Editing Programs
52 QuadraSynth Reference Manual
How the QuadraSynth Generates Sound
The QuadraSynth uses custom integrated circuits, developed by the Alesis
engineering team specifically for the QuadraSynth. These resemble the types of chips
used in computers and other digital devices. In fact, you can think of the
QuadraSynth as a special-purpose computer designed to generate and process audio.
Although the user interface maintains the metaphor of Òmodules,Ó in fact all sounds
are simply a set of numbers reflecting how youÕve programmed the various sound
parameters. For example, when you change the filter cutoff frequency, youÕre not
actually messing with a filter; youÕre telling the computer to simulate the effect of
messing with a filter.
Each "module" is represented by parameters that appear on one or more display
pages. The Quad Knobs and Buttons change these parameters. All "patching" is done
via software, so the only patch cords you need are those that go to your mixer or
amplifier.
You can take a "snapshot" of the QuadraSynthÕs parameters and save this in memory
as a program. The QuadraSynth comes with 128 factory preset programs, and 128
user-editable programs.
Program Sound Layers
The simplest method of programming is to take one voice, process it through the
filter and amp sections, and (if desired) add some effect to it. However, more
elaborate Programs usually consist of 2 to 4 layers, with each layer making its own
distinct contribution to the sound, for example:
¥ An organ program with Program 1 set to a sustained organ waveform, and
Program Sound 2 set to a percussion waveform with a fast decay.
¥ A piano program with one layer tuned normally, and a second layer tuned an
octave higher.
¥ A synthesizer program with one layer set to a sharp attack waveform, a second
layer set to an acoustic waveform, and a third layer with a slow-attack string
waveform.
This may remind you of Mix Mode, where playing the keyboard can sound up to 16
different Programs at once. There are many similarities. In Mix Mode, you can make
the same kind of layered Mix as you can with the four sounds of a Program. But
there are differences:
Use Program Layers:
¥ If you want multiple sounds to respond to a single MIDI channel. For example,
if you need to play a layered synthesizer sound that was assembled in Mix Mode
instead of Program Mode, you must send 3 Note On messages from your
sequencer (one for each channel) for every note; a layered program would need
only one Note On message.