Alesis QS8, QS7 manual IBM PCS and Compatibles, Macintosh

Connections: Chapter 3

The QS can communicate directly with a computer via its [SERIAL PORT] connector. This eliminates the need for an additional computer-MIDI interface, as well as the MIDI cables to connect 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.

Set the [SERIAL PORT]switch to...

PC

MAC

If using a...

IBM® PC or compatible

Macintosh™

If you already have a MIDI interface for your computer, then you will want to use the QS’s MIDI connectors to connect the QS to your computer interface’s MIDI IN and OUT connectors using the method described in the previous section. Note: If you are already using the QS’s [SERIAL PORT] to connect to your computer, it is not necessary to connect the MIDI ports to the computer as well.

IBM® PCS AND COMPATIBLES

This connection will require a special cable with a DIN8 connector on one end and either a DB9 or DB25 connector on the other end, depending on the type of connector you are using on the PC. You can purchase this cable through Alesis Product Support (DIN8-to-DB9 cable: part number 15-00-0009; DIN8-to-DB25 cable: part number 15-00-0025). Some PCs will have both connectors available, so you’ll have to identify which connector is currently not in use.

Connect the DIN8 end of the cable to the QS’s [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 MIDI software to determine which port it is using.

Alesis provides a MIDI serial driver that works with Windows 3.1, Windows NT and Windows 95. This can be found on the QS CD-ROM disk that came with your QS package (located in the \ALESIS\ASDWIN\ directory). If you don’t have a CD-ROM drive connected to your computer, you can call Alesis Product Support and order the Windows MIDI driver on a 3-1/2 inch floppy disk. This driver is used to send and receive midi data your QS6 and the computer via a serial port connection. Once the MIDI driver has been successfully installed, you need to indicate to the driver which connector port the QS is using.

WINDOWS 3.1: From your Windows 3.1 Control Panel, open the “Drivers” applet. Add an Unlisted or Updated driver and select or browse to the appropriate path for Windows to find the “ASDWIN” OEM setup info. Follow the instructions given by windows to install the driver.

SETUP FOR WINDOWS 95: Open Control Panels. Select “Add New Hardware”. Select “NO” to NOT have windows auto-detect hardware. Select “Sound, Video, Game controllers” as hardware type. When prompted for device, select “Have Disk”. Navigate to the OEM setup in the “ASDWIN” directory. Follow the Win95 instructions from there.

Please refer to the “READ_ME” file which accompanies the Alesis MIDI driver.

MACINTOSH™

QS7/QS8 Reference Manual 23