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Editing Programs: Chapter 6
QuadraSynth Plus Piano Reference Manual 71
How the QuadraSynth Generates Sound
The QuadraSynth Plus uses custom integrated circuits, developed by the Alesis
engineering team specifically for the QuadraSynth Plus. These resemble the
types of chips used in computers and other digital devices. In fact, you can think
of the QuadraSynth Plus as a special-purpose computer designed to generate
and process audio. Although the user interface maintains the metaphor of
“modules,” in fact all sounds are simply a set of numbers reflecting how you’ve
programmed the various sound parameters. For example, when you change the
filter cutoff frequency, you’re not actually messing with a filter; you’re 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 QuadraSynth Plus’s parameters and save this in
memory as a program. The QuadraSynth Plus comes with 512 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 Sound 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 Play Mode, where playing the keyboard can sound
up to 16 different Programs at once. There are many similarities. In Mix Play
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 Play Mode instead of Program Play Mode, you must send 3 Note On