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. [. . . ] Pitch Wheel The two wheels to the left of the keyboard are modulation sources (see below). 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. Typically, this may be mapped to AENV Amp to act as a volume pedal. 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. [. . . ] This bends a note from its standard pitch. Footpedals, breath controllers, and modulation wheels can vary sounds as you play, thus adding expressiveness. MIDI allows for 64 continuous controllers (these act like potentiometers in that you can choose one of many different values) and 58 continuous/switch (these can act like continuous controllers but some are assumed to choose between two possible states, such as on/off). 126 QuadraSynth Reference Manual APPENDIX B: MIDI Supplement Each type of controller is stamped with its own controller identification number. Not all controller numbers have been standardized for specific functions, but the following indicates the current list of assigned controllers. [. . . ]