ALESIS QS8.1 - Manual (Page 29)

Part 2: Overview
28 QS7.1/QS8.1 Reference Manual
• 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.