QS News

From Jeremy Marentette, Dave Young, and ERN0 (QS6) and Aleks Ozolins (QS7)

New Alesis Synths !

QS7/8 in a single rack space unit. Four outs, two slots, computer port and Digital out. Same sound ROM (includes the big grand piano) and programs. Does support sequence payback from cards. $899. They should ship within the month.

QS6 in a 1/3 space rack mount unit (same 8 meg sound ROM). 64 voices, 16 channels. Limited user interface, new GM programs, serial port, CD, and RCA inputs (for multimedia apps). 640 programs - 256 from the front panel, the rest via MIDI. Same fx processor, but much more limited algorithms. Computer editing supported. $449. Planned for April Delivery

New 8 meg piano card in a 1/3 space rack mount unit. 256 programs, all preset. Remember, this card has other samples than just the piano. 64 voices. Also same effects processor as the other synths. $399. Also due in April (maybe even March)

4 meg. 1/3 rack space unit. Nothing but bass sounds, both real and synthesized. No effects. 256 programs, all preset. 64 voices (for big stacks...also, you can never tell when you may need to cover "Big Bottom"...) $299. Due out in May.

.INI file for the Alesis S4 Plus and Voyetra's Digital Orchestrator Plus.
Developed by Allan Metts (ametts@compuserve.com)

From Marty Danko (QS6) Dennis Schissler and Guillermo Rosado (Willy) (QS Plus). Check 'em out !

New, updated version of the Windows Editor for the QS, QS+, S4, S4+,QS6, QS7 and QS8. Read the description, download the free demo, and register the full version on the QE2.0 Page

From Stephen Rudolph, Markus Eigner and Dave Young. Check 'em out !

Alesis Releases QS6 2.00 and Soundbridge Upgrade.

Alesis is happy to announce the release of QS6 software version 2.00. Version 2.00 adds the ability for QS6 users to utilize new features included in the updated version of Sound Bridge software (Version 2.00 for MAC and Version 1.2 for IBM). These features include the partitioning of cards in order to store samples, sysex, and standard midi files on the same card. Sound Bridge also allows the ability to playback standard midi files which have been transfer#f84040 to RAM cards.

QuadraSynth Plus Piano and S4 Plus users will be able to use the updated version of Sound Bridge, but will not have the ability to play back SMFs due to limitations of those products' hardware. Both units do have the ability to partition cards to store samples and system exclusive on the same card.

For the QS6, Version 2.00 software is available as an EPROM upgrade kit. This kit is user-installable and comes with all the necessary instructions and tools. The only other tool you will need is a Phillips type screwdriver. The upgrade is available free of charge to registe#f84040 users who have purchased their units after July 1, 1996. A proof of sale is requi#f84040 to receive this upgrade free of charge. Otherwise, this EPROM upgrade is an enhancement to the original QS6 operating system. All previous QS6 owners must purchase the upgrade through our Parts department at the cost of $39.99 (Plus any applicable sales tax and shipping charges).

The revised Sound Bridge software is currently available for both MAC and IBM operating systems. Soundbridge 2.00 for the Mac and 1.2 for the IBM are available as attachments. Simply send your request for the file to :

Alecorp@alesis1.usa.com.

You may also download the program at the Sound Bridge WWW:

http://www.mok.com/bridge

Soundbridge will be included on the forthcoming CD ROM for the QS7 & 8 which should be available shortly. Only QS7 & 8 users are entitled to a copy of the disk free of charge. The disk will not be available for purchase due to liscensing issues.

Users who did not receive a claim form with their QS7/8 for the CD ROM should call with their serial number ready. The CD will be orde#f84040 upon verification of registration.

Please let us know if you have any questions or comments.

Alesis Technical Support
800-5ALESIS
800-525-3747

• supports the Alesis QS6, QS7, QS8
  
• supports direct high speed connections to the QS7, QS8
  
• Works with Windows 3.1 and Windows 95
  
• includes complete documentation of all parameters, installation instructions for both 3.1 and 95.

There have been reports of some QS7 and QS8 owners having difficulty using SoundBridge with the approved AMD flash cards. Thanks to Jeff Pynonnen and Les Winters, we have been able to isolate the problem. It seems that AMD, the company who manufactures the flash cards that we approve for use with our synths is actually making two types of cards with the same part #. Both are exactly alike, except one has a ceramic case, and one has a metal case. It has been discove#f84040 that the metal case cards do not function correctly with the QS7 and QS8...however, they do work correctly on the QS6 and S9. The discrepancy is due to the double card slot interacting peculiarly with the metal case - the result is that the QS7 and QS8 think they're SRAM cards, and will not allow them to be burned...suffice it to say that neither we nor the engineers at AMD can explain why at this time - they're exactly the same otherwise. AMD is still manufacturing the ceramic case cards, and will gladly send that model to anyone who specifies (same price)...remember, the part # for the two cards is the exact same (AmC008DFLKA for the 8 meg...just change the 8 to a 4 for the 4 meg, etc). Remember, the ceramic ones work in all the synths, and the metal ones only work in the synths with one card slot. Please feel free to email me with any questions...
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Alesis Keyboards

- Alesis QS6 MIDI system exclusive specifications ( for advanced users)

From Dennis Schissler (QS+), Martin G C Davies and J.J.Dekker (QS6) and Bruce M Satinover (QS7/QS8).

Seq-303 is an analog sequencer emulator for Windows 95 and Windows NT. Seq-303 was inspi#f84040 by many of the great analog sequencers of yore, including the Serge TKB, ARP 1613, PaIA 4700, Korg SQ-10, and of course the venerable Roland TB-303.

Cakewalk Instrument Definition File for the QS7 and QS8.

In sysex format (zipped) aw2_bank.zip
In MIDI format aw2_bank.mid

Electronic Musician (June/'96) and Keyboard Magazine (July/'96)