ALESIS QSR Reference Manual Introduction Thank you for purchasing the Alesis QSR 64 Voice Expandable Synthesizer Module. To take full advantage of the QSR'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 QSR. To get the most out of your QSR, 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. This section provides a brief tour of the QSR, shows you how to audition the various sounds of the QSR, 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 QSR, 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 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 QSR, using all capital letters and in brackets (Example: [PROG] button, [ CURSOR] and [CURSOR ] buttons, [VALUE] knob, etc.). L L 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 QSR. MacTM, MacOSTM and MacintoshTM are registered trademarks of Apple Corporation. QSR Reference Manual 1 Table of Contents CONTENTS 1: Setting Up.....................................................................................7 Unpacking and Inspection ............................................................................................................ 7 AC Power ......................................................................................................................................... 7 Line Conditioners and Protectors ................................................................................. 7 Basic Audio Hookup ...................................................................................................................... 8 About Audio Cables ....................................................................................................................... 9 2: Your First Session .......................................................................11 Powering Up .................................................................................................................................... 11 Playing the Demo Sequences......................................................................................... 11 What's a Program?.......................................................................................................................... 11 What's a Mix? .................................................................................................................................. 12 What's a Bank?................................................................................................................................. 12 About Sound Groups ...................................................................................................... 13 Playing the QSR............................................................................................................................... 13 Program Mode and Mix Mode...................................................................................... 13 Auditioning Internal Programs..................................................................................... 14 Selecting Program Banks ................................................................................................ 14 Selecting the MIDI Channel in Program Mode .......................................................... 14 Realtime Performance Functions .................................................................................. 15 Auditioning Mix Play Mode .......................................................................................... 16 Selecting Mix Banks......................................................................................................... 16 Choosing Programs in a Mix ......................................................................................... 17 Storing an Edited Mix ..................................................................................................... 18 Enabling General MIDI Mode ...................................................................................................... 18 Using the PCMCIA Expansion Card Slots ................................................................................. 19 A Word About the QS CD-ROM.................................................................................................. 20 Sound BridgeTM ................................................................................................................. 20 3: Connections ..................................................................................21 Basic MIDI Hookup ........................................................................................................................ 21 Using an External Sequencer ........................................................................................................ 22 Using a Computer........................................................................................................................... 23 IBM® PCs and compatibles............................................................................................ 24 MacintoshTM ....................................................................................................................... 24 Digital Audio/Optical Hookup ................................................................................................... 25 Recording Digital Audio ................................................................................................ 25 48 KHz In.......................................................................................................................................... 26 4: Overview ......................................................................................27 Basic Architecture ........................................................................................................................... 27 QS Polyphony.................................................................................................................................. 27 Modes................................................................................................................................................ 28 Program Play Mode......................................................................................................... 28 Mix Play Mode ................................................................................................................. 28 Program Edit Mode ......................................................................................................... 28 Mix Edit Mode.................................................................................................................. 29 Effects Edit Mode ............................................................................................................. 29 Global Edit Mode ............................................................................................................. 29 Store Mode ........................................................................................................................ 29 Compare Mode................................................................................................................. 29 The User Interface: Display, Functions, Pages and Parameters............................................. 30 About the Display............................................................................................................ 30 QSR Reference Manual 3 Table of Contents MIDI CH Buttons ............................................................................................................. 32 Editing Values .................................................................................................................. 32 Parameter Editing Overview ......................................................................................... 32 Comparing Edited and Stored Versions..................................................................................... 33 Preset Memory and User Memory .............................................................................................. 33 Storing ............................................................................................................................................... 34 Store a Program or Mix................................................................................................... 34 To Audition Programs Before Storing ......................................................................... 35 Copying Sounds Between Programs............................................................................ 37 Copying Effects Between Programs ............................................................................. 37 Initializing the Program/Mix Buffers ......................................................................................... 38 Initializing Sounds........................................................................................................... 38 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 Playing a Group of Channels in a Mix........................................................................................ 45 6: Editing Programs ........................................................................47 Overview .......................................................................................................................................... 47 The "Normalized" Synth Voice.................................................................................................... 47 How the QSR Generates Sound ................................................................................................... 48 Program Sound Layers ................................................................ ...