Alesis S4 Modes

Overview

32 QuadraSynth Reference Manual

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 QuadraSynth will quickly run out of voices.

Modes

The QuadraSynth is always in one of two main modes: Program mode or Mix mode.

Pressing [PROGRAM] selects Program mode, while pressing [MIX] selects Mix

mode. While in Program mode, you can use [SELECT] to access Program Edit mode

and Effects Edit mode. While in Mix Mode, pressing [SELECT] alternates between

Mix Edit mode, Program Edit mode and Effects Edit mode. Pressing [GLOBAL]

accesses Global Edit mode, pressing [COMPARE] accesses Compare mode, and

pressing [STORE] accesses Store mode. Here are descriptions of these modes:

Program mode lets you play the QuadraSynthÕs various Programs one at a time.

The QuadraSynth contains 128 Preset and 128 User Programs (i.e., the sounds of

various instruments, effects, ensembles, etc.) that show off just how cool this

instrument really is. Initially, both the Preset and the User Programs 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). Each Program can select any one of the 256

Effect Patches (Large Hall, Chorus, etc.). In some cases, the Program is heavily

dependent on its effect; in others, the effect is more subtle. In Program Mode, the

QuadraSynth responds to or generates messages on a single MIDI channel.

Mix mode lets you audition the QuadraSynthÕs various Mixes, and use it as a MIDI

master controller. The QuadraSynth contains 100 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 mode, the QuadraSynth 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. Each Mix can select any one

of the 256 Effects Patches (Large Hall, Chorus, etc.). Even though there may be 16

Programs in a Mix, there can only be one Effects Patch per Mix. In Mix Mode, the

QuadraSynth can respond to messages on up to 16 MIDI channels simultaneously;

different channels are available depending on which Mix is selected.

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. In

Program Edit mode you can:

¥ select which sample waveform from the 16 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;