Fusion Reference Manual This page intentionally left blank Table Of Contents Introduction ........................................................5 Welcome! .......................................................................... 5 Unpacking and Inspection .......................................... 6 How to Use This Manual .............................................. 6 Main Features ................................................................. 7 The Fusion's Synthesis Engine.............................................................8 Eight Channel Hard Disk Recorder ....................................................10 Sampling Capability................................................................................10 Chapter 1: Fusion Hardware ...........................11 Center Section.........................................................................................11 Performance Panel Description ...........................................................12 Audio Hookup Diagram: ......................................................................14 MIDI Hookup: .......................................................................................17 Computer/USB Hookup: .....................................................................18 Powering the Fusion ..............................................................................19 Factory Reset...........................................................................................20 Chapter 2: Fusion Basics ..................................21 Fusion 101: The Basics.................................................. 21 What is a Program? ................................................................................21 What is a Mix?.........................................................................................21 What is a Song?.......................................................................................21 What is a Sampler? .................................................................................21 Fusion Architecture................................................................................22 Getting Around on the Fusion .................................... 23 The Mode Buttons .................................................................................23 Navigating The Fusion's Menus...........................................................25 Useful Navigation Shortcuts.................................................................28 Storing Your Work ......................................................... 31 Storing Programs, Mixes, Songs, and Multisamples..........................31 The Clipboard .........................................................................................34 Connecting to a Computer via USB....................................................36 Chapter 3: Fusion Modes ..................................37 Program Mode ................................................................ 37 Setting Overall Program Parameters ...................................................37 Synthesis Type: Sample Playback .........................................................45 Synthesis Type: Drum............................................................................52 Synthesis Type: Analog..........................................................................63 Synthesis Type: FM ................................................................................70 Synthesis Type: Reed Model .................................................................77 Synthesis Type: Wind Model ................................................................81 Program Utility Page..............................................................................85 Filters........................................................................................................87 Envelopes ................................................................................................89 Low Frequency Oscillators (LFOs).....................................................95 Mix Mode.......................................................................... 99 Setting Overall Mix Parameters............................................................100 Setting Individual Part Parameters.......................................................103 Mix Utility Page ......................................................................................113 1 Table Of Contents Song Mode ....................................................................... 115 Setting Overall Song Parameters..........................................................116 Setting Track Parameters .......................................................................123 Editing Song Tracks ...............................................................................135 Track Editing Filters ..............................................................................145 Processing Synth and Audio Tracks ....................................................147 Song Utility Page ....................................................................................167 Sampler Mode ................................................................. 171 Setting Overall Sample Settings............................................................172 Setting Individual Zone Settings ..........................................................173 Capturing Samples..................................................................................179 Editing and Processing Samples ..........................................................186 Sampler Utility Page ...............................................................................189 Mixer Mode...................................................................... 190 Mixer Mode .............................................................................................190 Using the Mixer ......................................................................................190 Global Mode .................................................................... 193 Global Workstation Settings .................................................................193 Global MIDI Settings ............................................................................196 Global Controller Settings: ...................................................................198 Metronome Settings...............................................................................200 Multitrack Audio Input Settings...........................................................202 Other Global Settings (USB & User Interface).................................203 The Item Explorer .................................................................................204 The Media Explorer:..............................................................................208 Operating System Information ............................................................209 Upgrading your Operating System ......................................................210 System CPU Usage.................................................................................211 Setting the Date and Time ....................................................................212 Chapter 4: Common Features ..........................213 The Arpeggiator ............................................................. 213 Configuring Your Arpeggiation Patterns............................................215 Recording Arpeggiation Patterns.........................................................227 Processing Your Recorded Arpeggiations..........................................230 Editing your Arpeggiation Patterns.....................................................232 The Modulation Matrix ................................................ 236 Creating and Deleting Modulation Routes.........................................237 Editing Your Modulation Routes.........................................................239 Effects ............................................................................... 249 Master EQ ...............................................................................................249 Insert Effects...........................................................................................252 Bus Effects ..............................................................................................255 Creating and Deleting Effects Modulation Routes...........................259 Editing Your Effects Modulation Routes...........................................260 Output Block Diagram..........................................................................262 2 Table Of Contents Appendix A: Effects and Implementation ....263 Master EQ Effects Parameters.............................................................263 Insert Effects Parameters......................................................................264 Bus Effects Parameters..........................................................................273 MIDI Implementation Chart (Synthesizer)........................................283 MIDI Implementation Chart (Sequencer)..........................................284 Appendix B: Frequently Asked Questions....285 Appendix C: Troubleshooting..........................287 Index......................................................................289 Specifications ......................................................291 Sound Engine..........................................................................................291 Sampling Inputs......................................................................................291 Multitrack Inputs ....................................................................................291 Audio Output..........................................................................................292 Physical.....................................................................................................292 Legal Information: .................................................................................293 3 Table Of Contents This page intentionally left blank 4 Introduction Welcome! Thanks for purchasing the Fusion digital audio workstation! The Fusion one of the most powerful and full-featured products we've ever built, and we're sure you'll love using it! You could say Alesis knows a few things about synthesis. We have a 15year long track record of creating some of the most powerful and wellregarded keyboards in the world. We've used everything we learned in the past while keeping our eyes open to future possibilities in order to make the Fusion the best workstation you've ever used. We hope the Fusion will be remembered as the next great Alesis keyboard. Be sure to register your Fusion at our website (www.alesis.com) so we can give you the best possible service. And since the Fusion's operating system is upgradeable, check the site once in a while for late breaking news. Future versions of the operating system will include things like new features requested by our users as well as improvements to existing features. Also, you might want to check for new program banks and sounds every once in a while. We hope your investment will bring you many years of creative enjoyment and help you achieve your musical goals. Sincerely, The People of Alesis 5 Introduction Unpacking and Inspection The shipping carton for your Fusion should contain the following items: · · · · · · A Fusion 6HD or 8HD workstation AC power cable This Reference manual A Quickstart guide Important Safety and Warranty Information A registration reminder card Please log on to the Alesis website at www.alesis.com to register your new Fusion synthesizer. This will help us give you the best support we possibly can. How to Use This Manual We're sure you'd like to jump in and start using your Fusion quickly. To help you do this, check out the Fusion's Quickstart guide. The Quickstart guide is a separate manual that should have everything you need to start playing quickly. Once you're ready for more in-depth information, this reference manual is for you. This manual will describe the workings of every single feature and parameter on the Fusion and you should be able to find answers to all of your Fusion questions here. We've also compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions at the end of this manual that should address many of your troubleshooting questions. Please check the FAQ before contacting our technical support staff as that will save time and energy for both you and our friendly support staff. Helpful tips and advice are highlighted in a shaded box like this. When something important appears in the manual, an exclamation mark (like the one shown at left) will appear with some explanatory text. 6 Introduction Main Features Your Fusion workstation is packed with features to help you make better music. Let's take a quick look at thes ...