Alesis QS7, QS8 manual Master Controller for Live USE, Pedal and Footswitch Hookup

Chapter 3: Connections

Connect one end of a DIN-8 cable to the QS’s [SERIAL PORT] connector and the other end to either the MODEM serial port or the PRINTER serial port, depending on which one you are using for sequencing.

MIDI sequencing software for the Macintosh typically defaults to using the MODEM port, but in actuality can be set to use either the MODEM or the PRINTER port, or both. If you have a printer connected, you will want to use the MODEM port; conversely, if you have a modem connected but do not have a printer, you will want to connect to the PRINTER port. If, however, both a printer and modem are connected, you will need to either temporarily disconnect one of them (preferably the modem; especially if the printer uses AppleTalk, since AppleTalk must be disabled to use the PRINTER port for MIDI) or purchase a multiple serial port box that will allow you to switch between the modem and the QS.

MASTER CONTROLLER FOR LIVE USE

Most live applications use the QS 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 QS, patch the QS’s [MIDI OUT] to the MIDI
	device’s MIDI IN If there are 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: Do not attempt to connect more than three or four units together using the
	“Thru” connectors as this may impede the MIDI data flow to the connected devices.
	Instead, insert a MIDI patch-bay to the QS’s [MIDI OUT] so that all devices receive its
	MIDI information simultaneously.
	In Program Mode, the QS sends and receives MIDI information on only one MIDI
	channel at a time. In Mix Mode, however, the QS 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 QS 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 also possible
	for the QS 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.

PEDAL AND FOOTSWITCH HOOKUP

The QS keyboard has two pedal jacks, [PEDAL 1] and [PEDAL 2], that accept a Roland model EV-5 (or equivalent type) volume control pedal, or a standard switch pedal. Normally, [PEDAL 1] acts as a volume pedal for the entire instrument, but both pedals can be assigned to modulation functions within a program. Example: The pedal could control Vibrato or Lezlie Speed.

The [SUSTAIN] footswitch jack accepts a momentary footswitch unit, included with the unit. 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

24 QS7/QS8 Reference Manual