User manual ALESIS QS S4

[. . . ] ALESIS QuadraSynth S4 QuadraSynth Reference Manual Introduction Thank you for purchasing the Alesis QuadraSynth 64 Voice / 76 Key Master Keyboard or S4 QuadraSynth 64 Voice Sound Module. To take full advantage of the QuadraSynths functions, and to enjoy long and trouble-free use, please read this users manual carefully. How To Use This Manual This manual is divided into the following sections describing the various modes of the QuadraSynth. Though we recommend you take time to read through the entire manual once carefully, those having general knowledge about synthesizers should use the table of contents and index to reference specific functions while using the instrument. Deals with the necessary preparation before playing, including connections to external devices. [. . . ] The leftmost wheel, Pitch, always controls the oscillator pitch but can be tied to other parameters as well. Modulation Wheel The rightmost wheel, Modulation, is traditionally assigned to LFO amount (level) so that rotating the wheel away from you introduces vibrato. However it is also well-suited to controlling timbre, vibrato speed, and many other parameters. MIDI Volume MIDI can produce a variety of controller messages (see the MIDI supplement in the back of this manual). Of these, controller #7, which controls channel volume, is one of the most frequently used. Example: Assign the filter cutoff as the destination, and you can have the signal become less bright as it becomes lower in volume. Sustain Pedal The sustain switch plugged into the sustain pedal jack provides this modulation signal. Pedal 1 The pedal plugged into the Pedal 1 jack provides this modulation signal. Pedal 2 The pedal plugged into the Pedal 2 jack provides this modulation signal. Pitch LFO This is the same modulation signal provided by the Pitch LFO. The Frequency LFO and Amplitude LFO can also be selected as modulation sources. Pitch Envelope This is the same modulation signal provided by the Pitch Envelope. The Frequency Envelope and Amplitude Envelope can also be selected as modulation sources. Random This provides a different modulation value every time you hit a key. Example: With vintage analog synth patches, use pitch as the destination and apply a very slight amount of random modulation. Each note will have a slightly different pitch, which simulates the natural tuning instability of analog circuits. Trigrate This is a Trigger Rate Follower, which monitors how fast notes are being played on the keyboard. For example, if routed to the Effect send of a Program, you could automatically have more effect when playing slowly, and less effect when playing quickly. QuadraSynth Reference Manual 69 Editing Programs MIDI continuous controllers (A, B, C, D) Four incoming MIDI controllers can be recognized by the QuadraSynth and used as modulation sources. These controllers are assigned as A, B, C and D within Global Mode (see Chapter 8). Tracking Generator This accepts the output of a signal processed by the Tracking Generator module (see page 81). Modulation Destination Quad Knob [2] selects one of several modulation destinations. You can find out more about these parameters and how they affect the sound in their respective sections (e. g. , to find out how Pitch Envelope Attack affects the sound, see page 74 on Pitch Envelopes). Pitch Amplitude Pitch LFO Speed Pitch LFO Delay Pitch Envelope Attack Pitch Envelope Sustain Decay Pitch Envelope Amp Filter LFO Amp Filter Envelope Delay Filter Envelope Decay Filter Envelope Release Amplitude LFO Speed Amplitude LFO Delay Amplitude Envelope Attack Amplitude Envelope Sustain Decay Amplitude Envelope Amp Filter Cutoff Effect Send Pitch LFO Amp Pitch Envelope Delay Pitch Envelope Decay Pitch Envelope Release Filter LFO Speed Filter LFO Delay Filter Envelope Attack Filter Envelope Sustain Decay Filter Envelope Amp Amplitude LFO Amp Amplitude Envelope Delay Amplitude Envelope Decay Amplitude Envelope Release Portamento Rate Modulation Level (-99 to +99) At +00, the modulation source has no effect on the destination. [. . . ] Corresponds to dynamics; values range from 001 (minimum velocity) to 127 (maximum velocity). Mono pressure (Aftertouch) represents the average amount of pressure applied by all keys. Sending a Program Change command from a sequencer or other MIDI keyboard can change synth patches automatically. Some number them as 000-127, others as 001-128, and still others arrange programs in banks of 8 programs (such as A1-A8, B1-B8, C1-C8, etc. ). [. . . ]