Alesis QS7.1, QS8.1 manual

Part 2: Overview

•Modulation Wheel. The [MODULATION] wheel has also been around pretty much forever in synth design. It got its name because it is typically used to add varying levels of modulation (such as vibrato or tremolo) while you play. But it isn’t limited to that. It can also be used to create “filter-opening” effects, to raise and lower volume, to pan signals from left to right (by crossfading between two separately hard-panned Sounds), to select between layers, to lengthen a reverb time, and lots more. It all depends on the individual Program settings.

•Controller Sliders A-D.These sliders can control any parameter that has been assigned to them (which may change from Program to Program). They are particularly useful when you want to have several related controls close at hand, for quick adjustment.

•Sustain Footswitch. If you connect a footswitch to the [SUS PEDAL] jack on your QS’s back panel, you can use it to hold down notes after your lift your finger from the keyboard. In some Programs — piano and acoustic guitar sounds, for example — such held notes will naturally decay within a time set by the Program’s parameters. In other Programs — like organs, woodwinds, and many synth sounds — they’ll sound for as long as you keep the footswitch depressed.

•Expression Pedal. Think of this as a Modulation Wheel for your feet. All you have to do is connect a volume-type pedal to the [PEDAL 1] or [PEDAL 2] jacks on the QS’s back panel, and you can use foot action to control pretty much any Program or Effect parameter that you want. Some obvious uses include changing volume, raising and lowering vibrato rates, increasing reverb depth or delay repeats, etc. But that’s hardly the limit, so we invite you to see what you can come up with by experimenting for yourself.

28 QS7.1/QS8.1 Reference Manual