.
Chapter 7: Editing Effects. How to create and edit Effects Patches.
Chapter 8: Global Settings. Describes all global functions, such as Master Tuning,
Keyboard Mode, Keyboard Scaling, and Program Change Mode.
Chapter 9: MIDI Transfer and Storage Operations. Discusses MIDI functions and
how to store sounds either to a MIDI device or to a RAM card.
Appendices. MIDI basics, trouble-shooting, maintenance and service information,
MIDI Implementation Chart and an Index.
Conventions
The buttons, knobs, and rear panel connectors and switches are referred to in this
manual just as their names appear on the QS6, using all capital letters and in
brackets ( Example: [PROGRAM] button, [
▲
PAGE] and [PAGE
▲
] buttons,
[CONTROLLER A] slider, etc.).
J
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 QS6.
Mac™ and Macintosh™ are registered trademarks of Apple Corporation.

2QS6 Reference Manual

Table of Contents
QS6 Reference Manual 3
CONTENTS
1: SETTING UP.................................................................................................... 7
Unpacking and Inspection..............................................................................................7
AC Power.......................................................................................................................7
Line Conditioners and Protectors......................................................................7
About Audio Cables .......................................................................................................8
Basic Audio Hookup.......................................................................................................9
2: YOUR FIRST SESSION WITH THE QS6............................................................. 11
Powering Up...................................................................................................................11
Playing the Demo Sequences...........................................................................11
What’s a Program? ........................................................................................................12
What’s a Mix? ................................................................................................................12
What’s a Bank?..............................................................................................................12
About Sound Groups......................................................................................................13
Playing the QS6 .............................................................................................................13
Program Mode and Mix Mode...........................................................................13
Auditioning Internal Programs...........................................................................14
Selecting Program Banks..................................................................................14
Selecting the MIDI Channel ..............................................................................15
Realtime Performance Functions......................................................................15
The Controller A Slider......................................................................................16
Auditioning Mix Play Mode................................................................................17
Selecting Mix Banks..........................................................................................17
Choosing Programs in a Mix.............................................................................18
Storing an Edited Mix........................................................................................19
Enabling General MIDI Mode.........................................................................................19
Using the Sound Card Slot.............................................................................................20
A Word About Sound Bridge..........................................................................................20
3: CONNECTIONS ................................................................................................ 21
Basic MIDI Hookup ........................................................................................................21
Thru Mode......................................................................................................................21
Example 1: Master Controller for Live Use ....................................................................22
Example 2: Using an External Sequencer .....................................................................23
About the Keyboard Mode ................................................................................23
Example 3: Using a Computer .......................................................................................24
Pedal and Footswitch Hookup .......................................................................................24
4: OVERVIEW ...................................................................................................... 25
Basic Architecture ..........................................................................................................25
QS6 Polyphony ..............................................................................................................25
Modes ............................................................................................................................26
Program Play Mode...........................................................................................26
Mix Play Mode ..................................................................................................26
Program Edit Mode ...........................................................................................26
Mix Edit Mode....................................................................................................27
Effects Edit Mode..............................................................................................27
Global Edit Mode ..............................................................................................27
Store Mode .......................................................................................................27
Compare Mode .................................................................................................27
The User Interface: Display, Functions, Pages, and Parameters ..................................28
About the Display..............................................................................................28
Page Buttons.....................................................................................................30
Editing Values ...................................................................................................30
Resetting a Parameter Value............................................................................30

Table of Contents
4QS6 Reference Manual
Parameter Editing Overview..............................................................................30
Selecting Functions and Parameters ................................................................30
Comparing Edited and Stored Versions.........................................................................32
Preset Memory and User Memory .................................................................................32
Storing............................................................................................................................33
Store a Program or Mix.....................................................................................33
Copying Sounds Between Programs ................................................................34
Copying Effects Between Programs .................................................................34
To Audition Programs Before Storing................................................................36
5: EDITING MIXES ............................................................................................... 39
What is a Mix? ...............................................................................................................39
Program Assign for each MIDI Channel.........................................................................39
Mix Edit Mode ................................................................................................................39
Understanding the Edit Buffers......................................................................................40
Level Setting for Each Program .....................................................................................41
Pitch ...............................................................................................................................42
Effect..............................................................................................................................42
Keyboard/MIDI ...............................................................................................................42
Controllers......................................................................................................................43
Transmitting MIDI Volume and Panning............................................................43
Setting the Range and MIDI Switches ...........................................................................44
Naming a Mix.................................................................................................................44
Polyphony in Mix Play Mode..........................................................................................45
Using the QS6 as a Master Keyboard ...........................................................................45
Setting the MIDI Out Channels for a Mix in Global Mode ..............................................45
6: EDITING PROGRAMS ....................................................................................... 47
Overview ........................................................................................................................47
The “Normalized” Synth Voice .......................................................................................47
How the QuadraSynth Generates Sound ......................................................................48
Program Sound Layers ..................................................................................................48
QS6 Signal Flow.............................................................................................................49
The Four Sounds of a Program.........................................................................49
Voice.................................................................................................................50
Lowpass Filter...................................................................................................50
Amp...................................................................................................................51
About Modulation ...........................................................................................................51
LFO (Low Frequency Oscillator) .......................................................................52
Envelopes .........................................................................................................52
About Signal Processing ................................................................................................52
Drum Mode ....................................................................................................................53
Program Edit Functions..................................................................................................54
Voice.................................................................................................................54
Level ..................................................................................................................57
Pitch ..................................................................................................................58
Filter ..................................................................................................................60
Amp/Range .......................................................................................................62
Pitch Envelope ..................................................................................................65
Filter Envelope ..................................................................................................68
Amp Envelope...................................................................................................70
Name ................................................................................................................72
Mod 1-Mod 6 .....................................................................................................73
Pitch LFO ..........................................................................................................76
Filter LFO ..........................................................................................................78
Amp LFO...........................................................................................................79
Tracking Generator ...........................................................................................80
Programming Drum Sounds...........................................................................................82
Voice.................................................................................................................82

Table of Contents
QS6 Reference Manual 5
Level ..................................................................................................................83
Pitch ..................................................................................................................83
Filter ..................................................................................................................83
Amp/Range .......................................................................................................83
Amp Envelope...................................................................................................83
Copying Sounds.............................................................................................................85
Copying Effects..............................................................................................................85
Initializing Programs.......................................................................................................86
7: EDITING EFFECTS ........................................................................................... 87
About Signal Processing ................................................................................................87
Selecting an Effects Patch in Mix Mode.........................................................................88
Setting Effects Send Levels ...........................................................................................88
Clip.................................................................................................................................88
Editing Effects ................................................................................................................89
Navigating .........................................................................................................89
Storing Effect Patches In Program Mode.......................................................................90
Storing Effect Patches in Mix Mode ...............................................................................90
Copying Effect Patches..................................................................................................90
Configurations................................................................................................................91
EQ ..................................................................................................................................98
Mod ................................................................................................................................98
Lezlie..............................................................................................................................100
Pitch ...............................................................................................................................101
Delay ..............................................................................................................................105
Reverb............................................................................................................................106
Input Levels.......................................................................................................106
Overdrive........................................................................................................................111
Mix .................................................................................................................................112
8: GLOBAL SETTINGS .......................................................................................... 113
Editing Global Parameters .............................................................................................113
Master Pitch ...................................................................................................................113
Master Tune...................................................................................................................113
Keyboard Curve .............................................................................................................113
Keyboard Scaling...........................................................................................................114
Keyboard Transpose......................................................................................................114
Keyboard Mode..............................................................................................................114
General MIDI..................................................................................................................115
Enabling General MIDI Mode via MIDI..............................................................115
Controllers A – D............................................................................................................115
Pedals 1 and 2 ...............................................................................................................115
Using a Pedal to Control Volume or Modulation ...............................................115
MIDI Program Select......................................................................................................116
Receiving / Transmitting Bank Change Message .............................................116
Input/Output ...................................................................................................................117
MIDI Out.........................................................................................................................117
9: MIDI TRANSFER AND STORAGE OPERATIONS ................................................. 119
Saving the User Bank to an External Card ....................................................................119
Loading a Bank from an External Card..........................................................................119
Storing an Individual Program or Mix to an External Card.............................................120
Loading an Individual Program or Mix from an External Card .......................................120
Card Storage RAMifications..............................................................................121
Saving Programs via MIDI Sys Ex.................................................................................121
APPENDIX A: TROUBLE-SHOOTING...................................................................... 123
Trouble-Shooting Index..................................................................................................123
Re-initializing..................................................................................................................123
Checking Software Version............................................................................................123

Table of Contents
6QS6 Reference Manual
Maintenance/Service......................................................................................................124
Cleaning............................................................................................................124
Maintenance......................................................................................................124
Obtaining Repair Service ..................................................................................124
APPENDIX B: MIDI SUPPLEMENT ........................................................................ 127
MIDI Basics....................................................................................................................127
MIDI Hardware...............................................................................................................127
MIDI Message Basics ....................................................................................................128
Channel Messages: Mode Messages...............................................................128
Channel Messages: Voice Messages...............................................................128
System Common Messages.............................................................................130
General MIDI..................................................................................................................130
MIDI Implementation Chart ............................................................................................132
APPENDIX C: PARAMETERS INDEX ...................................................................... 133
Program Edit Parameters ..............................................................................................133
Mix Edit Parameters.......................................................................................................135
INDEX ............................................................................................................... 137

Setting Up: Chapter 1
QS6 Reference Manual 7
CHAPTER 1
SETTING UP
UNPACKING AND INSPECTION
Your QS6 was packed carefully at the factory. 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 QS6 for servicing.
The shipping carton should contain the following items:
• QS6 with the same serial number as shown on shipping carton
• Sustain pedal
• AC Power Supply Adapter
• Computer CD-ROM containing software
• This instruction manual, plus lists of Mixes and Programs, and Quick Start guide
• Alesis warranty card
J
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.
AC POWER HOOKUP
The QS6 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 QS6 off, plug the small end of
the power adapter cord into the QS6’s [AC] socket and the male (plug) end into a
source of AC power. It’s good practice to not turn the QS6 on until all other cables are
hooked up.
J
Alesis cannot be responsible for problems caused by using the QS6 or any
associated equipment with improper AC wiring.
LINE CONDITIONERS AND PROTECTORS
Although the QS6 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.

Chapter 1: Setting Up
8QS6 Reference Manual
9 VAC
Stereo Amp
Stereo Headphones
AC Receptacle
1/4" Audio Cables
MIDI
INOUT LEFT RIGHT
OUTPUTFOOT PEDAL
POWER
ON/OFF
Expression Pedal
Pedal Switch
PEDAL 1 SUSTAIN
ABOUT AUDIO CABLES
The connections between the QS6 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 QS6 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 (such as the QS6’s Power Supply), monitors, computers, etc.
• 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.
• Never unplug a cable by pulling on the wire itself. Always unplug by firmly
grasping the body of the plug and pulling directly outward.

Setting Up: Chapter 1
QS6 Reference Manual 9
• 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.
BASIC AUDIO HOOKUP
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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.
Because the QS6 includes extensive signal processing as well as a full complement
of sounds, you can make great sounds with nothing more than an amplifier or a set of
headphones.
The QS6 has two Main outputs, plus a stereo headphones output. These can provide
an amplification system or mixer with two different audio hookup options:
• Mono. Connect a mono cord from the [RIGHT] OUTPUT jack to a mono
amplification system or individual mixer input.
• Stereo. Connect two mono cords from the [LEFT] and [RIGHT] OUTPUT jacks to
a stereo amplification system or two mixer inputs.
• Stereo Headphones. Plug a set of high-quality stereo headphones into the
headphones [ ] jack on the rear panel.