Alesis S4 Plus manual

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Table of contents for the manual

  • Page 1

    A L ES I S S4 Plus Reference M a nu a l[...]

  • Page 2

    S4 Plus Reference Manual 1 Introduction Thank you for purchasing the Alesis S4 Plus 64 Voice Sound Module. To take full advantage of the S4 Plus’s functions, and to enjoy long and trouble-free use, please read this user’s manual carefully. How To Use This Manual This manual is divided into the following sections describing the various modes of [...]

  • Page 3

    [...]

  • Page 4

    Index S4 Plus Reference Manual 3 C ONTENTS 1: Setting Up ................................ ................................................................ ...... 7 Unpacking and Inspection ................................ ................................ .............................. 7 AC Power ................................ ....................[...]

  • Page 5

    Index 4 S4 Plus Reference Manual Storing ................................ ................................ ................................ ............................ 32 Store a Program ................................ ................................ ................................ 32 Copying Effects Between Programs ...........................[...]

  • Page 6

    Index S4 Plus Reference Manual 5 Amp Envelope ................................ ................................ ................................ ... 82 Copying Sounds ................................ ................................ ................................ ............. 83 Copying Effects ................................ ..................[...]

  • Page 7

    Index 6 S4 Plus Reference Manual Channel Messages: Mode Messages ................................ ............................... 126 Channel Messages: Voice Messages ................................ ............................... 126 System Common Messages ................................ ................................ ............. 128 General[...]

  • Page 8

    Setting Up: Chapter 1 S4 Plus Reference Manual 7 C HAPTER 1 S ETTING U P Unpacking and Inspection Your S4 Plus was packed carefully at the factory. The shipping carton was designed to protect the unit during shipping. Please retain this container in the highly unlikely event that you need to return the S4 Plus for servicing. Upon receiving the S4 P[...]

  • Page 9

    Chapter 1: Setting Up 8 S4 Plus Reference Manual Line Conditioners and Protectors Although the S4 Plus is designed to tolerate typical voltage variations, in today’s world the voltage coming from the AC line may contain spikes or transients that can possibly stress your gear and, over time, cause a failure. There are three main ways to protect ag[...]

  • Page 10

    Setting Up: Chapter 1 S4 Plus Reference Manual 9 About Audio Cables The connections between the S4 Plus and your studio are your music’s lifeline, so use only high quality cables. These should be low-capacitance shielded cables with a stranded (not solid) internal conductor and a low-resistance shield. Although quality cables cost more, they do m[...]

  • Page 11

    Chapter 1: Setting Up 10 S4 Plus Reference Manual A Word About Sound Bridge Included with the S4 Plus is a 3-1/2" floppy disk containing a software program called Sound Bridge. This software has been provided free of charge in an effort to promote sound design for the S4 Plus. Sound Bridge is a Macintosh™ sound development utility which comp[...]

  • Page 12

    Your First Session With The S4 Plus: Chapter 2 S4 Plus Reference Manual 11 C HAPTER 2 Y OUR F IRST S ESSION W ITH T HE S4 P LUS Powering Up After making your connections, turn on the system’s power using this procedure: ¿ Before turning on the S4 Plus’s power, check the following items: • Have all connections been made correctly? • Are the[...]

  • Page 13

    Chapter 2: Your First Session With The S4 Plus 12 S4 Plus Reference Manual Playing the Demo Sequence The S4 Plus has a built-in demo sequence which demonstrates the wide variety of sounds this amazing instrument is capable of generating. In order to get the full effect of the demo, we recommend that you connect both the LEFT and RIGHT outputs to yo[...]

  • Page 14

    Your First Session With The S4 Plus: Chapter 2 S4 Plus Reference Manual 13 Playing the S4 Plus The S4 Plus is shipped from the factory with 5 Banks of 128 Preset Programs (sounds) each. Additionally, there are 100 Mixes in each of the 5 Banks. Program Mode and Mix Mode The S4 Plus is always in one of two modes: Program Mode or Mix Mode . When selec[...]

  • Page 15

    Chapter 2: Your First Session With The S4 Plus 14 S4 Plus Reference Manual Auditioning Internal Programs ¿ Press the [PROGRAM] button to select Program Play Mode. You can now play the S4 Plus keyboard; the Program will be whatever was selected when last in Program mode (Program number 00 – 127). ¡ Select a Program using any of these methods: ?[...]

  • Page 16

    Your First Session With The S4 Plus: Chapter 2 S4 Plus Reference Manual 15 Realtime Performance Functions The S4 Plus provides various ways to control the sound as you are playing. Try out some of these functions while playing your MIDI keyboard. The sound of the effects can also change by using these controllers. The effect of these realtime contr[...]

  • Page 17

    Chapter 2: Your First Session With The S4 Plus 16 S4 Plus Reference Manual Knob [1], you adjust the setting of the first parameter on the left. Turning Quad Knob [2] adjusts the next parameter, and so on. Once a Quad Knob has been turned, or its button has been pressed, the top line of the display will immediately show the parameter’s name and cu[...]

  • Page 18

    Your First Session With The S4 Plus: Chapter 2 S4 Plus Reference Manual 17 Editing a Mix In this section, we will assign Programs to and set volume levels for the 16 MIDI channels in a Mix, for playing back tracks from a MIDI sequencer. However, there is much more about a Mix that may be edited. Refer to Chapter 5 for more about Mix editing. ¿ Pre[...]

  • Page 19

    Chapter 2: Your First Session With The S4 Plus 18 S4 Plus Reference Manual Setting the Effects Level Each Program can use up to four Sounds, for either layering or splitting the keyboard. Each of these Sounds has its own effects send level and effects bus assignment. Many of the Programs in the S4 Plus use only one or two Sound layers, while others[...]

  • Page 20

    Connections: Chapter 3 S4 Plus Reference Manual 19 C HAPTER 3 C ONNECTIONS Basic MIDI Hookup MIDI is an internationally-accepted protocol that allows musical-related data to be conveyed from one device to another. See the MIDI Supplement in Appendix B if you are not familiar with how MIDI works. The MIDI connections provide three different function[...]

  • Page 21

    Chapter 3: Connections 20 S4 Plus Reference Manual Using the S4 in Live Performance Depending on the capabilities of your MIDI controller keyboard, you have two different options available for how the S4 Plus will respond when it is in Mix Play Mode: • If your controller can only issue commands on one or two MIDI channels simultaneously, you may [...]

  • Page 22

    Connections: Chapter 3 S4 Plus Reference Manual 21 Using an External Sequencer The MIDI keyboard or controller (such as the QuadraSynth Plus) can generate MIDI signals that are recorded by a sequencer. On playback, the sequencer sends this data back into the S4 Plus, which then serves as a multitimbral sound module (in Mix Mode). The sequencer can [...]

  • Page 23

    Chapter 3: Connections 22 S4 Plus Reference Manual Digital Audio/Optical Hookup The S4 Plus can send digital audio directly into ADAT , which provides better fidelity than using the analog inputs and outputs. The digital I/O connector follows a proprietary Alesis format that carries all four audio outputs on a single fiber optic cable. Either pair [...]

  • Page 24

    Overview: Chapter 4 S4 Plus Reference Manual 23 C HAPTER 4 O VERVIEW Basic Architecture The S4 Plus contains digitized acoustic and electronic voices , organized into 18 groups of sound types. The groups are: Piano Bass Ensemble Drums Organ Guitar Ethnic Percussion Keyboard Brass Voice Rhythm Synth Woodwind Sound FX QSPlus Waves Str ing Several fun[...]

  • Page 25

    Chapter 4: Overview 24 S4 Plus Reference Manual Modes The S4 Plus is always in one of two main modes: Program Mode or Mix Mode. Pressing [PROGRAM] selects Program Play Mode, while pressing [MIX] selects Mix Play Mode. While in Program Play Mode, you can press [SELECT] to access Program Edit Mode and Effects Edit Mode. While in Mix Play Mode, pressi[...]

  • Page 26

    Overview: Chapter 4 S4 Plus Reference Manual 25 • select which Programs will be played by the different MIDI channels and by the keyboard in multiple layers or splits; • set the output level, effects level, and pan of each Program in the Mix; • select which Program’s Effects Patch will be used by the Mix. Effects Edit Mode Effects Edit Mode[...]

  • Page 27

    Chapter 4: Overview 26 S4 Plus Reference Manual The User Interface: Display, Functions, Pages, and Parameters The key to the S4 Plus user interface is the combination of the Display and four Q uad Knobs/Buttons [1] – [4] located toward the right of the front panel. The Display constantly informs you of the S4 Plus’s status. About the Display MI[...]

  • Page 28

    Overview: Chapter 4 S4 Plus Reference Manual 27 • Name strip. When in Mix Play Mode, the name of the currently selected Mix will appear here. Likewise, when in Program Play Mode, the name of the currently selected Program will appear here. In any Edit mode or Store mode, the name of the currently selected parameter will appear here indicating it [...]

  • Page 29

    Chapter 4: Overview 28 S4 Plus Reference Manual Parameter Editing All parameter editing involves the same general procedure, with minor variations: ¿ Select the type of parameters you want to edit with the corresponding button: [ M IX ], [PROGRAM], or [ GLOBAL]. Mix parameters edit a Mix. Program parameters edit a Program. Effects parameters can b[...]

  • Page 30

    Overview: Chapter 4 S4 Plus Reference Manual 29 Editing Program Parameters Here is an example of how to use the S4 Plus’s editing features to change Program parameters. Feel free to make changes and twist dials; these will not be made permanent unless you store the Program (described later). ¿ Press the [ PROGRAM] button. This selects Program Pl[...]

  • Page 31

    Chapter 4: Overview 30 S4 Plus Reference Manual Edit 4 and Edit 1 Modes A Program is made up of four sounds. Sometimes, you need to edit four variables of a single Program sound (for example, the attack/decay/sustain/release parameters of an envelope). Other times, you may want to edit one variable in all four layers (for example, the attack parame[...]

  • Page 32

    Overview: Chapter 4 S4 Plus Reference Manual 31 Comparing Edited and Stored Versions When you edit a Program or Mix, you are actually editing a copy which is in a temporary edit buffer. Therefore, to retain the results of your edit, you must save it to a particular memory location (see the next section on Storing). If you change memory locations be[...]

  • Page 33

    Chapter 4: Overview 32 S4 Plus Reference Manual Storing The [ STORE] button selects Store mode. Store mode has 6 pages which you can scroll through by using the PAGE [¨] and [Æ] buttons. Each page in Store mode provides a different type of storage, copy or data transfer function. When storing edited Mixes, or Programs into the User Bank or a RAM [...]

  • Page 34

    Overview: Chapter 4 S4 Plus Reference Manual 33 Copying Effects Between Programs Follow the steps below to copy the Effects from one Program to another Program in the User Bank. ¿ Press [PROGRAM] to select Program Play Mode. ¡ Use the VALUE [¨] and [Æ] buttons to select the Program Number that uses the Effects you want to copy. If necessary, us[...]

  • Page 35

    Chapter 4: Overview 34 S4 Plus Reference Manual To Audition Programs Before Storing To look for available memory locations to permanently store your Program to, you can move between Program Mode and Mix Mode without losing your changes. This is because Program Mode has a Program edit buffer, and Mix Mode has its own Mix edit buffer along with 16 Pr[...]

  • Page 36

    Overview: Chapter 4 S4 Plus Reference Manual 35 To audition Programs before overwriting them with STORE …when editing a Program in Mix Edit Mode: ¿ While in Mix Program Edit mode, press [PROGRAM]. This selects Program Play Mode, retaining your edits to the Program in Mix Edit. ¡ Press the BANK [¨] button until the word “USER” appears in th[...]

  • Page 37

    Chapter 4: Overview 36 S4 Plus Reference Manual[...]

  • Page 38

    Editing Mixes: Chapter 5 S4 Plus Reference Manual 37 C HAPTER 5 E DITING M IXES What is a Mix? Mix Mode is one of the most powerful features of the S4 Plus. While in Program Mode you can play only one Program at a time, in Mix Mode you can play up to 16 Programs at once, either from the keyboard (as layers or splits) or from an external sequencer ([...]

  • Page 39

    Chapter 5: Editing Mixes 38 S4 Plus Reference Manual using the FUNCTION [¨] and [Æ] buttons and (if necessary) the PAGE [¨] and [Æ] buttons. A Mix also uses the Effect Patch associated with one of its 16 Programs. Here is a simplified diagram of the signal path in Mix mode. Understanding the Edit Buffers In Mix mode, there are 16 Program edit b[...]

  • Page 40

    Editing Mixes: Chapter 5 S4 Plus Reference Manual 39 Program Assign for each MIDI Channel The first function of Mix Edit is Program Assign. Program Bank (User, Preset 1–4, Card) This determines which Bank the selected Program is located in for the selected MIDI channel. There are five Banks available in the S4 Plus. If you insert a QuadraCard Sou[...]

  • Page 41

    Chapter 5: Editing Mixes 40 S4 Plus Reference Manual Pitch The Pitch function lets you transpose a channel’s Program in either semitone or octave increments. By using both parameters together, you have a total transposition range of ± 3 octaves. Octave (-2 to +2 octaves) This transposes the Program’s pitch in octave (12 semitone) steps from -2[...]

  • Page 42

    Editing Mixes: Chapter 5 S4 Plus Reference Manual 41 Range (Page 2) MIDI In (On or Off) This determines whether or not the selected channel will respond to incoming MIDI messages. MIDI Out (On or Off) In the QuadraSynth Plus Piano, this determines whether or not the selected channel will transmit MIDI messages. However, in the S4 Plus, this paramet[...]

  • Page 43

    Chapter 5: Editing Mixes 42 S4 Plus Reference Manual Effects in Mix Play Mode In Mix Play Mode, you can have only one Effect Patch active per Mix, which will be the Effects Patch associated with one of the Programs used in the Mix. However, the Mix’s Effect Patch still has 4 independent effect buses, and you can set the effect send level and rout[...]

  • Page 44

    Editing Mixes: Chapter 5 S4 Plus Reference Manual 43 indicates that, although the Effects Patch number coincides with the Program number on the Effects Channel, the Mix is still using the Effects Program connected to the original Program on the Effects Channel that is stored in the Mix. If you store the Mix, the newly selected Program on the Effect[...]

  • Page 45

    Chapter 5: Editing Mixes 44 S4 Plus Reference Manual Playing a Group of Channels in a Mix In Program Play Mode, you can use the MIDI [¨] and [Æ] buttons to set the MIDI IN channel for the whole instrument. But when using the S4 Plus in Mix Play Mode, you may need to be able to transmit on several MIDI channels from your MIDI keyboard, in order to[...]

  • Page 46

    Editing Programs: Chapter 6 S4 Plus Reference Manual 45 C HAPTER 6 E DITING P ROGRAMS Overview Synthesizer programming is the art and science of shaping sounds in a particular way by altering the parameters of various modules. Like music itself, learning synth programming is an ongoing process. Although this manual presents information about synthe[...]

  • Page 47

    Chapter 6: Editing Programs 46 S4 Plus Reference Manual 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 compute[...]

  • Page 48

    Editing Programs: Chapter 6 S4 Plus Reference Manual 47 • When you want different sounds to respond to different MIDI channels. S4 Plus Signal Flow The Four Sounds of a Program Each Program is made up of at least one to four sounds. A sound is made up of several components including a voice (the original sound material) which passes through a low[...]

  • Page 49

    Chapter 6: Editing Programs 48 S4 Plus Reference Manual Voice This digitally-based oscillator provides the actual raw sounds from the 24 megabyte library of on-board samples. The oscillator's pitch can be tuned to a fixed frequency or modulated. Modulation is the process of varying a parameter dynamically over time; the oscillator pitch can be[...]

  • Page 50

    Editing Programs: Chapter 6 S4 Plus Reference Manual 49 Each voice/filter combination is followed by an amplifier whose level can be controlled by a variety of modulation sources. This allows for creating sounds with percussive or slow attacks, particular types of decays, tremolo, etc. Filter and amp settings can interact. If the filter cutoff is e[...]

  • Page 51

    Chapter 6: Editing Programs 50 S4 Plus Reference Manual LFO (Low Frequency Oscillator) The pitch, filter, and amp modules each have a dedicated LFO module for modulation. The term LFO stands for low frequency oscillator, and comes from how modulation was created in the early synth days (an oscillator set to a low frequency could modulate some aspec[...]

  • Page 52

    Editing Programs: Chapter 6 S4 Plus Reference Manual 51 one of the four effect buses. Effects settings, Effect Level and Bus information is saved with the Program when you store it back into memory. Drum Mode Any one or all of the four sounds in a Program can be put in Drum Mode. The Drum Mode parameter is found in the Misc. Function (see last sect[...]

  • Page 53

    Chapter 6: Editing Programs 52 S4 Plus Reference Manual When Drum Mode is enabled, the sound will have fewer parameters for editing. Consequently, not all Function labels will appear in the LCD display as when Drum Mode is turned off. Specifically, the LFOs and all Envelopes (with the exception of the Amp Envelope) are unavailable. In addition, the[...]

  • Page 54

    Editing Programs: Chapter 6 S4 Plus Reference Manual 53 Organ FullDrwbar, 3 Drawbars, Jazz Tone, Percus 2nd, Percus 3rd, Mellow, DrtyChurch, 60’s Combo Keybrd Clavinet, FMClav Hrd, FMClav Sft, FMClav Vel, Harpsicord, FM Harpsi, Marimba Hd, Marimba Sf, Marimba V, FMMrmba Hd, FMMrmba Sf, FMMrmba V, MrmbaWave, Vibraphone, VibesWave, Glock, FM Pluck [...]

  • Page 55

    Chapter 6: Editing Programs 54 S4 Plus Reference Manual Level Each sound in a program can have its own level, pan position, and output assignment. With up to four sounds per program, this allows for a wide variety of stereo effects and level balances between the sounds. Volume (00 to 99) This sets the overall volume for a sound. Higher numbers give[...]

  • Page 56

    Editing Programs: Chapter 6 S4 Plus Reference Manual 55 Detune Type (Normal or Equal) With Normal selected, the percentage of detuning remains the same over the entire range of the keyboard, so the effects of detuning sound the same no matter which key you play. With Equal selected, the absolute amount of detuning remains the same over the entire k[...]

  • Page 57

    Chapter 6: Editing Programs 56 S4 Plus Reference Manual Portamento (Exponential, Linear, 1 Speed) This provides the sweep’s “curve.” • With an exponential curve, the pitch change seems to happen more rapidly at first, then slows down as it approaches the ending pitch. • A linear curve produces a constant pitch change throughout the glide.[...]

  • Page 58

    Editing Programs: Chapter 6 S4 Plus Reference Manual 57 Filter Filter (Page 1) Frequency (00 to 99) This sets the filter's initial cutoff frequency. Lower values give a duller sound since this removes more harmonics; higher values let through more harmonics, which gives a brighter sound. Tip: Signals with complex harmonic structures are most a[...]

  • Page 59

    Chapter 6: Editing Programs 58 S4 Plus Reference Manual Filter (Page 2) Modulation Wheel Depth (-99 to +99) Determines how moving the modulation wheel affects the filter cutoff frequency. Example: With positive settings, moving the modulation wheel up raises the filter cutoff frequency and moving it down lowers the filter cutoff frequency. With neg[...]

  • Page 60

    Editing Programs: Chapter 6 S4 Plus Reference Manual 59 Amp Velocity Curve (13 choices) This selects how the sound will respond to the dynamics of your playing the keyboard. A LINEAR curve is the norm, whereby the increase in level is equal to the increase in velocity; the velocity values increase as you play harder. Many of the Velocity Curves mak[...]

  • Page 61

    Chapter 6: Editing Programs 60 S4 Plus Reference Manual At +00, the Amp LFO has no effect. Higher positive values increase the amount of LFO modulation. Negative values give the same apparent effect, but with reversed LFO phase (i.e., if the amplitude would normally be increasing with depth set to a positive number, the amplitude would instead be d[...]

  • Page 62

    Editing Programs: Chapter 6 S4 Plus Reference Manual 61 Sound Overlap (00 to 99) This determines how many voices can overlap on the same pitch. Example: If you hold the sustain pedal down and play the same note over and over, Sound Overlap determines how many voices are available for that note, and thus how many voices will overlap (play simultaneo[...]

  • Page 63

    Chapter 6: Editing Programs 62 S4 Plus Reference Manual Mod About General Purpose Modulation Although there are several dedicated modulators in the S4 Plus (e.g., the pitch can always be modulated by the pitch LFO and pitch envelope), sophisticated synthesizer programming demands the ability to use as many modulation sources as possible to modulate[...]

  • Page 64

    Editing Programs: Chapter 6 S4 Plus Reference Manual 63 • Aftertouch Pressing on the keys after they’re down generates this control signal. Aftertouch is also called channel pressure, and represents an average of all keys being pressed. This affects any keys that are held down. The harder you press on the keys, the greater the degree of modulat[...]

  • Page 65

    Chapter 6: Editing Programs 64 S4 Plus Reference Manual • Controllers (A, B, C, D) Four incoming MIDI controllers can be recognized by the S4 Plus and used as modulation sources. These controllers are assigned as A–D in Global Mode (see Chapter 8). In Program Play Mode and Mix Play Mode, the four Quad Knobs can be used to control these directly[...]

  • Page 66

    Editing Programs: Chapter 6 S4 Plus Reference Manual 65 Pitch LFO Pitch LFO (Page 1) The Pitch LFO is most often used to apply vibrato to a sound. J The following Pitch LFO variables will make a difference in the sound only if the PITCH LFO DEPTH (on Page 2 of the PITCH function) is set to a value other than 0, or, if the Pitch LFO is a source in t[...]

  • Page 67

    Chapter 6: Editing Programs 66 S4 Plus Reference Manual and at the same speed. Because of this, modulating the LFO Speed using a voice - specific source (such as velocity or one of the envelopes, for example) will have no effect (you will be allowed to do this, but you won’t hear any difference). This is because these modulation sources are meant[...]

  • Page 68

    Editing Programs: Chapter 6 S4 Plus Reference Manual 67 Filter LFO Filter LFO (Page 1) The Filter LFO is most often used to apply tremolo-like or "wah-wah" effects to a sound. J The following Filter LFO variables will affect the sound only if the FILTER LFO DEPTH (on Page 2 of the FILTER function) is set to a value other than 0 , or, if F[...]

  • Page 69

    Chapter 6: Editing Programs 68 S4 Plus Reference Manual Mod Wheel (-99 to 99) This parameter sets how much the Mod Wheel will increase or decrease the Filter LFO’s Level. A positive value raises the level when the Mod Wheel is moved up, and lowers the level when moved down. Negative settings of this parameter will decrease the output level of the[...]

  • Page 70

    Editing Programs: Chapter 6 S4 Plus Reference Manual 69 Amp LFO (Page 2) Level (00 to 99) This is the base output level of the Amp LFO. If you want to have a constant value of tremolo, even without using the Mod Wheel or Aftertouch, set LEVEL above 00. The Mod Wheel and Aftertouch will add or subtract from this base level. Example: If Level is set [...]

  • Page 71

    Chapter 6: Editing Programs 70 S4 Plus Reference Manual Decay & Sustain (00 to 99) As soon as the attack portion of the envelope finishes (when the level reaches maximum), the envelope will decay (decrease in level). The level it reaches is set by the Sustain control; how long it takes to get there is set by the Decay control. In the special ca[...]

  • Page 72

    Editing Programs: Chapter 6 S4 Plus Reference Manual 71 which triggered the envelope’s cycle, playing another note in the middle would not interrupt the cycle). Also in Normal mode, the envelope will immediately advance to its release stage upon releasing the note. When set to Freerun, the envelope will complete its entire cycle, even if the note[...]

  • Page 73

    Chapter 6: Editing Programs 72 S4 Plus Reference Manual Velocity Modulation (00 to 99) This determines how keyboard dynamics will affect the envelope level. When set to 99, note velocity controls the envelope’s output; notes played hard will deliver a higher envelope output than notes played soft. When set to 0, note velocity will have no effect [...]

  • Page 74

    Editing Programs: Chapter 6 S4 Plus Reference Manual 73 Filter Envelope (Page 2) Delay (00 to 99) This is the amount of time that the envelope will wait before doing anything; very useful if you want to affect one element of a sound sometime after the sound starts. When the Delay is set to 0, the envelope attacks right away, without any delay. Play[...]

  • Page 75

    Chapter 6: Editing Programs 74 S4 Plus Reference Manual Sustain Pedal (On or Off) This determines whether or not the Sustain Pedal will have an effect on the envelope. When turned on, holding down the Sustain Pedal while playing short notes is virtually the equivalent to holding down those notes on the keyboard with some subtle but important differ[...]

  • Page 76

    Editing Programs: Chapter 6 S4 Plus Reference Manual 75 level until you release the note on the keyboard, or decay to 0 at the Sustain Decay rate (which is on page 2 of the envelope). You can create a long "plateau" at the start of a note by setting the Sustain to 98 and the Decay to 99. This will cause the envelope to take the maximum am[...]

  • Page 77

    Chapter 6: Editing Programs 76 S4 Plus Reference Manual Time Tracking (On or Off) This determines whether or not keyboard position will affect the cycle speed of the envelope. When turned on, playing toward the higher end of the keyboard will result in a faster envelope cycle; playing toward the lower end of the keyboard will result in a slower env[...]

  • Page 78

    Editing Programs: Chapter 6 S4 Plus Reference Manual 77 Tracking Generator The Tracking Generator is used to scale a modulation source. For example, normally you could modulate the Amp (volume) of a sound using velocity; the harder you play, the louder the sound gets. The amount of change in volume is equal to the change in velocity; this is called[...]

  • Page 79

    Chapter 6: Editing Programs 78 S4 Plus Reference Manual generator. You can patch the Mod Wheel somewhere else in addition to the Tracking Generator, giving you gradual control of one function with the full range of the Mod Wheel, while switching on a second function only at the top of the wheel. However, the Tracking Generator interpolates between [...]

  • Page 80

    Editing Programs: Chapter 6 S4 Plus Reference Manual 79 Misc. Drum Mode This enables and disables Drum Mode which allows you to assign individual drum sounds to individual keys. To Program a sound in Drum Mode, refer to the next section “Programming Drum Sounds.” Sound Enable This is the master on/off switch for the selected sound (1 – 4) of [...]

  • Page 81

    Chapter 6: Editing Programs 80 S4 Plus Reference Manual Programming Drum Sounds To program a sound in Drum Mode, you must first enable Drum Mode for that particular sound in the Misc. Function (see previous section). Quad Knob [4] is always used to select a Drum (1—10), regardless of which Function or Page is selected (except Effect, Name and Mis[...]

  • Page 82

    Editing Programs: Chapter 6 S4 Plus Reference Manual 81 To send a drum to an individual output, use Output in conjunction with Pan. Example: Panning a drum full left and selecting the Aux outputs means that the drum will appear at only the left Aux output. Effects Level The Effects Level function determines how much of the selected drum is being ro[...]

  • Page 83

    Chapter 6: Editing Programs 82 S4 Plus Reference Manual Note (000 to 127/C-2 to G8) Each drum can be assigned to a single note which will trigger the drum sound when played. Quad Knob [1] specifies the note assignment of the selected drum (000 to 127/C-2 to G8). You can also set the note assignment by holding Quad Switch [1] and tapping the key on [...]

  • Page 84

    Editing Programs: Chapter 6 S4 Plus Reference Manual 83 Copying Sounds While editing a Program, it is helpful to be able to copy a sound to another sound in either the same Program or a different Program, especially if you are building a split or layered Program. This can be done very easily from within the Store function. To copy a sound to anothe[...]

  • Page 85

    Chapter 6: Editing Programs 84 S4 Plus Reference Manual To re-initialize the S4 Plus: ¿ Press [PROGRAM] to enter Program mode. ¡ Turn the unit off. ¬ While holding down both Quad Buttons [1] and [4], turn on the power. The S4 Plus will come on showing Program 00, with the EDITED flag showing in the display. This is the Program Mode edit buffer, [...]

  • Page 86

    Editing Effects: Chapter 7 S4 Plus Reference Manual 85 C HAPTER 7 E DITING E FFECTS About Signal Processing The built-in effects processor of the S4 Plus is similar to that of the Alesis QuadraVerb 2, capable of generating multiple, fully digital effects simultaneously. The S4 Plus effects processor has four inputs, called effect sends. You might t[...]

  • Page 87

    Chapter 7: Editing Effects 86 S4 Plus Reference Manual Selecting Effects in Mix Mode Each Program has its own effects that are recalled when you select a Program. However, since a Mix can have up to 16 Programs (one on each Channel), you must select which Channel’s Program you wish to use the effects from. To select an Effects Patch, you must be [...]

  • Page 88

    Editing Effects: Chapter 7 S4 Plus Reference Manual 87 Clip While routing sounds into the effects processor, the word “CLIP” will temporarily appear in the display if an input is overloading the effects. If this should occur, try reducing the Input Levels for each of the effects devices in the current configuration, and (if necessary) reduce th[...]

  • Page 89

    Chapter 7: Editing Effects 88 S4 Plus Reference Manual Storing Effect Patches In Program Mode Effects are an extension of a Program. So, when you store a Program, you store its Effects Patch along with it. Once a Program’s Effect Patch has been altered, the display will show the word “EDITED” next to the Program number (if in Program Mode; wh[...]

  • Page 90

    Editing Effects: Chapter 7 S4 Plus Reference Manual 89 Copying Effect Patches When you want a Program to use the Effects from a different Program, you must copy that other Program’s Effects into the Program you are working on. This is done within Store Mode using the “Copy Effect” function. First, select the Program which contains the Effects[...]

  • Page 91

    Chapter 7: Editing Effects 90 S4 Plus Reference Manual Configuration #1: 4-Sends, 1 Reverb PITCH 1 FX SEND 1 FX SEND 2 AUX LEFT AUX RIGHT MAIN LEFT MAIN RIGHT AUX LEFT AUX RIGHT MAIN LEFT MAIN RIGHT DELAY 1 1 REVERB FX SEND 3 FX SEND 4 PITCH 2 DELAY 2 AMP AMP PITCH 3 DELAY 3 AMP DELAY 4 AMP 1 2 1 2 1 2 1 2 BAL. BAL. BAL. BAL. BAL. BAL. BAL. 2 3 1 2[...]

  • Page 92

    Editing Effects: Chapter 7 S4 Plus Reference Manual 91 This Configuration #1 provides three Pitch effects, four Delay effects and one Reverb effect. The Pitch effects are found on effect sends 1, 2 and 3, but while the Pitch effects on sends 1 and 2 are stereo and their types are selectable (Mono Chorus, Mono Flange or Resonator), the Pitch effect [...]

  • Page 93

    Chapter 7: Editing Effects 92 S4 Plus Reference Manual Configuration #2: 4-Sends, 2 Reverb FX SEND 1 FX SEND 2 AUX LEFT AUX RIGHT MAIN LEFT MAIN RIGHT AUX LEFT AUX RIGHT MAIN LEFT MAIN RIGHT DELAY REVERB FX SEND 3 AMP MIX 1 REVERB 1 REVERB 2 DELAY 1 PITCH 1 AMP PITCH AMP PITCH 3 PITCH REVERB AMP REVERB 3 FX SEND 4 REVERB 4 AMP MIX 3 Delay 1 Pitch 1[...]

  • Page 94

    Editing Effects: Chapter 7 S4 Plus Reference Manual 93 Configuration #3: 4-Sends, 1 Lezlie LEZLIE FX SEND 1 FX SEND 2 A UX LEFT A UX RIGHT MAIN LEFT MAIN RIGHT A UX LEFT A UX RIGHT MAIN LEFT MAIN RIGHT DELA Y 1 1 REVERB FX SEND 3 FX SEND 4 PITCH 2 DELA Y 2 AMP AMP PITCH 3 DELA Y 3 AMP DELA Y 4 AMP 1 2 1 2 1 2 1 2 BAL. BAL. BAL. BAL. BAL. 2 3 1 2 3 [...]

  • Page 95

    Chapter 7: Editing Effects 94 S4 Plus Reference Manual Configuration #4: 2-Sends, with EQ AUX LEFT AUX RIGHT MAIN LEFT MAIN RIGHT AUX LEFT AUX RIGHT MAIN LEFT MAIN RIGHT 12 PITCH 1 BAL. FX SEND 1 PITCH 2 BAL. FX SEND 2 PITCH 1 12 DELAY 1 DELAY 2 BAL. 1 2 BAL. 1 2 PITCH 2 DELAY 1 DELAY 2 REVERB 1 REVERB 1 1 EQ REVERB 2 MIX MISC AMP AMP Pitch 1 Delay[...]

  • Page 96

    Editing Effects: Chapter 7 S4 Plus Reference Manual 95 Configuration #5: OD>CHS>DDL>REV>LZ AUX LEFT AUX RIGHT MAIN LEFT MAIN RIGHT AUX LEFT AUX RIGHT MAIN LEFT MAIN RIGHT 1 BAL. FX SEND 1 MISC. 1 1 PITCH 1 REVERB 1 MIX OVERDRIVE FX SEND 2 FX SEND 3 FX SEND 4 PITCH 1 BAL. 1 DELAY 1 BAL. 1 2 AMP REVERB 1 1 BAL. 1 2 LEZLIE DELAY 1 1 EQ PIT[...]

  • Page 97

    Chapter 7: Editing Effects 96 S4 Plus Reference Manual Reverb Reverb can be thought of as a great number of distinct echoes, called reflections, that occur so fast that our ear hears them blurred together as one. In nature, different sized spaces give distinctly different sounding reverbs, depending on the size and shape of the space, and the textu[...]

  • Page 98

    Editing Effects: Chapter 7 S4 Plus Reference Manual 97 Input level Quad Knob [4] controls the overall Input Level going into the Reverb. Chorus Input Level If Configuration #2 is selected (refer to block diagram of Configuration #2, earlier in this chapter), the first page of the Reverb function will look like this: MIDI CHAN PROG 1 PRESET EDITING:[...]

  • Page 99

    Chapter 7: Editing Effects 98 S4 Plus Reference Manual If Configuration #2 is selected and you press [EDIT 1] to advance to effect send 2 while the Reverb function is selected, the display will look like this: MIDI CHAN PROG 1 PRESET EDITING: 2 EFFECT PITCH MOD CONFIG REVERB DELA Y MIX MISC. P AGE: 1 Quad Knob [1] lets you adjust the level of the s[...]

  • Page 100

    Editing Effects: Chapter 7 S4 Plus Reference Manual 99 Gated. Gated Reverb is a very popular effect on drums first found on English records in the early 1980s. This reverb type can simulate applying a noise gate (a device that automatically decreases the volume once the signal falls below a certain level) across the output of the reverb thereby cau[...]

  • Page 101

    Chapter 7: Editing Effects 100 S4 Plus Reference Manual Reverb (Page 4) Density Density controls how the first reflection of the reverb effect will appear. When set to 0, the first reflection is heard alone without any other reflections. When set to 99, the first reflection appears to “fade-in” and then “fade-out”. This is because a number [...]

  • Page 102

    Editing Effects: Chapter 7 S4 Plus Reference Manual 101 Delay The Delay function is used to edit Delay parameters. Delay (Page 1) The S4 Plus’s effects processor has three different Delay types available. Note: Some delay modules only feature a mono Delay, and therefore the Delay Type parameter will be unavailable. Instead the parameters normally[...]

  • Page 103

    Chapter 7: Editing Effects 102 S4 Plus Reference Manual Pitch The Pitch function is used to edit Pitch parameters. Pitch (Page 1) The first page of the Pitch function will look different depending on the selected Configuration and which effect send you are editing. Normally, there will only be one parameter: Pitch Type. However, in the case of Conf[...]

  • Page 104

    Editing Effects: Chapter 7 S4 Plus Reference Manual 103 Stereo Chorus. In the case of a Stereo Chorus, the signal is split into three parts with a dry signal and a separate Detuning section for both left and right channels. When the left channel is detuned sharp, the right is detuned flat, and vice versa. Once again, this causes the effect to becom[...]

  • Page 105

    Chapter 7: Editing Effects 104 S4 Plus Reference Manual Stereo Flange. In the case of the Stereo Flange, the signal is split into three parts with a dry signal and a separate Delay section for both left and right channels with one channel flanging up while the other channel flanges down. Once again, this causes the effect to become more pronounced [...]

  • Page 106

    Editing Effects: Chapter 7 S4 Plus Reference Manual 105 Pitch (Page 2) If the Pitch type is Mono Chorus, Stereo Chorus, Mono Flange or Stereo Flange, page 2 of the Pitch function contain the following four parameters: Waveform Shape Quad Knob [1] determines the LFO’s waveform shape. This parameter only appears when the Mono or Stereo Chorus or Fl[...]

  • Page 107

    Chapter 7: Editing Effects 106 S4 Plus Reference Manual Mod The Mod Function lets you control various effects parameters from the various controls on your MIDI Controller (keyboard, after-touch, pitch-bender, etc.). This is extremely useful when dynamic or real-time control is required in a live playing situation. It is possible to control up to 2 [...]

  • Page 108

    Editing Effects: Chapter 7 S4 Plus Reference Manual 107 the mod wheel as the Source, the mod wheel could be programmed to cause the Reverb to increase the decay (positive) or decrease the decay (negative). Mix Not to be confused with an actual Mix or Mix mode, the Effect’s Mix function is where you can mix the various signal levels of all the eff[...]

  • Page 109

    Chapter 7: Editing Effects 108 S4 Plus Reference Manual EQ The shelving EQ is only available in Configuration #s 4 and 5. It provides bass and treble boost, and affects the entire Main Output (not just the Effects Sends). Four EQ parameters are included: low frequency (range: 30Hz to 180Hz), low frequency boost (0dB to 12dB), high frequency (3kHz t[...]

  • Page 110

    Editing Effects: Chapter 7 S4 Plus Reference Manual 109 Overdrive Threshold This sets the level the signal feeding the Overdrive effect must be reach before the Overdrive effect will begin distorting. It can be set between 00 and 99. If this number is very low, the Overdrive effect will start to distort almost right away. When set to a high number,[...]

  • Page 111

    Chapter 7: Editing Effects 110 S4 Plus Reference Manual[...]

  • Page 112

    Global Settings: Chapter 8 S4 Plus Reference Manual 111 C HAPTER 8 G LOBAL S ETTINGS Global Edit Mode is where you will find several parameters which affect the entire instrument, such as overall master tuning, display contrast, controller settings, keyboard mode, edit mode and the 48 kHz input. Editing Global Parameters ¿ Press the [ GLOBAL] butt[...]

  • Page 113

    Chapter 8: Global Settings 112 S4 Plus Reference Manual transpose all sounds. Quad Knob [4] adjusts the S4 Plus’s overall Master Tuning (-99 to +99/up or down 1/2 step). Adjust this parameter when tuning the S4 Plus to other instruments. These parameters have no effect on drum sounds, the Range settings, or MIDI Out. Mix Group Channel In Page 2 o[...]

  • Page 114

    Global Settings: Chapter 8 S4 Plus Reference Manual 113 Reset Controllers A – D Found on Global Edit Page 4, the “A–D Reset” function (On/Off) determines whether the values for Controllers A–D will be reset to zero when a new Program or Mix is recalled. Use Quad Knob [2] to turn this on or off. Example: If you adjusted Controller A (using[...]

  • Page 115

    Chapter 8: Global Settings 114 S4 Plus Reference Manual MIDI Program Select In Page 6 of Global Edit mode, Quad Knob [1] determines the MIDI Program Select mode (Off, On, Mix Select Channel 1 –16). When this is set to “Off”, the S4 Plus will not respond to incoming MIDI Program Change messages, nor will it transmit Program Changes. When set t[...]

  • Page 116

    Global Settings: Chapter 8 S4 Plus Reference Manual 115 If, additionally, a new Bank is selected in Mix Play Mode and any Channel’s MIDI Out parameter (Mix Edit Mode, Range Function, Page 2, Quad Knob [3]) is turned “On”, a Bank Select message (followed by the appropriate Program Change) will be transmitted out the MIDI Out connector for each[...]

  • Page 117

    Chapter 8: Global Settings 116 S4 Plus Reference Manual[...]

  • Page 118

    MIDI Transfer and Storage Operations: Chapter 9 S4 Plus Reference Manual 117 C HAPTER 9 MIDI T RANSFER A ND S TORAGE O PERATIONS Saving the User Bank to an External Card The entire contents of the S4 Plus’s User memory (100 Mixes, 128 Programs, 128 Effects Patches) can be stored to an Alesis QuadraCard RAM card inserted into the Sound Card slot o[...]

  • Page 119

    Chapter 9: MIDI Transfer and Storage Operations 118 S4 Plus Reference Manual Storing an Individual Program or Mix to an External Card You also have the option of storing a Mix or Program directly to a specific location in a RAM Sound Card Bank (instead of transferring the entire Bank) and vice versa. However, the Sound Card you are storing to must [...]

  • Page 120

    MIDI Transfer and Storage Operations: Chapter 9 S4 Plus Reference Manual 119 Card Storage RAMifications Whenever you transfer an internal Bank to a RAM card, the result is that all Mixes in the transferred Bank are changed so that they now access the Programs on the card bank to which the User bank was saved (since they reside there, now), instead [...]

  • Page 121

    Chapter 9: MIDI Transfer and Storage Operations 120 S4 Plus Reference Manual To send the entire User bank via MIDI: ¿ Connect a MIDI cable from the S4 Plus’s MIDI Out to the MIDI In of a device capable of receiving the data (another S4 Plus, etc.). ¡ Press [STORE]. ¬ Use either PAGE [¨] or [Æ] to select Page 3 of the Store function. ÷ Turn [...]

  • Page 122

    Troubleshooting: Appendix A S4 Plus Reference Manual 121 A PPENDIX A T ROUBLE -S HOOTING Trouble-Shooting Index If you are experience problems while operating the S4 Plus, please use the following table to locate possible causes and solutions before contacting Alesis customer service for assistance. Symptom Cause Solution The display does not light[...]

  • Page 123

    Appendix A: Troubleshooting 122 S4 Plus Reference Manual Checking Software Version The current software version may be determined by holding [GLOBAL] and pressing [PROGRAM]. The S4 Plus will indicate the current software version installed in the upper right display. Maintenance/Service Cleaning Disconnect the AC cord, then use a damp cloth to clean[...]

  • Page 124

    Troubleshooting: Appendix A S4 Plus Reference Manual 123 Field repairs are not normally authorized during the warranty period, and repair attempts by unqualified personnel may invalidate the warranty. Service address for customers in the USA: Alesis Product Support 3630 Holdrege Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90016 Customers outside the USA: Contact your l[...]

  • Page 125

    Appendix A: Troubleshooting 124 S4 Plus Reference Manual[...]

  • Page 126

    MIDI Supplement: Appendix B S4 Plus Reference Manual 125 A PPENDIX B MIDI S UPPLEMENT MIDI Basics Most current electronic instruments and signal processors, including the S4 Plus, contain an internal computer. Computers and music have been working together for decades, which is not surprising considering music’s mathematical basis (consider frequ[...]

  • Page 127

    Appendix B: MIDI Supplement 126 S4 Plus Reference Manual have a channel number and are received by all units in a system, include Common, Real Time, and Exclusive messages. Channel Messages: Mode Messages There are two messages that determine the MIDI mode (i.e., how a device will receive MIDI data). The “Omni” message determines how many chann[...]

  • Page 128

    MIDI Supplement: Appendix B S4 Plus Reference Manual 127 4 Foot Controller (0-127) 5 Portamento Time (0-127) 6 Data Slider (0-127) 7 Main Volume (0-127) 8 Balance (0-127) 10 Pan (0-127) 11 Expression (0-127) 16 General Purpose #1 (0-127) 17 General Purpose #2 (0-127) 18 General Purpose #3 (0-127) 19 General Purpose #4 (0-127) 32-63 Least Significan[...]

  • Page 129

    Appendix B: MIDI Supplement 128 S4 Plus Reference Manual System Common Messages Intended for all units in a system, some of these MIDI messages are: Song Position Pointer. This indicates how many “MIDI beats” (normally a 16th note) have elapsed since a piece started (up to 16,384 total beats). It is primarily used to allow different sequencers [...]

  • Page 130

    MIDI Supplement: Appendix B S4 Plus Reference Manual 129 There are three MIDI registered parameters which the S4 plus will recognize in Mix Play Mode when General MIDI Mode is enabled. These are: • MIDI Registered Parameter 0 (Pitch Bend Sensitivity): This will directly effect the Pitch Wheel Range parameter of all four Sounds of the Program on t[...]

  • Page 131

    MIDI Implementation Chart 130 S4 Plus Reference Manual MIDI IMPLEMENTATION CHART Function Transmitted Recognized Remarks Basic Channel Default Changed 1 — 16 1 — 16 each 1 — 16 1 — 16 each Memorized Mode Default Messages Altered Mode 3 X * * * * * * * * Mode 3 X Note Number True Voice 0 — 127 * * * * * * * * 0 — 127 0 — 127 Velocity N[...]

  • Page 132

    Parameters Index: Appendix C S4 Plus Reference Manual 131 APPENDIX C: P ARAMETERS I NDEX Program Parameters Parameter Function Page Quad Knob Page in Manual Aftertouch Depth: Amp A mp 1 2 61 Aftertouch Depth: ALFO ALFO 2 3 71 Aftertouch Depth: Filter Filter 2 2 60 Aftertouch Depth: FLFO F LF O 2 3 70 Aftertouch Depth: Pitch Pitch 2 2 57 Aftertouch [...]

  • Page 133

    Appendix C: Parameters Index 132 S4 Plus Reference Manual Mod. Wheel Level: FLFO FL F O 2 2 70 Modulation Destination Mod 1 – 6 2 6 6 Modulation: Gate Mode Mod 1– 4 4 66 Modulation Level M o d 1– 6 3 66 Modulation: Quantize Mode Mo d 5– 6 4 64 Modulation Source Mo d 1 1 64 Name (Program) Na m e 1—10 1 79 Output Level 1 3 5 6 Pa n Level 1 [...]

  • Page 134

    Parameters Index: Appendix C S4 Plus Reference Manual 133 Voice Select: Sound Name Assign Voice 1 3 54 Volume Level 1 1 55 Mix Parameters Parameter Function Page Quad Knob Page in Manual Aftertouch Range 3 2 43 Controllers A–D Range 3 4 43 Effect Channel Effect 1 4 44 Effect MIDI Effect 1 2 44 Group Range 2 4 43 MIDI In Range 2 1 43 MIDI Out Rang[...]

  • Page 135

    Appendix C: Parameters Index 134 S4 Plus Reference Manual[...]

  • Page 136

    What’s New in the 2.0 “Plus” Upgrade: Appendix D S4 Plus Reference Manual 135 A PPENDIX D W HAT ’ S N EW IN THE 2.0 “P LUS ” U PGRADE If you have upgraded your S4 from an older version to the new 2.0 “Plus” version, this chapter will brief you on the changes and additions that will be new to you. Many functions were overhauled, and [...]

  • Page 137

    Appendix D: What’s New in the 2.0 “Plus” Upgrade 136 S4 Plus Reference Manual Selecting Programs and Mixes When in Program Play Mode or Mix Play Mode, the Quad Knobs no longer let you scroll through the various Programs or Mixes (although you can still use the VALUE [¨] and [Æ] buttons to step through the Programs or Mixes one at a time). T[...]

  • Page 138

    What’s New in the 2.0 “Plus” Upgrade: Appendix D S4 Plus Reference Manual 137 Here is a list of the new samples that accompany the 2.0 “Plus” upgrade (* denotes new Voice Groups): Group New Voices Piano AcousPiano, BritePiano, PianoModul Guitar AcoustHrm2, NylonHrm2, 6 Str Hrm2 SndFX A lert , A ndroid, Cyborg, Meteor, Supernova Drums Anal[...]

  • Page 139

    Appendix D: What’s New in the 2.0 “Plus” Upgrade 138 S4 Plus Reference Manual New Front Panel Functions To make it easy to navigate through the hundreds of additional Programs in the S4 Plus, several new functions have been added to existing buttons. BANK [ ¨ ] and [ Æ ] Buttons When in Program Play Mode or Mix Play Mode, the FUNCTION [¨] [...]

  • Page 140

    What’s New in the 2.0 “Plus” Upgrade: Appendix D S4 Plus Reference Manual 139 Performance Controls via the Quad Knobs The four Quad Knobs now provide direct access to Controllers A, B, C and D, respectively, when either Program Play Mode or Mix Play Mode is selected. This opens up a whole world of performance control possibilities, making the[...]

  • Page 141

    Appendix D: What’s New in the 2.0 “Plus” Upgrade 140 S4 Plus Reference Manual Global Edit Mode Controller A–D Reset A new parameter, called “A–D Reset”, has been added to Global mode to accommodate the Quad Knobs’ new function of providing direct access to Controllers A–D. This parameter is found on Page 4 of Global Edit Mode. For[...]

  • Page 142

    What’s New in the 2.0 “Plus” Upgrade: Appendix D S4 Plus Reference Manual 141 Program Play Mode Envelope Delay Hold Each of the three envelopes in a single Sound – Pitch (PENV), Filter (FENV) and Amp (AENV) – can now have their “Delay” parameter set to wait for a note to be released before continuing on to the other stages of the enve[...]

  • Page 143

    Appendix D: What’s New in the 2.0 “Plus” Upgrade 142 S4 Plus Reference Manual Among the 6 possible modulation routings, routings 4 through 6 have had their Gate parameter replaced with a new Quantizing parameter (Program Edit Mode, Mod Function, Pages 4–6, Quad Knob [4]). These modulations are now referred to as Quantize Modulation Routings[...]

  • Page 144

    What’s New in the 2.0 “Plus” Upgrade: Appendix D S4 Plus Reference Manual 143 0 100 P OINTS: 0123456789 10 NORMAL 0 100 P OINTS: 0123456789 10 STEPPED Drum Voices Amp Envelope Gated Decay The Decay parameter in the Amp Envelope (AENV) can now be set above 100 and as high as 120. These additional 20 values correlate to decay values 0 to 99 in [...]

  • Page 145

    Appendix D: What’s New in the 2.0 “Plus” Upgrade 144 S4 Plus Reference Manual Effects Mode Improved Reverb Algorithms All of the reverb algorithms have been improved to provide more realistic room simulations. These improvements coincide with the release of the QuadraVerb 2 and MIDIVerb 4 Multi Effects Processors which incorporate similar DSP[...]

  • Page 146

    What’s New in the 2.0 “Plus” Upgrade: Appendix D S4 Plus Reference Manual 145 by a Chorus effect, which can be either a Mono Chorus, Mono Flange or Resonator. The Chorus is then followed by a Delay effect, followed by a Reverb effect, followed by a Lezlie. The Overdrive effect can be edited by selecting the Misc. Function while in Effect Edit[...]

  • Page 147

    Appendix D: What’s New in the 2.0 “Plus” Upgrade 146 S4 Plus Reference Manual Mix Play Mode Assigning Programs In Mix Edit Mode, the “Bank” and “Program” parameters in the Program-Assign display have been rearranged, to be consistent with the Store Mode display. Use Quad Knob [1] to select a Bank, and use Quad Knob [2] to select a Pro[...]

  • Page 148

    What’s New in the 2.0 “Plus” Upgrade: Appendix D S4 Plus Reference Manual 147 Receiving Controllers A third Page has been added to the Range function in Mix Edit Mode. This Page consists of four parameters which are used to turn on and off the reception of the following controllers: • “WHEEL” Pitch-Bend and Modulation wheels • “AFTC[...]

  • Page 149

    Appendix D: What’s New in the 2.0 “Plus” Upgrade 148 S4 Plus Reference Manual General MIDI Enabling General MIDI Mode The version 2.0 “Plus” upgrade now makes the S4 fully General MIDI compatible. In fact, there is a General MIDI mode found in Global Edit Mode Page 1 which, when turned on, automatically calls up a Mix that is defined spec[...]

  • Page 150

    What’s New in the 2.0 “Plus” Upgrade: Appendix D S4 Plus Reference Manual 149 Channel of the Mix. If the Channel is selected using the MIDI [¨] and [Æ] buttons, the word “Edited” will appear next to the Program Number in the display if this parameter is received. However, if you are viewing the Tune Semitone parameter in the display (Pr[...]

  • Page 151

    Appendix D: What’s New in the 2.0 “Plus” Upgrade 150 S4 Plus Reference Manual Example: Let’s say you are using a MIDI sequencer to play back a sequence which selects several different Programs on various channels of a Mix (using program change messages). The sequence also sends out several controller 7 and 10 messages to set the desired vol[...]

  • Page 152

    What’s New in the 2.0 “Plus” Upgrade: Appendix D S4 Plus Reference Manual 151 Store Mode When Store Mode is accessed, the display in Page 1 will now indicate not only the Program Number where you can store to, but also the Bank Name. Use Quad Knob [1] to select a Bank, and use Quad Knob [2] to select a Program Number. If no card is present, y[...]

  • Page 153

    Appendix D: What’s New in the 2.0 “Plus” Upgrade 152 S4 Plus Reference Manual • Any PCMCIA Type I SRAM Card • All AMD 'C' series and 'D' series Type I FLASH Cards. Storing to Specific Sound Card Locations You now have the option of storing an edited Mix or Program directly to a specific location in a RAM Sound Card Ban[...]

  • Page 154

    What’s New in the 2.0 “Plus” Upgrade: Appendix D S4 Plus Reference Manual 153 into the internal User Bank, the Mixes in the User Bank are automatically reprogrammed to look for their Programs in the User bank. This is necessary, since it is possible for a Mix to use one or more Programs that are stored in different Banks. No Sending Effects O[...]

  • Page 155

    Appendix D: What’s New in the 2.0 “Plus” Upgrade 154 S4 Plus Reference Manual[...]

  • Page 156

    Index S4 Plus Reference Manual 155 INDEX 48 kHz CLOCK IN 22, 115 ADAT 22 Aftertouch 15 amp 59 filter 58 pitch 55 AI-1 22 COMPARE 25, 31 Controllers A – D 15, 112– 113 contrast 11, 111 copy a sound 83 Effects between Programs 83 demo 12 digital I/O 22 Display 26 Drum Mode 51, 79 Edit 1 Mode 30 Edit 4 Mode 26, 30 edit buffer 31 Effect Clip 86 Con[...]