ALESIS Q20 User Manual Introduction Thank you for purchasing the Alesis Q20 Professional 20-Bit Master Effects Processor. To take full advantage of of the Q20Õs fuctions, and to enjoy long and trouble free use, please read this userÕs manual carefully. How To Use This Manual This manual is divided into the following sections describing the various modes of the Q20. 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 and index to reference specific functions while using this device. If you are planning to use the digital I/O, read Chapter 7 carefully. Chapter 1: Setting Up. Deals with the necessary preparation before using, including connections to other components, such as instruments, mixing consoles, and multitrack recorders, as well as digital connections to ADAT. Chapter 2: Your First Session with the Q20. A basic introduction to getting the unit up and running, auditioning the factory Programs, adjusting levels, comparing and storing edited Programs. Chapter 3: Overview. A detailed look at the signal processing capabilities of the Q20, the concepts of multi-effect programming, and a description of the many available effects. Chapter 4: Making Your Own Programs. A guided tour for programming typical single and multi-effect applications. Chapter 5: Description of Controls. A ÒdictionaryÓ of all parameters, buttons and connectors, including Global and MIDI mode parameters. Chapter 6: Advanced Applications. Advanced uses of the Q20, such as MIDI functions, Modulation, Local Generators, footswitches and using Òtap tempoÓ to control delay times. Chapter 7: Digital Connections. How to use the Q20Õs digital ins and outs in an alldigital studio. Chapter 8: Troubleshooting. Contains the Troubleshooting Index, maintenance and service information, and MIDI implementation chart. Conventions The buttons, knobs, and rear panel connectors are referred to in this manual just as their names appear on the Q20, using all capital letters and in brackets (Examples: [PROGRAM] button, [< BLOCK] button, [VALUE/ENTER] knob/button, [DIGITAL IN] connector, etc.). 7 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 Q20. Q20 Reference Manual 1 2 Q20 Reference Manual Contents CONTENTS 1: Setting Up ................................................................................ 7 Unpacking and Inspection.......................................................................................7 AC Power Hookup..................................................................................................7 Line Conditioners and Protectors.................................................................7 Audio Connections..................................................................................................8 Typical Applications.................................................................................8 Interfacing Directly with Instruments .........................................................9 Interfacing to a Mixing Console...................................................................10 When to use Balanced Connectors................................................................15 Avoiding Ground Loops...............................................................................15 MIDI .....................................................................................................................16 Digital Connections................................................................................................16 Footswitches..........................................................................................................17 Advance ....................................................................................................17 Bypass.......................................................................................................17 Tap Tempo .................................................................................................18 2: Your First Session With The Q20 .......................................... 19 Powering Up ..........................................................................................................19 Setting Levels........................................................................................................19 The Value/Enter Knob............................................................................................20 Adjusting the Display Contrast ..................................................................20 Auditioning Internal Programs................................................................................21 Switching Between Preset and User Banks ..................................................21 Example Programs..................................................................................................22 96: ÒVerbOfMyDreamsÓ .............................................................................22 97: ÒGuitar Rack Ó.....................................................................................22 98: ÒStereo PlatesÓ .....................................................................................22 Adjusting Effects Levels..........................................................................................23 Comparing an Edited Program to its Original Settings .............................................24 Restoring an Edited Program to its Original Settings ...............................................24 Storing Edited Programs .........................................................................................25 Auditioning Programs before Storing...........................................................25 Bypassing Effects...................................................................................................26 Global Direct Signal Muting ...................................................................................26 3: Overview .................................................................................. 27 The Architecture of the Q20 ...................................................................................27 What is a Block? .......................................................................................27 Selecting and Editing Blocks.......................................................................27 Routing ÒPatch CordsÓ Between Blocks .......................................................28 Quick Route ...............................................................................................29 Setting the Routing Levels..........................................................................29 The L/R IN................................................................................................30 Reaching the Outputs - L/R OUT ................................................................30 Limit Handling......................................................................................................30 Equalization ..........................................................................................................32 Filters .......................................................................................................32 Shelving EQs .............................................................................................33 Single Band EQs.........................................................................................33 Q20 Reference Manual 3 Contents Multiband EQs ...........................................................................................34 5 Band Graphic EQ.....................................................................................34 Resonator...................................................................................................35 Mono/Stereo Tremolo .................................................................................35 Stereo Simulator........................................................................................35 Overdrive..................................................................................................36 Triggered Panning with Doppler.................................................................37 Phase Inverter ...........................................................................................38 Pitch Effects ..........................................................................................................39 Mono Chorus ..............................................................................................39 Stereo Chorus.............................................................................................39 Quad Chorus ..............................................................................................40 Mono Flanging............................................................................................40 Stereo Flanging..........................................................................................41 Phasor.......................................................................................................41 Mono/Stereo Lezlie Cabinet .......................................................................41 Pitch Shifter .............................................................................................42 Pitch Detune..............................................................................................42 Ring Modulator ..........................................................................................42 Triggered Flanging .....................................................................................42 Delay....................................................................................................................44 Mono Delay and Stereo Delay ....................................................................44 Ping Pong Delay.........................................................................................44 Multi Tap Delay........................................................................................44 Tap Tempo Mono Delay and Ping Pong.........................................................44 Sampling ...................................................................................................45 Reverberation ........................................................................................................49 Mono Room.................................................................................................49 Room 1.......................................................................................................49 Hall 1........................................................................................................49 Plate 1.......................................................................................................49 Chamber 1 .................................................................................................49 Room 2.......................................................................................................49 Hall 2........................................................................................................49 Plate 2.......................................................................................................50 Chamber 2 .................................................................................................50 Large Plate ................................................................................................50 Large Room ................................................................................................50 Spring........................................................................................................50 Nonlinear ..................................................................................................50 Reverse......................................................................................................50 Reverb Parameters.................................................................................................51 Decay........................................................................................................51 Damping Ð Hi & Lo ....................................................................................51 Reverb Density ..........................................................................................51 Diffusion ...................................................................................................51 Input High Frequency Roll Off....................................................................52 Predelay....................................................................................................52 Predelay Mix ......................... ...