ALESIS QS7 - Manual (Page 22)

Chapter 3: Connections
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The QS can generate MIDI signals that are recorded by a sequencer. On playback,
the sequencer sends this data back into the QS, which then serves as a multitimbral
sound module (in Mix Mode). The sequencer can generate data over several
channels; in Mix Mode, the QS can be programmed so that individual Programs play
sequenced data on specific channels. Example: If the sequencer transmits a piano
part over channel 1, a bass part over channel 2, and a drum part over channel 10, you
could set up a QS Mix so that a piano sound plays only the MIDI data assigned to
channel 1, a bass sound plays only the MIDI data assigned to channel 2, and drums
play only the MIDI data assigned to channel 10. The QS can store up to 100 User
Mixes.
Connect the sequencer’s MIDI Out to the QS’s [MIDI IN], and the QS’s [MIDI OUT] to
the sequencer’s MIDI In. This allows the QS to send data to the sequencer for
recording, and play back data from the sequencer.
A BOUT THE K EYBOARD M ODE
In a Mix, the QS’s keyboard may be set up in several ways using the Keyboard Mode
parameter found on Page 6 of Global Edit Mode. You need to determine which way is
best for your application. The Keyboard Mode parameter determines how the
keyboard will function with regard to MIDI:
• The keyboard sends on only one MIDI channel and the sequencer is used to set
the MIDI channel of each track (Keyboard Mode = OUT 1 – OUT 16).
• Or, the keyboard is split or layered, sending on many MIDI channels at once, and
the sequencer records each channel onto a different track (NORMAL).
• Or, the keyboard only sends on one MIDI channel, but you change the channel
on the QS for each separate track on the sequencer (CH SOLO).
In OUT 1 – OUT 16 mode, you will not hear the QS unless your sequencer echoes
the MIDI data back to the QS’s MIDI IN. This is a way of verifying that the sequencer
is set to receive properly. Depending on the capabilities of your sequencer, it may
“auto-channelize” the echoed MIDI back to the QS on a different MIDI channel
(usually, the MIDI channel that the selected record track is assigned to). In NORMAL
or CH SOLO mode, the QS sounds are internally played from the QS keyboard, so
any echo features of the sequencer should be turned off.
When using the QS with a MIDI sequencer, the usual choice for the Keyboard Mode
is “OUT 1.” This is equivalent to turning the QS’s local control off and transmitting on
channel 1. For more information, see page 41.
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22 QS7/QS8 Reference Manual