Alesis Quadra Synth 6 User Manual
ALESIS
QS6
Reference Manual
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.
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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 (
[CONTROLLER A] slider, etc.).
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.
Example:
[PROGRAM] button, [▲ PAGE] and [PAGE▲] buttons,
QS6 Reference Manual 1
2 QS6 Reference Manual
Table of Contents
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
QS6 Reference Manual 3
Table of Contents
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
4 QS6 Reference Manual
Table of Contents
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
QS6 Reference Manual 5
Table of Contents
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
6 QS6 Reference Manual
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
It is important to register your purchase; if you have not already filled out your
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warranty card and mailed it back to Alesis, please take the time to do so now.
Setting Up: Chapter 1
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.
Alesis cannot be responsible for problems caused by using the QS6 or any
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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.
QS6 Reference Manual 7
Chapter 1: Setting Up
MIDI
INOUT LEFT RIGHT
Expression Pedal
PEDAL 1 SUSTAIN
Pedal Switch
OUTPUTFOOT PEDAL
1/4" Audio Cables
9 VAC
POWER
ON/OFF
AC Receptacle
Stereo Headphones
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.
Stereo Amp
8 QS6 Reference Manual
• 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
When connecting audio cables and/or turning power on and off, make sure that all
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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.
Setting Up: Chapter 1
QS6 Reference Manual 9
Chapter 1: Setting Up
10 QS6 Reference Manual
YOUR FIRST SESSION
POWERING UP
After making your connections, turn on the system’s power using this procedure:
¿ Before turning on the QS6’s power, check the following items:
• Have all connections been made correctly?
• Are the volume controls of the amplifier or mixer turned down?
• Is the volume of the QS6 turned down?
¡ Turn on the [POWER ON/OFF] switch on the QS6 rear panel.
Upon power-up, the QS6 will display the last selected Program or Mix. If this
Program/Mix has been edited, the display will indicate this by showing an “*” to
the left of the name of the Program or Mix.
Your First Session With The QS6: Chapter 2
CHAPTER 2
WITH THE QS6
VOLUME
¬ Press [PROGRAM] to select Program Play Mode.
The display should look something like this:
PROG PRESET1 ºº
GrandPiano Ch01
÷ Raise the QS6’s master [VOLUME] slider to maximum.
The best signal-to-noise ratio is achieved when
ƒ Turn on the power of the amplifier/mixer, and adjust the volume.
[VOLUME]
is set to maximum.
PLAYING THE DEMO SEQUENCES
The QS6 has built-in demo sequences which demonstrate the wide variety of sounds
this amazing instrument is capable of generating. In order to get the full effect of the
demo, we recommend that you connect both the [LEFT] and [RIGHT] outputs to your
sound system, or listen on headphones.
To play the demo sequence:
¿ Hold the [MIX] button, and press [GLOBAL].
The display will read:
PLAYING DEMO....
<MIX>=STOP
¡ Press [MIX] to stop the demo.
There will be no MIDI out messages during the demo, and the keyboard will be
disabled.
QS6 Reference Manual 11
Chapter 2: Your First Session With The QS6
WHAT’S A PROGRAM?
A
Program
instrument or sound effect, such as a piano or synthesizer or drum set. A QS6
Program is made up of hundreds of parameters which, when set to specific values,
create a specific type of sound. This setup of parameters can be stored so that you
can get back to it instantly at the touch of a button. When you select a Program, all of
its parameter settings are recalled to recreate the original sound.
The QS6 provides 640 internal Programs, divided into 5 Banks of 128 Programs
each. More Programs can be added by inserting a Sound Card into the Sound Card
slot on the rear panel of the QS6. Each Bank is broken down into 12 Groups of 10
Programs each, plus a 13th Group with 8 Programs. These group together similar
sounding Programs, such as pianos [00], guitars [30], bass [40] and drums [120].
A Program may have from 1 to 4 different sounds which can be combined in a variety
of ways to create the overall sound of the instrument the Program is intended to
emulate. These four sounds can be layered on top of one another, or split up into
different sections of the keyboard. You can even have different sounds played
depending on how hard you play the keyboard (this is known as velocity).
is a stored configuration of parameters which emulates the sound of an
WHAT’S A MIX?
A
Mix
is a combination of 1 to 16 Programs. These Programs can be combined in
many ways. The most common is
which means that for each MIDI channel the QS6 receives (up to 16), a different
Program may be selected, thus creating anything from a small pop/rock ensemble to
a complete orchestra. Another way of using a Mix is by layering two or more
Programs together, so that they play simultaneously from the keyboard. You can also
create a
is at the top half; you can even have these Programs overlap in the middle.
split
, where one Program is in the lower half of the keyboard, while another
multi-timbral
when connected to a MIDI sequencer,
WHAT'S A BANK?
A Bank is a collection of 128 Programs and 100 Mixes. There are at least five banks
available at any time, with more added if a card is in the Sound Card slot. The
current bank is shown on the top line of the display:
PRESET1
PRESET2
PRESET3
GenMIDI
USER
and optionally CARD 1, CARD 2, etc.
Each bank contains its own unique Programs and Mixes. Program 10 in Preset 1 is
different from Program 10 in Preset 3, although they are usually related sounds. A
Mix may contain Programs from any bank.
The [▲ BANK] and [BANK▲] buttons change the current bank from the top panel,
and MIDI Bank Select commands may also be used to select any of the 640
Programs on board, or additional card programs.
Preset and General MIDI banks are permanently "burned in" at the factory. User
banks, and Card banks from an SRAM card, may be changed by the user. If you edit
a Preset Program or Mix, it can be saved to a User or SRAM card bank only.
12 QS6 Reference Manual
ABOUT SOUND GROUPS
Presets 1-3 and the User bank follow the program group organization of the buttons
on the top panel (programs 0-9 are pianos, 50-59 are basses, and so on). The
GenMIDI bank does not follow that arrangement; it follows the program list of the
General MIDI standard. Programs on some sound cards may not follow that
arrangement either, depending on the card type.
PLAYING THE QS6
The QS6 is shipped from the factory with 5 Banks of 128 Preset Programs (sounds)
each. Additionally, there are 100 Mixes in each of the 5 Banks.
PROGRAM MODE AND MIX MODE
Your First Session With The QS6: Chapter 2
J
The QS6 is always in one of two modes:
auditioning Programs, you will be in Program Play Mode. When editing a Program,
you will use Program Edit Mode. When you are auditioning Mixes, you will be in Mix
Play Mode. When editing a Mix, you will use Mix Edit Mode.
If you ever get lost while programming the QS6, press either the
or the
[MIX]
button to get back to their respective Play Mode.
• Press the [PROGRAM] button to select Program Play Mode.
In Program Play Mode, the QS6 plays a single Program. The display will look
something like this:
Play Mode Bank Program Number
ØØ Ø
PROG PRESET1 ºº
GrandPiano Ch01
Program Name Current MIDI Channel
The current mode (PROG) is displayed in the top-left corner, followed by the current
Bank (PRESET1) and the current Program number (00). The Program’s name
(GrandPiano) appears on the lower line of the display and the current MIDI channel
appears to its right.
Program Mode
ππ
or
Mix Mode
[PROGRAM]
. When you are
button
• Press the [MIX] button to select Mix Play Mode.
In Mix Play Mode, the QS6 can combine up to 16 Programs for stacking sounds
together, splitting the keyboard into different regions, or working with a MIDI
sequencer. The display will look something like this:
Play Mode Bank Mix Number
ØØ Ø
MIX PRESET1 ºº
Piano&Pad ‹
ππ
Mix Name Active MIDI Channels
QS6 Reference Manual 13
Chapter 2: Your First Session With The QS6
The current mode (MIX) is displayed in the top-left corner, followed by the current
Bank (PRESET1) and the current Mix number (00). The Mix’s name (Piano&Pad)
appears on the lower line of the display and the active MIDI channels (1 and 2) are
shown at the bottom right. In a Mix that uses all 16 MIDI channels (such as the Mixes
found in the General MIDI Bank), the display would look something like this:
AUDITIONING INTERNAL PROGRAMS
¿ Press the [PROGRAM] button to select Program Play Mode.
You can now play the QS6 keyboard; the Program will be whatever was selected
when last in Program mode (Program number 00 –127).
¡ Select a Program using either of these methods:
• Use the Group buttons ([00/PIANO], [10/CHROMATIC], etc.) to select a
Program Group, then use the [0] – [9] buttons to select a Program within the
Group.
The selected Group determines the fensdigit of the selected Program’s
number. Example: Selecting the
60 through 69. Selecting the
100 through 109.
MIX GenMIDI ºº
GM Multi ´´´´
[60/BRASS]
[100/SYNTH 3]
Group lets you select Programs
Group lets you select Programs
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• Use the [s VALUE] and [VALUE t] buttons to step forwards and backwards
through all the Programs one at a time.
When in Program Play Mode and the
and
[9]
buttons will not function, since Programs only go from 00 to 127 .
[120/DRUMS/PERC]
Group is selected, the
SELECTING PROGRAM BANKS
The QS6 provides five internal Banks containing 128 Programs in each (and 100
Mixes each, but we’ll get to Mixes in a moment). The currently selected Bank will be
shown in the upper line of the display, just above the currently selected Program’s
name.
Current Bank
Ø
PROG PRESET1 ºº
GrandPiano Ch01
• Use the [▲ BANK] and [BANK▲] buttons to select a Bank (User, Preset 1 – 3,
GenMIDI).
User and Preset Banks are described in detail in Chapter 4.
SELECTING THE MIDI CHANNEL
While in Program Play Mode, the QS6 can transmit and receive information on any
single MIDI channel of the 16 available channels. The currently selected channel
appears in the bottom-right corner of the display.
[8]
PROG PRESET1 ºº
GrandPiano Ch01
π
14 QS6 Reference Manual
Your First Session With The QS6: Chapter 2
A
Current MIDI Channel
¿ Use the [
PAGE] and [PAGE▲] buttons to select a MIDI channel from 1 – 16.
▲
The display will change to indicate the currently selected MIDI channel.
REALTIME PERFORMANCE FUNCTIONS
The QS6 provides various ways to control the sound as you are playing. Try out
some of these functions while playing the keyboard. The sound of the effects can
also change by using these controllers. The effect of these realtime controllers varies
from Program to Program; in some they may not be active, and in others they may
have a dramatic effect.
• Velocity. The volume and tonal quality of the sound will change according to how
hard you play the keyboard.
• Aftertouch. The action of pressing a key down after playing it is called
“aftertouch” (it is also sometimes referred to as “Pressure” since it corresponds to
the amount of pressure being applied to the keyboard). Pitch, tone and volume
(among other things) can be changed using aftertouch.
• Pitch Bend Wheel. While playing a note, you can move the PITCH BEND
WHEEL up to raise the pitch, or down to lower the pitch. The amount of pitch
bend available can be different for each Program.
• Modulation Wheel. By raising the MODULATION WHEEL, you can add
expressive modulation effects (such as vibrato or tremolo) while you play. The
type of modulation effect can be different for each Program.
CONTROLLER
EDIT VALUE
• Controller A Slider. This is described below.
Further expressive control is available with a pedal switch (included) or expression
pedal (optional, see page 25). By connecting a pedal switch to the [SUSTAIN] jack on
the rear panel, you can have the sound sustain even after you release the keys. By
connecting an expression pedal to the [PEDAL 1] jack, you can use the pedal to
change the volume or tone (or some other quality such as reverb depth or vibrato
speed) of the sound, if the Program is edited to use the pedal(s).
THE CONTROLLER A SLIDER
To the right of the [VOLUME] slider is the [CONTROLLER A] slider. The
[CONTROLLER A] slider provides control over one or more parameters depending
on whether you are in a Play mode, or an Edit mode.
In Program Play Mode and Mix Play Mode, the [CONTROLLER A] slider acts as
Controller A. This Controller is defined in Global Edit Mode (Page 8) to transmit a
specific MIDI controller message. Many of the QS6’s internal Programs use
Controller A to provide control over one or more of its tonal aspects. When
auditioning Programs, move the [CONTROLLER A] slider up and down to find out
what effect it has; it will be different from Program to Program.
When in Program Edit Mode or Mix Edit Mode, the [CONTROLLER A]
slider is used to edit the parameters that appear in the display. The lower line of the
display will show the parameter’s name and current setting, which will have an
underline below it. At this point, you can now use the [CONTROLLER A] slider to
adjust the parameter’s setting; or use the [▲ VALUE] and [VALUE ▲] buttons to
raise or lower the parameter’s setting one step at a time.
QS6 Reference Manual 15
Chapter 2: Your First Session With The QS6
AUDITIONING MIX PLAY MODE
Mix Play Mode allows you to assign a Program to each of the 16 MIDI channels. This
makes it easy to create multitimbral setups for use with an external MIDI sequencer.
Additionally, a MIX can be used to “layer” sounds together, or “split” the keyboard in a
number of ways, or any combination of these. There are many different ways to
program a Mix. For more about Mix Play Mode, refer to Chapter 5. For more about
connecting the QS6 to a MIDI sequencer, see Chapter 3.
¿ Press the [MIX] button.
The display will change to Mix Play Mode.
¡ Select a Mix from 00–99 using one of these methods:
• Use the Group buttons ([00/PIANO], [10/CHROMATIC], [20/ORGAN], etc.) to
select a Mix Group, then use the [0] – [9] buttons to select a Mix within the
Group.
• Use the [s VALUE] and [VALUE t] buttons to step forwards and backwards
through all the Mixes one at a time.
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When in Mix Play Mode, the
[120/DRUMS/PERC]
buttons will not function, Mixes only go from 00 to 99.
[100/SYNTH 3], [110/RHYTHM/FX]
and
SELECTING MIX BANKS
The QS6 provides five internal Banks containing 100 Mixes in each. The currently
selected Bank will be shown in the display just to the left of the currently selected
Mix’s name.
Current Bank
Ø
MIX PRESET1 ºº
Piano&Pad ‹
• Use the [▲ BANK] and [BANK▲] buttons to select a Bank (User, Preset 1 – 3,
GenMIDI).
User and Preset Banks are described in detail in Chapter 4.
16 QS6 Reference Manual
Your First Session With The QS6: Chapter 2
CHOOSING PROGRAMS IN A MIX
In this section, we will choose Programs for the 16 channels in a Mix, for playing back
tracks from a MIDI sequencer. There are many other aspects of a Mix we may wish
to edit, however. Refer to Chapter 5 for more information about Mix editing.
You do not have to access Mix Edit Mode to select Programs for a Mix (i.e. you don’t
have to press the [EDIT SELECT] button). Instead, you simply use a two step
process:
A) Use the [▲ PAGE] and [PAGE▲] buttons to select one of the 16 channels in the
Mix.
B) Use a combination of the [▲ BANK] and [BANK▲] buttons, the [00] – [120]
buttons and the [0] – [9] buttons to choose a Program for the selected channel.
Here’s the process broken down into simpler steps:
¿ Press [MIX] and select Mix 000 from the GenMIDI Bank using one of the
methods described on page 16.
MIX GenMIDI ºº
GM Multi ´´´´
¡ Press [PAGE
The display will look like this:
The
[▲ PAGE]
in the Mix.
The actual channel number shown in the display will be whatever was last
selected. In the illustration above, channel 1 is shown. If the channel number in
your display is not “å”, press both
simultaneously to select channel 1.
¬ Use the [
].
▲
Channel Bank Program Number
ØØ Ø
CHå: GenMIDI ºº
GrandPiano ´´´´
π
Program Name
and
[PAGE▲]
BANK] and [BANK▲] buttons to select a Program Bank.
▲
buttons are used to select one of the 16 channels
[▲ PAGE]
and
[PAGE▲]
buttons
÷ Use the [00] – [120] buttons to select a Program Group.
Example: Press
[00]
for pianos,
[20]
for organs, etc.
ƒ Use the [0] – [9] buttons to select a Program.
ª Press [PAGE
If channel 1 had been selected, pressing
] to select to the next channel up.
▲
[PAGE▲]
will select channel 2.
D Repeat steps ¬ – ª as needed to select Programs for the remaining channels.
Changes you make to a Mix are temporary and will be lost if another Mix is selected.
J
QS6 Reference Manual 17
To make changes permanent, you must store the Mix into the User bank (see next
Chapter 2: Your First Session With The QS6
page).
18 QS6 Reference Manual
Your First Session With The QS6: Chapter 2
STORING AN EDITED MIX
Once you have made changes to a Mix, you will need to store the Mix into the User
Bank; that is, if you want to keep the changes you have made. The User Bank is
designed to hold up to 100 (00 – 99) of your custom-made Mixes. Whenever you
store an edited Mix, the User Bank is automatically selected. All you have to do is
select a Program location (00 – 127) within the User Bank to store the edited Mix into.
However, if an SRAM Sound Card is inserted into the Sound Card Slot on the rear
panel of the QS6, you may select any of the available Banks on the Sound Card to
save the edited Mix into.
¿ Press [STORE].
This selects Store Mode. The display will look like this:
SaveMix? (STORE)
to USER 12
· ·
(Mix Bank) (Mix Number)
The Mix Number will be the identical to the last Mix number selected.
¡
Optional:
on the Sound Card.
If a Sound Card is inserted, Use the [s VALUE] button to select a Bank
¬ Use the Group buttons ([00/PIANO], [10/CHROMATIC], [20/ORGAN], etc.) and
[0] – [9] buttons to select a Mix location (00 – 99) within the selected Bank.
The selected Bank and Mix number location will appear in the display.
÷ Press [STORE] to save the Mix into the selected location.
The Mix has now been stored, and the display will revert back to whatever was
shown before
[STORE]
was pressed the first time.
ENABLING GENERAL MIDI MODE
If you are using a General MIDI sequencer, and/or playing a sequence that is
programmed to take advantage of General MIDI, turn the “General MIDI” function in
the QuadraSynth on.
¿ Press [EDIT SELECT], then press [GLOBAL].
The display will now be in Global Edit Mode.
¡ Press [PAGE
This selects the General MIDI parameter in the display.
¬ Press the [s VALUE] button.
This turns on General MIDI mode, and automatically puts you into Mix Play Mode
with Mix 00 of Preset Bank 4 selected. This display should look like this:
] 6 times to advance to page 7.
▲
MIX GenMIDI ºº
GM Multi ´´´´
For more information about General MIDI, refer to the MIDI Supplement in Appendix
B.
USING THE SOUND CARD SLOT
QS6 Reference Manual 19
Chapter 2: Your First Session With The QS6
Your QS6 is an expandable system using the Sound Card slot on the back panel.
There are three different kinds of Sound Cards available through your Alesis dealer
or directly from Alesis:
SRAM cards: The Alesis Virtual Composer card provides an additional four banks of
Program/Mix memory. All banks can be stored to by the user, and it comes with
additional Programs and Mixes pre-stored.
QuadraCards: These read-only memory cards provide actual samples, plus the
Programs and Mixes that use them in a single card bank. Available QuadraCards
include an 8MB Stereo Grand Piano card, a Pop Rock card that includes high-quality
guitar, drum, bass, and keyboard sounds, a World/Ethnic card, a Classical card with
additional orchestral and string sounds, and a Rap/Techno/Dance card.
Flash RAM cards: If you want to burn your own custom sample cards, Flash RAM
cards are available in 2 MB, 4 MB, and 8MB sizes. Alesis Sound Bridge software will
translate from Sample Cell format to Alesis QS Composite Synthesis format, and
then you can write your own custom Programs and Mixes that use these samples.
A WORD ABOUT SOUND BRIDGE™
Included with the QS6 is a CD-ROM containing various useful software programs to
use with your QS6. Most of these programs are provided in both Macintosh™ and
IBM PC formats. Among the files contained on the CD-ROM is a software program
called Sound Bridge™.
Sound Bridge is a sound development utility which compiles custom samples from a
variety of sources into the QuadraSynth Voice format, and downloads the compiled
data to an Alesis PCMCIA Flash RAM Sound Card via MIDI Sysex to a QS6,
QuadraSynth Plus Piano or S4 Plus. Sound Bridge allows individuals and sound
developers to make their own Sound Cards, using whatever samples they want.
Sound Bridge makes this possible without having a PCMCIA card burner attached to
your computer. All you need is a QS6, QuadraSynth Plus Piano or S4 Plus.
Sound Bridge creates a QuadraSynth Voice (multi-sample) by loading Digidesign
Sample Cell I or Sample Cell II format Instrument files. Using this format, Sound
Bridge is able to determine key group and velocity group split points, root notes,
sample playback rates, tunings, start points, loop points, and loop tunings. Sound
Bridge can also create QuadraSynth Voices without Sample Cell Instruments by
loading single AIFF, Sound Designer, or Sound Designer II files.
Sound Bridge does NOT require Sample Cell hardware. The Sample Cell Instrument
file, or sample file, may be loaded directly into Sound Bridge from any disk (i.e. CDROM, floppy disk, hard disk, etc.). For example, a user may load data from a Sample
Cell CD-ROM, and send this data to the QuadraSynth PCMCIA Card, without ever
using Sample Cell!
The Sound Bridge folder on the CD-ROM contains the Sound Bridge application, and
an electronic manual which will give you all the information you need to know to run
Sound Bridge.
20 QS6 Reference Manual
CONNECTIONS
BASIC MIDI HOOKUP
MIDI is an internationally-accepted protocol that allows musical-related data to be
conveyed from one device to another. See the MIDI Supplement in Appendix B if you
are not familiar with how MIDI works.
The MIDI connections provide three different functions. To trigger the QS6 from a
MIDI control device (keyboard, drum pad, guitar or bass controller, sequencer, etc.),
connect the control device’s MIDI OUT to the QS6’s [MIDI IN].
Connections: Chapter 3
CHAPTER 3
MIDI
OUT
The [MIDI OUT] connector sends MIDI data from the QS6’s keyboard to other MIDI
devices, but can also send
storage device for later recall.
System Exclusive
data (see the MIDI supplement) to a
MIDI
IN
THRU MODE
The [MIDI OUT] connector can be switched to a “Thru” mode so that it carries a
replica (or echo) of the messages appearing at the QS6’s [MIDI IN], allowing you to
trigger other devices from the same controller which is feeding the QS6. Simply
connect the QS6 [MIDI OUT] to the other device’s MIDI IN.
connector will not send messages originating from the QS6’s keyboard itself while in
MIDI Thru mode.
To turn on MIDI Thru Mode:
¿ Press the [EDIT SELECT] button, followed by the [BANK
This selects Global Edit Mode.
Note:
The [MIDI OUT]
] button.
▲
¡ Press [
The display should look like this:
PAGE] until the MIDI Thru parameter appears in the display.
▲
ED:GLOBAL pª
MIDI THRU: OUT
¬ Press [s VALUE] to turn on MIDI Thru Mode.
QS6 Reference Manual 21
Chapter 3: Connections
EXAMPLE 1: MASTER CONTROLLER FOR LIVE USE
Most live applications use the QS6 to generate sounds, with (possibly) the MIDI
output driving other MIDI devices, such as an S4 Plus rack unit, QuadraVerb 2, and
other keyboards and sound modules, etc.
To drive MIDI controlled devices from the QS6, patch the QS6’s [MIDI OUT] to the
MIDI device’s MIDI IN (be sure that the QS6’s MIDI Thru Mode is turned off; see
previous page). If there is more than one MIDI device, patch the first device’s MIDI
THRU to the second device’s MIDI IN, the second device’s MIDI THRU to the third
device’s MIDI IN, etc.
J
Caution:
connections as this may impede the MIDI data flow to the connected devices.
Instead, insert a MIDI patch-bay to the QS6’s [MIDI OUT] so that all devices receive
its MIDI information simultaneously.
In Program Mode, the QS6 sends and receives MIDI information on only one MIDI
channel at a time. In Mix Mode, however, the QS6 can transmit on as many as 16
MIDI channels, each with its own keyboard range (for more information on Program
Mode and Mix Mode, see Chapter 4).
When using the QS6 as a master keyboard to play other MIDI devices, be sure the
Keyboard Mode is set to “NORMAL.” The Keyboard Mode parameter is found on
Page 6 of Global Edit Mode (for more information, see Chapter 8).
It is possible for the QS6 to transmit volume and pan settings via MIDI (as controllers
7 and 10, respectively). This occurs whenever a new Program is selected, or when a
new Mix is selected. In the case of a Mix, the volume and pan settings may be
transmitted for each Channel (up to 16) used in the selected Mix.
Do not attempt to connect more than three or four units together using thru
22 QS6 Reference Manual
Connections: Chapter 3
EXAMPLE 2: USING AN EXTERNAL SEQUENCER
The QS6 can generate MIDI signals that are recorded by a sequencer. On playback,
the sequencer sends this data back into the QS6, which then serves as a multitimbral
sound module (in Mix Mode). The sequencer can generate data over several
channels; in Mix Mode, the QS6 can be programmed so that individual Programs play
sequenced data on specific channels.
Example:
channel 2, and a drum part over channel 10, you could set up a QS6 Mix so that a
piano sound plays only the MIDI data assigned to channel 1, a bass sound plays only
the MIDI data assigned to channel 2, and drums play only the MIDI data assigned to
channel 10. The QS6 can store up to 100 User Mixes.
Connect the sequencer’s MIDI Out to the QS6’s [MIDI IN], and the QS6’s [MIDI OUT]
to the sequencer’s MIDI In. This allows the QS6 to send data to the sequencer for
recording, and play back data from the sequencer.
If the sequencer transmits a piano part over channel 1, a bass part over
MIDI
IN
MIDI
OUT
MIDI
IN
MIDI
OUT
MIDI
SEQUENCER
ABOUT THE KEYBOARD MODE
In a Mix, the QS6’s keyboard may be set up in several ways using the Keyboard
Mode parameter found on Page 6 of Global Edit Mode. You need to determine which
way is best for your application. The Keyboard Mode parameter determines how the
keyboard will function with regard to MIDI:
• The keyboard sends on only one MIDI channel and the sequencer is used to set
the MIDI channel of each track (Keyboard Mode = OUT 1 – OUT 16).
• Or, the keyboard is split or layered, sending on many MIDI channels at once, and
the sequencer records each channel onto a different track (NORMAL).
• Or, the keyboard only sends on one MIDI channel, but you change the channel
on the QS6 for each separate track on the sequencer (CH SOLO).
In OUT 1 – OUT 16 mode, you will not hear the QS6 unless your sequencer echoes
the MIDI data back to the QS6’s MIDI IN. This is a way of verifying that the sequencer
is set to receive properly. Depending on the capabilities of your sequencer, it may
“auto-channelize” the echoed MIDI back to the QS6 on a different MIDI channel
(usually, the MIDI channel that the selected record track is assigned to). In NORMAL
or CH SOLO mode, the QS6 sounds are internally played from the QS6 keyboard, so
any echo features of the sequencer should be turned off.
When using the QS6 with a MIDI sequencer, the usual choice for the Keyboard Mode
is “OUT 1.” This is equivalent to turning the QS6’s local control off and transmitting on
channel 1. For more information, see page 41.
EXAMPLE 3: USING A COMPUTER
QS6 Reference Manual 23
Chapter 3: Connections
The QS6 can communicate directly with a computer via its [SERIAL PORT]
connector. This eliminates both the need for an additional computer-MIDI interface,
as well as the need to connect MIDI cables to it.
The [SERIAL PORT] can be set to one of two modes, depending on the computer
you are using. The mode is selected using the switch directly next to the [SERIAL
PORT] connector.
• If using a Macintosh™ computer, set the switch to MAC.
• If using an IBM® PC or compatible computer, set the switch to PC.
SERIAL
PORT
Connect one end of a DIN-8 cable to the [SERIAL PORT] connector and the other
end to the serial port of your computer. If your computer has more than one serial
port, refer to the setup of your software to determine which port is being used for
MIDI.
If you already have a MIDI interface for your computer, then you will want to connect
the QS6 to your interface’s MIDI in and out connectors using the method described in
the previous section.
connect to your computer, it is not necessary to connect the MIDI ports to the
computer as well.
Note:
If you are already using the QS6’s [SERIAL PORT] to
PEDAL AND FOOTSWITCH HOOKUP
The QS6 keyboard has a [PEDAL 1] jack that accepts a Roland model EV-5 (or
equivalent) volume control pedal, or a standard switch pedal. Normally, this acts as a
volume pedal for the entire instrument, but this pedal can be assigned to modulation
functions within a program.
Speed.
Example:
The pedal could control Vibrato or Lezlie
SERIAL
PORT
The [SUSTAIN] footswitch jack accepts a momentary footswitch unit, included with
the unit (it is packed in the center of the end caps). This provides the same function
as the sustain (or damper) pedal on a standard keyboard. You can use either a
normally closed or normally open momentary contact footswitch. Plug it into the rear
panel [SUSTAIN] footswitch jack
automatically sense the footswitch polarity and calibrate itself accordingly.
If your footswitch seems to respond backwards (notes sustain unless the footswitch is
J
held down when powering up
24 QS6 Reference Manual
pressed), turn off the QS6, make sure the footswitch plug is fully inserted into the
footswitch jack, then turn the power back on. Also, Make sure the footswitch is not
the QS6.
before
powering up the QS6; on power up, it will
OVERVIEW
BASIC ARCHITECTURE
The QS6 contains digitized acoustic and electronic samples, organized into 17
sound groups of different types. The groups are:
Piano String Noise Sound FX
Chromatic Brass Voice Rhythm
Organ Woodwind Ethnic
Guitar Synth Drums
Bass Wave Percussion
Several functions (filter, amplitude envelope, pitch envelope, LFO, multiple
modulation sources, signal processors, etc.) can be used to process a sample. A
Sound is the combination of a sample with its associated processing.
A Program consists of up to four sounds. These sounds can be layered, split over
specific keyboard ranges, or selectively overlapped. The QS6 has a User Bank of
128 Programs that you can modify, plus 4 Preset Banks of 512 Preset Programs that
are permanently installed in the QS6 at the factory (although the Preset Programs
can be edited, they must be stored into the User bank to permanently retain your
changes). Each Program is linked to its own Effects Patch.
Overview: Chapter 4
CHAPTER 4
A Mix consists of up to 16 Programs, each assigned to a specific MIDI channel and
one Effect Patch. The QS6 has 100 Mixes in the User Bank, plus 4 Preset Banks of
400 Preset Mixes. This is extremely useful for multitimbral setups where the QS6
plays back different sounds on different MIDI channels. Because of its 64 voices and
built-in effects, the QS6 is often the only sound generator needed.
QS6 POLYPHONY
The QS6 provides 64-voice polyphony (i.e., how many notes can play at once). If a
program uses one sound, up to 64 notes can play at once. Layering two sounds
allows for 32-note polyphony and layering four sounds, 16-note polyphony.
Layering is a powerful technique that allows you to build up complex timbres. This is
crucial because acoustic instruments have extremely complex, evolving sounds and
by comparison, many synths sound static. Being able to layer up to four sounds
allows for creating large ensembles (e.g., brass section consisting of alto & tenor sax,
trumpet, and trombone) or extremely realistic versions of single instruments. When
creating layered Programs, keep polyphony in mind. If all Programs in a Mix use all
four available sounds, the QS6 will quickly run out of voices.
QS6 Reference Manual 25
Chapter 4: Overview
MODES
The QS6 is always in one of two main modes: Program Play Mode or Mix Play Mode.
Pressing [PROGRAM] selects Program Play Mode, while pressing [MIX] selects Mix
Play Mode. While in Program Play Mode, you can press [EDIT SELECT] to access
Program Edit Mode and Effects Edit Mode. While in Mix Play Mode, pressing [EDIT
SELECT] alternates between Mix Edit Mode, Program Edit Mode and Effects Edit
Mode. Once [EDIT SELECT] has been pressed (the upper-left corner of the display
will read “ED:”), pressing [BANK ▲] accesses Global Edit Mode, and pressing [
BANK] accesses Compare Mode. Pressing [STORE] accesses Store Mode. Here are
descriptions of these modes:
PROGRAM PLAY MODE
Program Play Mode lets you play the QS6’s various Programs one at a time. The
QS6 contains 512 Preset and 128 User
instruments, effects, ensembles, etc.) that show off just how cool this instrument
really is. Initially, the 4 Preset Banks and the User Bank contain data loaded in at the
factory. The User Programs can be edited or replaced with your own Programs.
However, you cannot replace the Preset Programs, because these are stored in
ROM (permanent memory). In Program Play Mode, the QS6 responds to or
generates messages on a single MIDI channel.
Programs
▲
(i.e., the sounds of various
MIX PLAY MODE
Mix Play Mode lets you audition the QS6’s various Mixes, and use it as a MIDI
master controller. The QS6 contains 400 Preset Mixes and 100 User Mixes. A Mix
can combine up to 16 different Programs, and the keyboard can generate up to 16
channels of MIDI data at once. Therefore, much thicker and richly textured sounds
can be created. In Mix Play Mode, the QS6 can be used in a wide range of
applications. It can be used for live performance, in which sounds are layered or
assigned to sections of the keyboard. It can also be used as a multitimbral sound
source for desktop music and home studio applications. A Mix can use the Effects
Patch associated with one of its Programs. Although there may be 16 Programs in a
Mix, there can only be one Effects Patch per Mix. In Mix Mode, the QS6 can respond
to messages on up to 16 MIDI channels simultaneously; different channels are
available depending on which Mix is selected.
PROGRAM EDIT MODE
In Program Edit Mode, you can change the various settings which determine the
sound of an individual Program, or create an entirely new Program from scratch.
Each Program is made up of four Sound layers, which you can edit individually, or
simultaneously. In Program Edit mode you can:
• select which sample waveform from the 8 megabytes of onboard sample ROM
will be used, in each of the 4 sounds;
• change the tone, level, attack and decay characteristics, modulation inputs, and
pitch of each layer;
• set modulation routings whereby any parameter can be controlled via MIDI;
• set the effect level for each Sound layer, and set which of the four effect sends
each Sound layer will use for signal processing (such as reverb, delay, and
chorus—or any combination of these).
26 QS6 Reference Manual
Overview: Chapter 4
MIX EDIT MODE
Mix Edit Mode lets you change the parameters of an existing Mix. Up to 16 Programs
can be active in each Mix, and Mix Edit mode sets up how each will be played. Mix
Edit Mode allows you to:
• set the output level, effects level, and pan of each Program in the Mix;
• select which Program’s Effects Patch will be used by the Mix.
Note that you can select which Programs will be played by the different MIDI
channels and by the keyboard in multiple layers or splits without entering Mix mode.
EFFECTS EDIT MODE
Effects Edit Mode is used for setting up the Digital Signal Processing effects. Each
Effect Patch has 4 effect bus inputs, and an internal configuration of multiple effects
such as reverb, delay, and pitch-related effects (chorus, flange, etc.). You can
determine what kinds of effects are used on each bus (called a “Configuration”),
change each effect’s parameters (such as reverb decay time or chorus speed), set
modulation routings (such as having the modulation wheel change the decay time),
and set the effects mix (how much reverb, delay and chorus on the output of each
effect bus).
GLOBAL EDIT MODE
Use Global Edit Mode to set various parameters which effect the entire instrument,
such as overall master tuning, display contrast, MIDI controller settings, keyboard
sensitivity, and how the unit will respond to or generate messages in Mix Mode.
STORE MODE
Store Mode is used for storing changes of Programs, Mixes and/or Effects into the
User Bank or onto a QuadraCard PCMCIA memory card accessory. It is also used for
transmitting the QS6’s parameters over MIDI for data storage purposes, copying
sounds or effects from one Program to another, and for transferring entire Banks to or
from a Sound Card.
COMPARE MODE
Once a Program has been edited in Program Edit Mode, or a Mix has been edited in
Mix Edit Mode, the symbol “*” will appear in the display to the left of the
Mix’s/Program’s name. If [COMPARE] is pressed while in any Edit Mode, the letters
“ED:” will change to “Cm:” in the upper-left corner of the display, and you will
temporarily be hearing (and seeing) the original version of the Mix/Program. If you
are editing a Mix and press [COMPARE], the original unedited Mix is temporarily
recalled. Likewise, if you are editing a Program or its Effects Patch and press
[COMPARE], the original Program will be temporarily recalled. Pressing [COMPARE]
again switches back to the edited version, and the letters “Cm:” will revert back to
“ED:” in the display.
QS6 Reference Manual 27
Chapter 4: Overview
THE USER INTERFACE: DISPLAY, FUNCTIONS, PAGES, AND
PARAMETERS
The key to the QS6 user interface is the combination of the Display, the [▲ PAGE]
and [PAGE▲] buttons and the [CONTROLLER A] slider located to the right of the
[VOLUME] slider. The Display constantly informs you of the QS6’s status.
ABOUT THE DISPLAY
The display has two modes: Play Mode and Edit Mode. When either [MIX] or
[PROGRAM] is pressed, their respective Play Mode is selected and the display will
look something like this:
EDIT MODE PAGE_____________________________ _______
MODE BANK NUMBER________ ______________ __________
PROG PRESET1 ºº
GrandPiano Ch01
______________________________________
________________________________________
• Mode. The upper-left corner of the display will indicate whether you are in
Program Play Mode (PROG) or Mix Play Mode (MIX). In the example above,
Program Play Mode is selected.
NAME 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
PARAMETER
9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
• Bank. The upper-middle section of the display will indicate which Bank is
currently selected (PRESET1 – PRESET3, GenMIDI, or USER`; if a card is inserted,
CARD1 - CARD8). In the example above, Preset 1 Bank is selected.
• Number. The upper-right section of the display will indicate which Program or
Mix number is currently selected (ºº – ¡™¶ in Program Mode, ºº – ªª in Mix Mode).
In the example above, Program 00 is selected.
• Name. The bottom-left section of the display will indicate the name of the
Program or Mix which is currently selected. If the selected Program or Mix has
been edited, a “*” symbol will appear to the left of the Program’s/Mix’s name. In
the example above, GrandPiano is selected and it has not been edited.
• Channel (1–16). In Program Play Mode, the QS6 will transmit and receive on a
single MIDI channel, which will be indicated in the lower-right section of the
display. In Mix Play Mode, the QS6 can transmit and receive on up to 16 MIDI
channels. The “active” channels will be indicated by the presence of a “⁄” symbol.
When a channel is played (by either the QS6’s keyboard or from messages
received via MIDI), a “‰” symbol will appear. In the example above, MIDI
channel 1 is selected.
28 QS6 Reference Manual
Overview: Chapter 4
When [EDIT SELECT] is pressed, the display enters Edit Mode (which Edit Mode you
are in depends on whether you were already in Program Mode or Mix Mode). When
in an Edit Mode, the display will look something like this:
EDIT MODE PAGE_____________________________ _______
MODE BANK NUMBER________ ______________ __________
ED:PRG SOUND1 på
SOUND ENABLE:ON
______________________________________
________________________________________
NAME 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
PARAMETER
9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
• Edit Mode. The upper-left section of the display will indicate the Edit Mode which
is currently selected (ED: MIX = Mix Edit Mode, ED:PRG = Program Edit Mode,
ED:GLOBAL = Global Edit Mode). The Edit Mode is selected using the [EDIT
SELECT] button. In the example above, Program Edit Mode is selected.
• Editing Status. The upper-middle section of the display indicates what you are
editing. This information will change depending on the Edit Mode you have
selected.
Example:
If you are in Mix Edit Mode, you can choose to edit any of the
16 Channels by pressing one of the [0] – [9] or [00] – [50] buttons; the display will
indicate the channel like this: ED:MIX CHAN 01. If you are in Program Edit Mode,
you can choose which of the Program’s 4 sounds you wish to edit by pressing
one of the [00] – [40] buttons; the display will indicate the channel like this:
ED:PRG SOUND1. In the example above, Sound 1 is selected for editing.
• Page. In many cases when a Function is selected for editing, there will be more
than one parameter associated with it. Each parameter is divided into “pages”.
The upper-right corner of the display will indicate the currently selected page
number (på – pÚ). The number of pages available depends on the Function you
have selected to edit. In the example above, page 1 is currently selected.
• Parameter. The lower section will display the parameter which is currently
selected and its setting. Once you have selected an Edit Mode, you may select
an editing Function by pressing one of the [0] – [9] or [00] – [120] buttons,
depending on which Edit Mode you are in. The editing Function is written in blue
type above or below the number keys. For example, the [60] button accesses
the LEVEL functions in Mix Edit Mode, the MOD functions in Effects Edit Mode,
and the PITCH functions in Program Edit Mode. Each Function has one or more
parameters in its Function Group. Once a Function is selected, the last
parameter in that Function’s Group will appear in the lower section of the display.
You can step through all the parameter’s in a Function’s Group by using the [
PAGE] and [PAGE▲] buttons. In the example above, the Sound Enable
parameter is selected, and is turned on.
▲
QS6 Reference Manual 29
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